Interior design, like just about anything, has its own trends that change over time. Look through old images of home designs and it's often easy to say what time period or decade the photo was taken in. Being 'in' and 'on trend' means that most interior designs end up being very much 'of their time'. Soon enough that particular time will pass and new trends and styles emerge.

Most interior designers stick to a set of golden rules. You don't have to stick to these, of course, but it's always best to keep to basic principles such as choosing lighter colour schemes to create the impression of space in smaller rooms. Another basic tip is that if you are planning on selling your property any time soon, it's wise to keep furniture and decorating choices fairly neutral.

Ex display furniture is a great place to look if you want a flavour of what is in and what is not. After all, any retailer worth their salt will make sure that their showroom displays reflect current trends.

But what are the latest trends? And, do these trends challenge the interior design rules at all?

Bold is in

Design trends have moved on from the time when it seemed that every wall in every home was painted magnolia. Recent design trends have been rather Scandinavian-inspired. Mono-chromed and minimalist looks have been the order of the day.

Now, bold feature walls have become popular. The look achieved is less intense than painting the whole room a bright colour. It can also look great when set against otherwise neutral décor.

Another option to inject a blast of bold colour into a room could be through the colour choice of an ex display sofa. Failing that, bold colours for cushions and throws can work well.

Bring the outside in

Especially in urban areas, where garden space is often limited, a trend has developed for bringing the garden inside the home. Indoor gardens can look fantastic alongside well-chosen furniture and décor. Plants that grow in water rather than soil (hydroponics) are popular, and specific indoor soils are now widely available too if you want to inject as shot of greenery into the home.

Bring the old in

To be honest, vintage never really goes out of fashion completely, but the 'vintage chic' and vintage furniture in the home has become increasingly fashionable. From furniture pieces that are inherited to antique sales, there are many ways to create this look for the home.

You'll also come across plenty of new ex display furniture that has a vintage-inspired look. Mixing contemporary furniture with older pieces can create a very effective overall look for a room.