Top 100 Art and Design Trends of 2016

From Luxurious Weightless Chairs to Double Exposure Tattoos

— January 29, 2017 — Art & Design
Art and design encompass a broad range, and the 2016 art and design trends reflect that breadth. The 2016 art and design trends cover everything within the spectrum of creativity, including tattoos, painting, photography, decorating, furniture, architecture, and more. These categories move from pure aesthetics without any regard for function to eventually settle into the realities of functionality, but in any case aesthetics are essential -- a fact that can be seen for oneself in our FREE 2017 Trend Report.

In the field of pure aesthetics, tattoos reigned supreme in 2016. More than any simple design, though, the tattoo trends of 2016 show artists' (and their canvasses') desires to try new things. Chester Lee's blackout tattoo designs, for example, cover huge tracts of his subjects' bodies in pure black ink.

On the more functional side of the continuum, architecture trends have centered around eco-friendliness. Whether it's ArchiBlox's house designed with an earthen berm roof or the solar powered ZED Pods, architecture is looking to provide functional and sustainable housing that is still attractively designed.
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Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Camouflaged Contemporary Homes
Camouflaged Contemporary Homes
This Modern Cottage is Concealed by a Traditional French Exterior
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98
Heart-Pounding Underwater Photography
Heart-Pounding Underwater Photography
Shark Shepard by Benjamin Von Wong is Ethereally Dangerous
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97
Psychedelic Body Painted Photography
Psychedelic Body Painted Photography
Alex Markow Captures This Vibrant and Whimsical Art Project
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96
Luxurious Eco-Friendly Abodes
Luxurious Eco-Friendly Abodes
This West Hollywood Home Boasts a Number of Sustainable Features
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95
DIY LED Accent Lights
DIY LED Accent Lights
The 'mylight.me' LED Closet Lighting Kit Enables Soft Illumination Anywhere
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94
Low-Maintenance Weekend Homes
Low-Maintenance Weekend Homes
This Home is Made from Pre-Rusted Steel for Low-Maintenance
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93
Compact Inflatable Sofas
Compact Inflatable Sofas
The Lamzac 'Hangout' Sofa Allows for Comfortable Seating Anywhere
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92
Pyramid-Shaped Yachts
Pyramid-Shaped Yachts
The HYSWAS Tetrahedron Super Yacht Boasts a Futuristic Design
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91
Gradient Wood Flooring Designs
Gradient Wood Flooring Designs
The DIESEL LIVING x BERTI 'Shadow' Flooring is Intentionally Faded
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90
Affordable Rural Dwellings
Affordable Rural Dwellings
'Rural Studio' Created This Home Design That Can Be Built for $20,000
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89
Miniature Homeless Housing Solutions
Miniature Homeless Housing Solutions
This Organizations Designs Tiny Shelters for the Homeless
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88
Rustic Tiny Homes
Rustic Tiny Homes
This Home Combines a Rustic Aesthetic with a More Modern One
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87
Geometrical Tribal Tattoos
Geometrical Tribal Tattoos
Roxx Uses Thin Lines and Extensive Detail to Rework Tradition
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86
Agricultural Wall Art
Agricultural Wall Art
These Agricultural Art Pieces Work as Small Ecosystems That Decorate Homes
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85
Nature-Inspired Jewelry Lines
Nature-Inspired Jewelry Lines
These Delicate Pieces of Jewelry are Infused with Natural Elements
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84
Playground-Inspired Apartments
Playground-Inspired Apartments
Ki Design's Apartment With a Slide Concept References Childhood
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83
Idiosyncratic Fine Art Photography
Idiosyncratic Fine Art Photography
Natalia Evelyn Bencicova Captures Almost-Surreal Moments
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82
Cramped Condo Furniture Units
Cramped Condo Furniture Units
The Urbano Casa Collection Makes Small Spaces More Functional
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81
Interchangeable Design Sandals
Interchangeable Design Sandals
