Design trends for the home are similar to fashion trends: they change from season to season but have some carry-over effect from one season to the next. Many clients ask me about current trends and how to best incorporate them into their homes. A good place to start is to identify your own design aesthetic, and then layer your home with accessories and smaller furniture accents to reflect the trends that resonate with you.
Whenever you are purchasing large key items for your home, such as upholstery pieces, consider choosing neutral fabrics with simple patterns that can be updated or changed either seasonally or periodically with pillows or other accessories to reflect current trends. Smaller accent pieces are another area where you can be more daring; chairs or ottomans in a great color or pattern, for example, can bring your room to life.
2014 Trends to Try
Here are some key home fashion trends to try for 2014:
Color Color Color: The colors we are seeing for spring include soft pastels like radiant orchid, a soft purple amethyst color that was named the color of the year by Pantone. Look for a selection of pastels to coordinate with this soft color, as well as saturated colors like green, blue, orange, hot pink or a deep rich red. Blue in a range of shades continues to be important this year; from peacock blue to cobalt and navy, this color continues to shine. Expect to see these colors on the fashion runways as well as in the home furnishings market.
A few simple ways to make updates to your home are with paint and accessories. Consider painting accent walls to add a burst of color into your color scheme. TJ Maxx and Target are great places to find interesting pieces that will update your colors and add visual interest for a small investment. Try combining color trends with your favorite colors to keep it your own.
Organic Chic: The eco-friendly trend continues with down to earth materials incorporating animal prints, mother of pearl, shagreen, faux fur, agate and crystal. For those who really want to be on-trend, the hair-on-hide pieces have made the leap from the floor to ottomans as well as other furniture pieces including chairs, but don’t forget your lint brush! These simple, organic items are being paired with rich finishes to create an elegant feel.
Patina: Welcome back brass and gold! Seen everywhere from metal finishes on cocktail tables to nailhead trim on upholstery, these warm, soft finishes are bringing elegance and glamour to hardware and fabrics. Also in high demand are high-gloss painted finishes and lacquered items that can add a bit of sophisticated elegance to any space. This can be found on the walls or on accent furniture. In addition to the high-gloss art deco feel, there is also a trend toward a softer, almost impressionistic element. As you can see, the options to find your decorating direction abound, so choose the one that feels right to you.
Pattern: Fretwork, like the classic Greek key and other geometric patterns, gives a fresh, modern look to any decor. Look for accessories that incorporate these bold patterns, such as pillows, trays or other accent pieces. You may even find these details in intricate nailhead detailing, such as Bernhardt Furniture’s Cabrillo Nailhead Chest.
Remember to consider a neutral base and then utilize big impact accents to easily change your home’s decor. Don’t be afraid to layer a variety of textures and materials, including different woods, other organic elements, fabrics and even different metals. Down to earth materials paired with classic design elements will bring your home into fashion.
Whatever trends you incorporate into your home, don’t forget to add your personality to the mix and let your home tell your story. Look for vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces — what I call “conversation pieces” — to make your home unique. Whenever you are decorating, remember that your home should always reflect your lifestyle.