Why you should rethink making your house gray | Trend Shift

Grey became a popular color for interior design starting back in 2010. I have to admit, it was a great shift from the pinks, yellows, teals and creams from the 80s and 90’s. In a sense, most trends aren’t new. They’re repurposed/remixed. Grey and minimalism was repurposed as a sign of the times.

Art and design reflects the world we currently live in. The colorful bathroom probably represents the introduction of industrialized construction materials which allowed people to afford and produce more variety in tile and fixture colors. According to the world, millennials have jumped on the minimalism band wagon and for good reason. Less items means more money. Less items means the ability to live in smaller spaces that we can actually afford. The news also likes to say we enjoy spending our money on experiences over items. All of these of course are generalizations, but not too far off for many.

the use of grey incorporates a more simplified ideal of what style is. It is the complete opposite of the neon colors and geometry of the 80s. the sleek and geometric shapes currently in style are the opposite of what we see in our grandparents ornamental homes.

Grey and minimalism was a design shift for the new generation and I believe it was a great success…but all things must evolve in order to stay relevant.

it is now 2021, minimalism is arguably still relevant and grey still has a role in the design industry, but given the vast importance digital technology now plays in our world, there is new research and insight on color, texture and materials can be used functionally and aesthetically in our homes for comfort.

Again, no “trend” or design style is new. So what I’m going to share is really helping people who are unsure of what direction to take in their design choices based on what has been deemed to work in the past.

If you’re buying or renting newly renovated homes and apartments these days you can’t really escape grey. I believe it’s because sellers have a shallow sense of what good design is. I even had to settle for a very grey home and am slowly transitioning it to what I really want.

Think TIMELESS.

You know what has never gone out of style?

- Natural colored Wood flooring

- Shades of White/ivory walls

- Brick + Stone and other natural materials

- Accents! (color, texture, material wise) At least those are easier to change in the future.

You know what grey is slowly turning into? A Nearly Brutalist aesthetic which is cold and barren. popular in 1950s postwar era. It’s a style of the times and has a place in the world, but it needs to be done well. This can be done well by mixing craftsmen with brutalist, but most people don’t think like that.

Rich modern brutalist design is concrete, minimalist with black and white accents (and wood if you’re doing it “right)

Budget modern brutalist design is painting everything cool grey, using blah granite countertops and fake marble, grey furniture and anything you can find in particle board at ikea. Stahp. Keep in mind Timeless design doesn’t have to be expensive.

The newest trend (in the u.s) that supports this is Scandinavian interior design. It incorporates timeless colors (black and white) and materials (wood, stone, brick, handmade tile, some concrete), minimalism to decrease clutter, and a sense of comfort in the textiles and textures (wool, linen, organic cotton) being used. I encourage people to shoot in that direction.

More blog posts coming soon discussing the breakdown of design trends, how to incorporate grey into your home while also keeping it comfy, as well as other aspects of good, timeless design. Follow @iterate.land

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In the meantime, feel free to browse other blog posts!