Expert Eye: The Biggest Trends in European Design for 2019
In the wake of the big autumn trade fairs, we take stock of future trends and where the European design world is heading
During the current European autumn, Houzz editors were busy scouting international trade fairs all over Europe for the top trends coming your way in 2019. From Helsinki Design Week in Finland, to Formex in Sweden, Decorex International in London, Maison et Objet in Paris, Feria Habitat Valencia in Spain, and Cersaie in Italy, Houzz was on the scene turning over every rock (or every stone-inspired tile) to uncover the next big thing in interiors and design.
Our reports from each fair ask some important questions: What have we learned about the big picture? What ideas are rocking the European design world, north and south, inspiring Nordic carpenters, Mediterranean tile manufacturers and all creative minds in between? And what local themes deserve a wider audience? Our wrap-up of the big fairs offers some answers.
Our reports from each fair ask some important questions: What have we learned about the big picture? What ideas are rocking the European design world, north and south, inspiring Nordic carpenters, Mediterranean tile manufacturers and all creative minds in between? And what local themes deserve a wider audience? Our wrap-up of the big fairs offers some answers.
The organisers of Formex, held in Stockholm, Sweden (from 21 to 24 August, 2018) also used the same colour scheme throughout the fair’s infrastructure, seen here in one of the pop-up cafes.
A similar palette graced bathroom exhibits at Cersaie, the international exhibition of architectural ceramics and bathroom furnishings in Bologna, Italy (from 24 to 28 September, 2018). Though black and white tile and bathroom schemes aren’t going anywhere any time soon, sage green, marsala and pastel pink dominated coloured bathroom palettes. This was true not only for tiles but also bathroom fixtures and accessories.
Tiles: smooth, glazed white-body Shapes tiles from the Even collection by Panaria Ceramica, in Leaf
9 Bathroom Trends for 2019: Tile Styles, Colours and Materials
Tiles: smooth, glazed white-body Shapes tiles from the Even collection by Panaria Ceramica, in Leaf
9 Bathroom Trends for 2019: Tile Styles, Colours and Materials
Nature is in
Indoor plants and plant motifs have come back with a vengeance in recent years, from our collective obsession with the ever Instagrammable fiddle-leaf fig to plant-themed frescoes, murals and wallpaper.
We’re now seeing exotic plants make way for more local vegetation.
Tiles: ZYX at Cersaie
Indoor plants and plant motifs have come back with a vengeance in recent years, from our collective obsession with the ever Instagrammable fiddle-leaf fig to plant-themed frescoes, murals and wallpaper.
We’re now seeing exotic plants make way for more local vegetation.
Tiles: ZYX at Cersaie
Raw is hot
Raw timbers also stepped onto the scene in a big way. At this year’s Helsinki Design Week in Finland (from 6 to 16 September, 2018), both raw and heavy as well as light and airy timber pieces took centre stage, sidelining anything in between.
A similar trend surfaced at Formex as well, with many sightings of minimalist branches arranged in tall vases, rough reclaimed timber and worn industrial metal.
Likewise, at London’s Decorex International (from 16 to 19 September, 2018) a woodturner crafted a chair in a live presentation, showing visitors the level of craft and skill that goes into producing hand-made pieces.
Chair: Dakota in teak by Muubs, displayed at the MIA Design shop in Design District Helsinki
Raw timbers also stepped onto the scene in a big way. At this year’s Helsinki Design Week in Finland (from 6 to 16 September, 2018), both raw and heavy as well as light and airy timber pieces took centre stage, sidelining anything in between.
A similar trend surfaced at Formex as well, with many sightings of minimalist branches arranged in tall vases, rough reclaimed timber and worn industrial metal.
Likewise, at London’s Decorex International (from 16 to 19 September, 2018) a woodturner crafted a chair in a live presentation, showing visitors the level of craft and skill that goes into producing hand-made pieces.
Chair: Dakota in teak by Muubs, displayed at the MIA Design shop in Design District Helsinki
Wabi sabi
Perhaps this also taps into our growing love affair with accepting and celebrating imperfection. At Helsinki Design Week’s Raw / Rawka exhibition, timber from a Finnish forest met Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics that celebrate the beauty of the imperfect, humble, temporary and authentic, so raw wood fits right in.
Side table: by Studio Ville Auvinen, exhibeted at “Raw / Rawka”
Perhaps this also taps into our growing love affair with accepting and celebrating imperfection. At Helsinki Design Week’s Raw / Rawka exhibition, timber from a Finnish forest met Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics that celebrate the beauty of the imperfect, humble, temporary and authentic, so raw wood fits right in.
Side table: by Studio Ville Auvinen, exhibeted at “Raw / Rawka”
All about authenticity
Natural motifs, raw timber, wabi-sabi – these trends are all associated with authenticity. Handmade products that emphasise craft were hard to miss at many fairs this year. Textiles had a hand-woven look, bottles appeared hand-blown…
Pictured: Ethnicraft at Maison et Objet
Natural motifs, raw timber, wabi-sabi – these trends are all associated with authenticity. Handmade products that emphasise craft were hard to miss at many fairs this year. Textiles had a hand-woven look, bottles appeared hand-blown…
Pictured: Ethnicraft at Maison et Objet
These vessels are perfect examples: oversized, with a historical look.
