From geometric shapes to carnival colours, here’s how to bring the newest trends to your home

Dramatic decor

Dramatic decor rules the roost in 2016, so bin the beige and make a statement, by painting an entire wall a rich dark colour, or investing in a few bold pieces of furniture.

“This trend is all about not shying away from the bold and gives us an opportunity to inject some life into our homes,” says interior stylist Kristen Grove. “There’s a huge misconception that dramatic colour makes a small space feel even tinier, but the reality is, it can make a room feel grander.

“However, natural light plays a huge part – there isn’t a lamp in the world that can light up a room like nature – so painting a room a dark colour with no windows is possible but risky. You don’t want to leave a space feeling depressed.

“Get the balance right, and working dramatic style into a room can instantly add glamour and sophistication.”

For a colour scheme, think deep Georgian blue, charcoal grey and berry red shades. Create areas of contrast to bring more drama into the room, by teaming bold decor with bright white finishes.

Shape up

Geometric shapes, patterns and textures are perfect for a modern minimalistic makeover – just make sure you get your style sums right and avoid too many clashes.

“The geometric trend is the perfect way to give your interior a contemporary look and can be made up of lines, and shapes such as squares, triangles and hexagons, which are repeated or tessellated in a symmetrical layout. This style can give rooms an illusion of space and add depth and interest,” says Robin Auld, head of marketing at Topps Tiles.

“Try combining different colours and scales of one or – at most – two shapes, to keep the look fresh and to create a unique interior.”

Layout is key when it comes to the geometric look. Make one piece a focal point, perhaps a wall or rug, in a geometric print. Hexagonals are this year’s favourite shape and graphic hexagonal tiles, in an unusual honeycomb pattern, can create an eye-catching floor or splashback, especially if teamed with a bold colour.

Carnival fever

Rock the Rio trend with sultry patterns, tropical greenery and hot good looks – it’s time for a style samba.

“This is a flamboyant look that tastefully shouts fun and conjures a setting which feels gloriously drenched in sunshine,” says Tamara Kelly, shopping editor at inspiration interiors site Housetohome.co.uk.

“Beach-beautiful ‘Natural Carnival’ encapsulates the appeal of Brazil’s golden beaches, green mountains and jungles full of flowers, exotic birds and animals.

Vital ingredients are bright, brilliant colours, teamed with tropical-inspired leaf patterns, animal and bird prints, and just for fun, a few parrot or flamingo ornaments. It’s perfect for summer and would work brilliantly in an open-plan kitchen and living space, which leads to a garden.”

Team key colours – lime and jungle greens, sea blues, burnt orange, sunshine yellow and hot pinks – with white or warm wood tones, sleek contemporary shapes and leaf and animal-pattern prints.

Material style

Natural materials and contrast in tone and texture are the order of the day for successful interiors, predicts Kelly Hoppen.

“The days of fad trends are long gone, thank goodness, and today, it’s all about how we live in our spaces, which we now take seriously,” says the interior designer. “It’s increasingly recognised that we should aim for interior design which fits us like a Savile Row suit, perfectly made-to-measure to suit our needs.

“The trends I see coming and staying are more eclectic than ever, with a lot of thought behind them. Wood, ceramic and stone are the most important elements in a home, as they’re a great starting point to build on, and to be successfully on-trend, it’s essential to get the right balance of each.

“Mix and match a pale wood – grey, taupe blonde and white woods, rather than black, will be fashion leaders – with a darker stone in flowing lines, and pair with ceramic to give an illusion of length and height. The four ‘hot’ metals this year will be bronze, nickel, rose gold and beaten black metal.”

Colour used halfway up a wall, leaving the upper space neutral, will be increasingly popular. Black and white flooring and vintage tiles are going to have a huge comeback, especially when mixed with marble; the combination of textures gives an unexpected edge.