By Debbie Batia
How do we describe the last 12-15 months in the world of home furnishings and interior design? To sum it up in one word — amazing! While most businesses that rely on the public visiting or shopping have been in a slump, the interior design industry has exploded with new business, new clients and exciting trends.
With the country in lockdown and stuck in their homes for months, many people who had not paid close attention to their surroundings on a day-to-day basis realized they were ready for a change. With increased time spent watching TV, especially HGTV and “Million Dollar Real Estate” (one of my favorites), they saw many beautiful homes and rooms they wanted to emulate.
With Small Business Administration loans, low-interest home loans or home equity loans and many other resources that came about due to the pandemic, some people had more disposable funds to make these changes. Also, the money that normally would be spent on family vacations, dinners out or shopping was not being spent, so extra money was available for home improvements.
If you ask any interior designer or home furnishings store owner, he or she will tell you business has increased very quickly in the last 15 months or so with no sign of letting up. Most consumers have decided that life is too short not to be happy in the place where they spend so much of their time. They want to live in a beautiful environment with updated furnishings, colors and decor. Their eyes have been opened to what is possible in their own surroundings without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the latest trends that are making our home environments happy:
- Lots of color — people want to feel good in their homes and offices, and that means happy colors.
- Beautiful, clean furnishing styles, but not stark, and not all monochromatic off-whites, grays or beiges. Unique accessories, lamps and rugs bring the look together.
- Updated styles in window treatments also are back in a big way. These include decorative rods, beautiful fabrics and sun-filtering shades that let you see out but block the heat and damaging ultraviolet rays.
- Metal finishes of all kinds are being used together in room designs. There is no right or wrong finish to use together anymore. Gone are the days where every fixture and the hardware on cabinets, etc. must be the same finish. Mix finishes to acquire that pulled-together, designer look.
- Flooring choices today are varied, and there are so many to choose from. A good Interior designer can help you make the right choices for your environment, type of home, traffic patterns and budget. Porcelain tile, luxury vinyl tile, wood flooring and carpeting that is dense and tightly woven, with or without a design, are popular choices.
What we have all learned through this last year and a half is to live our lives, enjoy moments with our family and friends every chance we get, live in the most comfortable, beautiful rooms we can and be happy we are still here to enjoy them.
Debbie Batia is owner of D.Batia Interiors LLC in Biloxi. Reach her at (228) 385- 2657 or dbatiainteriors@gmail.com.