If you had one dream that you could fulfil in your life, what would it be? Seven out of 10 persons reportedly say they want to own a house. Some of these people have a very clear idea about how that house will look, others like certain features of other people’s homes and want to borrow elements from them. In the midst of these dreams and reality stand some décor ideas that can instantly give your house an interesting character. Here are my current top five favourites:
Sunlit spaces: Open-spaced living has seen a major comeback. Once thought of as too old-school, an open floor plan today gives home-makers an opportunity to create the impression of space and an individual look. Consider hiding the clutter away in built-in cabinets that are coordinated with the overall look of the house. The concept of open spaces with large windows for a sun-kissed environment that melds the outdoor with the indoor and lets natural fly freely through the home is gaining increased popularity in contemporary design.
Layered shades of white: Love the look of expensive marble? Try white laminates instead, particularly in the kitchen. They will resonate with your desire for marble but will be easier to clean, long-lasting and, most importantly, easy on your pocket. Marble, stone and concrete-finished laminates are seeing a rise in popularity. You can create a sophisticated look with layers of variations in white in kitchen counters, backsplashes, cabinets and flooring. Believe me, your all-white kitchen will become extremely popular.
Statement furniture piece: A statement piece, whether in fashion or décor, is an accessory that accentuates and adds quirk to the overall look of your outfit or room. In decor, go bold. Consider introducing a statement couch in a bright bold colour. Or add vibrant appeal to your interiors by stylizing your room with a single piece (or whole suite) of accent furniture. Use bright hues, combined with interesting prints. Balance the excess with an elegant piece of furniture, such as a chest of drawers.
Mix and match walls: Interior designers and home owners are experimenting with unique ways of mixing and matching elements and types of wall cladding. Adopt the trend by, say, introducing a small portion of mosaic tiles to the brick facade of the porch or entrance area. You can also consider interior compact cladding to highlight a certain area. For this, two or more materials need to be mixed and matched in complementary shades using pattern and hue to create balance.
Glossy surfaces: A colour trend that is increasing in popularity worldwide involves using high-gloss materials as accents. Keeping that in mind, Greenlam has created HD Gloss to create emphatic contrasts, when used with surfaces that are reflective in nature or as a contrasting effect beside matte or textured finishes. This glass-like laminate is easier to maintain than real glass and adds classy appeal to any home.
These are my top trends of the season. Go ahead and adapt them to your taste.
(The writer is General Manager, Design and Development, Greenlam Asia Pacific)