Home Decor in 2020 - The COVID-19 Edition


Our homes are considered to be a reflection of our personality and taste. Being contained in that very space for over three months would certainly be a trigger to change a thing or two around. Here are some budding trends and theories in the world of luxury home décor

By: Nikita Vivek Pawar 

Posted on: June 11, 2020

Ikkis Home Decor

While the novel coronavirus keeps us conformed and contained, there is a lot of time to reflect and retrospect the lives we lead, the choices we make and perhaps our current home décor. Home décor is arguably the least concerning factor right now in our lives, but as a creation that needs constant change, we have a few trends and philosophies that might make your personal space happier, brighter.

“Every piece has a story to tell,” says Gunjan Gupta, founder and designer of Indian furniture and tableware brand Ikkis. Subconsciously, every element of our homes reflects our personality, mental state and most certainly our preferences. Having said that, the concept of luxury home décor is either inspired from that of a luxury hotel or a universally pleasing black, white and gold combination. 

The Idea of Luxury Home Décor 

Mario Milana Asana Home Decor

Commonly, the concept of luxury is perceived to be uptight, rigid and superficial. While it might be the general conception, designer Mario Milana believes it’s something different and personal. “I feel like many high-end interior projects look alike because they want to fit into a specific vision of what “luxury” is expected to be. All so serious… I don’t see why a luxury home can’t be elegant and fun at the same time. Also, the idea of having clean or perfected finishes is a facade— for me, true luxury lies in the unique story and patina of a piece - seeing the hand of the maker - the wabi-sabi imperfect nature of the handmade.”

Moving towards creating a uniquely personal and sentimental space the uses vibrant colours, pieces and paintings is an emerging philosophy in the home décor industry. From the wallpapers to mattresses, every element could represent an idea. The Italian designer’s brand stands on the splendid balance between eccentricity and function. Full of whimsical shapes and offbeat details: circular sections, pivoting armrests, and animatronic-esque silhouettes, every creation is a result of observation of people and how they behave in a given space.

Quirk Studio Home Decor

A greatly designed space is where there aren’t any distractions and every piece in the area sing together in harmony and sync. Luxury interior designers Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera, Co-Founders and Principal Designers, Quirk Studio, believe that every home has a story to tell. “We strive to create spaces which are high on functional sensibilities while introducing a soothing, harmonious and timeless design, with a touch of vibrancy and energy throughout the volumes of a home,” the duo explained. The common misconception about a great design philosophy is the use of abundance light. The duo goes beyond. “Lighting is key to any good interior design as it sets the mood of the space. Therefore, it is important to notice that bright is not always right, but also the location of the fixture with respect to the space.” 

The Arduous Process of Creation

It takes time, patience and immense craftsmanship to create a masterpiece. While there are people with different tastes, preferences and demands, here are some broad ideas that will help seeing your home in a new light.

Jakob Schaepler Home Decor

1. Stability: Many luxury brands go deep to create furniture and pieces that are high on concept and exude unparalleled craftsmanship. Unlike the fashion industry, trends in the architecture or décor industry are slower which allows brands to create and innovate. Jakob Schlaepfer, a fashion textiles company founded in 1904, in St.Gallen, Switzerland entered the decor industry about a decade ago. “The fashion industry is much faster, the pace is much quicker and shorter-lived. In architecture, the fabric or wallpaper will remain for at least 5 years,“ said Corinne Kramer, Head of Sales Interior at Jakob Schlaepfer. In short, invest in pieces that will take your home a longer way. You can replenish your wardrobe faster. Homes are literally a larger project to keep redoing. 

2. Attention to detail: Intricacy and attention to detail differentiate the extraordinary from the ordinary. The smallest of the details matter the most, from using the best of the materials to paying attention to optimum utilisation. ”We believe in the purity and every item is made from the purest of raw materials. At Ikkis, we use 100% brass and 100% copper. The terracotta coated copper is another material we use,” said Ms Gupta. 

Ikkis Home Decor

Along with using the best of the materials, investing appropriate time to craft and construct the piece is equally important. As good things take time to build, such is the case with the innovative designs of the furniture brand YO2. “[Our] wallpapers are created in 10 days, rugs in 2 months and cast iron planters take 3 months. The cast-iron sculptures are a very unique material - melted from 100% scrap iron, it is then poured into a mould. This then allows us to solidify it into the required shape…enabling us to create grandiose sculptures which are both very durable and unique,” said Giorgos Liatsos, a spokesperson from the brand. 

YO2 Planters Home Decor

3. Sustainability: The décor industry has had its own fair share of ups and downs. In the last few years, the industry was introduced to a new term “Sustainability”. Considered to be a trend initially, sustainability is a lifestyle and conscious choice. The term soon became a movement, driving the décor industry towards limited production. “Maybe we don’t need so many new products every single year but rather less and better designed. And maybe as creatives, we can stimulate a more effective peace of life inspired by the objects that surround us,” explains Mr Milana. Materials like cane, rattan and wicker are replacing other non-sustainable elements.

Mario Milana Masand Home Decor

4. Experimentation: Another driving trend is that of the experimental consumer. The typical white and beige theme is slowly getting replaced by a more vibrant world of colour and patterns. There is a significant increase in abstract-themed interiors that evoke emotion and mood. Earthy hues like chocolate brown, wine and olive green are taking over homes as individuals are now focusing on reconnecting with nature at some level through their interiors. Textures like foliage, metal and wood are used to create the nature-like feel. Vintage is gaining a great pace. Vintage chests, mirrors, lamps and canopy beds might just be making its comeback this year! Using furniture and accessories to create compliment and contrasts is also a trend that 2020 would see. Matte will overthrow glossy, and cabinets will see daring colours like red, bright yellow, navy or sea green. 

YO2 Wallpaper Home Decor

Plug 'n' Play – Quarantine Edition 

As we remain at home due to the global lockdown, we have time to reflect and experiment around with the existing décor. “I think being free with colour and style, not everything has to match perfectly to fit together. Also, chairs can have a variety of uses. They don’t have to be ONLY a dining chair. Explore the flexibility of use with your chairs. I incorporated small wheels on the legs of my designs to allow for this movement,” advises Mr Milana. 

Changing the placement could be a great idea to add a novel vibe to space. “In order to elevate their existing home decor, one should start by rearranging their furniture to better suit the space, as it is the most inexpensive way to improve the look of your home or make the layout more seamless. Also, any individual decorating their home must remember that the best decorating doesn’t come from adding new things, but from paring down to the items you really love,” suggest Ms Bhavsar and Ms Ajmera. 

Ikkis Home Decor

As we have abundant time at hand, decluttering help add a chic touch to the décor, creating space for the pieces to breathe and look cohesive, while helping the user better distinguish what the space needs and doesn’t need. Adding in plants and changing to colourful items can bring optimism and hope during these dull and depressing times. “You can change a lot with a bit of colour, tastefully placed. One can also choose to place the wallpaper on one wall of the living room, and that will give a whole new feel to that living space,” advises Ms Kramer. 

COVID-19, with all its banes, has made us aware of the adverse effect we cause on the environment. Choosing sustainable products, ways and methods to be environmentally ethical, and trying to reduce wastage can be an incredible starting point to recharging your homes. 

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