The world of interior design is ever-evolving, with new trends emerging each year that capture the imagination and creativity of designers and homeowners alike. This year, the Dezeen editorial team has curated a list of their favorite interior design projects, showcasing a diverse range of styles and approaches from various global locations. These selections highlight the creativity, innovation, and aesthetic sensibilities of various designers and the spaces they create.
Distinctive Materials and Artistic Elements
Tactile Materials and Bespoke Artworks
One of the standout trends observed by the Dezeen team is the use of distinctive materials and unique artistic elements. Persona, a restaurant in Stockholm designed by Erik Bratsberg, is a prime example of this approach. The restaurant features self-made artworks, sculptural furniture, and a palette of cream, green, and brown hues that together create an inviting atmosphere. Brass and terrazzo details add a touch of elegance to the setting, while organic shapes and natural materials like stone and wood offer a grounding sense of peace. This project underscores the importance of using tactile materials and bespoke artistic elements to craft an intimate dining experience that engages the senses.
The use of such elements does not only enhance the visual appeal but also adds a layer of tactility, allowing patrons to engage with the space on different sensory levels. By incorporating handmade artworks and sculptural furniture, the restaurant establishes a unique identity, standing out in the crowded dining landscape of Stockholm. These carefully curated choices create a cohesive and compelling narrative within the space, drawing visitors in and making the experience memorable.
Dramatic and Cinematic Interiors
Another noteworthy example is Daphne, a restaurant in Toronto designed by Studio Paolo Ferrari, which stands out for its adventurous and dramatic interior. The design, influenced by various filmmakers, includes elements ranging from grand and cinematic to cozy and intimate. This juxtaposition reveals the potential for high creativity in interior design, showcasing how diverse stylistic influences can coexist harmoniously within a single space.
The restaurant features a mix of dramatic lighting, textured surfaces, and eclectic furnishings, creating an atmosphere that feels both opulent and comfortable. This project challenges the conventional boundaries of interior design by blending multiple styles and eras, resulting in a space that feels timeless and innovative. The dramatic elements, such as bold color schemes and unique artwork, add a layer of storytelling to the environment, making each visit to Daphne a visually engaging experience.
Cozy and Inviting Atmospheres
Warm Palettes and Natural Materials
Creating cozy and inviting atmospheres is another key trend emphasized by the Dezeen team. Chai Guys, a London cafe designed by SODA, exemplifies this approach with its warm palette and use of natural materials like plaster, leather, and wood. Divided into a seating area and a bakery within its 55-square-meter space, the cafe aims to provide a peaceful refuge for visitors. This project demonstrates the effectiveness of simple yet warm and welcoming design in small commercial spaces.
The use of natural materials and soft lighting creates an environment that feels both calming and inviting, encouraging visitors to relax and enjoy their time in the cafe. Chai Guys’ design proves that even in a compact space, thoughtful design choices can significantly enhance the customer experience. By prioritizing comfort and warmth, the cafe successfully creates a delightful atmosphere that draws people in and makes them feel at home.
Moody and Romantic Ambiances
Meo, a cocktail bar and restaurant in Vancouver designed by Ste Marie, stands out for its moody and romantic ambiance inspired by 1970s and ’80s Hong Kong. The interior features pink hues, vintage floral patterns, dark wood paneling, and a giant painting of a Persian cat. This design approach evokes a sense of nostalgia and takes patrons on a journey through time with its richly layered decor. The project highlights the impact of cultural and historical references in creating distinctive atmospheres that are both intriguing and immersive.
The bar’s interior combines various textures and colors to create a sense of depth and warmth, inviting guests to explore and enjoy the space. By drawing inspiration from a specific cultural and historical context, Meo offers a unique experience that resonates with visitors. The design effectively uses elements like patterned fabrics, vintage furniture, and carefully chosen artwork to create a cohesive and memorable environment.
Integration with Natural Environments
Harmonizing with Surroundings
The trend of integrating interiors with their natural environments is prominently featured in Dezeen’s favorite projects. Naïve, a light-filled cafe bookshop in China designed by Atelier Tao+C, seamlessly integrates with its snowy surroundings. The interior features an open-plan layout, timber furniture, and a warm color palette that contrasts with the original grey concrete space. This design exemplifies how interiors can harmonize with their natural environment to enhance the overall ambiance and offer a tranquil retreat from the outside world.
