Upholstery may give a nod to grandma, but in its most recent forms, it can serve to elevate interior designs and inspire color palettes. Keep reading to learn more about this year’s upholstery trends.

Trend Watch | Not-Your-Grandmother’s-Upholstery

According to an article published by House Beautiful late last year, Grandmillennial style is having its moment—as are classical decorative elements of interior design, such as chintz patterns, antique furnishings, and contemporary upholstery. Today on the blog, we’re unpacking upholstery: what colors and styles will be trendy this year and how modern upholstery can be used as a jumping-off point in interior design.

Furniture Upholstery

Upholstery in French Blue

This year, blue upholstery, particularly in muted renditions, will be especially trendy. According to furniture designer and aficionado Roxy Te, via Kravet Blog, French Blue is this year’s Millennial Pink. French blue is pale, dusty, and minimalistic—in stark contrast to the moody hues found in traditional upholstery.

Bold Pink Upholstery

Designs by Obelisk Home

Upholstery doesn’t always have to blend in, you can use fabric to create a statement piece in your home. Take a look at this design by Obelisk Home, they took upholstery to a new eye-catching level by pairing a bold color and design with a bright, textured wall. The upholstered chairs feature a retro fabric that is updated with a modern, bold palette. This bold design landed Obelisk Home as a regional winner of the Vishion Design Awards.

Upholstered Walls

If you’re looking for a fresh way to design an accent wall, look no further than upholstery. An upholstered wall is a great way to add visual and textural intrigue to your space. Take the trend one step further by designing an upholstered wall mural, made possible by new materials and manufacturing techniques.

Types of Upholstery Fabrics

Tactile Fabrics 

Cozy elegance is a trendy theme this year, posing a source of tangible respite. Think shearling, sherpa, sheepskin, bouclé, and other high-pile textiles for upholstered sofas and armchairs.

Venetian Velvet

This season, velvet upholstery in shades of pink, beige, grey, dark blue, and bottle green will be especially trendy. This season’s velvets are soft and plush, understated, and easy to maintain—without sacrificing even a fiber of the luxury the textile has earned repute for. 

Building Color Palettes With Vishion

Upholstery can serve as the jumping-off point in interior design. With the Vishion app, users can use a fabric swatch to inspire a color palette and create a Vishion board. Pictured below: Venetian, Forest via Kravet.