Bold Large-Scale Patterns
The 2010s were a big decade for bold patterns. “Many of us can probably look at our graphic print accessories, whether it be a chevron pillow or a Moroccan motif area rug, and think back to 2014,” says Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and development at Benjamin Moore. Whether you embraced them or passed for solid colors, these high-energy, statement-making patterns were all the rage throughout the decade.
Hot Hues and Cool Neutrals
We saw home decor color trends come and go from year to year, but a handful of hues stuck around long enough to make a big impact on homes everywhere. These shades topped the list for the 2010s.
Decor Styles Inspired by Past and Present
As people increasingly relied on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram for design inspiration, certain home design styles went viral. After the Internet propelled aesthetics like modern farmhouse, midcentury-modern, and others into popularity, we began seeing them in homes, commercial spaces, and furniture and decor stores everywhere. Here are the styles that hit it big in the past decade.
Kitchens Packed with Personality
In the past ten years, homeowners and designers began to embrace the kitchen as a place to play with pattern, color, and finishes. These kitchen design trends dominated during the 2010s.
Gallery walls: “Gallery walls go in and out a lot but are still a great way to personalize a space,” says Wendy Yates, creative director and founder of Abigail-Elise Design Studio. “While there is an evolution of selfies in the younger generations, teens will always want to post their photos on their walls, continuing to a future generation of women who want pictures of their family or travels.” The Marie Kondo effect: “In 2010, we were trying to find the cutest baskets and building the smartest cabinets,” says Kramer of Do It Yourself. “By 2019, everyone (and I mean everyone, even your grandfather) is talking about getting rid of all the stuff that doesn’t spark joy. It’s been a major shift—and one I think will stick around for a while.” Juju hats: With origins as an African ceremonial headdress, these feathered hats saw a surge in popularity as mounted wall decor. Edison bulbs: Exposed lighting options exploded in the 2010s, coinciding with an overarching trend in industrial style. Cube storage units: You’ve likely seen them at IKEA. Or Target. Or Walmart. Cube shelving took off in the early 2010s and is an industry that hasn’t stopped growing since. Smart home technology: Advances in technology for cameras, locks, lighting, and more made smart-home products more affordable than ever. Vintage revival: “Over the past decade, we’ve seen the handmade and vintage items making a resurgence,” says Kate Lester of Los Angeles-based Kate Lester Interiors. “Vintage rugs, art, and accessories add interest, depth, and texture and immediately make a space feel more curated and interesting.” She sheds: A term that peaked in 2018, she sheds were the answer to man caves: a place to get away from it all thanks to an outdoor garden shed turned oasis. Hygge: This Scandinavian trend is all about coziness—think candles, plush blankets, and plenty of me-time. Animal accents: “Animal motifs ran hot then cooled, one animal at a time,” says Kramer of Do It Yourself. “Notable critters, aside from birds, include foxes, hedgehogs, cows, llamas. I think we’re in a goat moment currently.”
