Upcoming Decor Trends for 2016

Functional Trends –

One major trend is the shift towards smaller scale and space saving furniture that can be accommodated in the smaller spaces that people are living in today. Space saving furniture is actually a very wide term - you can have the big complex pieces like folding Murphy beds, or transforming coffee to dining tables etc, but you also have the small versatile pieces that simply help to use the space better - eg. small folding side tables, or coffee tables with nesting stools. Even something like a modular sofa, that can be rearranged to suit your needs at that moment, is a really good example of space saving furniture that doesn't have to be complex and mechanical.

Another trend is furniture that is evolving to accommodate the shift in people's lifestyles. For example, more people are working from home than ever, and we're constantly going more and more mobile, so our furniture has to account for those changes - eg. a simple c-shaped laptop table to let you use your laptop while lounging on the sofa, or a study table that accommodates an extension box so you can have all your gadgets plugged in at the same time. People also have less time to take care of their home, and less domestic help, so making things as low maintenance as possible helps a great deal, whether it's removable slip covers for sofas, or glass top dining tables that can easily be wiped down.

Style Trends -

Today, there can be multiple on-going, even contradictory trends going at any one point, but one of the most dominant trends is how retro, mid-century furniture is coming back into vogue in a MAJOR way.

Another trend is about adding more softness and plushness into our furniture. Not just in terms of sofas getting more pillowy and squishy, but internationally, you've got cushioned, upholstered beds, soft padding for desktops, etc. It's an interesting trend, since it's both functional (in terms of making things more comfortable, and even kid safe) and a very specific casual aesthetic that's created.

Another trend is using warm metal tones like copper, brass etc, instead of the standard silver/white of stainless steel or aluminium. This is something that we see a lot of particularly in lighting and decor, but should spread across other categories as well.

(The author is Vikram Vishwanath, Design Research lead at Urban Ladder)

Image credit: Indiatimes