15 fresh furniture trends to watch for in 2014

Outdoor Wicker Furniture Indoors by Dotter Solfjeld Architects Furniture is one of those things in the house which gains a lot of  attention from guests.  They are talking points, topics of communication, and as good communication is probably one of the most important skills in life, it’s good form to nurture it through the little things, like furniture talking points.  Communication aside, the furniture which you choose will represent your personality, taste and even values.  Check out our other 2014 trend articles:
Let’s take a look at the top furniture trends in 2014:
1.  Outdoor Furniture Indoors
Lug those deck chairs in from your garden and plonk them in your living room.  I wouldn’t go this far but it’s pretty much the heart and essence of the trend.  Try to remain classy and do everything with a dash of sophistication so it looks like the chairs or tables are there purposefully, rather than the possibility that you’ve lost your mind or are using them as a temporary replacement.  Aged metals, glass, wicker and natural wood are popular options.
We are seeing more and more of outdoor type furniture for indoors in designs and exhibitions to warrant a prediction that this’ll be a growth trend for 2014.  The photo below shows a fantastic example of wicker furniture from Kenneth Cobonpue, which looks fresh.
2.  Glamour
We all appreciate a bit of over the top showiness every now and then, and it’s likely we’ll be seeing it more and more over the next few years as ‘glamour’ is in, big time.  Opt for opulent furniture that oozes with excess lavishness.  Try to create that ‘wow’ feeling in a guests mind and let you’re extravagant side free.  Glamour has been around for a long time, but it’s made the 2014 list as it’s one of the stronger growth trends in the furniture market.  Glamour is also in for interior design in 2014.
3.  Custom Made Furniture
Individuality is a big thing, and it seems to be something which the wealthy feed on through expensive personal customizations and products that only they have.  Customized made furniture can be extortionately expensive, but it can also be accessible and affordable enough to the average Joe.  Custom doesn’t have to mean expensive as all it takes is a person who creates these pieces as a passion, who isn’t as interested in huge profits, but rather takes pleasure in the joy of creating the piece.
Custom is usually noticeably different and different sparks conversation.  People are now expressing their personality through their furniture more and more.  In 2014 we have already seen and will continue to see a grow in custom furniture and personal touches within the home.
4.  Cultured Furniture
This trend is all about bringing foreign culture into your home.  I think the design below is a perfect example of using African inspired furniture in a tasteful and uncluttered manner.  This laps over and complements hair on hide  which is a trend also gaining traction in 2014 (as seen at the bottom of this photo).  Look for patterned upholstery and quality wooden carpentry.
5.  Metallic Leather
Let your furniture bring a sparkle to your rooms in 2014 with metallic styled materials. While many furniture pieces can blend into the background of a room, by using striking silver and gold finishes your furniture will simply be calling out for attention to all who enter the room and will not be happy to be left unnoticed!
If the room is decorated in an under-stated manner then it is such confident chairs and sofas that will bring life and vibrancy to the room and sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
6.  Statement Dining Tables
Enjoying a meal with friends and family is fine dining but why not make a statement to your family and friends at the same time with a unique dining room table. Embellishing your dining room with a standout furniture piece is a trend we have seen in recent exhibitions.
This striking wooden dining table feels like it could be straight from a knight’s banqueting hall yet the light wood tones and contrasting white chairs make this a modern day statement of style and class that also shows your guests the importance of environmental natural furnishings.
7.  Environmentally friendly furniture
John F Kennedy is quoted saying “The supreme reality of our time is…the vulnerability of our planet.” The type of furniture you choose will often reflect your closeness to the planet and your beliefs about how to create a sustainable environmental future. Wooden furniture is timeless and a trend that will continue in 2014 as we aim to create a footprint that is at one with the world around us.
Try to choose products that have been crafted using recycled timber or from a sustainable source so that you truly know your furniture is environmentally friendly.
