logo

Ideal House APP

Your Go-To Interior Design Hub
HomeHome
BoardBoard
ExploreExplore
Logo
1/8

Tented rooms are the whimsical trend making a comeback in 2024 – here's how to get the look

Tented rooms, an interior design feature that originated in late 18th-century Paris, are experiencing a significant resurgence in popularity in 2024. This trend, which involves covering walls and ceilings with fabric to emulate the interior of a tent, is being embraced by those seeking to inject fun and theatrical drama into their homes. Historically, this concept was introduced by figures like Napoléon I, who aimed to recreate his grand Roman-style battlefield tents within indoor settings, with notable examples found in places such as the Chateau de Malmaison. Mehmet and Dimonah, co-founders of Iksel, highlight that the appeal of tented rooms dates back to Roman frescoes, where artists tried to mimic fabric and tent designs, reminding occupants of military life. They also point to early European interiors from the late 18th century, influenced by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and various Empire interiors in Paris, as key historical instances. The contemporary revival of tented rooms is part of a broader shift towards European interior decorating trends and an increased interest in decorative ceiling designs. Modern designers are reinterpreting this traditional look in innovative ways, often opting for fabric-covered ceilings or using matching ceiling and wall wallpapers to achieve the tented effect, rather than full floor-to-ceiling fabric drapes. This approach is exemplified by designers like Emilio Terry, Billy Baldwin, and Madelaine Castain. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, tented rooms offer practical benefits. The fabric coverings contribute to sound insulation and can effectively conceal damaged or awkwardly angled ceilings, making them a versatile design solution. Emma Deterding, founder of Kelling Designs, emphasizes that tented ceilings can be a creative way to incorporate color and pattern into a space while hiding imperfections. She advises hiring professionals for installation due to the skill required to achieve a flawless finish and encourages homeowners to let their personality shine through their fabric choices. The article provides several ideas for incorporating tented room designs. For a traditional European aesthetic, draped fabric on walls with a matching ceiling canopy, edged with decorative trim, is recommended, as showcased in Veere Grenney's dressing room in Tangier. Tented ceilings are also presented as a means to create a magical atmosphere, such as in sunrooms, where patterns like Madcap Cottage’s Bahama Court can add a joyful touch. For those preferring less labor-intensive options, trompe-l'œil wallpapers from brands like Iksel offer a stunning alternative, mimicking the fabric effect with designs ranging from classic stripes to rich Ottoman patterns. These wallpapers have historical roots, drawing inspiration from nomadic sultan courts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Tented designs can also elevate specific rooms. In dining rooms, patterned fabric on the ceiling, contrasting with wall designs, can create a dramatic focal point and visually enhance ceiling height, as demonstrated by Richard Smith of Madeaux. Children's rooms can become playful and engaging spaces with colorful tented ceilings, utilizing repurposed materials like Indian sarees, as Emma Deterding did for her nursery. For bedrooms, fabric drapery fosters a cozy and cocooning mood, with neutral stripes offering a classic, sophisticated look, as seen in Ashley Gilbreath's Kips Bay project. Finally, bathrooms can be transformed into whimsical oases by covering both walls and ceilings with botanical-themed wallpaper, effectively hiding architectural quirks and making small rooms feel more immersive. This design approach, inspired by historical figures like Cecil Beaton, aligns with the current trend of moving away from minimalism towards more playful, colorful, and whimsical interiors in 2024. #TentedRooms #InteriorDesignTrends #EuropeanDecor #FabricWalls #CeilingDecor #WhimsicalInteriors #HomeDecoration #TraditionalDecorating #WallpaperDesigns #TentedRooms #InteriorDesignTrends #EuropeanDecor #FabricWalls #CeilingDecor #WhimsicalInteriors #HomeDecoration #TraditionalDecorating #WallpaperDesigns
No comments yet
Interior Designers Say These Decor Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2024
Interior Designers Say These Decor Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2024
Home-Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2024
Home-Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2024
8 Interior Design Trends to Watch in 2024
8 Interior Design Trends to Watch in 2024
6 Living Room Design Trends to Watch for in 2024
6 Living Room Design Trends to Watch for in 2024
Home Gurus Are Saying These Will be the Hottest Bedroom Trends of 2024
Home Gurus Are Saying These Will be the Hottest Bedroom Trends of 2024
5 Bedroom Design Trends to Spice Things Up in 2024
5 Bedroom Design Trends to Spice Things Up in 2024
The Canopy Bed Is Making a Major Comeback—Here’s How to Style It in 2026
The Canopy Bed Is Making a Major Comeback—Here’s How to Style It in 2026
Must-Try 2025 Trends To Create A Dreamy Bedroom You'll Never Want To Leave
Must-Try 2025 Trends To Create A Dreamy Bedroom You'll Never Want To Leave
Interior Design Trends of 2024
Interior Design Trends of 2024
The Top Bedroom Decor Trends of 2024
The Top Bedroom Decor Trends of 2024
Designers Say This Fabric Will Dominate Living Rooms in 2024
Designers Say This Fabric Will Dominate Living Rooms in 2024
This Surprising Chair Trend Is Taking 2024 by Storm
This Surprising Chair Trend Is Taking 2024 by Storm
This Design Trend Is Riding Its Way Into 2024—How to Get the Look in Your Bedroom
This Design Trend Is Riding Its Way Into 2024—How to Get the Look in Your Bedroom
What Are the Hot Home Styles for 2024?
What Are the Hot Home Styles for 2024?
Forget "Overstyled" Beds — The Big Bedding Trends to Embrace Instead in 2024 Have One Thing in Common
Forget "Overstyled" Beds — The Big Bedding Trends to Embrace Instead in 2024 Have One Thing in Common
The Furnishing Fabrics of 2024
The Furnishing Fabrics of 2024
The new interior design trends: 24 looks for 2024
The new interior design trends: 24 looks for 2024
The 7 Furniture Trends You Need to Know for 2025, According to Design Pros
The 7 Furniture Trends You Need to Know for 2025, According to Design Pros
2024 home design: 9 gorgeous living room decor ideas the experts swear by
2024 home design: 9 gorgeous living room decor ideas the experts swear by
7 interior-design trends you'll see everywhere in 2024, and 5 that'll disappear
7 interior-design trends you'll see everywhere in 2024, and 5 that'll disappear