The 'Dooq' Women's Sandals Focus on One Sole with Multiple Styles
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80
Cantilevered Cocktail Bars
Cantilevered Cocktail Bars
The Bire Bitroir Offers Unparalleled Views with its Cliffside Location
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79
Bunkbed Seating Solutions
Bunkbed Seating Solutions
The 'Slumbersofa Duo' Sofa Bed Couch Transforms into Bedroom Furniture
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78
Triangle Cliff Houses
Triangle Cliff Houses
Matthias Arndt Designs an IncrediblePermanent Tipi-Like Concept
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77
Human-Like Dog Furniture
Human-Like Dog Furniture
The Dog Den by Mnomo Could Easily be Mistaken for a Regular Ottoman
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76
Modern Portable Log Fires
Modern Portable Log Fires
This Portable Log Fire Can Be Used on the Beach or in a Fireplace
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75
Hug-Giving Sofas
Hug-Giving Sofas
The 'Free Hug Sofa' is Designed to Mimic the Feeling of a Warm Embrace
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74
Painting-Inspired Editorials
Painting-Inspired Editorials
Left March by Yakovlev Andrey Brings Modern Art to Life
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73
Double Exposure Tattoos
Double Exposure Tattoos
These Vibrant Tattoos Combine Animals with Nature Scenes
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72
Lavish Concept Cars
Lavish Concept Cars
The Rolls-Royce Vision Concept Car Can Customize to the User's Needs
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71
Efficient Energy Homes
Efficient Energy Homes
Studio 804's New York Street Passive House is Ecological for the Future
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70
Volcanic Blade Knives
Volcanic Blade Knives
The 'Ab Ovo' Meat Knife is Designed to Slice Through Anything with Ease
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69
Customizable Wooden Micro Homes
Customizable Wooden Micro Homes
This Company Builds Wooden Trailers for Eco-Conscious Consumers
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68
Comfortable Glamping Yurts
Comfortable Glamping Yurts
WeatherPort Yurts are Perfect for Idyllic Outdoor Adventures
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67
Slopping Cliffside Homes
Slopping Cliffside Homes
This Home's Unique Design Protects Against Extreme Weather Conditions
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66
Multi-Hued Wood Tables
Multi-Hued Wood Tables
Romain Luppi Uses Dead Wood to Create These Unique Tables
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65
Individual Community Cabins
Individual Community Cabins
The Micro Cluster Cottages are Separated Rooms Linked in Space
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64
Rugged Teardrop Trailers
Rugged Teardrop Trailers
Colorado Teardrops Makes High-End Trailers for Outdoor Enthusiasts
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63
Photo-Finished Cube Furniture
Photo-Finished Cube Furniture
This Coated Foam Furniture Boasts Real-Life Images on its Designs
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62
Cosmic-Colored Portraits
Cosmic-Colored Portraits
This Photo Series Contrasts Negative Images with Cosmic-Colored Overlays
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61
Shipping Container Student Homes
Shipping Container Student Homes
The CPH Shelter Home is Made From a Recycled Shipping Container
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60
Humble Eco Homes
Humble Eco Homes
The Husaro House is a Swedish Abode Found in the Archipelago of Stockholm
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59
Airplane-Friendly Fashions
Airplane-Friendly Fashions
This Fashionable Piece of Travel Clothing is Both Stylish & Comfortable
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58
Animal-Human Hybrid Portraits
Animal-Human Hybrid Portraits
The Animeyed Series Showcases a Woman Sharing Her Eye with Creatures
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57
Conical Japanese Homes
Conical Japanese Homes
The Jikka Complex Takes Its Design Inspiration From Teepees
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56
Space-Saving Tiny Homes
Space-Saving Tiny Homes
The Vista Tiny Home's Layout Allows Occupants to Maximize Space
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55
Thoughtful Twisting Bicycles
Thoughtful Twisting Bicycles
The Somerset Folding Bike by Kaiser Chang Boasts a U-Shaped Frame
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54
Luxurious Tiny Homes
Luxurious Tiny Homes
