The newest design trends for 2020 (and the perfect antiques to compliment them)

16 November 2020

Due to the current climate, many of us have spent the majority of our 2020 indoors. For some that means getting used to seeing the same old rooms in their house everyday. For others it’s an opportunity to perform some interior decorating.

Like with any year 2020 has bought its share of new design trends, many of which would benefit from - or even require! - the integration of antique furniture.

In this blog we’ll be taking a look at some of 2020’s newest design trends and recommending the perfect piece of antique furniture that can be used to compliment them.

Home offices

In a trend that is unlikely to shock anybody that’s been paying attention to the news this year, many office workers have spent a majority of their year in their ‘home offices’ - whether that means an actual room in the house or simply working from your sofa.

This has meant that the home office has been receiving more attention than ever when it comes to interior design - as its not held to the constrictions of a corporate office you can design it in any way you see fit.

For example, while a desk and chair are essential for any office, designers like those found on Elle Decor recommend adding a lounge chair for ‘moments of concentrated reading and thinking’, such as our Biedermeir-style Baltic sofa or Chippendale-style mahogany armchair.

Alternately, those looking to bring an ornate flair to their office may enjoy the aesthetic touch of an antique clock or antique fireplace as we start heading towards the winter.

While you should obviously watch out for clutter, try to fill your home office with comfortable, aesthetically pleasing furniture if you’re working from home - if you’re going to spend so much time working there, you should try to enjoy yourself at least!

Vintage / structured simplicity

There has been a resurgence of interest in retro and vintage furniture in 2020, spurred on by aesthetic movements on the internet like Cottagecore. Many budding interior designers are choosing to forego more modern, complicated furniture in favour of a more simple, rustic look.

Homes and Gardens note that vintage designers want to ‘reference the look rather than slavishly recreate it, using strong colours, favourite pieces and a less-is-more approach for a vibrant, cohesive aesthetic’.

As mentioned in our blog on Cottagecore and rustic cottage furniture, homeowners can try and recreate a rustic vibe at home with an antique French cupboard, antique mirror or chest of drawers - items with simple yet functional designs.

While you should obviously watch out for clutter, try to fill your home office with comfortable, aesthetically pleasing furniture if you’re working from home - if you’re going to spend so much time working there, you should try to enjoy yourself at least!

Antique lighting

Antique lighting has been a popular interior choice this year - charming designers in both the Wall Street Journal and Ideal Home, who appreciate the intricacy of the designs in contrast with the simplicity of the light the fixtures are providing.

While this style of lighting has existed for hundreds of years and a bulb may shine brighter, the light from an antique chandelier or wall sconce can bring an atmosphere to a room like no other light source.

Whether you’re using wall lights or chandeliers, antique lighting is the perfect choice to bring class and elegance to your home.

Westland stocks a wide range of antique lighting, from lanterns to table lamps, all of which can light up your home both literally and figuratively.

Mixing old and new furniture

Finally, a common interior design trend in 2020 has been mixing old and new furniture, antique mixing with the present day to create a whole-new look.

Designers at Elle say that homeowners ‘are over the ‘one-stop-shop’ design resources and are taking the design of their homes to the next level by getting comfortable with mixing and matching old and new and even purchasing locally made souvenirs while on their travels to help tell the story of who they are’. And what better way to mix old with new than to introduce antique furniture into your home?

Whilst making sure to take notice of the design and space of your home, adding an antique piece to your home - whether it’s a small sculpture or as big as a dining room table - can not only provide a sense of elegance for your home but also create a unique style for your home.

Conclusion

While interior design trends are always changing, it’s heartening to see that so many of them in 2020 are compatible with our stock of antique furniture. If you feel your home is missing that vital antique piece to make its style complete, then feel free to visit our Willesden Green showroom.

If you’d like to know more about anything in our collection please do get in touch.