She never spent as much time in her cozy bed as she did in winter. Burrowing under her red and gray printed quilt, refusing to go out. For it was a sanctuary in warmth, where bedroom stories were told. Cocooned in pink and blue fluffy blankets. Ice cold feet wrapped up in knee high thick socks. Hours spent watching Disney Movies in Bed, Elementals, Coco, Soul too. Watching it swirl with the constellation of stars littered across their ceiling. Hints of blue, green and purple like the galaxies in their bedroom. But as January slipped into February, she breathed a sigh of relief. Leaving behind the clouds draped with gray, in favour of brighter tomorrows. Saying goodbye to a sky who weeped endless tears of silver. Instead, the sun reared its golden head, engulfing her in warmth. The beginning of February, time for a change. Not long before spring rebirthed delicate blooms. Cherry blossoms that blushed as visitors hugged their trunks. Fields laced with wildflowers blue and purple, a hint of red. Where bees suckled at nectar, engorged round bodies. But she wasn’t there yet. In the here and now, it was time for a change. Saying goodbye to her winter bedroom in favour of something new. She reached into her trend generator, and plucked out a name. Urban Aunt. Who was she? What did she have to do with bedrooms? The Urban Aunt Bedroom Trend was going viral, and she had every intention of finding out why….
She hunched over her laptop, squinting at the words that blurred across the screen. An interior design trend that blended timeless elegance with a contemporary twist. Creating a space that felt comforting, stylish, and functional. The perfect design solution for city dwellers like herself, to maximise style and utility. She smiled, imagining a chic, trendy and child-free Aunt, in the most glorious of houses. The one that was sleek and glossy, fresh out of an interior design magazine. But it was so much more than just another viral moment. After all, trends came and went, but good ol’ Aunty was here to stay. Why? Because it was a statement aesthetic. A trend that projected who you wanted to be to the world. Cozy, and comforting. Aspirational, and whimsical. The hostess with the mostess. A person who would entertain her guests with a lavish home bar. Yet equally be a homebody. Vintage statement furniture that begged to be photographed. An open plan living room that was eclectic and electric at the same time. The excitement coursed through her veins, imagining how she would transform her colourful bedroom.
She pictured her bedroom now. A clash of green, white and red. Bold art prints lining the wall triumphantly. A mantlepiece heaving with bold hats, Princess tiaras, and rainbow sunglasses. A bed with a red and gray duvet, leftover from Christmas. Chest of draws that had been painted in shades of fresh apple green. A vase of eternity rainbow roses perched on her side table. A black cat with the greenest of eyes pawing at the vase. How could she incorporate the Urban Aunt into her room? The green theme would stay, but it would be a richer, more bold hue. Emerald green, paired with rich burgundies. Winter jewel tones that turned their loft bedroom into a royal parlour. Contrasted with accent hues of creamy lemon yellows, and muted whites. But it was the furniture that would define the Urban Aunt bedroom trend. Sleek and modern, from the bed to the side table. Their wooden bed, transformed with an upholstered headboard. Glowing in deep emerald hues, a criss-cross of diamond patterns lining the fabric. Still colourful, revelling in the spirit of the glamourous Aunty, they had always aspired to be.
The side table, in apple green, given an unexpected twist. Reclaiming the wood with subtle distressed detailing. Remembering a 50’s mint green dresser that was the definition of French shabby chic. A modern interpretation, a colour that reminded her of spring. But wait, what was this? A new reading nook to take her away from the stresses of everyday life. One of their bedroom crevices converted into a cozy reading space. Low beams, curved corners. A small slither that embraced the Urban Aunt bedroom trend. A small plush green sofa, the teeniest of creatures, beneath the window. A thick rug in the remainder of the crevice. A reading lamp, in her signature green hue. She put her book down, and slipped into the rest of the room. Thinking what she could do next. Adding emerald green and rich burgundy velvet pillows to the bed. Swapping out the duvet for a a dark green abstract version, to ground the room. A contrast to the bright art gallery wall, that sloped across her head. Frames sprayed in gilted golded, for a luxurious Urban Aunt bedroom twist. But the real MVP? The functional storage updated for 2024. Her bed with built in drawers, given a new lease of life. Swathed in the same emerald hue of her headboard. Pulleys adorned with faux gold trimmings. Her mirrored wardrobe creating the illusion of more space than she actually had. Painting the cool gray tones of exposed areas in a deep brassy gold.
