Forecasting colour trends is somewhat unpredictable as fashion and interior design trends are moving faster than ever but expect to see bright and intense colours.
Interior design trends are heavily influenced by prevalent fashion trends. From colour to texture to the richness created by the layering of materials, the decision process behind selecting a material or colour palette for a design concept is an intentional play of how the final product will work as a resolved and enlightening space. These decisions formulate a changing landscape throughout the day and throughout the seasons of the year. Each material and colour will reflect light in an ever-changing way and in turn how the space is perceived and experienced. These somewhat subconscious details stimulate nostalgic responses and signify cultural and social ideologies behind contemporary design movements.

There is no doubt that fashion trends are constantly changing and evolving – architecture, interior design and multimedia trends are no exception. Colour and texture can inform an emotive response just as a familiar smell or sound can bring back memories of a time gone by. The familiarity and comfort found in these nostalgic notions create a reconnection with the senses – smell, sound, tactile memory, colour and light.
As a practicing interior designer, I still find myself slightly bewildered by the fact that I am currently specifying light blush pink velvets and burnt maroon red paint colours, something I feel very excited about but undoubtedly referencing a colour palette that has had noses turning upwards for decades. My grandma has adorned a pink and red parachute fabric jumpsuit – that has been an ongoing joke amongst my family for most of my existence – yet I find myself having to apologise to her; thinking to myself, did she have it going on this whole time?
Twig House by Allison Pye feat Tambootie Table by Agnostino and Brown. Photo: Lisa Cohen Photography.
Forecasting colour trends, in this sense, is somewhat unpredictable and is constantly changing. In 2018 there is a strong reference to nature. As we see the outside increasingly becoming a part of the inside, implementing plants, greenery, natural light – we are inclined to keep colours neutral and materials natural. In residential spaces there is a tendency to align towards to the minimalist space. Of course, depending on the individual and the individual’s brief – this can be vastly contradicted by a desire to create bold and outlandish statements in their home – as representation of one’s self. These are the project briefs that allow for experimentation of colour through block colouring and creating perspective with tonal changes throughout a series of spaces. Something we are seeing more of in commercial and hospitality spaces to create impact and enveloping branding and social media trends.
Currently, trends, whether in fashion or interior design, are moving faster than ever. Social media, advertising and global communication are accelerating the rate and expectation of what is considered to be cotemporary or revolutionary. The rapid rate
of this change provides a challenge when designing a space to withstand the test of time and also reduces the amount of time at which historical trends come back into vogue – the boundaries of what is current or contemporary are becoming increasingly blurred.
I have written about the significance of psychology behind spatial awareness and the subconscious before and nothing resonates more with me than the power we, as designers, are capable of subtly controlling how people feel in the spaces we create. There is a responsibility and a sensibility behind the finished built spaces that people cohabitate in, from the conceptual beginnings to the finished product, the decisions behind every component is there for a reason.
Bentwood Cafe in Fitzroy Melbourne by RITZ-GHOUGASSIAN. Photo: Tom Blachford.
Forecasts for 2019 are colourful. Colour is being used boldly and confidently. There is a strong use of bright and intense colours such as blue, red and mustard yellow being forecast for fashion and interiors alike. Currently, we are seeing colour trends using blazing, bright primary colours but complemented with muted pastel tones, creating more comforting ethereal environments. Recent colour trends were inspired by greenery and vitality and whilst there is still a desire to surround ourselves with living things within our working and living environments, we are taking it further by coupling the “greenery” with experimental colourful tonal layering.
Deep olive greens, deep navy blues, rusted earthy browns, pale peachy pinks and dirty
muted yellows are colours that we see playfully colouring our walls and cladding our bodies this season. For me, I resonate strongly with these colours. I have always been captivated by the light and colour from nature. I realise that the colours I am drawn to personally, that make me feel happy, content or invigorated are reminiscent of those you see in the natural world.
Watching the sun rise or the sun set inform a colour palette that is so mesmerising it sometimes feels unreal. The muted pinks slowly blurring into the ashy blues create a feeling of absolute peace and harmony, and this concept seems to extend to all colours found in nature, from the earth to the sea and the sky. We are constantly finding inspiration from the organic, seasonal and changing world around us. Essentially we inherently connect with the world we live in and look for comfort in the familiar and become challenged by the excitement of the unknown and unpredictability of life. Colour trends will follow this same formula as we find new couplings, combinations and patterns from pre-existing and predetermined colours and finding new and unique ways of layering them into our lives.
Claire Kneebone