subject: The Elements of Interior Design [print this page] The only constant about design styles throughout the years is constant change. Styles come and go, and if you're thinking about updating your home, you want to make sure you're not behind the times.
So, what style is currently hot when it comes to designing your home?
Two styles that are in right now across the country are the contemporary and transitional looks-which makes sense, since transitional is a combination of traditional and contemporary elements.
In essence, people are looking to replace larger pieces of furniture and clutter with clean, simple lines and smaller plumbing and lighting fixtures. The contemporary and transitional looks are easy to work with and are open to style combinations-like placing Asian furniture in a very contemporary home.
Whatever region you're in, you'll graft what's in for you locally and put it in with a modern, clean, simple, contemporary look. You'll find elements of that anywhere in the country in any style home. Granted, it'll look different, but you'll still find elements of that.
So, whether it's a beachfront home in Miami that mixes in some contemporary elements with a coastal shabby chic look, or a Manhattan loft that softens the architectural elements (like pipes running along the ceiling) with comfortable furniture, transitional is in.
And that's just the beginning.
Downsizing
Another style trend that's gaining momentum is downsizing. Whether that's because the Tuscan look (along with its oil rubbed bronze finishes and big, chunky furniture) is on the way out or economic woes, we're figuring out we don't need nearly as much as we thought we did.
The Baby Boomer group is especially looking to downsize. The economy is playing a part in that, plus the Green Movement to reuse, recycle and repurpose.
Eco-friendly
"Repurpose" is the buzzword in the design world right now. This means taking something that had a purpose at one time and tweaking it into something else. Say you have an old dresser and you don't have room for it in the bedroom.
Just refinish it, repaint it, restain it, put new knobs on it, do something that's going to fit your personal. Put it in the dining room, and now it's serving as a linen hutch and maybe a liquor cabinet on top or something.
Recycled glass is another element that's currently popular and is being used in countertops and floors.
Plumbing and lighting
Architectural plumbing and lighting fixtures are increasingly popular in homes.
Specifically, for plumbing, brushed nickel still ranks as the most popular finish, but antique pewter and antique nickel (two of the newest aged-looking fixtures) are beginning their ascent up the charts.
Many people who did their homes in polished brass 20 years ago now want to update and can't totally redo in brushed nickel. That age group and target market still like that and still see that means elegance and affluence.
And for lighting, make room for that new chandelier, because crystal is making a comeback. Either all crystal chandeliers or an aged metal with some curves and some crystal drops. This began about two years ago, and it's starting to get more popular.
Wallcoverings
Wallpaper is on its way back, and this ain't your grandmother's wallpaper.
Called Wallcoverings (or Wall Treatments), this is a very textural material made from natural elements, like cork, wood, stone or glass. And instead of just being applied in sheets, they're now also being cut into patterns to act as design elements.
Global influence
We can't avoid it: There's more global awareness than ever before. And because of this global awareness, we're seeing more global influence in design.
Somebody might want a Moroccan, Asian, or East Indian feel. And the color schemes that go with that are going to be indicative of whatever style they're doing.
