This is one of the best times to change the decor of your house and take advantage of seasonal changes, especially with the arrival of good weather in Italy. Bright colours, light textures and flowers are a constant in the warm season and this year, changes at home are essential due to the coronavirus crisis which has given rise to new needs at home, such as the demand for home offices and outdoor spaces. In the midst of a health emergency, furnishing becomes a good way to improve the mood and appearance of our homes.
The experts at the Instituto de Valoraciones have analysed the trends for spring 2020 and summarised them in a study of some decorative ideas to give a new look to your house.
Practicality over style
This is a principle that has become more relevant during confinement. After almost two months without being able to go out, many families hve realised that their home is not as functional and practical as they thought. Usefulness should always prevail over style. And this does not only apply to small houses, but also to larger ones.
"Furniture must have a function and achieve a goal. This is particularly important in smaller apartments located in the city centre and here it becomes particularly important that each object has a purpose. There are more and more folding beds that can be stored when not in use for example, meaning you can save space for other pieces of furniture," say the experts.
Neutral colours and modular shapes
If you are furnishing a house for rent or sale, it is important that the style is current and that it catches the attention of those who may be interested. For this reason, the study explains that, "you should try to furnish a house with simple, neutral furniture styles and, if possible, modular shapes so that they can be adapted and customised from time to time. For this reason, it is better to use multi-functional furniture that offers versatility and flexibility and minimise the furnishings, allowing the tenant or buyer to customise the rooms according to their style and needs".
Wallpaper is no longer trendy
Nowadays the original or industrial touch of construction is increasingly common. In this sense, the experts state that "stone, brick or wood walls give spaces a modern touch, making them unique. Other building materials such as metal are also used as furniture to separate rooms, in lamps, door frames and load-bearing walls, amongst others. Equally interesting are decorative elements in metallic colours such as gold, silver or pink, as well as the mixture of different materials in the floors, walls, furniture and details, such as kitchens with concrete floors and dark, almost black, colours on the walls.
Eco-friendly interior design
Buildings are becoming more sustainable and, in the same way, an eco-sustainable lifestyle is being adopted inside houses. The variety of organic textiles is increasing and there are even furniture options that are made from plant fibres, for example. Likewise, there is a growing trend towards the renovation, recycling and reuse of furniture, either by covering, coating or using industrial materials to give it a new lease of life. The commitment to recycling is also reaching walls, which are being updated "revealing the imperfection of the brushstroke".
Home automation
Experts ensure that "thanks to voice assistants and smart furniture, homes are increasingly 'smart' and include various devices that can be seen or are invisible, due to the fact that in many cases they go unnoticed as part of the furniture. In any case, they increase the functionality of the furniture".
Technology is not only revolutionising the way we live, but also "the way we experience life at home". We are already seeing electric fireplaces, items of furniture that include plugs for charging devices, wireless chargers, smart lamps and bulbs that can be controlled by a mobile phone or voice commands and much more. And there are those who believe that 2020, COVID-19 permitting, will be an important year in terms of the arrival of new technological advances for the home.
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