The Only 10 Fall Trends You Need to Know (and 3 You Can Forget)

The soft, inviting texture of velvet is once again finding favour in home interiors, offering a fantastic textural juxtaposition when combined with rough, natural materials such as woven baskets, reclaimed wood, metals and ceramics. And if you’re not ready to start replacing your existing furniture with velvet pieces, a few velvet cushions or a lush, velvet throw will also get the job done.

Once seen as a niche material, soapstone is gaining ground as an increasingly popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops, thanks to its versatility, relatively low cost and heavy-duty durability. “It is less expensive compared to marble, and it is way more durable,” explains designer Sarah Stacey.

Rough-hewn woven textiles and wicker baskets can provide a dramatic textural accent that adds warmth to the cold winter months, especially when combined with velvet, wooly throws and the like. Hang a few baskets on the wall to create a eye-catching focal point in a room, for example, or introduce the odd wicker piece in a room.

The hot colour for fall 2017 is blush pink, a playful, whimsical colour that works well as a colourful contrast with natural materials such as stone and wood.

Looking to make a dramatic update but don’t want to spend a fortune? The avail yourself of some of the new faux-finish materials on the market, from removable wallpaper to peel-and-stick floor decals and faux subway tiles to the rustic-looking faux wooden beams that have helped Chip and Joanna Gaines revive numerous spaces on Fixer Upper. Inexpensive to buy and easy to apply, the spectacular effect that can be achieved from products such as these belies the minimal time and effort required to make an amazing change.

The warmth and character of classic terra cotta is making a comeback, with fired clay tiles providing proven durabilty and an iconic look that adds charm to any room in the home.

Remember how “greige” was all the rage? Not so this year, when the point of paint is to make a bold statement, not blend into the background. Dark, dramatic colours are gaining popularity, with such hues as Chocolate Brown, Deep Onyx and Black Flame, which was named by PPG Paints as its colour of the year. Using bright, vibrant colours to contrast with dark walls can create a super-cool contrasting look.

Designers are going mad for plaid this season, with tartan-print throws, pillows and accessories adding visual interest. “The pattern was all over the runways, and it’s definitely making a big comeback in the home,” designer Tobi Fairley tells HGTV.

The Danish design concept of hygge (pronouced “hue-gah”) is all about simplification, comfort and creating a safe, comfortable space where you can unplug, recharge and get casual. Sometimes described as “the art of creating intimacy,” hygge isn’t so much about designing a space, but appreciating it once you’re within it, experiencing the moment and recognizing special things that evoke joy and happiness in your home. Obviously this will vary from person, whether it’s lighting candles or adding some additional cushions for extra comfort, but the point is comfort; embracing the hygge philosophy should be easy and effortless.

All-white has been the trend within kitchens for awhile now, and designers are looking to shake things up by adding some bright, vibrant colours into the mix. Since modern kitchens are often a shared space for families where a whole lot more than just cooking takes place, there’s a move afoot to add a fun energy to the kitchen. And adding colour won’t require a complete kitchen revamp – consider painting walls a bright colour to serve as a contrast with white cabinetry, or replace white tiles with a colourful backsplash to add a touch of whimsy.

Copper accent pieces have been all the rage in recent years, but that’s a trend that seems to be receding, and copper is already starting to look a bit dated. Instead, designers are moving toward brass, which is poised to make a big comeback in fall 2017.

Marble is timeless and classic and will never stop being a sought-after material for bathrooms and kitchens, but the recent trend of marble everywhere has proven that you can have too much of a good thing. Marble isn’t going away, but will be used more sparingly, with marble splashes and accents showcasing the stone’s intrinsic beauty.

Are we finally getting tired of the all-white monochrome look? That seems to be the case, as interiors are shifting from white and grey to richer, warmer hues, such as brown, black, green and blush.