Interior design trends have gone a bit weird. That sounds derogatory, but I don't mean it to be an insult at all. Instead, 'weird' is the perfect word to describe the unexpected forms, the waves, the glints, the lamps covered in lemons that are all so hot right now. Weird, yet wonderful.
But are these slightly out-there interior design trends actually usable styles? I asked some interior designers what they thought of them, how they'd use them, and why they think they were right for the moment.
1. Chainmail
Perhaps the most unexpected design trend to suddenly appear is the one for chainmail. Mexican studio Panorama has designed a chainmail chair, while the New England-based Wretched Flowers has created this chainmail floor lamp, which is pictured above. It's a light-catching trick that makes homes feel like parties, an upscale disco ball sensibility.
'It’s so extra!' says designer Lonika Chande. 'It reminds me of a big earring and I am a magpie for that kind of stuff. Whether I could convince clients, I am not so sure! Could certainly see us going for it in sculptural wall light form. Can I wear it instead?! I would be very up for that!'
2. Flared legs
With all things 1970s making a comeback, perhaps it should be no surprise that furniture designers have found a way to reimagine bell bottoms. Yes, the flared trouser is the weirdest inspiration for decor of the season, which sees high-end dining tables and chairs have large cylindrical bases that get progressively slimmer as they taper upwards.
And the result is pretty elegant. 'We are absolutely obsessed!' say Azar Fattahi and Lia McNally of the LA-based studio LALA Reimagined. 'When a chair has a curved back, with a flared leg, it creates layers and dimension, which is a beautiful balance we are just so attracted to.'
3. Squashy furniture
More 1970s-inspired shapes, but instead of the fashionable pant leg this is the silhouette of your grandmother's old couch. Large, rounded, and squashy, a shining example of the look is the collection by British designer Faye Toogood for the luxe Italian brand Poltrona Frau, pictured above.
'This trend's striking sculptural form has vintage charm, the daring colorways inspire you to be bold in your selection and even just looking at the Squash armchair allows you to dream of curling into it,' says the interior designer Sophie Frank of Sophie Frank Designs . 'It is the epitome of playfulness and that is what we love to boast through our designs too because life is too short for boring interiors, whilst not forgetting how incredibly comfortable it is to sit on.'
4. Wiggles
Irregular forms and wavy shapes have been a growing furniture trend – they've helped to form the arms seen on vases used as props in all the Italian furniture brands' showrooms in Milan. But now they're moving away from larger pieces and being used to bring fun to functional objet, like this tray by the New York-based designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen.
'What I try to do with my objects is to enhance the ritual by giving them irregular forms', says Sophie Lou. 'When someone is using the piece there is then something in the way they’re holding it that is surprising so it forces them to think about that object and its ritual more closely. They're surprised, they engage in the beauty of the piece they're holding, and they value its design.'
A subtle and chic way to bring in the wiggle trend this floor lamp has a touch of the weird about it, but mostly it's just cool.
Wavy mirrors have been having a moment in 2024 and that looks to continue into the new year. They make a statement without being too much of a focal point, especially if you go for a finer frame – and can work with plenty of interior design styles
Make a statement at floor level by bringing this trend for waves and wiggles onto a rug. The pattern is statement here yes, but the colors would be perfect for a neutral space to add interest.
5. Fruity forms
Think Carmen Miranda on vacation in an orchard, and you're halfway to understanding the weird trend for fruit. Not just fruit motifs, but fruit forms – apple-shaped pillows, pear-shaped trays, and, in the case of the interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza, a lamp covered in mini lemons that is the star of her own kitchen (she found it at a vintage market but there are a VERY similar pair on 1st Dibs, and Chairish has a nice alternative too).
'There is a famous quote by the fashion icon Diana Vreeland that exaggeration is her only reality, and I take that to mean that nothing is too much!' Stephanie says. 'It’s important to have fun, not to the extent that your decor becomes a gimmick, but I like to always have something theatrical or unexpected. In the case of the lemon lamp, it's one of my favorite possessions because it's just so fun and people always comment on it as they walk in.' The effect, you'll find, of all fruit-based decor.
All these trends might be weird, but they are also designer approved. And ask with any trend, there are levels to which you can bring them into your home. These are all bold looks, but you can always find subtle ways to add them into your own interior design style.