The Alpha Tiny Home Offers Compactness and Genuine Opulence
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53
Eco-Friendly Glamping Cabins
Eco-Friendly Glamping Cabins
These Triangular Cabins are Designed for Luxury Camping Trips
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52
Urban Balcony Decor Shops
Urban Balcony Decor Shops
De Balkonie is a Home Decor Store Dedicated to Balcony Decoration
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51
Gender-Bending Provocative Artwork
Gender-Bending Provocative Artwork
Kirsty Whiten's Art Challenges Cultural Conventions and Taboos
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50
Solar Canopy Designs
Solar Canopy Designs
Brooklyn SolarWorks Creates Canopies to Make the Most of Rooftop Space
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49
Modern Man Cave Apartments
Modern Man Cave Apartments
Kaschuk Kostyantyn's 'Hello Scandinavia' Project is Understated
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48
DIY Popsicle Bags
DIY Popsicle Bags
'FRIOPOP' Homemade Popsicle Bags Enable Custom Frozen Treats
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47
Energy-Generating Tents
Energy-Generating Tents
This Outdoor Camping Tent Captures Energy from the Sun for Functionality
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46
Small Space Couch Designs
Small Space Couch Designs
The 'Addax' Sofa Design by Matthew Pope is Made for Small Living Units
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45
Interactive Nature-Themed Tables
Interactive Nature-Themed Tables
The 'Starry Sea' Table Was Inspired by the Caribbean Sea
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44
Gradient Black Tattoos
Gradient Black Tattoos
These Dotwork Tattoo Designs by Pawel Indulski Blend Into the Skin
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43
Spacious Container Homes
Spacious Container Homes
This Home is Equipped With a Full-Size Bathroom and Sleeping Loft Area
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42
Intense Black Tattoos
Intense Black Tattoos
The Blackout Tattoo Designs by Chester Lee are Taking the Internet by Storm
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41
Minimal Futuristic Store Layouts
Minimal Futuristic Store Layouts
This Modern Department Store Brings the Future into the Present
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40
Artistically Abstract Tattoos
Artistically Abstract Tattoos
These Black Tattoos Resemble Drawings from an Artist's Sketchpad
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39
Minimalist Gothic Cottages
Minimalist Gothic Cottages
Villa Boreale is a Modern Take on a Classic Wood Cabin
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38
Cedar Teardrop Trailers
Cedar Teardrop Trailers
This Teardrop Trailer Features Liberal Use Of Gorgeous Red Cedar
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37
Wearable Feline Headpieces
Wearable Feline Headpieces
Artist Housetu Sato Makes Photo-Realistic Fantasy Cat Heads
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36
Simple Luxury Furniture
Simple Luxury Furniture
These Basic Furniture Pieces Do Not Look as Expensive as They Are
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35
DIY Eco Campers
DIY Eco Campers
This Diy Camper is Surprisingly Made from Plastic Campaign Signs
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34
Melting Mercury Tables
Melting Mercury Tables
Rado Kirov Uses Stainless Steel to Create Modern Tables that Mimic Movement
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33
DIY Furniture Kits
DIY Furniture Kits
The UXA Steel Brackets Allow Consumers to Transform Wooden Beams into Furniture
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32
Hidden Bed Apartments
Hidden Bed Apartments
This Conceptual Apartment from Geometrium Features a Stair-Embedded Bed
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31
Transportable Encampment Trailers
Transportable Encampment Trailers
The Journey Basecamp Caravan Provides a Compact Luxe Family Tent
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30
Reclaimed Log Beds
Reclaimed Log Beds
SUBU Design Architecture Creates an Organically Modern Furniture Piece
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29
Minimalist Urban Cabins
Minimalist Urban Cabins
This Cabin Scraps Fairy Tales for a More Modern Look
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28
Iconic Japanese Body Art
Iconic Japanese Body Art
Students Used Takashi Murakami's Style for Body Art Inspiration
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27
Portable Tire Toilet Seats
Portable Tire Toilet Seats
