Design Trends 2014

Rima Alsammarae

Radiant Orchid

Pantone colour specialists have revealed 2014’s colour of the year: radiant orchid. It’s a sweet tone that delicately balances between fuchsia and lavender. And while it’s a bold choice that can lead to overkill, radiant orchid—if used intelligently—can create eye-popping designs. Think long-backed chairs, bohemian rug designs and patterned textiles for pillows and cushions that can really stand out especially when tones of radiant orchid are applied. The colour mixes well with other pastels, like celosia orange and hemlock green.
1/19
Pattern Play

While mixing patterns is a long held tradition for many cultures, we’re seeing the style trend mature. 2014 is the year we’ll be seeing sophisticated palettes, romantic patterns and soft colours coming together to take charge. And they’re best for mixing with bolder hues to add a bit of tension to the space. Try combining vertical stripes with misshaped circles to create a memorable and confident space.
2/19
New Age Chandelier

Chandeliers don’t have to be the exorbitant lighting pieces found in upscale restaurants and hotels; they can be toned down, modernised and perfected for contemporary interiors. Like the Halo modular lighting structure from Stephanie Ng, circular lighting pieces are starting to replace traditionally shaped chandeliers. In addition to shape shifting, the new age chandelier doesn’t necessarily have to consist of high-end crystal, but rather more understated materials like steel, LED lighting and other more downplayed elements. Pieces like the Halo lighting struture are ideal for hanging over staircases or large foyers. The add a bit of minimised elegance and sophistication.
3/19
Ooze Organic

Similar to biophilia, the application of organic materials and shapes is also a hard hitting trend. Rather than conventional coffee tables and chairs, soft edges and natural shapes are currently in demand. People are returning to their literal roots and are ensuring that their surroundings reflect earthy elements. The Cloud Table by Nendo reflects just that. The shapes are subtle and imperfect, which allow harmony and delicateness to enter any interior.
4/19
Buzzword: Sustainability

Projects with environmental foundations are becoming more than just in demand, they are now expected. From low VOC paints, to energy saving LED light fixtures, to carpets made from recycled material, sustainable design can improve the desirability of a space and even its social standing among other projects. This light bulb by ACE is known as the world’s first designer energy saving light bulb, and illustrates the hunger and thirst among designers, clients and admirers for green design.
5/19
Heritage Reverie

Rather than going overboard with ‘ethnic’ detailing and aping one too many cultural styles at once, why not zone in on a few design elements and apply them in a minimal sense. Low seating, colourful patterns and rug layering are a couple simple ways to add a sense of heritage to an overly contemporary space. And get dreamy with clustered, low hanging lights. It’s bohemian without being garish.
6/19
Magic Space

From playing with shadows and lights, to whimsical furniture pieces like hanging chairs and overflowing cushions, more and more people are opting for spaces that have a fantastical air to them. It’s an ideal style for exhibitionary spaces like museums and retail windows. A neutral and simple colour palette works best for this style, as it’s the shadows and spot lighting that will take centre stage. The magic space is more of a dark fantasy that can be known to attract Tim Burton-esque clients, who prioritise fearlessly theatrical displays.
7/19
Do it yourself

Whether you actually did it yourself or bought a product that almost looks homemade (but slightly better), the DIY trend has been on-going and doesn't seem to be nearing an end, so expect a lot of it in 2014. This trend’s cool factor comes from the fact that it’s a bit grungy and a bit rock n’ roll. To get the look, think repurposed furniture made from recycled wood and cork products, like this three-chair bench.
8/19
Flexibility

Smart product design is essential, and it’s becoming more difficult for designers to justify objects that are purely decorative. As more and more people develop tastes for authentic minimal design, furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes are in high demand. Such products range from coffee tables that offer ingenious means for storage space to modular desk systems that allow employees to move about modern workspaces. Flexible interior design is about finding smart solutions to every day issues and is highly function-driven.
9/19
Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes offer a nice break from the organic forms and soft ends that are slowly taking over the design market. It's time to think about Japanese minimalism. Whether you add some hard and bold lines on the floor or wall, geometric shapes and moulds provide a confident and contemporary edge to any interior. Geometric shapes also offer a great chance to infuse an array of colours. From soft pastels to a grungy grey scale, such hard-cutting outlines from carpet tiles or wall patterns bring a modern break to the seemingly ordinary.
10/19
Turn up the volume

