Trends in home decorating change from year to year – and sometimes month to month. For the trendiest among us, regularly swapping out fixtures, accents, and accessories can be a full-time job. Thankfully, it looks like some of classic trends will continue into next year, with enough “new” touches coming to satisfy those looking for a change. Below, we’ll touch on what’s staying, what’s leaving and what’s HOT and NOT in homes
Dos of interior decorating
1. Do mix and match gold and silver accents. It is a popular trend that will be here for a long while.
2. Do use mirrored furniture, especially in small spaces. To get the most out of it, place your furniture near a light source so that the light can bounce off of it. Not only will this brighten things up in your space but it will also give off the illusion of having a bigger space.
4. Do make use of pops of colour. Use decorative accents like rugs, throw pillows, flowers and plants, vase, vignettes, whimsical lamps, throws, etc. to introduce colour into a neutral space.
5. Do mix and match your side and coffee tables. These don’t have to match in size, shape, colour, material or even finishes.
Blending different styles ‘unsettles’ expectations, creating interesting and attractive visual combinations.
6. Do mix and match fabrics on sofas and armchairs. For example, if you have a leather couch, you can use velvet armchairs to tone down the masculinity that leather creates.
7. Do invest in statement lighting or light fixtures. Because investment fixtures are well-made, they tend to elevate the space, improve lighting and can be used as focal features on their own.
8. Mix and match wood finishes. Blending different wood colours and finishes together is a simple way of making a statement.
9. Do add decorative accents to your kitchen island to create a focal point. The best way to go about this is to choose one or two pieces to put on display. You can do this with colourful appliances, flowers, trays, a bowl of fruit or scented candles.
10. Do mix and match dining chairs. For example, to create a customised look, you could use the same chairs in different colours and fabrics, or different chairs in the same colour.
You can also make a real statement by using armchairs at the head of your table, and side chairs to fill in the sides.
Don’ts of interior decorating
1. Don’t go overboard with the bold colours. Don’t be shy to go bold but limit your choice to one colour. Overwhelming your space with too much colour can cause visual clutter and you may lose the finer details.
If you’re brave enough to go bold, use it on a wall, couch, console table, bookcase or any other big piece of furniture.
You can then make use of a neutral colour to tone down the ‘loudness’ and balance your colours.
2. Don’t buy short floor length curtains. It’s always a good idea to measure for curtains before going shopping. Floor length curtains that fail to touch the floor look awkward and tend to cheapen your design.
3. Don’t hang curtains right above windows.
You want to hang them as close to the ceiling as possible to show off their length, which gives the illusion of a bigger space.
4. Don’t invest in small rugs.
Don’t be frugal when it comes to size as small rugs tend to make a space look smaller.
A generous rug can help divide and define rooms, instantly adding texture and pattern.
5. Don’t forget scale. If your décor is a little ‘flat’, play around with height and size. Go for oversized art canvases, miniature house plants or a cluster of scented candles in different sizes.
6. Don’t sacrifice functionality for visual appeal. When it comes to decorating, you want to balance the two. For instance, when shopping for a new nightstand, opt for a beautiful piece that also offers storage space for everyday knickknacks.
7. Don’t go with traditional artwork and mirrors. Creating a personalised space requires you to think outside the box. Move away from well-known, everyday pieces.
Consider utilising unframed photographs, sculptures, beadwork and unique pieces that you pick up along the way.
8. Don’t leave the space above your cabinets empty. If your kitchen cabinets don’t go all the way up to the ceiling, turn to accents like bowls, decorative signs or lettering, picture frames or plants.
9. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and textures. These are key when it comes to adding visual weight to your space.
Just be sure to edit your colours so that they work well together. You can use pattern and texture on walls, floors, window treatments, bed linen, accessories, etc.
10. Don’t change colour palettes if you have an open-plan home. When choosing a colour scheme for an open-plan space, stick to one colour to create a clean, cohesive look