With 2014 well under way, a handful of home decor trends are rising to the surface. While many trends come and go, leaving homes looking outdated in their wake, this year’s crop of fads emphasize classic styles that will stand the test of time. With a focus on reusing existing products and natural accents, this year’s hottest looks are perfect for DIY projects.
Raw Wood
The natural look of raw wood is an ideal fit for rustic homes and offers the perfect counterpoint to modern, industrial, or vintage decorating schemes. Along the same lines as raw wood, reclaimed and barn wood accents are hot this year. Mantels and wall shelves are an excellent way to interject a bit of this trend, while furniture pieces such as dining or coffee tables create a strong earthy presence. For those who really want to embrace the look, Bob Vila has a roundup of five ways to install wood plank walls to create a strong focal point. Decorating with wood accents lends itself well to DIY projects, and architectural salvage stores are an excellent source of inspiration and supplies. Spending a few moments on Pinterest will reveal dozens of projects, especially ones using wood pallets, for adding this look to your home. Get started with free plans for simple shelves from Ana White.
Painted Furniture
The trend of colorful, painted furniture might seem like a sharp contrast to the raw wood trend, but, as this photo from our Facebook page shows, the two actually pair together beautifully. Highly varnished, honey-colored wood furniture is out and brilliant white, mint, turquoise, yellow and black pieces have taken its place. This is another trend that speaks to DIYers who can look past outdated finishes and tacky accents on older furniture. As we discussed on our blog last year, scouting yard sales, thrift stores, and Craigslist can turn up solid wood pieces that just need a coat of paint to give them new life. Once you have your treasure, follow HGTV’s instructions to clean, sand, and paint the piece.
Painted Front Doors
The trend of whimsical paint colors isn’t limited to the interior. A brightly painted front door adds instant curb appeal and is a fun way to welcome guests. Best of all, this is a quick and easy project that most homeowners can tackle on a weekend. Follow Better Homes & Garden instructions to remove the door from its hinges and then tape off windows. Next, scrub and sand the door before applying primer. Once the primer is dry, start applying paint in the center of the door and work outwards. The finished project will wake up the cliche look of your home’s exterior.
Nailhead Trim
Nailhead trim on upholstered furniture is a classic style that is having a fresh moment. While you don’t want to invest a great deal in most trends that come and go, this one is timeless enough to be worth picking up a high-quality armchair or headboard. If you still aren’t sure you want to commit, Country Living demonstrates how to add nailhead accents to an existing chair. To bring the look into the bedroom, follow Centsational Style’s tutorial to create an upholstered headboard from scratch using plywood, batting, fabric, and trim.
When designing your home’s interior, what you love is much more important than what is in style. However, with so many of this year’s trends lending themselves to reusing and recreating, it’s a great time to pull out the paint brush and tape measure. Embracing these hot styles will give your home classic accents that won’t look outdated next season.
What trend do you love?
We really want to hear from you. Which current trends do you want to bring into your home? Are there styes you’re ready to see go away? What about trends you tried and regret? Fill in the comment box below and hit submit to either start or join the conversation. We respond to all our comments, so you won’t be going out on a limb by yourself. If you want, you can head over to our Facebook page to see photos of some beautiful home interiors. Invite your friends to join in too!