Every year hundreds of Interior Design trends and predictions originate from just as many sources. We’ve waded through a great many of them, and edited a shortlist of trends and tips that seem to work for every style of home and every amount of square footage. Some are trends, and others are consumer behavioral shifts that seem to be more permanent.
1) Bye-bye beige.
No, that doesn’t mean you have to eliminate this trusted neutral from your home’s color palette. It does mean to take advantage of everything else on the color wheel to introduce splashes of color to create energy and interest in your rooms. Toss a trio of pillows in your favorite color onto that beige sofa. And if that color is lime green, so much the better. An area rug in an eye-popping shade is another way to bring life to the lifeless. A group of brilliant vases, a small collection of lacquered boxes or an enormous, shockingly hued framed poster are all inexpensive ways of bringing a “timeless” neutral room front and center in 2009. And if you have a spare Saturday, spend it painting a powerful accent color on a wall in your living room or master bedroom. The difference it will make is astonishing, and can be had for the cost of a can of paint.
2) Graphic prints on walls, floors and fabrics.
As long as we’re embracing clean, bright colors, we’re also acknowledging the sudden popularity of strong, well-defined patterns. None of those lady-like small floral prints that we grew up with–we’re talking enormous, abstract florals, substantial stripes and powerful graphic patterns. They’re showing up everywhere–on rugs, window shades, throws as well as china and table linens. And if you’re worried about strong patterns being overpowering, don’t be. Often a two-colored pattern will be made up of two shades of the same color–such as light yellow and medium yellow–which don’t overwhelm the eye. These patterns are another way to add personality to a room without completely re-doing it. The addition of an accent chair upholstered in an oversized houndstooth check is just what the new year ordered.
3) Shake it up and mix it up.
In the old days, your parents went out and bought a “living room set” or a “dining room set”. Oftentimes, they bought these sets complete with the rug, art and lamps that were shown with them in the furniture showroom. Those days are long gone, and 2009 is taking the “eclectic look” to a new, and even more stylish level. It’s not just tossing whatever is on hand into a room–it’s choosing varied objects and furnishings that, by virtue of contrast, variety and underlying consistency of theme result in rooms that are comfortable, interesting and alive. Not necessarily an easy look to pull off, but the advantage is that constantly re-arranging the things you have is good practice, and will help you determine what is missing, as well as what needs to be edited out.
4) Bits and hits of luxury.
We know the economy isn’t what it used to be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little luxe in your life. Even if a silk velvet sofa isn’t in the budget, a single wonderful pillow out of this same fabric is more than do-able for most people. The lamp on your nightstand can take a luxurious turn with a new silk shade with a shell-pink lining. A set of linen sheets. A faux-fur throw for your bed. A porcelain coffee cup for your morning cup of joe. These little bits of luxury can go a long way in making a positive impact on your interiors and your life. Who doesn’t want to come home to a little something fabulous?
5) Green is a given.
We don’t mean the color green; we’re talking about the environmental aspect of interior design. The amount of products available that are made from responsible and renewable resources is increasing everyday. Paints, floor coverings, fabrics – even the guts of your upholstered sofa can be created from eco-responsible materials. Some of it cost more, but the more we buy, the greater the demand, the cheaper many things will end up. Besides, you can make that sheet set made from organically raised cotton your “bit of luxury”. Two trends for the price of one!
There you have it: Decorating predictions for 2009. If jumping in feet first is too much for you to handle, start with things that don’t cost money. Rearrange the living room furniture. Change the lamps out for the ones in the bedroom. Re-hang your art. Start looking at your home through fresh eyes, as if you are entering it for the first time. Most importantly, listen to what the room tells you. If something doesn’t work, you’ll know it. Good Luck and Good Design!
2 Comments
January 20, 2009 at 4:35 pm
These are great tips for decorating! I love the idea of using recycled and “green” materials. My mittens are made from recycled sweaters and coke bottles. And I absolutely love the “eclectic look”, I just wish it were easier to achieve!
January 20, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I love these tips! Thanks so much. I’m excited to see what ‘09 brings (especially with the bold patterns).