Spring decorating trends for 2012

Cheerful and ethereal are the buzzwords that best describe the spring 2012 decorating trends. The focus is on a neutral background of cream, white or beige with pops of color and style inspiration found in accessories, the fabrics and the arrangement of the furniture. There’s also a trend toward upgrades that save money and have a big impact on the budget.

In Spring Furniture Decor Trends, you see the return of light or mid-tone natural wood finishes, signaling that dark woods are on the way out. Black or white lacquered surfaces are on-trend and reflect light, a much-desired element this spring. Specific design styles are optional and should be chosen with one’s personality in mind, as modern, traditional, country or mixed styles will suit the season perfectly. There is a trend towards small talk groups rather than large bulky arrangements. So think about how rooms can be rearranged to create well-defined, inviting seating areas that are more intimate than the wide-open spaces of years past.

Popular fabrics this season include simple woven materials or tweeds in neutral colors with hints of metallic threads here and there to visually lighten heavy fabrics. Faux fur and textured knotted fabrics are making a comeback. Alternatively, checks, stripes, houndstooth or modern florals, especially white prints on bold colored backgrounds, make the perfect impact this year.

The use of color this spring reflects the general trend for neutral backgrounds with bright touches of jewel tones like emerald green, ruby ​​red, golden yellow and sapphire blue. Gold, silver and other metallic elements are back this season, in a big way. As are the mirror or lucite furniture or accessories that give a magical effect to any room. All of these accents add interest or brightness to mostly neutral walls and drapes.

Cost-cutting style trends are a must this spring. Refurbished secondhand furniture found at thrift stores, antique stores, or real estate sales is your best bet to buy. Using such pieces can really stretch a budget, which is so important during the tough financial times many are facing these days. The good news is that these pieces add charm and character to a room’s décor and with an applied lacquer finish they perfectly match the style requirements of the season.

Another money-saving trend to consider is a spring lighting upgrade. Replace feature lighting as well as ambient or accent lighting to create a new look without having to remodel an entire room. Older lighting fixtures should be considered as an alternative to the newer and more expensive ones. Think chic rather than shabby when shopping for used accessories. The goal is to polish and shine. Colored lighting reflecting off white or cream walls can create a lush lighting effect that’s perfect for this season’s focus on ethereal qualities.

Try to create rooms that reflect your own sense of style but have a somewhat dreamy atmosphere. Fill them with light and dark contrasts, bright, iridescent and sparkly accessories and you’ll be in sync with the spring 2012 decorating trends.