Houzz Experts Speak: Indian Interior Trends for 2017
India's top designers weigh in on the must-have decor elements for the new year
Amanda Peters
19 January 2017
Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things travel, culture and design. My favourite pieces to write are the Houzz Tours, as I love exploring real homes of all shapes and sizes.
Houzz India Contributor. I'm a freelance journalist who loves writing about all things... More
The new year is upon us. If you are yearning for a new look for your home or are planning a fresh start, here is a head start to get your ideas together. We have gone straight to industry stalwarts and experts for tips on how to spice things up in 2017. From creating spaces that stimulate, to those that inspire, these ideas will help you step away from the world of grey and walk into one with bold colours and patterns. Here are the trends for the new year. Start taking notes!
Expert advice from: Interior designers Vinita Chaitanya of PRISM, Monica Chawla of Essentia Environments, Neesha Alwani of N+S, and Karishma Bajaj, founder of Red Blue & Yellow
Expert advice from: Interior designers Vinita Chaitanya of PRISM, Monica Chawla of Essentia Environments, Neesha Alwani of N+S, and Karishma Bajaj, founder of Red Blue & Yellow
Seating around the TV is out
Interior designer and co-founder of Essentia Environments Monica Chawla predicts a change in something as fundamental as space planning and furniture layout. She adds, “The current trend is to line up seating against a window. Nobody looks out towards their gardens. What will be changing is the basic template of interior design. Apart from incorporating more vertical gardens in city apartments, I see us moving away from furniture pointed at the TV, and more towards conversational seating that also takes advantage of the views.”
Interior designer and co-founder of Essentia Environments Monica Chawla predicts a change in something as fundamental as space planning and furniture layout. She adds, “The current trend is to line up seating against a window. Nobody looks out towards their gardens. What will be changing is the basic template of interior design. Apart from incorporating more vertical gardens in city apartments, I see us moving away from furniture pointed at the TV, and more towards conversational seating that also takes advantage of the views.”
Think out-of-the-box
“It is not about playing it safe anymore,” says co-founder Neesha Alwani of the architectural and interior design firm N+S. “Neutral tones are out, replaced by bold colours and patterns in the overall scheme.” The usual flooring option of wood or marble is going to be a thing of the past. It will be all about bold choices – think geometric design, earthier floors and deeper tones.
It may not be the right colour, but here is an example of a cube flooring design that creates a 3-D optical illusion. Look at how pairing it with single-toned interiors makes quite a statement.
“It is not about playing it safe anymore,” says co-founder Neesha Alwani of the architectural and interior design firm N+S. “Neutral tones are out, replaced by bold colours and patterns in the overall scheme.” The usual flooring option of wood or marble is going to be a thing of the past. It will be all about bold choices – think geometric design, earthier floors and deeper tones.
It may not be the right colour, but here is an example of a cube flooring design that creates a 3-D optical illusion. Look at how pairing it with single-toned interiors makes quite a statement.
Contrast is passe
If we go by Monica Chawla’s prediction, the age of contrast is slowly coming to an end. “Contrast is a big no no – no black on white. For instance, it is going to be white in a lot of textures and finishes. Textures are going to be the differentiators; no more contrast through colour. “You will thus have to have an impeccable finish as there will be no place to hide any design faults,” she warns.
If we go by Monica Chawla’s prediction, the age of contrast is slowly coming to an end. “Contrast is a big no no – no black on white. For instance, it is going to be white in a lot of textures and finishes. Textures are going to be the differentiators; no more contrast through colour. “You will thus have to have an impeccable finish as there will be no place to hide any design faults,” she warns.
Retro is in
According to Karishma Bajaj, part-owner of Mumbai-based Red Blue & Yellow, “The significant trend this year is going to be the return of the retro approach – organic and relaxed forms, subtle palettes, trendy, fresh green compositions and pure white surfaces. Think about creating a calm and serene living environment to escape the chaos of the outside world.”
According to Karishma Bajaj, part-owner of Mumbai-based Red Blue & Yellow, “The significant trend this year is going to be the return of the retro approach – organic and relaxed forms, subtle palettes, trendy, fresh green compositions and pure white surfaces. Think about creating a calm and serene living environment to escape the chaos of the outside world.”
Mix and match the metal works
Metal work is going to see a big change in the coming year, in two significant ways. Firstly, Neesha Alwani foresees the mixing of metals to create interesting details, instead of sticking to the usual singular look of just brass or steel. “Larger facades in stained glass will be replaced by more of an industrial style,” she informs.