Designers and architects like Tom Dixon and Zaha Hadid are pioneering the use and play of unconventional shapes in interior design. From giant, masking reception desks, to ceiling pipe lines that offer a visual flow, to the intelligent combination of small and big angular features, the art of playing with an interior’s many volumes can prove to be aesthetically stunning and visually powerful. By changing the volume and scope of regular design elements like desks and chairs, designers create unexpected spaces that are unforgettable.
11/19
Grunge retail

Retail design in the Middle East can be limited, as general tastes for certain styles, mall regulations and access to materials can be restricticting and overpowering for regional designers. However, with the grunge scene making a comeback in both music and fashion, we see it leading to concrete statement interiors as well. From recycled material, visible store infrastructure, and metal lighting, grunge retail design isn’t too edgy anymore, rather it’s becoming quite normal. We’re also seeing a lot of steam punk, which if mixed properly with grunge can create some interesting and fresh outcomes.
12/19
Furniture Fusion

Similar to biophilia, the need to bring the outdoors in is a growing desire of modern clients. Creating interior designs that fuse earth with man-made objects are a sure-fire way to delight. At the office, at homes, in cafes, hotels or retail shops, furniture fusion is an increasingly popular option. Tables that are rooted in plant vines, lighting structures topped off with draping vegetation and green wall pallets are all new and simple ways of fusing ordinary furniture pieces with real life greenery.
13/19
Letting the walls speak

Wall prints can be done in either two ways: perfectly well or horrendously wrong. There’s no in-between, so making sure you have the right print is absolutely necessary. We would argue they work better in smaller spaces on one statement wall, rather than going full fledged and applying it to all four walls of the room. The right wall print can enhance an area’s design and offer a theatrical sense of space.
14/19
Get Playful

Turning a design around and spinning it on its head—metaphorically speaking, of course—can prove to be a needed breath of fresh air for designers and users. Interior design shouldn’t always be so serious, and adding a little bit of playfulness and fun to a space can really transform a room from a conventional and familiar one to an unexpected and interactive one. Take this Taj Mahal inspired piece. Its main function is to be, a side table, but its design is positively jovial and downright spirited.
15/19
Gothic Chic

Subgroups like the punk and gothic scenes from the nineties shouldn’t be aped, but pulling inspiration from them is nothing to be afraid of. Subgroups largely exist to offer an alternative way of looking at notions of beauty, whether in fashion or in design. So why not take another look at what the gothic scene achieved and pull out something creative from the darkness? This lighting chandelier by Preciosa is a perfect example of modernising gothic taste and making it absolutely chic.
16/19
The Colour Lookbook

Pantone has labelled radiant orchid as 2014’s colour of the year, but surely that doesn’t mean everything will be in the purplish hue this year. Pantone has also predicted that a major colour trend will include the mixing of pastel shades with subtle base neutrals like greys, whites and blacks. Think soft yellows, fuchsias and blues combined with a gradual grey scale. It will lighten up your space and offer a bright outlook.
17/19
Metal Works

We've been witnessing a resurgence of wooden interiors and furniture pieces during the past few years, and it seems many clients are going to continue aiming for more toned down and natural looks. By adding metal to a design's material palette, interior designers will likely appreciate the effortless glam that will result. Metal maintains a room's earthy quality, while also adding a bit of reflection, light and edge. Metal products like decorative items, tables and lighting fixtures can keep designs from seeming underwhelming. It's worth considering the material the next time your space is feeling a bit dull.
18/19
Keep it minimal

It may be the last trend on our list, but that’s only because it isn’t particularly new. But it’s important to know that it’s also not going anywhere. ‘Keep it simple and minimal’ is a motto we should all live by this year. Whether it’s an entire design of a space or just an approach to a new chair, minimal design needs to remain smart, creative and most of all authentic.
19/19