Devon in vogue

We speak to some of Devon’s best interior experts about what’s currently on trend in the world of interior design.

For some, home décor is a matter of function, for others a reflection of personality. For all of us, however, there comes a time when we need to oust the old and update the space in which we live. But how to keep it on trend?

“don’t over clutter a room. Rather, use a few statement items of furniture and lighting to really give it that wow factor.”

Instead of resting on our laurels, we thought we’d speak to some of Devon’s finest interior design companies and see what they have to say about interior design trends this year, in the hope that we can help you make those all-important decisions to keep your home current.

Scandinavian style has been a key feature in the world of interiors for some time, evolving itself like a microcosm of the wider industry, so it’s no wonder that, according to the team at Shuttercraft (www.shuttercraft.co.uk), gold or copper colours are really helping to bring homes to life, giving warmer colour to materials and helping achieve that cosy, Scandinavian feel. Paula Hibbens, from Shuttercraft in Cornwall and Plymouth, also suggests that classic wooden surfaces, such as solid panel shutters, are a great treatment idea for living room windows, also tying in nicely with the Scandinavian trend. Once again gaining popularity among architects, Paula tells us: “Wood is a material that just keeps on giving!”

One thing that we love about the Scandinavian look is the rustic feel it offers to homes of all kinds, and Ian from Prestige Furniture (www.prestigefurniture.co.uk), Newton Abbot notes a trend of combining leathers with rustic reclaimed furniture. He suggests adding a touch of velvet in luxurious colours to elevate your interior spaces, a technique that’s become especially popular when combined with “sophisticated, daring and bolder uses of colour.”

When asked on what’s trending this year, Clive from Realwood Furniture (www.realwood-furniture.co.uk) tells us: “What we term as ‘industrial’ – a combination of wood and metal – has been ticking over in the background for sometime, but 2018 has seen it become very popular.” But, he stresses, “don’t over clutter a room. Rather, use a few statement items of furniture and lighting to really give it that wow factor.”

This moves us nicely onto one aspect of interior design that’s often overlooked – lighting. Jamie Moxey from Dusk Lighting (www.dusklights.co.uk) in Exeter tells us: “Many people make the mistake of focusing on the light fitting itself and fail to consider the light emitted and how you can play with the warmth, brightness and light fall.

“Over the past year, we’ve noticed a shift in customer preference from copper to clear glass light fittings, with particular reference to Garden Trading’s Hoxton Range. This range is simple and stylish in its design as well as neutral, therefore offering itself to a myriad of home decors and architectural designs.”

But interior design isn’t just about matching your décor to what’s currently in vogue. Indeed, Gill Coates, owner of Roomshadows (www.roomshadows.com) tells us: “This year is all about creating spaces that enhance your emotions, so when you want a change of style, think how you want to feel in the space and use textures and colours to portray an ambience” – advice we think will stand the test of time, even as trends continue to change.

It doesn’t necessarily need to be about the inside of your home either, and Jamie from Sail Shades Direct (www.saishadesdirect.co.uk) is keen to encourage us to maximise our outside space. This is especially important in Devon where lifestyle often revolves around time spent in the outdoors. After all, if you’ve bought your dream home, you’ve likely done so in part because of its location and with shade sails from Jamie and the team, you can “make the most of your outside space and protect yourself from the harmful U.V rays of the summer sun, while transforming your patio into your very own outside dining room!”

So there you have it, from warm, Scandinavian and statement pieces, to vibrant and bold splashes of colour, there are a number of ways to keep your home in vogue. The important thing is to consider what suits your home’s surroundings and character and, once you’ve got that figured out, perhaps enlist the advice of one of Devon’s many interior experts, to ensure your envisaged dream home is well and truly brought to life.

Discover More

Once the décor is sorted, you’ll want to match your appliances to suit. For all your electrical needs, pay a visit to Beacon Electrical. Click here find out why!

Did you know?

Kitchens are very much at the heart of the home, which is why Duke Stone of Cornwall (www.dukestoneofcornwall) specialise in the design and manufacture of natural stone products, helping many achieve their dream floors and worktops using only the finest materials. For all other flooring needs, head to Exeter Carpets (www.exetercarpet.co.uk)