Decor Trends for 2013

Limed furniture is all the rage for 2013

I love tracking the decorating trends for 2013.

What will it be this year? Will neutrals take over? What is the colour of the year?

Some people love to stay with the trend from year to year where others believe that a traditional decor is timeless.

I’ve always felt the trick is to integrate a few of the on-trend accessories and furniture pieces into your main decor from year to year. You don’t have to break the bank and stay on top of each trend but rather accessorize with a few new, colourful toss cushions or display a vase by the latest designer.

If you are in to trends, here are some to follow for 2013.

Are you in the mood for a kitchen renovation? You may want to bypass the traditional oak and maple cabinets for the more trendy alder, birch and bamboo varieties. Bamboo, for example, is 25 per cent harder than oak and it looks fantastic. It is also more environmentally friendly as it only takes about three years for it to grow back once it is cut whereas a tree can take many years.

Glass backsplashes are also the rage, combined with a mix of different kitchen finishes. A “real” eclectic look is very much in style in today’s kitchens coupled with bold and bright coloured walls and flashy wallpapers.

Yes, wallpapers are making a strong comeback.

If you are looking for a great sink, take a look at the new seamless, stainless ones. They are beautiful and fit nicely in many styles of kitchens.

In living rooms, look for nature-inspired accessories. Bamboo candles and many vases and bowls with trees, leaves and other nature-inspired motifs.

Gold is also starting to show up in modern and traditional living rooms.

Look for a reappearance of bleached, limed and painted woods. This is something that is being done to achieve lighter and softer tones in cabinetry, furniture and flooring.

Statement lighting is in.

Large, bold and very stylish light fixtures are everywhere. It’s a sort of “go big or go home” train of thought. Many light fixtures are like pieces of art with their sculptural lines and textures. All are really quite beautiful.

I have also seen many rooms in tones of green.

Green is definitely popular this year in everything from furniture to lighting and flooring. However, if green is not really your thing you may want to try combining a neutral space with a few tones of blue.

There are many decorative accessories in various shades of blue out in the marketplace right now.

Everything from vases to toss cushions to full bedding for bedrooms is available on store shelves.

When you talk about trends, in the end it really is all about what you and your family are comfortable with. Many of us like to come home to calm, neutral interiors to unwind at the end of the day whereas others love to embrace the new trends. It’s a personal choice but one can never argue that it is sure exciting to see what’s out there.

Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home décor, entertaining and floral design. Email her at barb@ lunter.ca or follow her on her blog at lunter.ca.