Summer is finally here, and with it comes a whole new host of interior design trends! Some things have stayed the same since the beginning of the year – sustainable interiors, an abundance of house plants and metallic details are all still top of the list – whereas other trends have developed and grown as the weather has started to get warmer and the rain has started to subside.
Straight from the mouths of Malaysia's best interior designers, here's the rundown of summer's hottest home ideas. Paintbrushes at the ready, guys, it's time to decorate!
Though minimalism as a trend still continues to rule the roost, it will be taking on a less futuristic, more homely guise. Exposed beams, raw, unfinished wood, and natural textures sit starkly against clean white walls and floors as part of this new rustic-minimal trend. This authentic, unfussy look is all about substance over style, something interior designer Syamsul Arman Yap refers to as design detoxification
. We like!
Just when we thought that all-white and modern was here to stay, the design pendulum decided to swing back in the other direction! This time, though, it's caught somewhere in the middle. Minimal, clean lines and bold delineations still rule the roost, but this summer Malaysian interior designers are mixing it up by including jabs of bold colour and eccentric retro details – a bold green mid-century chair, perhaps, or a scarlet 60's lampshade.
PDI Design and Associates managing partner Datuk Tan Su Cheng believes that Malaysian design has seen a growth of interest in eclectic interior styles
– so grab the paint and decorate that feature wall, and start hunting down some vibrant accent pieces for your home.
It's official – Malaysians are loving tiles more than ever before! Especially when they're paired with clean, minimal designs and unexpected textures, as seen in this gorgeous hallway. To keep firmly on-trend for summer 2016, stick to bold lines and patterns, juicy tropical colours like orange and strawberry red, and mix smooth marble tiles with sleek walls and rough wooden details.
Classically industrial interiors may be past their prime, but that doesn't mean that industrial as a concept is completely played out – far from it! The look has evolved from rough and ready warehouse chic to something more polished and refined – think buffed and finished concrete walls, smooth timber furniture, and minimal furniture.
To make the space livable, throw in some cosy fur rugs, bouncy Scandinavian style sofas and sensual mood lighting. This is not the death of industrial – this is Industrial Luxe!
Rose quartz was the big hit shade across the world at the beginning of 2016, thanks to Pantone announcing it as their colour of the year. The trend shows no signs of abating, but if you want to take it up a notch and update your home for summer, start pairing it with shades of warm dove grey, as seen in this room by Sian Elin. Curtains, armchairs, and decorative accents like lampshades and pillows all work as contrasting grey accents to this year's hot shade.
Carrying on the natural texture trend, vintage-style patina effects and roughly painted wooden walls are a quick and easy way to bring your home bang up to date. The trick is to make the surface look care-worn, not abandoned, and to mix it with sleek modern pieces for a multi-dimensional look.
This summer, bathrooms are the one place where maximalism reigns supreme! Delicately patterned sinks, chandeliers, and intricate tiles are all go. To go all out, invest in a freestanding bathtub, paint a feature wall in a rich dark colour and hang large scale modern art on the walls. For a cheap and easy update, try using tile stickers to jazz up your walls and flooring, and pick up small items with colourful patterns to place around the room.
To find out more about 2016's hottest trends, check out this Ideabook!