The use of timber and warm tones creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while large windows allow natural light to flood the space, connecting the interior with the exterior landscape. Naïve’s thoughtful design demonstrates how interior spaces can be enriched by drawing inspiration from their natural surroundings, resulting in an environment that feels both harmonious and inviting. The combination of natural materials and open-plan layout fosters a sense of openness and tranquility, making the space a perfect refuge for visitors.
Personalized and Eclectic Design Choices
A Paris apartment renovation by Hauvette & Madani highlights how playful mixes of color, pattern, and texture can coexist with functionality. The Haussmannian apartment features an eclectic mix of furnishings and artworks from various eras, appealing to those who value personalized and characterful interiors. This project emphasizes the importance of personalized design choices and how they can effectively create a lived-in and vibrant home that reflects the unique tastes and preferences of its inhabitants.
The renovated apartment showcases a blend of vintage and contemporary pieces, creating a space that feels both curated and authentic. By incorporating diverse elements such as bold patterns, vibrant colors, and unique artworks, the designers have created an environment that feels dynamic and inviting. This approach demonstrates how personalized design choices can transform a space into a reflection of its residents’ personalities, making it feel more like a home.
Pushing the Boundaries of Traditional Design
Unconventional Office Spaces
The Frontal Lobe in Sweden, designed by The Great Exhibition, is an office space that defies convention with a fully functioning rollercoaster. The bright red, 60-meter-long rollercoaster winds through the ground floor, passing through communal areas and embodying the studio’s creative ethos. This project is a testament to pushing the boundaries of traditional office design, introducing a playful and highly unconventional element to the workspace that challenges the norms and expectations of a typical office environment.
The introduction of a rollercoaster within an office space injects a sense of fun and creativity into the workplace, making it a unique and engaging environment for employees. This bold design choice not only adds an element of whimsy but also encourages a more dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. By challenging traditional office design conventions, The Frontal Lobe demonstrates how unconventional elements can inspire creativity and innovation in the workplace.
Sustainable and Resourceful Designs
Aesop Diagonal, a store in Barcelona designed by Mesura, exemplifies sustainable interior design practices. The space was created by stacking fragments of 19th-century buildings with minimal intervention, demonstrating how reclaimed materials can shine in contemporary retail spaces. This project underscores the value of sustainability and resourcefulness in modern design, showcasing how thoughtful design choices can lead to environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing results.
The use of reclaimed materials not only reduces the environmental impact of the design but also adds character and history to the space. Aesop Diagonal’s approach to sustainability reflects a growing trend within the interior design community to prioritize eco-friendly practices and resourcefulness. By creatively repurposing materials and minimizing waste, the project sets an example for how contemporary design can be both innovative and environmentally conscious.
Bold and Playful Approaches
Retro-Pastiche Elements
Le Cornichon, a trendy new cafe in France designed by Claves, combines retro-pastiche elements from multiple decades to create a rich and interesting texture. The cafe features a mosaic floor, lacquered ceiling, and a neon gherkin above the bar, blending nostalgic references with contemporary interior design. Le Cornichon showcases the potential of bold, eclectic, and playful design approaches in modern hospitality spaces, offering patrons a visually engaging and memorable environment.
The design of Le Cornichon draws inspiration from various eras, creating a space that feels both familiar and fresh. The use of vibrant colors, retro furnishings, and playful details like the neon gherkin add a sense of whimsy and fun to the cafe. This project demonstrates how bold and eclectic design choices can create a dynamic and inviting environment that stands out in the competitive hospitality industry.
Deeply Personalized Home Designs
The interior design world is constantly evolving, with fresh trends popping up each year that captivate both designers and homeowners. These trends showcase new ideas and creative approaches to crafting unique spaces. This year, the Dezeen editorial team has put together a handpicked list of their top interior design projects. These projects exhibit an impressive array of styles and techniques from various regions around the globe.
This curated collection underscores the boundless creativity and innovation that designers pour into their work. Whether it’s a minimalist apartment in Tokyo, a rustic farmhouse in the French countryside, or a chic loft in New York City, these projects each tell a story through their design. The spaces featured highlight not only aesthetic appeal but also thoughtful functionality and seamless integration of modern elements.
From luxurious living rooms to cozy reading nooks, and from open-plan kitchens to serene bedrooms, the diversity in these designs reflects the unique visions of their creators. Interior designers are continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design, blending different materials, playing with light and color, and creating spaces that inspire.
Ultimately, these exceptional projects demonstrate how interior design can enhance our living environments, making them not just beautiful, but also comforting and functional. The Dezeen editorial team celebrates these achievements, recognizing the hard work and talent that drive the ever-changing landscape of interior design.