Step into a modern Bangladeshi home, and you will see a thoughtful balance between heritage and innovation. In recent years, homeowners have redefined how they design their living spaces — turning away from traditional heavy wooden furniture and elaborate patterns to embracing furniture that focuses on minimalism. What is driving this change? What are the key trends shaping the interiors?

Let's explore the evolving trends influencing the aesthetics and functionality of modern Bangladeshi homes.

Minimalism and multifunctionality

Once perceived as primarily a Western design philosophy, minimalism, along with Scandinavian and Nordic interior designs, has firmly taken root in Bangladesh, influencing the way homes are designed.

Anmul Paul Dhruba, associate designer at VRL Studio, highlights this shift, stating, "I would say, currently, minimalistic and contemporary designs are the most preferred trends. I have seen many of my clients showing interest in Nordic or Scandinavian styles, which are mostly characterised by simplicity, functionality, and natural elements."

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Known for its light colour palette, natural materials, and uncluttered spaces, Scandinavian design is gradually becoming popular among homeowners, as it generates an illusion of spaciousness, even in small apartments.

Homeowners are now moving away from bulky wooden furniture in favour of sleek and space-efficient minimalistic pieces. People are becoming equally conscious of not overcrowding rooms with excessive décor — instead, they prefer statement pieces that are both functional and visually pleasing.

Another important reason minimalism, in particular, is thriving in Bangladesh is because of the practical need for space optimisation. Due to high real estate prices and a growing number of people living in apartments, homeowners favour multi-functional furniture and smart storage solutions.

In support of multi-functional and minimalistic furniture, Arifa Malik Bristy, CEO of the architectural firm, Irenderer, says, "I always advise clients to think before buying. You see, with urbanisation, land value is on the rise. So, my clients tend to go for a minimal design approach that would make the interior look spacious. Multifunctional furniture helps achieve this goal."

She adds, "Also, minimalist furniture is easy to clean. Everyone is pretty busy with work these days — therefore, easy-to-clean, and space-saving furniture is favourable for all."

A few examples of multifunctional furniture include storage ottomans, extendable dining tables, portable wardrobe closets, and foldable work desks. Most homeowners prefer sleek and minimalistic designs with built-in storage solutions, which ensures spaces remain organised without looking cramped.

Neutral and earthy colour palettes dominate

Gone are the days when bold and striking colours dominated the walls of most living spaces —now homeowners are gravitating towards neutral and earthy tones. What does this shift reflect? A growing preference for calm and elegant interiors that create a soothing environment amidst the chaos.

Dhruba observes that maximum residential spaces now favour neutral palettes: "I have noticed that most homeowners like to select neutral colours for their living spaces. I think this is good practice, as neutral colours are gentle on the eyes, and easily create a restful environment, giving off a homely vibe."

Versatility can be considered one of the primary reasons for this preference, as neutral colours like beige, white, taupe, grey, and off-white function as a perfect backdrop for any interior style. This allows homeowners to experiment with furniture, textures, and even accent pieces without worrying about clashing colours.

Beyond neutrals, earthy tones such as terracotta, muted greens, warm browns, and clay-inspired shades are equally becoming popular among homeowners. According to Dhruba, many homeowners like terracotta colours — perhaps because of the deep-rooted influence of our culture and association with clay. 

Not only do earthy tones bring a touch of tradition into modern homes, but also help us establish a connection with nature. Moreover, these colours may help maintain a natural and organic ambience indoors, as urban spaces are increasingly becoming denser with diminishing greenery.

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Textured paints and matte finishes in earthy tones are being widely used to create accent walls in living rooms and bedrooms. These walls add depth, character, and warmth to the space without overwhelming the overall décor.

Renewal of rattan and natural materials

"If you go back to the early '80s or '90s, you would find houses having at least one rattan furniture along with their wooden ones. But now, rattans are used not only in furniture, but as screens and panels. However, most are artificial ones," informs Bristy.

While minimalist aesthetics are quite prominent in contemporary interior design, many homeowners are nowadays choosing natural materials such as cane, rattan, terracotta, and wood. Once a common feature in Bangladeshi households, cane and rattan furniture is making a stylish and strong return as screens, wall panels, partitions, and even decorative elements.

Today, preferred due to its lightweight and sustainable nature, and unlike bulky furniture, rattan pieces are easy to move, eco-friendly, and provide a rustic feel to modern interiors. Examples of rattan being used in modern homes include chairs, coffee tables, bed frames, and storage units, which add a textured and organic touch.

The future is high-tech and eco-friendly homes

Thanks to technological advancements and urbanisation, the preference of homeowners is shifting. According to Bristy, two major trends are influencing modern home décor: smart technology integration and eco-friendly, sustainable design.

"Smart security systems are trending these days, as people tend to prefer smart locks and lighting systems in their homes and offices. Homeowners are becoming increasingly conscious about the environment and their health. Hence, they use indoor plants to decorate the interiors – especially the ones that remove toxins from the air, and are good air purifiers like snake plants, spider plants and so on," shares Bristy.

Digital and biometric locks can be seen replacing traditional keys, which usually offer better security and remote access, and many use Wi-Fi-connected security cameras that can be monitored via smartphones. Homeowners are buying energy-efficient smart ACs that can be controlled via smartphone apps to optimise cooling and power consumption — although it is still a relatively new concept in Bangladesh.

While minimalism and multifunctionality dominate in many contemporary homes, a considerable number of homeowners are seen embracing traditional elements. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: modern Bangladeshi homes are a perfect blend of global inspiration and local adaptation.

Photo: Arifa Malik Bristy