A trend is a direction, a long-term process that is hard to define and set specific time frames. There are some specific trends in home decor that started a few years ago (or more) and are continuing and even gathering strength.
Style Predictions
According to Fabricadabra, “One of the trends that continues strong in home decor is home furnishing products made from ethnic, global textiles. The ethnic fabrics are appealing to people as we embrace and support the artistry and craftmanship of that which is handwoven, uses vegetal dyes and is an expression of a culture.” Ikat pillows and suzanis that are used to make pillows and bedding continue to grow in popularity and is a favorite of Genevieve Gorder, HGTV as mentioned in yesterday’s designer predictions.
Ikat pillow via Fabricadabra.com
Suzani via Fabricadabra.com
Cocooning: With less opportunity to move or change houses due to the economy, most of us are cocooning – we’re pulling back into our homes and adapting or changing our current home to better meet our needs. We are reconnecting personally with friends and family (not just through social networks!) and want our homes to be a haven that comforts and pleases us and welcomes our friends.
This ecelectic room is comfortable and reflects the owner's personality. Photo via Southern Living.com
Repurposing: With the continuing economic problems, most of us don’t have unlimited money to spend on our homes. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t like/want a new look every now and then. More and more we’ll be turning to reusing/repurposing our furnishings. We’ll take up thrift store shopping and learning to refinish or paint furniture. Or, if all that sounds a bit too grand and involved, we’ll just paint a picture frame or two.
Use painted thrift store frames to creatively fill in a wall space. Photo via NestingPlace.com
Environmental: Especially in Seattle (where I am now), there continues to be a growing focus on being environmentally aware and trying to live as ‘green’ as we can. When you decide you want new instead of repurposed, shop green. Many companies promote their green activities….if they don’t, ask. This is a trend that will only get stronger over the next few years as more of us and more companies find the value in using good environmental sense.
Tables by MossAndLam.com
Rubber floor tiles by Johnsite.com
Wallpaper w/ post consumer recycled backing from Arc Com Fabrics.
Outdoor Spaces: In addition to focusing on family and friends, we’re going ‘back to nature’. Whether we create a whole outdoor room or just bring the outside in, we’re connecting with the great outdoors. Not all of us have the space or budget to create an outdoor oasis complete with firepit, water feature, seating and accessories surrounded by lush plantings. Take the elements you CAN manage and develop your own little getaway.
- Outdoor spaces connect nature to our interiors and draw us outside. Photo via Sunset.com
Give new life to thrift store chairs with paint and stencils. Photo via BHG.com
Bold Colors, Strong Pattern, Dramatic Contrast: As some of the designers yesterday mentioned, there is a trend toward ever bolder colors and unusual combinations. Look for the matchy, super coordinated look to fall by the wayside (as it has been gradually doing). Even if you don’t enjoy bold colors, you can freshen your rooms with another trend – use pattern. Even tone-on-tone pattern in a neutral space can add excitement. And contrast – no more the rooms of all mid-tone furnishings. The trend is toward higher contrast both in color and value (lightness/darkness).
Unusual combination and use of color in this Singapore apartment. Designed by Sidney Tham.
Which Trend Will You Embrace?
So there you have it – what some of the experts say will be trends to watch for in 2011. Trends come and go – that’s why they’re called trends. Color in particular is an annual trendy change that sometimes is only a flash in the pan and sometimes lasts for a decade. Some trends like being environmentally responsible will strengthen and continue indefinitely.
The bottom line is……it’s your home, your comfort zone, your castle and the goal is to make it a place you can’t wait to return to. Without unlimited funds it’s difficult to follow all the changing trends – so pick and choose carefully and you’ll end up with a refreshed look but one that is still all you. Cindy and I are here to help with that. So, if you’re stuck in limbo, stuck with colors you want to change, stuck with an unworkable floor plan, don’t know what size art to choose, or whatever, drop us a line, leave us a comment and we’ll be happy to offer our advice.
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I’ve enjoyed these two posts which confirm my understanding of the trends for the current year and possibly several to come. I particularly love the more obvious use of colour and the more unexpected combinations you can achieve from that use. The colours that are most popular now especially for accents are obviously cleaner/ less toned. One of my most difficult sells to people is to shake it up a bit. The belief that everything must be perfectly matched is strong and in the end it leads to very boring rooms. I’m in the porcess of preparing a post that addresses this.
I agree it’s hard for people to let go of the idea that everything must match. We’ll all keep preaching and gather a convert here and there. What is your website?
Love the So Living photo and the BHG…Genevieve Gorder…not so much. franki