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How Do Interior Design Trends Develop?

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Have you ever wondered where popular interior design trends originated? In this article, we discuss the sources of many prevalent styles, both old and new.  

Influences on Past Decades 

The interior design trends of the past have been mostly shaped by the economic and social forces of the day. The opulence of the 1920s was the incubator for the art deco movement, while the financial hardships and wartime shortages of the 30s and 40s brought about an era of minimalism. 

Slowly, these trends saw a reversal with the mid-century designs that predominated 1950s suburbia. Then, the uninterrupted peacetime prosperity of the 60s, 70s, and 80s gave rise to interior design trends that were focused more on furnishings and colour schemes. 

The Open Concept Era 

The 1990s were the first decade where the two-income household emerged as an acceptable way of living. Homes with partitioned rooms and defined spaces suddenly became oppressive in a society that was abandoning the gender roles that necessitated them. What resulted was a modern floor plan that combined the kitchen, dining area, and family room as one central focal point.   

Over the next three decades, these dual-earning households became even wealthier. Their kitchens often looked shinier, laden with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. However, this consumerism trend would be subdued by the 2008 financial crisis and, later, the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Pandemic, Millennials, and Neo-Minimalism  

The post-COVID economy has become one where homeowners are no longer putting all their hours in at the office. The slow economic growth of the late 2010s and the desire for work-life balance has set the stage for millennials living in more modest-sized homes than the ones they grew up in. This demands creative ways to get the most out of smaller spaces.  

For example, instead of having a dedicated room as a den or home office, the latest interior design trend is to have a small office area integrated into a bedroom or living area’s aesthetic.  

Built-in storage cabinets, closet organizers, and even in-couch storage are trending as a result of this new wave of minimalism.  

Current Trends Driven by Functionality and Sustainability 

You may have noticed that barn doors have come back in style. That’s because they are a functional alternative that eats up less floor space.  

Natural woods like bamboo and acacia are also now preferred over synthetic materials because of sustainability concerns.  

Another sustainability-driven trend is leveraging natural sunlight to keep energy usage low. Lighting that is highly practical and versatile, like LED lights under kitchen cabinets, also helps save energy. 

Planning Your Next Interior Upgrades 

Looking for a new interior design trends that meets your modern needs? The design experts at Team Shane are here to help! We’ll provide plenty of inspiration for new ideas you didn’t even know existed.  

Contact us today to get started on your custom renovation project! 

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Questions?
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At Team Shane, we have a team of designers that work directly with clients to create beautiful home designs while providing advice and direction on selections (interior design) and up-to-date cost implications which will help you make decisions for the final design. Our build team takes those designs and makes them a reality.
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