Interior Design Trends for 2018: The Designers at Nakkash Weigh in

Gone are the days when doing up your home just meant plonking a sofa in front of the TV and calling it a day. Our homes are a reflection of ourselves and interior designing has made it possible to showcase this uniqueness through your home decor. To find out what the pertinent interior decor trends for 2018 are, we at Bayut spoke to the designers at Nakkash, one of the leading interior design studios in the UAE.

Bright Colours Rule The Roost in interior decor trends for 2018

There’s no denying that 2017 was the year of millennial pink and marble accents when it came to interior decor trends. Monochrome was the other prominent trend, with striking white and black furnishings becoming the norm for a modern, contemporary look. While grey and beige may have been the reigning home decor trends in 2017, this year we can look forward to stronger pigments when it comes to our furniture.

“Bold, strong colours such as reds, blues and vibrant greens are going to be popular interior decor trends for 2018, especially in statement furniture. If you feel like it might be a big leap to go for something very striking, you can introduce bold elements through a bright throw or a cushion”, said Aya Nakkash, the Marketing Manager behind the family run business that set up shop in Dubai in 1983.

Unique Silhouettes and signature Pieces Make a Mark

One of the trending home décor ideas off-late has been the renewed interest in unique furniture and silhouettes amongst homeowners, especially, the younger generation. Mass produced furniture sets are replaced by one-of-a-kind works of art. Omar Nakkash who runs the Nakkash Gallery with his father and sister, a graduate from the prestigious the Parsons Institute at the New School for Design in New York, feels that people may be shying away from distinctive furniture, simply because of the hefty price tags. There is, however, a definite leaning towards, innovative pieces that reflect your personal style when it comes to home decor trends in the UAE. You could always look at incorporating decor from your favourite countries if you want to reflect your wanderlust through your furniture for this distinct look. 

Making such furniture accessible to more people is one of the things the team at Nakkash is committed to doing. Their pop-up store “The Unit” is known for locally sourced, unique furniture designed by local and international artists, helping people in Dubai to buy signature furniture at a fraction of the price such pieces usually command.

The Unit is currently exhibiting at the Dubai Design District, next to the 1life Cafe. 

Warm Woody Tones and Metallic Accents Are Here to Stay

Classic notes of warm mahogany, gleaming counters of rosewood and sturdy oak furniture are popular interior decoration trends this year. Veering away from the minimalistic aspect of home decor trends in 2017, this return to the classics also signals a renewed interest in striking metallic elements with the use of bronze, silver and other industrial colours making a comeback.

Keeping up with this all-encompassing vibe, interior decor trends for 2018 have been stepping away from distressed looks to adopt a more timeless style with an overall sense of durability and finesse. You might want to invest in antiques this year to keep up with the interior decor trends for 2018. 

Aspirational Spaces in Homes Becoming More Common

The overarching design trends in 2018 have shown a leaning towards a more intrinsic approach, with the energy of the room being a focal point of the design concepts. It’s not just about the aesthetic appeal of the furniture, it’s also about the emotion or feeling one experiences while in that space. Happy rooms, thinking corners and creativity centres are now conceptualised with a lot of thought to the psychological effect of the design aesthetic. 

It’s no longer about what colours go with the wall, it’s more about how these colours will make you feel. Yellows evoke a feeling of happiness, white and pale blues and greens bring serenity and warm wooden floors are great for a relaxing, cosy atmosphere. There is also a sustainability element to such spaces, and going green with decor is a popular choice this year!

Fabrics and Textures Make All the Difference

There was a time when fabric on furniture was relegated to frumpy upholstery, and leather was the preferred material. That has changed now with more visually appealing fabrics entering the picture. Patterns featured on soft furnishings and serve-ware are inspired by traditional block printing.

“Tactile fabrics such as velvet are definitely on the rise, I also think that enveloping silhouettes will grow in popularity in 2018”, said Aya Nakkash. 

Sofa Trends for 2018

One of the most important pieces of furniture that you will buy is the sofa. It’s usually the first thing that one notices about your home and is usually where you will be entertaining friends and family. A mix of classic and contemporary dominates sofa trends for 2018.

“I try to create a relaxing and comfortable space that has an element of elegance. I refuse to be defined by one particular style; I use a mixture of both the classical and the modern. I like to combine and blend antique furniture with modern fabrics, for example”, said the founder of Nakkash, Wajih Nakkash by way of illustration.

Bedroom Furniture Trends for 2018

Bedrooms are extremely private spaces where you would like to create a soothing ambience. This year’s interior design trends incorporate strong colours and textured fabrics, both of which we can also see in bedroom furniture trends for 2018. Dark, moody colours with understated drama will take centre stage and fabrics like velvet will be used, particularly in throws, cushions and other accessories. For some insights on how to incorporate these interior decor trends for 2018, for shared children’s bedrooms check out our handy tips!

Kitchen Trends for 2018

Kitchen designs have evolved from just a functional space to one that combines efficiency a chic design that reflects your personal food journey. Vintage accessories, clean lines and plenty of storage are extremely popular kitchen trends for 2018 that you can adopt in your own personal space.

About Nakkash

Established in 1983, by Wajih Nakkash, NAKKASH has been at the forefront of interior design in the region for over three decades.

With carefully-selected luxury furniture, sourced from leading brands Nakkash has become synonymous with originality, effortless style and elegance, establishing a superior reputation and earning the confidence of a diverse portfolio of clients. Nakkash Design Studio by Omar Nakkash has pioneered a simple yet refined style with a holistic approach to interior design. Their popup store, The Unit is more than just a commercial space, it’s also an opportunity for design enthusiasts to congregate and learn from one another. 

These interior decor trends for 2018 are certainly a good place to start with when it comes to turning your house into a home. You can really bring out features of your personality through these hacks and turn your house into something that represents you. Don’t forget to check out some of these design mistakes that you simply cannot afford to make so you are on point with your home decor trends for 2018.

If you still haven’t found your dream home, check out some of these properties for rent in Dubai, and be sure to think of these nifty tips when you decorate your home!