Whenever I visit a new country or city, I like to note the many interior design styles I see. After all, home decor is my kryptonite.
I also love shopping, but I consider myself a conscious shopper and never want my home decor ideas to feel too trend-driven or too frivolous. For this reason, we feel it’s especially beneficial to focus on timeless and classic interior trends: things that last.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about the Belgian design scene until my visit. When I think of Belgian style, I always get inspired by Axel Vervoordt. But I have new inspiration to welcome back some of the capsule staples I’ve found again in Antwerp, Belgium, a creative city with a deep arts and culture scene. If you ever go to Europe, be sure to visit this wonderful city.
In the three or so days I spent there, I saw similar decorating ideas and styles pop up one after another. So below, we’ve charted five major interior design trends that are worth knowing about right now. And I predict it will last forever.
1. Warm and rich colors
(Image credit: Little Green)
For many Belgians, a warm and rich natural color palette is the color of choice for their rooms.
Offering a myriad of warm shades that blend harmoniously together, the fall-inspired Belgian color palette has the ability to create a relaxed, down-to-earth space with lasting appeal. Loved by designers.
Rust, terracotta, stone, taupe and amber colors give the interior a sense of calm and tranquility. It stays in the room and doesn’t pop out,” explains fabric designer Vanessa Arbuthnot.
“Natural colors go beyond a neutral palette of off-whites and soft browns. This warm color palette offers us wonderful rusty reds, dusty pinks and ocher yellows that blend in with nature. ” added creative director and co-founder Sue Jones. -Founder of Oka.
In the space above, Theater Red with Little Green is the color of choice for Fall/Winter 2024.
2. Focus on one statement
(Image credit: Albion Nord)
Every room needs a focal point. A place where the eye is drawn to the beauty and depth of the plan.
A focal point, also known as an emphasis, is an important basic interior design rule that helps draw attention to a specific part of a room, creating one strong focal point can add eye-catching visual interest and You can improve your scheme with memorable features.
Emphasis can be created through furniture, lighting, color, pattern, texture and shape, decorative accents, and architectural elements. The key is to use these design features to create a focal point in your space.
My favorite, and probably the easiest way, is to decorate with art. A single piece of art can also help define a space. This serves as a useful visual device to draw the eye to a specific area indoors. It can also create a story that determines the color and style of the rest of the space.
3. Subtle and luxurious texture
(Image credit: R. Higgins Interiors)
If you pick just one “trend” from this list, it’s this one. Using texture in interior design is the best way to transform a bare space into a stunning one. It’s a concept that will forever ring true.
Creating texture isn’t just about the feel of decorations and upholstery, it’s also about visual texture, using different materials to add interest and bring life to a room. Belgians understand this concept perfectly.
Simply put, without texture, a space would be flat. It is important to look at the room as a whole and group areas with mixed materials to give vibrancy and warmth. This is a way to add depth and dimension to the room, as well as provide comfort.
Tiffany Lee of Tiffany Lee Design explains: “Texture is about creating tactile moments that make you want to touch it.” This refers to the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or material. Texture helps keep a space from feeling flat or one-dimensional. ”
The easiest way to do this is by layering. Layering textures can add depth. “Layering materials, colors and shapes can give an interior an overall texture and define the look and feel of a space,” says Martin Waller, co-founder of Andrew Martin. I am.
To achieve a layered look, tactile weaves like bouclé look great layered with the luxurious feel of silk or rough-hewn wood, giving a room a sense of depth and history.
4. Belgian minimalism
(Image credit: Albion Nord)
The minimalist trend has been around for a long time, and design-conscious Belgians take it very seriously. However, their version is much warmer and more welcoming.
Unlike its cooler, more clinical sisters, the warm, minimalist interior promises to exude more character and comfort in a clean, functional space.
The easiest way to achieve this look is to imitate nature at its best, as design company Albion Nord does. Inspired by the colors of nature, warm minimalism adds a gentle, soothing touch to interiors by layering textures and tones that ebb and flow with the seasons.
There are many great benefits to choosing a minimalist aesthetic. Lean planning is based on the principle of removing clutter from your home. It’s about harnessing the power of a “clean” space that’s not only easy on the eyes, but also soothing, contemporary, and easy on the wallet. It’s not simply ‘less is more’, it means ‘less is more quality, more texture and biocompatible color’.
5. Neat windowsill
(Image credit: Tori Murphy)
Beautiful window decoration ideas are essential to the atmosphere and function of a room. Blinds and shutters that control light and privacy and add an extra layer of insulation are a practical yet beautiful solution.
More than just decoration, curtains have an important role in keeping you warm and absorbing sound. According to interior designers, curtains are an investment and many Belgian homeowners often spend more to have them properly arranged. In terms of design, curtains can bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. It all depends on factors such as the fabric you choose, the type of pleats, how it’s lined (or not), and how it’s hung. Designer Susie Watson says, “Beautiful handmade curtains with plenty of interlining will look great for years to come.”
Customization is the best way to ensure the effective performance of your home, and many designers and homeowners in Belgium take this seriously. Many companies offer in-home measuring and fitting services. You can do it yourself if you buy online, but accuracy is key.
I also noticed that many houses have shutters as well as curtains. The styles vary, but the most notable is the cafe style. Cafe-style half-height shutters allow plenty of light while ensuring privacy. However, keep in mind that traditional solid shutters (commonly found in American homes), while excellent sound and thermal insulation, lack the flexibility of louvers or shutters. Cross-tier design.
