The 2019 decor trends to look out for according to top Canadian designers

For many of us, a new year is the ideal time to look inside ourselves and evaluate the health of our minds and bodies. It's also the time many of us also look outside ourselves and think, 'gee my home could really use an update'. With that in mind, we've sought inspiration from some of our favourite Canadian designers. Here's what they're saying about what trends are in this year, and which trends they wish would make a comeback.  

Andrew Pike, Designer, Andrew Pike Interiors

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"For 2019 I'm seeing a resurgence of more art deco-inspired interiors with layers of details and lots of mixed elements: rich woods, saturated colours, and polished surfaces. We've been living with restrained and minimalist spaces for so long, it's nice to see a return to well-appointed and richly luxurious spaces that are unashamed to be big, bold, and dramatic."

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"One trend I would love to see come back is animal prints. They never really go away, but I don't think you can ever have too much of them. Wrap the world in leopard print and tie it up with a zebra bow!"

Olivia Botrie, Designer, Dart Studio

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"I'm not afraid to say it, I think brown is back. We have seen so much grey over the past decade and then we transitioned into grieges (grey plus beige) but now it's all about warmer richer colours like rust, umber, chestnut, sepia and bronze. These colours are being used with all kinds of other colours  — vibrant blues, blush pinks, saturated greens and bold oranges — to create a rich, welcoming palette."

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"I would love to see more painted wood floors in both patterns and solids. There is nothing cozier than a beat up wood floor with a simple pattern. It's a little bit country and a little bit European."

Sarah ​Keenleyside & Lindsay Konior, Designers, Qanuk Interiors

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"For the kitchen, it's all about dark base cabinets with dark countertops. This is a 2019 trend that is worth the investment because it's going to stand the test of time. Dark counters are given an especially fresh and timeless look when paired with a colour-matched base cabinet. The key to getting this look is keeping the finishes to a low sheen.

Look to leathered, or honed stone, or quartz countertops, and consider custom colour matching the stain to your selection. We prefer a low-sheen stain on wood base cabinets as opposed to a painted finish. Keep the upper cabinets light to help balance out the darker base and always add some wood accents for visual warmth."

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"Stand-alone wood burning stoves - we aren't sure if this was ever a trend, and maybe it's just our constant Canadiana inspiration but we love incorporating a stand-alone wood burning stove with exposed pipe, as opposed to built-in fireplaces. They add instant coziness and charm to a living room or bedroom. We tend to go for natural gas "wood-look" stoves for ease of use. They need very little clearance from walls and are very convincing with a wood insert."

Lindsay Agnew, Designer

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"There's a shift from utilitarian furniture to bold and artistic pieces. The most interesting spaces are those that tell a story about the homeowner with confidence and creativity. Handcrafted and truly one-of-a-kind pieces have an added value which is why I see designing with authenticity, creativity and unique pieces a big trend for 2019."

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"It's time to bring back separate spaces. Kitchens were closed off spaces for almost 100 years before they were opened up over the last decade or so. It offers privacy, comfort and a refuge from the living and dining room. Time to rebel against open concept and bring back the walls."

Michelle Mawby, Registered Interior Designer

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"One of the biggest trends I see gaining traction through 2019 are over-sized, large scale tiles, especially porcelain, because they bring modernity to a home and wow factor. Whether installed on floors and/or walls, I will be using them in my projects this year because the play on scale and proportion instantly updates the look of any home. Also, warm metals will continue to be hot in 2019 for furniture, accessories, hardware and plumbing fixtures, but I see a transition from the safer satin finishes to the bolder polished finishes and textured finishes like hammering. Metallic hues like burnt gold, rose gold, copper and warm pewter will freshen up the gold craze.

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"One old decor trend I'm dying to bring back is the canopy bed — not the white wood with gold accent, French provincial, yellow and white gingham fabric canopy bed I had in my childhood bedroom, but the sleek, contemporary, luxe canopy bed I want to envelop me every night."

Lisa Worth, Interior Designer

What trend do you expect to be hot this year?

"Drama! We'll see designers and decorators infusing spaces with small doses of vibrant jewel tones. The formula will be 90% white, 10% pop, and we'll continue to see the modern white envelope with hits of bold indigo, hunter and emerald green. The cool grey room is history."

Which trend do you wish would come back?

"A trend that transcends the seasons and stands the test of time: exposed brick. From farmhouse chic to hipster lofts, it never seems out of place. No wallpaper or paint colour can add the touch of warmth and texture that exposed brick offers."

These interviews have been edited and condensed.

Portia Corman is the executive producer of CBC Life.