2012 is unfortunately a time when most people are saving every penny and “extra” money is hard to come by. With unemployment rates and gas prices at an all time high, people are choosing to stay in homes they already own, and unless they are downsizing or moving in with other relatives, they aren’t going anywhere. This staying with the old is the inspiration behind most of the design trends for 2012.
Crafty “Upcycling”
Interior design in 2012 has begun to center around “upcycling”, or repurposing existing items, crafting them into a new life using fabric and paint and anything else you might see that would look crisp and cool and add new life to your project. Taking those four old dining room chairs and giving them a new life. Painting them a bright color like turquoise or yellow and reupholstering them with a bold black and white print, or finding a great piece of furniture at a garage sale and spray painting it orange, and adding new modern knobs.
A great “upcycling” project I saw recently was using old kid’s t-shirts and mod podge and turning them into colorful and interesting bowls to display and use around the house for keys or simply for decoration. The idea is to take preexisting items and use them to create unique and new functional design elements, giving your space a modern feel while saving you tons of cash.
Classy Bold Colors
2012 is about sleek and chic color palates. Using neutral colors like tans and browns and grays, matched with fantastic and shocking pops of color. You can paint an entire room gray, then add a great orange couch or some fantastic green lamps; the possibilities are endless. In a wood accented room add pops of color with a rug or pillows or a great vintage piece of furniture that you spray paint or reupholster in a vibrant hue.
The essential elements to this design aesthetic are using a daring and somewhat juxtaposed mixture of colors that both challenge and complement each other at the same time. Rich neutrals or muted crisp clean colors mixed with bold and exotic accents. These accents can come in the form of anything from furniture and light fixtures to pillows and lamps. You are limited only by your own imagination.
Exotic Fabric Accents
An amazing way to deliver those bold pops of color or to repurpose older vintage pieces of furniture is to use another of 2012’s great design trends, luxurious fabric in beautiful rich hues. Everything from pillows and bed dressing to furniture and drapes can be given an instant up-date by replacing the existing fabric with some unique and rich looking choices. Velvets and silks and satins are great warm and sleek options that look expensive. Choose colors that are bold and exotic and compliment the base colors in the room but create stand out pieces on their own.
Remember that 2012 is about comfort and functionality and making your home a little bit more special and a little more unique. Because the trends are so DIY friendly, anyone can create great beautiful rooms and accents on a budget, especially when the trends are so fabulously accessible.
Kelli McDonald is a designer of bedroom and office furniture. On her off time, she greatly enjoys writing for home improvement and interior design blogs.
