12 Interior Decor Trends Your Living Room Needs in 2019

As another new year approaches, designers and manufacturers are already setting the stage for 2019 and the new must-haves for the living room. From colors to furnishings and finishes, there are some trends that will be hot — and some that will not. While there are those who think that the heyday of gray interiors is waning, for example, others feel it’s still going strong. Regardless, these are some of the early trends for 2019 that could influence what your living space looks like next year.

Art Deco Influences

This rare vintage settee is from Maison Gerard.
This rare vintage settee is from Maison Gerard.

The streamlined silhouettes of Art Deco furnishings are ideal for today’s simpler interiors because they go so well with the uncluttered look that is so popular. Any decorations in the art deco style are graphic and bold, which helps them stand out among plainer contemporary elements. Also, these types of pieces will give the living room a good shot of glam, elevating the space. While this is a rare 1930 settee designed by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, many quality reproductions are available that will yield the same look at a fraction of the price of a rare antique.

Matte Black

 More traditional decor interiors are also sporting matte black walls for added drama
More traditional decor interiors are also sporting matte black walls for added drama

While this color trend may have started with smaller home elements like bathroom and kitchen hardware, it has now made its way into the living room. Not that long ago, it would have been unthinkable to paint your walls black, but the dark matte color can be found on furniture as well as living room and dining room walls. Perhaps surprisingly, this is not limited to modern, contemporary or industrial interiors. More traditional decor interiors are also sporting matte black walls for added drama. The good thing about black is that while it might be trendy, it also never seems to go out of style.

Bar Carts

This HT&D bar cart is casual and super functional.
This HT&D bar cart is casual and super functional.

Bar carts gained in popularity in 2018 and are expected to continue being a red-hot item through at least 2019. While bar carts might seem glitzy and glamorous, they’re actually available in a range of styles and finishes so there’s one to fit any decor type. They are great for entertaining because they can roll to where the guests are. Using a bar cart also provides an ideal place for displaying favorite barware. Not a drinker?  Bar carts can easily become tea trolleys or serve as a place to display a beloved collection of smaller items.

Gold Accents

Gold -- whether small accent or major splashes -- is the next big metallic finish.
Gold — whether small accent or major splashes — is the next big metallic finish.

Metallics of various types have been trending over the past few years and now it’s time for gold in a big way. No, we’re not talking about rose gold, which has already burned through its 15 minutes of fame, but classic gold. That said, designers are presenting a wide range of patinas and finishes on gold, so there’s at least one style that will go with your decor. From high-shine to brushed or with a raw finish, the looks are very different, leading to lots of creative options.

Greenery

Faux or real, greenery is a lively addition to the living room.
Faux or real, greenery is a lively addition to the living room.

One of the surest ways to enliven an interior is to add greenery. Ideally, plants will be of the living kind because of the health benefits they bring to indoor spaces. Today, however, even those who don’t have green thumbs have lots of options. Faux plants have come a long way from grandma’s vases of plastic flowers or the inexpensive silks from the craft store. Today’s artificial greenery can fool just about anyone with its lifelike look and feel. Also, different preserved greenery products are available that allow homeowners to create a natural green wall or display that requires no care or maintenance.

Orange and Yellow

Orange and yellow can make a big impact as accent colors.
Orange and yellow can make a big impact as accent colors.

There’s always a color of the year, but for accents that will make interiors pop, the unexpected combination of orange and yellow will reign in 2019. With colors and style from the 1970s gaining traction in 2018, it’s no wonder that these hues will be hot. It’s true that these are bright and vibrant colors, but different shades from rust and terracotta to rich Tuscan-style ochres also fall into this range. Best of all orange and yellow are undeniably happy colors that can be great mood-lifters.

Wallpaper

Big and bold prints are the trendy choice in wallpaper.
Big and bold prints are the trendy choice in wallpaper.

Rising from its nearly dead status in popular design, wallpaper has been making a comeback in a big way — quite literally. With the advent of digital printing, large format images and murals are widely available. When opting for wall-coverings, choose something big and bold if you to stay on trend, even if the room is small. Florals are gaining in popularity too.  Of course, smaller stylish patterns are available but thankfully, long gone are the cutesy wallpapers with matching borders. That style from the 1980s is best left in the past.

Velvet

The velvet trend is sure to continue at least through 2019.
The velvet trend is sure to continue at least through 2019.

Velvet started trending a past year or two ago and is still going strong as a choice for upholstered pieces. From chairs to sofas, velvets in a rainbow of colors — pastels and jewel tones — are hot again for 2019. It’s a sumptuous textile that adds elegant texture no matter what the color. It’s also a perfect partner for the gold trend that’s on this list. In fact, there’s nothing more glamorous that velvet and gold.

Scallops

Scallop shapes will be showing up in all kinds of decor.
Scallop shapes will be showing up in all kinds of decor.

Whether understated like on this vintage chair from Hostler Burrows, or in a more dramatic version, the scallop shape is one that we’ll see more of. In accessories, sofas, or textiles, the scallop is an elegant motif that fits well with contemporary interiors. The tufting used to create the shape in seating adds depth and comfort to the pieces. A chair of this style is a great addition to any living room.

Curved Furniture

Curved furniture adds a special flair to a living room.
Curved furniture adds a special flair to a living room.

Elegant curves are always stylish, which is probably why they’re so big for the coming year. Sofas, tables, consoles — all are available in curves designs that soften a roomful of angular pieces. A longer sofa like this one from Maison Rapin is extra long and the curve makes it more comfortable for guests to sit and converse. Besides, the silhouette is an unexpected and sexy addition to a living room. Even better, this one is upholstered in velvet, another hot trend for 2019.

Tribal Patterns

Tribal prints can freshen a room, even a minimalist space.
Tribal prints can freshen a room, even a minimalist space.

The popularity of tribal patterns comes and goes and 2019 will see them on the upswing. The great thing about these motifs is that they can work in a variety of interiors, including a minimalist space. The clean, uncluttered room lets the pattern shine, especially when used judiciously. To incorporate this trend there’s no need to go full-on global. A large statement piece like this cabinet from the Southern Guild Gallery of South Africa is all you need to transform the room. On a smaller scale, try adding a rug or some carefully chosen pillows or accessories in a tribal graphic can totally change a space.

Eco-Friendly Features

Sustainable products are here to stay.
Sustainable products are here to stay.

The concept of sustainability is here to stay and including upcycled, recycled or sustainably produced products whenever possible is a bonus — and a hot design trend. The range of stylish things made of repurposed materials in all home categories is growing, which makes it easy to be design-forward and eco-friendly. These spectacular area rugs from Mad Mats are made from recycled plastics in a process that creates vibrant, fade-proof hues.