Softly Does It

Soft furnishings are an essential to any successful interior design scheme, providing warmth, cosiness and relaxation. So, what's your style?

When the clocks go back and the nights draw in, it’s time to cosy up our homes. To make it comfortably snug doesn’t necessarily mean a huge decoration overhaul, it can be a few updated soft furnishings that make all the difference.

The term ‘soft furnishings’ include carpets, curtains, cushions and upholstery fabrics which can totally transform the look and feel of a room. These integral parts of interior design add style, colour, texture and vibrancy – without them a room would feel cold, sparse and uninviting.

Here, we look at four fun and adaptable styles that are on trend but can be flexible enough to adjust to your personal style.

COTTAGECORE

This style taps into a relaxed home with character details speaking of nostalgia, comfort, florals and natural fabrics. It's easy to achieve if some elements are already in place, for example wooden beams, fireplaces or wooden floors. The look is sun faded natural fabrics, traditional botanical designs, deep, cushion-filled seating with natural stone or wood flooring with rugs. Think baking your own bread, luxuriating in the wholesome, rural, pastoral vibe.

TROPICAL

Sticking with the botanicals but a different take on things is the tropical look. Embracing bolder colours and cleaner patterns, this trend is designed to whisk you away to exotic shores. Use bright greens and blues, bold leaf graphics with vivid tropical scenes. Turn the bedroom into a tropical paradise with exotic statement prints, bold bedlinen and beautiful plants.

MAXIMALISM

In a direct juxtaposition to minimalism, meet the new interior décor trend, maximalism. This doesn’t mean an overstuffed room, but rather a scheme teeming with pattern, colour, intricate graphic detail, repetition and unique personal possessions. The style boldly mixes patterns and textures but locks it together with a palette of similar colours. Create your own maximalist look by mixing contrasting patterns, colours, textures and layering across a scheme. More is most definitely more!

ECO

When we think of going green with our houses we generally think of solar panels, energy efficiency and water reduction but there are also so many eco choices for interior design and soft furnishings too. The overall look lends itself to earthy tones – golden beige, moss or olive green and burnt orange – craft design and calming tactile fabrics such as velvet, boucle’ and linen. Choose sustainable, environmentally materials such as bamboo, recycled plastics and jute fibres.