This was matched in Finland with the debut of oversized versions of Nordic classics like Iittala’s Aalto vase.
Browse shabby-chic interiors
This was matched in Finland with the debut of oversized versions of Nordic classics like Iittala’s Aalto vase.
Browse shabby-chic interiors
International touches
East Asian inspiration was a big hit at Milan’s Salone del Mobile fair back in April, 2018, and the influence of international art and design continued to be clear this autumn. Besides wabi-sabi aesthetics, we saw a diverse set of international influences on exhibits at the latest edition of Maison et Objet in Paris (from 7 to 11 September, 2018). South American woven wool, charpoy seats from India, handicrafts from the Senufo peoples of West Africa, quatrefoil designs from Islamic traditions and origami lamps are predicted to keep exerting influence in 2019.
Pictured: Maison de Vacances at Maison et Objet
East Asian inspiration was a big hit at Milan’s Salone del Mobile fair back in April, 2018, and the influence of international art and design continued to be clear this autumn. Besides wabi-sabi aesthetics, we saw a diverse set of international influences on exhibits at the latest edition of Maison et Objet in Paris (from 7 to 11 September, 2018). South American woven wool, charpoy seats from India, handicrafts from the Senufo peoples of West Africa, quatrefoil designs from Islamic traditions and origami lamps are predicted to keep exerting influence in 2019.
Pictured: Maison de Vacances at Maison et Objet
Comfort
Comfort was also a big theme, with plenty of large padded cushions – especially on sofas at Maison et Objet – and ultra-soft velvets.
Pictured: Notre Monde at Maison et Objet
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Comfort was also a big theme, with plenty of large padded cushions – especially on sofas at Maison et Objet – and ultra-soft velvets.
Pictured: Notre Monde at Maison et Objet
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Harking back to a bygone era
The influence of the past – particularly Art Deco style as well as designs from the 1950s – was felt strongly at this year’s fairs, appearing on wallpaper, armchairs, sideboards and other storage units.
Pictured: Duistt at Maison et Objet
The influence of the past – particularly Art Deco style as well as designs from the 1950s – was felt strongly at this year’s fairs, appearing on wallpaper, armchairs, sideboards and other storage units.
Pictured: Duistt at Maison et Objet
The latest Cersaie showed that in wall and floor finishes, too, we’ve come back to the classic small rectangle tile in stacked vertical layout.
Cabinet: Petra collection by Artesi
Cabinet: Petra collection by Artesi
A little glitz and glamour
Velvet continued to make an appearance on sofas, stools and pouffs with brass pedestals. It serves as a vivid contrast to the imperfect and natural look that’s also gathering traction.
Green-marble coffee tables on extra-thin legs also made a splash at the latest edition of Maison et Objet.
At Habitat Valencia in Spain (from 18 to 21 September, 2018), we also saw a move toward more elegant timbers, in contrast to Nordic raw-wood trends. Oak has been a favorite for a long time, but we are now also seeing more refined, sophisticated and warmer timbers.
Pictured: Exhibit by Carla Baz, one of the winners of the Rising Talent Awards at Maison et Objet
Velvet continued to make an appearance on sofas, stools and pouffs with brass pedestals. It serves as a vivid contrast to the imperfect and natural look that’s also gathering traction.
Green-marble coffee tables on extra-thin legs also made a splash at the latest edition of Maison et Objet.
At Habitat Valencia in Spain (from 18 to 21 September, 2018), we also saw a move toward more elegant timbers, in contrast to Nordic raw-wood trends. Oak has been a favorite for a long time, but we are now also seeing more refined, sophisticated and warmer timbers.
Pictured: Exhibit by Carla Baz, one of the winners of the Rising Talent Awards at Maison et Objet
Do it – and match it – yourself
Squarely at the intersection of these two major movements in the design world – luxe comfort alongside raw, handmade imperfection – sits another big 2018 trend: customisation and DIY.
Stool: Combine from the joint exhibition by designers Antti Tuomi and Sakari Hartikainen in the Casuarina furniture store, as part of Helsinki Design Week
Squarely at the intersection of these two major movements in the design world – luxe comfort alongside raw, handmade imperfection – sits another big 2018 trend: customisation and DIY.
Stool: Combine from the joint exhibition by designers Antti Tuomi and Sakari Hartikainen in the Casuarina furniture store, as part of Helsinki Design Week
In the tile and bathroom world, too, companies are coming up with collections of tiles in different sizes and a variety of finishes, designs and colours that complement one another and can be mixed and matched.
Wall tiles: from the Pat collection by Fap Ceramiche, in Sky (saturated light blue) and Deco Blue (dotted)
Tell us
Will you be welcoming any of these trends into your home? Tell us which ones appeal to your tastes in the Comments below, save your favourite images, and like and save this story. Join the conversation.
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Wall tiles: from the Pat collection by Fap Ceramiche, in Sky (saturated light blue) and Deco Blue (dotted)
Tell us
Will you be welcoming any of these trends into your home? Tell us which ones appeal to your tastes in the Comments below, save your favourite images, and like and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find an interior designer or decorator near you
2018 has been all about earthy colours, especially reds, yellows, tans and greens. This palette has taken on a distinctive autumnal tinge, ranging from dusky pink to burnt terracotta via some pretty frisky orange.
Chairs: Lana by Ondarreta, which were presented at Habitat Valencia