A pop of colour here, an unusual accessory there. Changing with the season and keeping your home looking fresh and current doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Keeping abreast of what’s hot and not means you can constantly achieve that wow effect without having a house that looks dated.

Red Earth, based in Mullingar and in the Beacon in Dublin, is an Irish company with its finger on the interiors pulse. Laura Baldwin, group merchandiser and buying assistant, shows Irish Country Living how to keep current, no matter what type of home you have.

Colour me beautiful

On the colour front, this year green and navy have taken centre stage, from kitchen doors to opulent sofas and occasional furniture. Earthy tones, such as browns and terracottas, are also right on trend, and if you combine with cream, you’ll achieve a real classic look. The idea is to bring nature inside the home.

Grey was prominent last year and continues again this year. You’ll find different tones of light and dark but it’s the sort of colour that compliments a full spectrum of shades. Greys with very subtle undertones are most common in farmhouses and give a slightly vintage feel especially when paired with touches of brown. This can be seen in kitchen doors or rustic furniture.

Colours to watch out for in 2018 are again, pine green and royal blue but we’ll also see mustard yellow and Bordeaux red which works really well in larger houses. The great thing about interior trends is they tend to stay longer than fashion so it’s not a case of changing every season. The additions you make now will look current and on trend for years to come.

Creating a Pattern

It’s no secret that tropical prints are everywhere. They first appeared on the runway of Marc Jacobs and Prada and made their way to interiors. Tropical prints work well in both small and larger spaces. Don’t be afraid to be bold, you can introduce them on wallpaper or on fabrics but if you want to tone it down a bit, you could also just add some quirky cushion covers.

Inventive geometric patterns also look fantastic at the moment, whether it’s African or Asian inspired patterns. To soften the trend, pastel colours work well such as blush pinks or soft greys. It conveys a more feminine edge to this masculine style. There is also the option to sit this pattern with metallics or clash your geometrics with patch work tiles to really add interest to a room.

Both patterns can look really well on wallpaper which can be used in any room, but personally I love wallpaper in a bathroom. It’s really different, and with added panelling it brings great character to the room. Although it can make a room look a little smaller, if this is a concern, simply add it to one wall to get the effect while still keep your bathroom looking spacious.

My favourite type of wallpaper at the moment is large scale mural style designs, also referred to as wall arts. They come in very wide depths and drops and can change a room drastically. Although it is often seen in abstract designs, my favourite is nature inspired effects such as forest trees or even clouds. I’m also drawn to moody wallpapers that give a sense of being wrapped up in their opulence and depth.

Funky Furniture

Love adding to your furniture collection? This season, we’ll see lots of brass plated steel, marble effect and smoked mirror materials. Tray tables and mirrored tables sit well with lavish upholstered sofas and occasional chairs in velvets, which work great in large rooms. They add finesse, style and charm.

Marble can be seen in work tops, lamp bases or table tops. Upcycled furniture will also work really well in farmhouse inspired rooms with raw wood. Gone are the days of pine wood, but a natural raw coloured wood effect is very much on trend. Art deco mirrors with elaborate frames are also very current. Not so much functional pieces but more as art.

Floor Features

Look down and you’re going to see lots of rich gloss tiles with Moroccan prints, used in kitchens bathrooms. Also multi tiles are transforming the way people decorate their homes, continuing from floor to wall to create a beautiful continual pattern.

If you love the wood effect, then you’ll see that coming through in warm textured woods in wider than normal widths. Luxurious marble and stone effects are also a key feature, again bringing nature and the use of natural materials indoors.

Accessories

If you want to make more minor updates to your home this year, a great way to go about it is by adding some accessories. Bang on trend is mixing period pieces with more modern décor, something we have always done here in Red Earth and Mindy Brownes.

Our spring/summer collection are Moroccan-inspired accessories. Choosing a cluster of gold brass lanterns to sit fireside or our orange hue distressed glass scrolls adds a real touch of class.

Another huge accessory is greenery. People are using succulent, artificial greenery or fresh flowers. The main attraction is bringing the outdoors inside, creating a tranquil space.

Shop online at www.mindybrownes.com or instore at Red Earth Mullingar and the Beacon.