Though it seemed like her bedroom was still colourful, she would try something new. Decor elements that reflected the urban vibe. Layering with abandon to let textures shine. Adding a built-in-shelf with all her favourite photos. Prints of her cats, posing for the camera. Meals out with her partner. Photos with her best friends. Memories that brought her joy. For the Urban Aunt was more than just a ‘boujiee aesthetic’. It was about creating interiors that were meaningful. That celebrated nature, and exaggerated character, with a hint of maximalism. Not quite the ‘naturalist design trend’ not quite the ‘eccentric lover’. Somewhere in between, that fit A down to a T. She would celebrate the clutter of the bedroom, because it told a story. Not messy, by any means. But not minimal. Never minimal. There was one more style statement that fell into her lap. An eye-catching light sculpture that looked like a work of art. Squiggly, fluid lines, that somehow had structure. A burst of yellow seeping into the room. Modern, with a splash of the 80’s. Just like when she would fuse fashion eras together, interiors were no different. Adding depth with reclaimed antique accessories, with a contemporary twist.
*Generated with AI
But why is the Urban Aunt bedroom aesthetic going viral?
Timeless Elegance With A Contemporary Twist
It was elegant, yet somehow eccentric. As someone who was a part-time mermaid and unicorn at weekends, it resonated with her quirky side. Yet, the Princesscore aesthetic that she was known for too, was prevelant. Striking the perfect balance, still personalized to her tastes. Sure, there were minimal elements. Timeless materials like rustic wood. Vintage inspired decor. Traditional patterns like delicious 70’s geometric shapes. Yet, at the same time, its functionalism was exciting. Modern design elements like dark slat wooden panels, and exposed brickwork. Something that felt cozy. A home not just for aesthetics but to live in too.
The Urban Aunt Trend Is Ageless
Like all good design trends, the Urban Aunt appealed to all ages. From young professionals, to first-time renters or buyers. Right through to couples, solo thirty somethings, to those seeking a more refined living space. The trend had no gender, no age, no background. For A, who saw a lack of inclusion in the interior design space, it made her heart smile. Knowing that it was a trend that everyone could try. For those on a budget like herself, second hand shops were a no brainer. Chunky coffee tables begging to be distressed. A handwoven rug in stripes of chocolate brown and navy blue. Textured blankets draped across the bed, a cat sleeping peacefully.
It Embraces Your Personality
Whether she was putting together an outfit, or designing her bedroom, she never wanted to lose her identity. The Urban Aunt encouraged personalization. Providing a framework to infuse her personal style, through colours, and eclectic fabrics. Her bed was living proof of that. New velvet pillows, a contrast to the lone cotton creature. An updated duvet in a dark green abstract print. A squiggle of nonsensical shapes and patterns. A line or two. Layered throws, fluffy, cotton, every colour of the rainbow. From eclectic decor to rich colour schemes, and curated art collections, her Urban Art Bedroom was a success.
It Started On TikTok
In a world conditioned by social media, it was a no-brainer that TikTok was the gamechanger. The one that introduced the ‘Urban Aunt’ to the world. She knew that Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook were sure to follow next. But how long would it last? Though it was a long-lost relative of the ‘Coastal Grandma’, A was confident that this one was a keeper. Its viral status attributed to a combination of timeless design principles, urban practicality, and the influential role of social media.
@bedstar
The Urban Aunt Bedroom Is Aspirational
Like the Urban Aunt lifestyle moment, the bedroom exuded colour, personality, and creativity. It was chic and sophisticated, and looked expensive, even if it wasn’t. She could imagine the Aunt living in an apartment with exposed brickwork walls. Filled with trinkets from a life that was vibrant and full. A bedroom that was cozy, yet could host luxe sleepovers too. An intimate token bar cart, stowed away until the guests arrived. A soiree in the bedroom that was magical. Cozy pockets and corners geared towards intimate conversations that sparkled.
She took a step back, taking in her surroundings with a pleasure. A bedroom that was her. A room that she could sleep in, watch films in, and have friends over to. Colours that would drive away the deep despair of winter. And yet, there was urban serenity. Hearing the cars tread pavements outside her window. Wrapped up like a mummy, under more throws than she had sense. Slippers discarded on a striking geometric rug she had designed herself. The aforementioned distressed apple green side table, littered with books. Swapping out the prints she had for the ones downstairs. Bolder, more vibrant, more abstract. Natural wood furnishings with a modern twist. A gilted antique floor length mirror near her reading nook. The mirrored wardrobe finished with gilted gold. She closed her eyes, let the peacefulness wash over. A meditative trance where she lost sense of time and place. For the Urban Aunt Bedroom was more than just a trend. It was a lifestyle, a movement, free from labels.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Urban Aunt Bedroom Trend?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by monetary compensation.
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