Read more about how to embrace the industrial style in your Interiors
Metal work is going to see a big change in the coming year, in two significant ways. Firstly, Neesha Alwani foresees the mixing of metals to create interesting details, instead of sticking to the usual singular look of just brass or steel. “Larger facades in stained glass will be replaced by more of an industrial style,” she informs.
Read more about how to embrace the industrial style in your Interiors
No more gold finishes
The second change, as Monica Chawla predicts, is moving away from metallic gold finishes. “For those who want to do metallic and not chrome finishes, we are going to see a shift towards tones like cobalt blue and black in different textures,” she shares. “It is about trying to shade the metal in other colours than gold. Emerald green or a cobalt blue metallic finish is what I hope will catch on.”
The second change, as Monica Chawla predicts, is moving away from metallic gold finishes. “For those who want to do metallic and not chrome finishes, we are going to see a shift towards tones like cobalt blue and black in different textures,” she shares. “It is about trying to shade the metal in other colours than gold. Emerald green or a cobalt blue metallic finish is what I hope will catch on.”
More comfort with comfort zones
Celebrated interior designer, Vinita Chaitanya of PRISM seconds the move towards more intimate, family oriented and quiet spaces. “Home libraries, where you can put your feet up after a long hectic day in front of the computer, is going to be the next big thing,” she says. “Being Indian, we love having family around; it is part of our heritage. I see more spaces that allow you to come home and chill with the family, or curl up in a cosy nook with a book.”
Celebrated interior designer, Vinita Chaitanya of PRISM seconds the move towards more intimate, family oriented and quiet spaces. “Home libraries, where you can put your feet up after a long hectic day in front of the computer, is going to be the next big thing,” she says. “Being Indian, we love having family around; it is part of our heritage. I see more spaces that allow you to come home and chill with the family, or curl up in a cosy nook with a book.”
Heritage is hip
Chaitanya says, “Indian heritage and craftsmanship will be showcased in a big way in 2017.” However, she further goes on to define Indian heritage in terms of furniture and accessories. “We are looking at tweaking and contemporising a lot of the finishes so that it blends with our interiors and reaches a standard that is more internationally acceptable. There is going to be a sense of earthiness that will come into play,” she explains.
Chaitanya says, “Indian heritage and craftsmanship will be showcased in a big way in 2017.” However, she further goes on to define Indian heritage in terms of furniture and accessories. “We are looking at tweaking and contemporising a lot of the finishes so that it blends with our interiors and reaches a standard that is more internationally acceptable. There is going to be a sense of earthiness that will come into play,” she explains.
Take a look at some of our recent Houzz Tours – by architect Dipen Gada of Dipen Gada and Associates who has used the traditional practice of IPS (Indian pattern stone) used as flooring in his holiday home in Vadodara. And by architects Sangeeta Merchant and Sanjeev Panjabi of SPASM Design Architects who brought back the courtyard to preserve 284 trees already on site in an Ahmedabad family home.
See these homes:
Houzz Tour: An Ahmedabad Home Uses Nature to Combat Climate
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Getaway With an Indian Twist
See these homes:
Houzz Tour: An Ahmedabad Home Uses Nature to Combat Climate
Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Getaway With an Indian Twist
It is the season of Indian red
Alwani and Chaitanya both agree that natural fibers are going to be at the forefront of upholstery in the coming year. Talking about colour schemes, Chaitanya says it is the season of terracotta or Indian red. “I am seeing warmer spaces. We will go away from the greys and move towards deep reds. But not rustic. There is a clear difference,” she clarifies. “It is more of a terracotta shade.”
Alwani and Chaitanya both agree that natural fibers are going to be at the forefront of upholstery in the coming year. Talking about colour schemes, Chaitanya says it is the season of terracotta or Indian red. “I am seeing warmer spaces. We will go away from the greys and move towards deep reds. But not rustic. There is a clear difference,” she clarifies. “It is more of a terracotta shade.”
Shimmer and sheer are a must
Chaitanya predicts a lot of layering with different natural fabrics. “But there will be a hint of shine and shimmer,” she is quick to add. “Although natural fabrics like linen, cotton and silk will be used, they will exude a definite luxurious feeling.”
Read more:
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements to Your Contemporary Home
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
Tell us:
Which of these trends are most likely to make it into your home? Comment below.
Chaitanya predicts a lot of layering with different natural fabrics. “But there will be a hint of shine and shimmer,” she is quick to add. “Although natural fabrics like linen, cotton and silk will be used, they will exude a definite luxurious feeling.”
Read more:
How to Infuse Traditional Indian Elements to Your Contemporary Home
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
Tell us:
Which of these trends are most likely to make it into your home? Comment below.
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