The semi-annual furniture market recently took place in Highpoint, North Carolina and offered a preview of what is to come in home decorating colors and design for the coming year(s). 

Color

No surprise here–turquoise and shades of blue remain popular and stand out as the color of the year.  Along with turquoise, soft shades of seafoam and teal will be showing up in fabrics, paint and accesssories.  Purple, gray and orange continue to be popular although more muted shades are being seen. 

Furniture

Painted furniture is popular once again.  It is possible to find chests, nightstands, end tables, armoires and chairs painted in a rainbow of colors that range from bright primary colors to soft, muted pastels.  Interesting wood stains were also available.  While the rich, dark stained furniture is always desirable, lighter, blond woods could be found.  Distressed and rustic treatments support the new “rustic luxe” idea of mixing casual with formal; old with new, dull finish with glitz.  (check out our post on rustic luxe at www.onlinefabricstore.net/blog/?s=rustic+luxe)

Sustainability

This continues to be a concern among furniture and fabric manufacturers as consumers seek products that are environmentally friendly.  These products include items finished with low toxicity paints and stains, made from woods that regenerate quicklyor upholstered in fabrics woven from natural materials.

Metals

A return of brass and gold metal is here.  Today’s metal is not the bright and shiny brass of the 1980′s but a more subdued and burnished finish that makes it possible to mix metals easily and successfully.  Lighting fixtures, furniture legs, table bases and accessories can be found in stores and on showroom floors now.

Fabrics

Ikats, suzanis, birds and bold nature prints are all popular and available for draperies, accent pillows, bedding and upholstery.

As with all decorating trends, these are an indication of what you will find in the fabric, furniture and home decor stores in the upcoming year.  The most affordable way to update your interior spaces  is through paint, a small piece of furniture or an accessory such as a throw pillow or lamp shade.  Fortunately for all of us, home decorating trends do not change year after year the way fashion trends do so your investment today will not look outdated a year, two or even five years from now.