Every aspect of our lives has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The way we style our living spaces and the home décor industry has changed drastically as well.
Below, we chat to Elbe Truter about home décor trends that have become standard, what we can expect to see in upcoming seasons and how to incorporate them in our homes.
1.What impact has Covid-19 had on home décor trends?
Home has become so much more than simply a place to rest your head. Homes have become classrooms, gyms, offices and more. Decluttering is huge and families have had to adapt to functional living. More thought is now given to people’s spaces and their immediate environment. Besides a need for larger home offices, there is also a yearning for private spaces and retreats – reading nooks, quiet corners and pretty spaces.
Have baskets for storage in varying shapes and sizes to keep a room multi-functional and organised. Buy a basket for each member of the family or for ‘like’ items such as ‘work’, ‘school’, ‘exercise’, ‘hobbies’ and more.
Use every little nook and cranny in your house to create different ‘zones’ – for reading, relaxing or simply retreating. A comfortable chair is a non-negotiable, plus adding a lamp will help to define the space
2.People have learned to slow down, and the trend of mindfulness and wellness is huge. How can we incorporate this into our homes and décor palettes?
“Create quiet places and peaceful sanctuaries throughout your home. A beautiful spa-at-home bathroom is the ultimate space to unwind after a long day of multitasking and wearing different hats. Colour is key and can be very therapeutic; lifting your mood when you are feeling low. White signifies cleanliness, peacefulness and purity, so is the first choice to create a calm space,” explains Elbe.
Crisp white towels is an easy place to start, as it gives you a blank canvas to work from in terms of décor for the rest of the bathroom.
Every spa-at-home bathroom needs luxurious towels. These should tick the boxes for a soft, luxurious feel, plus be highly absorbent and have good durability.
Light candles and use fragrances to make the space more inviting.
3.Entertaining at home is the new eating out. What is the best way to get it right, social-distancing style?
“People still don’t want to go out and prefer to entertain at home. Summertime is all about outdoor entertaining and get-togethers with friends and family. You need to make your home an inviting and beautiful space when guests come over plus be conscious of people who want to see others, but might still want to social-distance at an event or get-together” says Elbe.
Invest in a beautiful coffee table. This way, you can keep eating casual, with help-yourself platters of easy nibbles, snacks and tasty tidbits for people to tuck into, so that guests can move around freely
Move side tables from inside to outside to create more casual eating spaces. From there, place beautiful cutlery casually for people to help themselves before they choose a place to sit.
Place throws and blankets in a basket and a candle on every side table for entertaining that carries on long into the evening.
4.Bringing the beauty of nature indoors is still a big trend. How do we do this?
“All things related to gardening will see a huge comeback, together with new ways to incorporate greeneries inside homes. In addition, vertical gardens and indoor gardening will have a boom. Incorporating florals into your home décor is also an easy way to celebrate nature,” believes Elbe.
Beautiful faux botanicals such as faux orchids, hydrangeas and proteas ― are the perfect solution for busy households, as they require little upkeep, maintenance and are Waterwise.
Choose a potted topiary or olive tree that will add an accent to a desk or console table or hang a wreath on a wall or interior door for a new dimension
An easy way to incorporate florals into your décor is to update your linen with stunning floral duvet cover sets, scatters and quilts.
5.Bedrooms have become both spaces to recover and sanctuaries. Any tips on how to give your bedroom an instant update for the new season?
“Instant updates are not just about sprucing up a space. Sometimes, they are about investing in functional items that will make a difference to your day-to-day life. Whether you are gearing up for a big week ahead or recovering after a long day, it is your bedroom where these subtle changes (and conscious choices) will make all the difference,” says Elbe.
Egyptian cotton is smooth and soft to the touch ― a welcoming reward after a long day. This linen is strong and luxuriously soft… everything you want for an item you use every day.
A cotton duvet inner is an investment for your health. It’s breathable, naturally insulates to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, plus anti-allergenic – a lifesaver for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin.
6.Even our way of shopping has changed. What are some of the key shopping trends that you have noticed?
“With all of us spending more time at home, people are realising the importance of investing in quality pieces and items such as furniture and linen. Shopping online is the new norm and continues to boom,” adds Elbe.
Invest in quality furniture that will last you for decades. A must for any household is a beautiful chest of drawers or console table. They work equally well in a bedroom, lounge or home office.
Don’t be scared to buy upholstery and beautiful linen online. You can browse online for hours ―without being dictated to by store hours ― working out the best combination of fabrics and styles that work for you, again, understanding exactly how much fabric you need is key.
7.‘Love local’ is the new catch phrase. What’s the best way to do this with home decor?
“There is massive support for local, homegrown businesses at the moment. Supporting local design and local brands is a growing trend resulting in a revival of local homeware and a recommitment to South Africa. In addition, there has been a stronger sense of community and sensitivity towards the environment,” concludes Elbe.
Seek out local brands that are proudly South African and have a nod to heritage in everything they do. This includes choosing brands that manufacture items locally and support local communities.
An easy way to incorporate ‘local’ into your home décor is to choose fabrics, upholstery and scatter cushions that showcase iconic African prints, illustrations or symbols, and dot these throughout your home.
