JOIN USKnowledge is power. Mala Ashok scouts for the latest trends in the home decor market to help you pick and choose ideas that’ll blend in beautifully with your lifestyle and aesthetic sense
You have just finished your spring cleaning and your home is spic and span; but you feel something is missing. What is it? Maybe it’s the decor. It might be in need of an update. Now, this update doesn’t necessarily have to involve reconstructions or renovations. Sometimes, all you need is some trending decor element to liven your domestic space.
Confused? Here are some guidelines:
No more drab
Start with colours, of course. You don’t want them to be boring or drab. So, go in for neutral hues like pastels as they bring in a sense of calm and comfort. Some pastels are chalkier, like a mixture of sherbet and cream. You can also consider the organic hues of the earth, sky, and water. Neutrals can also be warm hues like peach, blush, putty, mint, and charcoal. These colours contribute to an airy, ‘feel good’ vibe. They also make your spaces look much larger, while lending an inviting appeal to the area.
Right now, there’s a retro wave riding the sea of decor, which has brought colours like turquoise, acid yellow, emerald pink, and red into focus. Yes, such colours might be too ‘loud’ for your tastes, but you don’t have to splash them across your entire home. You could always get textiles or home accessories in these colours to make the space look more elegant and trendy.
Beautiful blues — sapphire, navy, and a variety of turquoises, teals — along with sunshine shades are a huge rage right now. Likewise, hot pinks are also in demand. Don’t worry. Using this colour in your home won’t remind your guests of cotton candy. But incorporating such shades will add energy to a room. It might be something as small as a planter or something big like curtains. It’s your choice.
For those who don’t like bright hues in their home, there are a number of other options available. Just browse through magazine ads and you will see myriad brightly coloured cookware, bakeware, and storage containers. These will add a splash of colour to your dining room and kitchen, without being harsh on your eyes.
If you are a nature-loving person, the best part of the season is the profusion of plants that you can use in your decor. Pair your plants with green, tropical motifs.
The fact that we are talking about varied colours to brighten your spaces here doesn’t mean that colours like white should be neglected. In fact, a paint company in Canada named white as ‘the colour of the year’! Having risen in popularity gradually, white is a safe choice. Be it the bright white or softer off-white, this clean shade will lend an appeal of neatness to your decor. Focus on incorporating whites with natural elements and textures into your space for an edgy appeal.
Make that quick
Your home decor does not include just your walls and floors; there’s furniture too. You could consider sexy swivel chairs.
Instead of going in for the standard black and brown chairs, go in for coloured ones. Los Angeles-based designer Joy Cho has a new collection which is filled with fun pieces like an acrylic side table covered in polka dots, animal figurines in little party hats, and printed throw pillows.
Now, decor does not have to be new to make a change. You could consider painting an existing piece of furniture, adding side tables to your living room setup, or move your lighting around. Why, even changing your rugs can give a new look to your space. Make this activity seasonal and you will never look at your home the same way again. These rugs could then be matched with textured throw pillows or cushions, and relief-patterned textiles.
Some furniture designers like to play with layers and lines. We, in India, are very lucky that we have a variety of decor options with jute and cotton. A 3D rag rug is a great idea. Even the good ol’ cork has made its presence felt in many decor arenas today! Accessories, in particular, lend themselves beautifully to this sustainable material. However, it can stylishly be used in furniture, too.
With the advent of these new, light and sustainable materials, it may seem like metals are on their way out. But that is not the case. Metallics are here to stay. One caveat though: the chilly chromes and silvers are giving way to warmer versions of metals. So, if you want to give a funky look to your foyer or living room, bring in some metallic decor elements.
As you can see, giving a new look to your home doesn’t have to be all that challenging. You can start small. How about keeping abreast of the latest in home decor trends?