Trend pieces are usually written by people guessing. We can do slightly better than that, because we can look at what has actually come off the machines.
Japandi shapes have not slowed down
The soft, rounded, quietly ribbed forms that sit between Japanese restraint and Scandinavian warmth have been our steadiest sellers for two years. They work because they are calm – they do not fight with whatever else is on the shelf. Pieces like the Strata Vase sit squarely in that language.
Matte has beaten glossy decisively
Two years ago the split was closer. Now matte finishes outsell glossy by a wide margin in every category except toys. The reason is that matte reads as material rather than as plastic, and people are buying objects rather than novelties.
Wall-mounted everything
Wall planters, wall organisers, wall art. This is the clearest signal in our data and it maps directly onto smaller homes. When horizontal surface runs out, the wall is the remaining frontier. We covered the practical side in hanging printed wall art.
Functional sculpture
The fastest-growing category is objects that are decorative and also do something – ring holders, trivets, catch-alls, lamps. Pure ornament is a harder sell than it was. People want the thing on the shelf to justify itself.
Colour is getting quieter
Sage, clay, bone, warm grey and muted terracotta dominate. Bright primary colours have retreated to toys and gifts. Our guide to choosing a colour goes into why mid-tones photograph and age better.
What we expected and did not see
We thought outdoor pieces would grow faster than they have. Our guess is that people are still unsure whether printed items survive outdoors – a fair concern, and the honest answer depends entirely on material. We wrote that one up properly.