This Bathroom Seat Conveniently Hooks onto a Car Tire for On-the-Go Use
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26
Floating Tiny Houses
Floating Tiny Houses
'The River Den' is an Affordable Moving Home on the Water
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25
Hanging Terrarium Lamps
Hanging Terrarium Lamps
The 'Mygdal' Plant Light Incorporates a Living Shrub into the Illuminator
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24
Luxurious Weightless Chairs
Luxurious Weightless Chairs
The Elysium Chair was Developed by a Bioengineering Professor
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23
Minimalistic One Line Tattoos
Minimalistic One Line Tattoos
Berlin-based Mo Ganji Creates Simple Yet Intricate Designs
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22
Multi-Purpose Cutting Boards
Multi-Purpose Cutting Boards
These Tools Function as Wood Cutting Boards, Serving Trays or Trivets
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21
Meticulous Micro Apartments
Meticulous Micro Apartments
The AirBn'P Micro Apartment Squeezes a Lot Into Very Little Space
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20
Compact Smart Homes
Compact Smart Homes
This New Smart Home Apartment's Design Transforms Over Time
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19
Versatile Camping Trailers
Versatile Camping Trailers
The TigerMoth Camper Trailer Provides Ample Amenities for Campers
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18
Stilted Solar Homes
Stilted Solar Homes
The Sustainable ZED Pods Can Be Installed in Parking Lots
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17
Repurposed Container Homes
Repurposed Container Homes
The RDP House is Built Using Recycled Shipping Containers and Glass
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16
Streetwear-Clad Cartoon Characters
Streetwear-Clad Cartoon Characters
Tommy Bates Clothes The Simpsons in High-Street Fashion
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15
Chic Shipping Container Homes
Chic Shipping Container Homes
The Honomobo Shipping Container Living Spaces Satisfy Needs
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14
Eco Prefab Homes
Eco Prefab Homes
This Wood House by ArchiBlox Features a Green Roof and Sustainable Wood
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13
Controversial Celeb Exhibits
Controversial Celeb Exhibits
Kim Kardashian Hosted the Famous Exhibition Featuring Nude Sculpture
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12
Deceptive Restaurant Facades
Deceptive Restaurant Facades
This Thai Grocery Stall Hides an Upscale Hong Kong Restaurant
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11
Self-Building Concrete Blocks
Self-Building Concrete Blocks
The Block ARMO System Consists of Specially Shaped Concrete Blocks
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10
Compact Sustainable Homes
Compact Sustainable Homes
'That House' In Melbourne Features Solar & Rainwater Collection Systems
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9
Sensual Tattoo Designs
Sensual Tattoo Designs
'Silly Jane' Creates Tattoos That Celebrate Human Sexuality
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8
Desexualized Body Portraits
Desexualized Body Portraits
Lovis Osternrik's Photo Series Features Contorted Human Bodies
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7
Hidden Kitchen Storage Solutions
Hidden Kitchen Storage Solutions
The 'Cabinet Plus' System Makes Use of Waste Storage Space
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6
Mind-Stimulating Classroom Designs
Mind-Stimulating Classroom Designs
This Kindergarten Interior is Designed with Learning Zones
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5
Cartoonized Cult Classic Movies
Cartoonized Cult Classic Movies
Titanic Disney Princesses by Isaiah K. Stephens is a Clever Series
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4
Converted Van DIYs
Converted Van DIYs
Filmmaker Zach Both Shows How to Transform a Van Into a Modern Apartment
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3
Prefabricated Eco-Homes
Prefabricated Eco-Homes
Deltec Offers Affordable Houses Made from Sustainable Materials
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2
Prefabricated Guest Homes
Prefabricated Guest Homes
This Tiny Guest House Has All the Basic Amenities of Most Houses
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1
Soundproof Insulating Wall Stickers
Soundproof Insulating Wall Stickers
These 3D Self-Adhesive Wall Stickers Add Visual Decor Appeal
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