Home decor trends that ruled in 2012

Home décor trends that ruled in 2012

Preppy patterns, rustic ceramics, knitted cushion covers, textual fabrics, wall art, and earthy rugs - the list of fancy interior decor is endless. Like every year, 2012 also had its share of innovations that expert designers adopted quite enthusiastically.

So, before we welcome the New Year, let's take a look at the round up of this year's most coveted colours, patterns, fabrics, furniture and finishing touches. Mumbai based multi-disciplinary design consultant, Shweta Kaushik takes us through five exclusive trends that dominated in 2012!

Lighting - Bare bulbs and drapes

In 2012, a lot of emphasis was put on Do-It-Yourself styled lighting fixtures that included inexpensive and home-styled lighting. As a result, the trend of "naked" lighting become very prominent. But what makes the usage of exposed or bare bulbs and visible cords appealing? Neutral palettes, neat lines and smooth surfaces remain eternal when we compare trends in home decor and bare bulb industrial fixtures are a unique way to introduce an urban angle to rustic interiors. Another theme in lighting is the concept of clustering pendant lights. Multiple pendants each different in colour, hung at different heights give the room a dramatic effect. They could be fitted over the dining room table, kitchen island or simply in the corner of your bedroom, the fanciful cluster is sure to grab eyeballs of many.

Vintage furnishings

Classics never goes out of style and this year vintage has been a huge rage. Remodelling old furniture with distressed wooden finishes has been quite popular. Use your imagination to mix and match authentic antique furnishings with modern accessories to do up interesting interiors. The unison of contrasting decor evokes a sense of nostalgia and manages to bring back the charm of a bygone era into the present day. It could be an old stout chair that your great grandfather proudly owned, an heirloom that you lovingly kept tucked inside the cupboard, or perhaps a rusted iron birdcage - all you need to do is bring the treasure back to life and display it with pride. Make use of printed silk scarves and coordinate the colour of your walls to compliment your vintage items.

Pantone shade of the year

Every year Pantone invests in a lot of research to come up with their 'Shade of The Year' and this year the shade was Tangerine Tango. It's a fresh, vibrant and juicy reddish-orange colour that exudes energy in all forms. A great companion when used with a mix of other colours, Tangerine Tango is a flattering, fiery option. We saw a lot of usage of this bold colour in the forms of accents, wallpapers and fabrics. The colour is sophisticated yet seductive and one can associate it with either the glow of dawn or the hues of twilight. Pick a wall in your kitchen, hallway, or living room and paint it with rich, dynamic coats of Tangerine Tango. Not only it is a cost effective way to enliven your home, the high-impact colour brings a welcoming burst of energy in the household. Pair the colour with brown or dull green cushions or drapes to invite maximum flattery.

Vertical gardens

The concept of 'living walls', also known as vertical gardens picked up significantly this year and has become a fast growing decor trend worldwide. A host of architects and designers have introduced this idea of installing plants on the sides of building exteriors (balconies and open terraces) and interior walls of homes, offices and restaurants. Conventional gardening requires land and space but urbanisation has not left us with a choice and hence, it's only wise to experience the calm serenity of lush gardens within limited space. Not to mention, the aesthetic appeal that ensures a captivating space. The plants play an important role in cleansing the air around you making the ambiance cheery and agreeable. The grid layout and framework of a vertical garden corresponds to the location. They look absolutely gorgeous and if done right, they add to the energy efficiency of the building by reducing cooling costs.

Automation

Imagine waking up to the mellow tune of your favourite song and the bedroom curtains parting gently to welcome the bright morning sun. Home automation has been around for quite some time now but with the onset of smart phones and tablets, the trend has become more popular and affordable. Operating the lights of your house with a single tap on the touch panel, controlling and accessing content from internet based services remotely, ensuring your home's security while on a vacation via your iPhone are some of the things home automation allows you to do with its point and click home systems and other unique interfaces. Home automation systems allow you to communicate with your house, and manufacturers are forever on the trot to make the installers simpler and fancier. What's more, they also contribute to minimal integration of lighting, power, heating or cooling control that saves approximately 10-15 per cent of energy cost.