Mixed Materials And Stunning Lighting Top Interior Trends For 2017

January is traditionally a month associated with change, and with the Christmas decorations coming down and the excitement of the festive season over, you may be looking at ways to revamp your home and invigorate the space.

As always, there are plenty of predictions of the top interior trends for the coming 12 months, with the latest coming from the Interior Design Show in Canada.

While this may be showcasing designers and ideas from the other side of the Atlantic, we believe a fair few are likely to be popular in the UK too.

One of the top trends, which took off in 2016, is that of mixed materials – using unusual materials to make pieces of furniture really stand out.

This could be coffee tables that feature tiled tops, or vibrant patterns on soft furnishings to pull focus and bring some vibrancy to a room.

And this particular trend isn’t just restricted to furniture, with designers looking for ways to make floors, walls and ceilings stand out by using at times unconventional materials.

Innovative lighting solutions were also highlighted by the curators of the Canadian design show, with homeowners not only expected to invest in more technologically advanced lighting solutions, such as LED displays, but also in lights that provide an artistic element as well as illumination.

With the rising number of people living in urban environments, outdoor space is also set to grow in importance, with homeowners looking for ways to make the most of whatever outside area they have, as well as incorporating this into their wider home design.

The mixed materials trend is expected to spread into outdoor living spaces too, providing a fresh twist for exterior spaces.

Karen Kang, national director of the show, commented: “This year, we’ll see designers and trends that will encompass the expansion of the outdoor living realm to the fusion of tech and design accumulating into an awe-inspiring and ultimately exciting year for design.”

One way to make your living room and garden feel more cohesive is to lay matching flooring in both spaces, according to Real Homes magazine. Tiles are a great option, as you can select tiles that are suitable for outdoor as well as indoor use. Simple tiles can look stunning on a patio, as well as in a living room.

If you’re worried about having a tiled floor indoors, you can always make it cosier with a striking rug – rugs being used as art is another trend to watch out for in 2017, so you can be bold in your choice of floor covering.

You may also want to update your garden furniture in 2017, and if so it could pay to choose items that are similar in colour or design to the furniture you have in your living room. As with the flooring, following a common theme will help tie both spaces together.

By making your garden and living room feel like a more cohesive space, you’ll hopefully be encouraged to make better use of both areas and enjoy the benefits of having a garden, whatever its size.