Fresh start for spring
Hartleys has its finger on the pulse of what will be big in 2020.
The first daffodils poking through the soil and buds swelling on trees herald the good news that spring is almost upon us.
It’s a time of rejuvenation, of renewal, of taking a fresh look at familiar things around you – and that applies just as much in the home as to the world outside.
Christmas now seems a long time ago but if clearing away the festive clutter prompted a desire for some new brightness and extra space around the house, now is the perfect time to act.
Hartleys, of Skipton, has been famous for reinvigorating homes for more than 35 years by designing fitted furniture – and one of their secrets of success is a keen eye for spotting the latest trends and judging which of them will stand the test of time.
Hartleys’ Sara Haggas says: “This year’s interiors choices are being driven by lifestyle trends such as flexible living spaces and our desire to take refuge in warm and welcoming surroundings, centring on our wellbeing, comfort and sustainability.”
She has identified five themes which Hartleys believe will come to the fore in the year ahead and, perhaps more importantly, continue to set the longer-term trends.
Bringing nature into the home – or, to use its technical name, biophilic design
– is about including natural elements in interior decor and furnishing schemes, based upon the positive effect nature has on our psyche.
“Putting biophilic design into action couldn’t be easier,” says Sara. “It can be as simple as choosing a wooden floor or stone tiles in a kitchen, a big window to let the light in, house plants or even accessories with a plant or tree theme.”
From here it is but a short step to the second trend, of focusing on sustainability. So natural materials, reusable or recycled products come to the fore, with a particular focus on ethically-sourced items.
“We have long had a commitment to sustainability both in sourcing and disposing of the wood and other materials for our furniture,” says Sara.
“From animal-free leather and jute rugs to clay vases, there is also a big move toward hand-made products which are largely recycled or re-invented.”
Following on from these themes, Hartleys’ third prediction is the year’s go-to material and colour – the natural, earthy tones of terracotta – while the final two trends can be summed up by two m-words: maximalism and multipurpose.
Maximalism is all about sumptuous textures and bold colours, whereas multipurpose furniture ties in with the ongoing move toward flexible living, working from home and making the best use of space to provide an efficient, relaxing interior environment.
This is a Hartleys speciality, with space-saving furniture such as folddown beds, pull-out desks and cleverlydesigned drawers and cupboards creating ergonomically effective home offices and maximising storage capacity.
Why not let one of Hartleys’ designers pay a free home visit? For more information, telephone 01756 700471 or visit www.hartleysbedrooms.co.uk
Bringing nature into the home is about including natural elements in
interior decor…