Spring decorating trends for 2012
Cheerful and ethereal are the buzzwords that best describe the spring 2012 decorating trends. The focus is on a neutral cream, white or beige background with pops of color and style inspiration found in accessories, fabrics. and furniture arrangements. There’s also a trend toward money-saving upgrades that have a huge budget impact.
In the Spring Decorating Trends for Furniture, the return of light or mid-tone natural wood finishes is seen, indicating that dark woods are about to disappear. White or black lacquered surfaces are popular and reflect light, a highly desired item this spring. Specific design styles are optional and should be chosen with your own personality in mind, as modern, traditional, country or mixed styles will perfectly suit the season. There is a trend towards small talk groups rather than large bulky arrangements. So, think about how rooms can be rearranged to create cozy, well-defined sleeping areas that are more intimate than the wide open spaces of years past.
Popular fabrics this season include plain woven materials or tweeds in neutral colors with hints of metallic threads here and there to visually lighten heavy fabrics. Faux fur and textured knotty fabrics are making a comeback. Alternatively, modern plaid, stripe, dog teeth or flower patterns, especially white prints on bold colored backgrounds, have an impact that is perfect this year.
The use of color this spring reflects the general trend for neutral backgrounds with bright touches of jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red, golden yellow and sapphire blue. Gold, silver and other metallic elements are back this season, in a big way. As furniture or accessories with mirrors or lucite that give a magical effect to any room. All of these accents add interest or sparkle to mostly neutral walls and curtains.
Cost cutting style trends are a must this spring. The best option to buy is refurbished second-hand furniture found in thrift stores, antique stores, or property sales. Wearing such pieces can really stretch the budget, which is so important during the financially challenging times many are facing these days. The good news is that these pieces add charm and personality to a room’s décor and, with an applied lacquer finish, perfectly meet the style requirements of the season.
Another money-saving trend to consider is a spring lighting update. Replace functional lighting as well as ambient or accent lighting to create a new look without having to remodel an entire room. Vintage lighting fixtures should be considered as an alternative to expensive new ones. Think more stylish than shabby when buying used accessories. The goal is to polish and shine. Colored lighting reflected off white or cream walls can create a lush lighting effect that is just as suitable for this season’s focus on ethereal qualities.
Try to create rooms that reflect your own sense of style, but have a somewhat dreamlike atmosphere. Fill them with light and dark contrasts, sparkly, iridescent and sparkly accessories and you’ll be perfectly in sync with the Spring 2012 Decorating Trends.