Choosing decorative pieces for event interiors is one of the fun parts of the job. Let's be honest, who doesn't enjoy shopping with someone else's wallet? Using the latest trends in soft furnishings in your designs is an inexpensive way to inject personality and contemporary cool. To get maximum impact for your budget this Spring, we recommend going large, embracing bold colours and pushing for a wow factor with unusual statement pieces.
Event Interiors That Feel Like Home
The homely aesthetic for trade show stands and conference break out areas is still hugely popular. Influenced by boutique hotel lobby designs which aim to welcome, embrace and provide zoned functional spaces to make guests feel completely at home. When planning an event and sourcing homely pieces, it's unlikely you'll find them in the catalogues of corporate hire suppliers. This is one instance where purchasing makes sense. Check out Corona Grey Furniture for inexpensive storage solutions which blend the rustic theme with ocean. Made with antique natural pine and protected with a wax finish, the collection includes sideboards, shelving, media units and tables.
Lampshades: Orla Kieley
Sideboard: Corona Grey Furniture Collection from pricecrashfurniture.co.uk
We've rounded up a few statement pieces new for Spring and available from the high street. If you source furniture and decoration on a regular basis, signing up for press releases and newsletters from the designers, stores and manufacturers that you buy regularly from can be a timely reminder of new collections.
Dunelm have recently expanded their lighting section and have begun to fill the void left by BHS. Smoked glass globe pendants are a classic for intimate lounge, whilst this matt grey finish for an outdoor industrial light could fit into many outdoor sets which require a vintage/urban vibe.
Lighting: Dunelm exterior and interior new collection
Scatter cushions are our go-to solution for injecting colour and personality into an event interior on a low budget. This season we're seeing a lot of grey geometric patterns, bold hand-drawn prints and botanical motifs in tropical colourways featuring hot pink and coral. Check out Habitat's coral palm tree cushion cover for the best design of the season. Art inspired hand-drawn prints feature heavily in new collections at Habitat, Heals and West Elm. H&M are always trusty retailer for 50cm x 50cm cushion covers in Scandinavian prints and block colours, particularly in grey, blue and green colourways.
Cushions: H&M geometric print in square 50cm x 50cm, Ikea horizontal stripe lumbar cushion cover
Vases are jar shaped this season with a textured finish. Glazes can be two tone aged clay with dimples and bubbles, or matt block colour with Aztec or Egyptian patterns applied in a rustic style. Check out Habitat' Sian vase available in two sizes and Zara Home's beautiful Aquamarine Vase.
A fresh yellow and white striped rug from Habitat will tie your Spring look together. The Raya has a nautical vibe, combined with boho simplicity. Faded Persian carpets in bold reds and oranges are popular and work well for a large lounge space at a conference, brand launch or VIP room.