Year in Review: The Biggest Interior Design Trends of 2010

By Marni Elyse Katz
December 27, 2010

Of course, it’s impossible to define the start and finish of interior design trends within distinct calendar years, but we can say we’ve noticed some definite standouts. After talking with a slew of interior design professionals, and drawing on our own expertise (that we’ve devoured every style publication online and off surely counts for something), we’ve come away with five home decor ideas that have seriously reigned in the world of interior design.

The Well-Traveled Room

Santa Monica residence designed by Katie Leede; photo by Tim Street-Porter

Downsizing is certainly in vogue, but the rule is applying more to square footage than possessions. Minimalist interiors are losing relevance against rooms that are perfectly curated microcosms of its owners’ worldly interests.

Los Angeles-based interior and fabric designer, Katie Leede, is a fan, especially when she can create it on an eco-conscious platform. Leede said, "The growing trend towards going global in style and going green in sensibility excites and heartens me because, as a designer, it allows me to connect to the aesthetic sensibilities of multiple cultures while fostering a caretaking attitude towards my own local environment.”

The Santa Monica residence pictured here is a superb example of the collected, well-traveled look, with its vintage rug and antique furnishings sourced from Morocco, Italy, and France. It also carries LEED platinum status, with its floorboards cut from sustainable forests, low VOC paint, and linen fabric printed locally (in a pattern of Leede's design).

Mid-Century Berber Moroccan Rug

(buy it now price, $1,275)
Gorka Livia Vase w/Orange Stripe

(buy it now price, $160)
Red Stripe Kilim Cushion

(buy it now price, $24.90)
Stone Buddha Tibet

(buy it now price, $119)
Handmade Leather Ottoman

(buy it now price, $199)

Pattern Party

room designed by Alissa Swedlow

There will always be those who crave a monochromatic palette (the Zen-like interior lives on), but color and pattern interior design trends have been celebrated this year. Mixing patterns and prints suddenly feels fresh. It’s not the Ralph Lauren circa 1985 blend of florals and stripes within a limited colorway. Rather, exuberant ethnic textiles, from ikats to suzanis, are paired with crisp, modern stripes, perhaps with a groovy ‘70s style hooked or needlepoint piece thrown into the mix.

Los Angeles-based interior designer and blogger Alissa Swedlow expertly achieves the interior decor look, as seen here. She said, “Layering patterns can make a room feel fresh and unfussy.” But don’t think you can grab a little of this and a little of that. Rather, the decorator cautioned “It takes a lot of design and pre-planning, or else it can come out looking messy and thrown together.” Thankfully she offers a few interior design tips to keep mixed prints from appearing messy: Keep the majority of the pieces in either the same color family or the same overall style. Then, add a splash of contrasting color.

Tashkent Vtg Uzbek Silk Suzani

(buy it now price, $199)
Handmade Woolen Tibetan Rug

(buy it now price, $169.15)
Antique French Ticking Fabric Upholstery Weight Stripe

(buy it now price, $264)
LOVE YA Decorative Multi-Colored Pillow

(buy it now price, $3)
German Pottery Pither Stripes Danish Modern

(buy it now price, $78)

A Return to Elegance

A Return to Elegance

Austin, TX home designed by Tracy Overbeck Stead; photo by Ethan Stead

While some are still loving a more laid back look, others are leaning towards wholeheartedly grown-up rooms. Interior designer Tracey Overbeck Stead, who’s based in Austin, TX, calls the home design trend “a return to elegance.” She described the overall effect as “chic,” with rooms that are “more formal and less loft-like.”

Tracy Overbeck Stead credits the very stylized “Mad Men” sensibility as contributing to the decor trend, at least in part. The interiors she designed in the Austin home pictured here are thoroughly pulled together, though, interestingly, the house itself was inspired by a Palm Spring lifestyle.

Floral Black and White Damask Wallpaper

(buy it now price, $38)
Black Mirrored Console Sofa Table

(buy it now price, $749.99)
6 Light Art Deco style Nickle/Metal/Glass Chandelier

(buy it now price, $470.80)
Dublin Crystal Whiskey Decanter

(buy it now price, $30)
Mid-Century Sweden Lily Brass Candlestick Set

(buy it now price, $35)

Dark Walls

Blackman Cruz furniture showroom; image courtesy of Blackman Cruz

If you’ve looked at blogs and shelter mags at all this year, you know that everybody’s going dark. West Hollywood-based interior designer Jamie Bush loves the effect of black paint, especially when it reflects a well-worn vibe, rather than a stark, modern aesthetic. He said, “I think a continuing, top trend for 2010 is deep, dark walls paired with selective furnishings and objects that have a rich patina and wear.” He chose this setting from Los Angeles furniture showroom Blackman Cruz as the quintessential example of the look.

Gal Exterior Flat Black Paint by Valspar 794787

(buy it now price, $32.49)
Wagner Paintmate™ Plus Manual Trigger Paint Roller

(buy it now price, $19.99)
12 Rolls of 1" Blue Painters Tape 3M Scotch

(buy it now price, $69.99)
Drop Cloth 4x15-foot 100% Cotton Canvas

(buy it now price, $9.50)
10pc Foam Paint Brush 1" to 4" Wood Handle

(buy it now price, $3.89)

Totally Teal

family room designed by Tobi Fairley; photo by Nancy Nolan

It’s true that we’ve been touting darker spaces, but color is hardly extinct. As a segue from all the sky blue and turquoise we’ve been seeing, slightly bolder, greener hues are taking precedence. Yes, teal. Not the stilted, muddied variety, but a shade that’s a tad more perky and airy. In fact, online sales for items with term "teal" in eBay's Home & Garden category have more than doubled and listings are up 57% in a recent week (12/6-12/12) vs. a week long period approximately one year prior.

Interior designer and self-professed lover of color, Tobi Fairley of Little Rock, AK, whose clients hire her for her penchant for dramatic hues said, “Nothing makes me more excited than taking a color that many think is out and making it all fresh and new again!”

And it’s versatile, as illustrated by the room pictured here, designed by Tobi Fairely. She said, “This room is a family room that is stylish and kid friendly all at the same time.”

As for future color forecasting she ventured, “I think teal isn’t the only jewel tone we will be seeing on the horizon. Watch for hunter and burgundy coming back too. And be ready to be inspired, because these colors won’t look like your mom’s sofa from the 90’s this time around!”