8.  Small Furniture
Uncluttered rooms and open space are the theme for 2014.  I’ve mentioned in point 15 that as apartments and houses are generally becoming smaller in size due to housing shortages and population explosions, the furniture within the house also has to adapt with the size of the house.  This trend, in that sense is a double edged sword, where uncluttered and open meets smaller apartments and houses.  Look for tight, compact furniture, something that’ll simply do the job, but with class of course!
9.  Technological Furniture
Smartphones have quickly become an indispensable device for many people and whether this is a good trend is left for another debate, but one thing is for sure – furniture is following suit. As the use of smartphones and tablet computers increase in popularity this year so will the furniture options that facilitate and enable your furniture to become one with your technology.
Look out for hidden wireless charging docks that are concealed in a bedside table, USB charging ports in a dining room cabinet or audio and video connectors linked to your TV or Hi-Fi system. This trend is also seen in a home spa with devices such as saunas that often offer an audio auxiliary input from your smartphone.
10.  Vintage Furniture
What better way to go green in 2014 than to add a few vintage furniture items to your collection. Vintage furniture is a trend that continues to be popular and a great way to ensure that old furniture doesn’t end up in a landfill site too early in its life. Plus, it is often the old furniture that is also the most well made and durable when compared to modern flat-pack items.
A vintage table or book shelf will also ensure that your home furnishings are unique and one of a kind that have certainly not required the felling of more trees.
11.  Pleats
This is one that we’ve seen a lot more of at the end of 2013 and the start of 2014 in the trade fairs than in previous years.  For those who don’t know what pleats are, they’re material which has been doubled back on itself and secured in place. The pleats demonstrated on both the sofas and the curtains below have been done right, and I think you’d agree that when done right they look elegant and classy.
12.  Multi-Functional Furniture
We are seeing the use of multifunctional furniture making more of a statement in 2014. Is it a coffee table, storage shelf or a chair? – well it is actually all three and while its design may not be to everybody’s tastes this type of furniture is very practical in a modern minimalistic home design.
Other types of multifunctional furniture include beds that transform into work desks or chairs that conceal hidden drawers. For a smaller home this type of furniture is certainly something that you should consider.
13.  Light Toned Woods
If you’ve read some of our other trend articles, you’ll have seen that light toned woods are popular all around the house in 2014, therefore it’s no surprise that they’re making a triumphant statement in the furniture market.  We’re seeing high quality and durable light woods such as oak making a strong statement in the market.  The great thing about this trend is that it’s difficult to go wrong, as natural is beautiful and light toned woods can be used to craft any type of furniture.
14.  Hair on Hide
Hair on hide, as in animal skin which still has hair on it, as unappealing as I’ve just made it seem, is a growing trend in 2014.  For the activists amongst us, you’ll be happy to hear that it doesn’t have to be natural as synthetic options are also available, in fashion solutions.  Hair on hide has been popularised from skinned rugs on the floor, but no longer are these content with being walked over; they’re jumping up onto our chairs and tables.
When done right it can look classy; but be warned, when done wrong it can look like you’re trying too hard, and if overly zealous, one could look a little blood thirsty!  Regardless of how controversial the subject is, we’re seeing more of hair on hide in the shows, noticeably enough to see an increase in this trend for 2014.
15.  Inventive Small Home Solutions
In many countries around the world there is a shortage of housing, especially in the United Kingdom.  House prices in the U.K. are set to increase 5% over a short period of time because of shortages, and as a result of this shortage, combined with a shortage of land which can be built upon, new builds are becoming smaller and compact.  I’m sure you’ve seen it when driving down the road, two large houses which are next to each other, bought by a developer, knocked down and rebuilt into 5 or more small houses: These have to be compact.  This goes hand in hand with our 2014 architectural trends article where we highlight the move towards inventive storage solutions.
Compact houses need compact solutions, which is why I’ve included this as the 15th point.  We’re seeing inventive and hidden storage as the next big thing, using once unused spaces such as the stairs as pull out draws, as well as fold back floors, utilizing unused space under the floorboards.  An unfolding and growing trend which’ll continue to grow and grow.
Source: Freshome