The color scheme is a major factor in home decorating. With hundreds of choices and combinations, settling for only one or two, and perhaps a combination of two palettes can be a big dilemma.
Colors are symbolic in many ways. They depict a mood, send a message and reflect a personality.
This year colors have returned to a neutral palette, mainly in response to the many problems America faces these days: economic recession, war on two fronts, health care reform and so on. It’s the color equivalent of comfort food: safe and familiar.
Bright colors as accents are everywhere too, to show that the future is not at all bleak. The touch of yellows, reds, greens and blues are great complements to the more underplayed neutral tones. A sofa set for example, in tan looks awesome (and promising!) with throw pillows covered in crimson or amethyst.
Brown, which has been a mainstay of color for several years, is starting to wane in 2009. Instead of deep chocolate brown in upholstery and area rugs, lighter shades such as tan, beige, mocha and caramel are being used. Also on its way out is the combination of brown and blue.
As brown is slowly losing its mark, gray meanwhile is gaining popularity. The different shades of gray are seen in accessories and accents.
Green, the color of eco-friendly design, also is growing in popularity in nearly every shade. Some designers predict it will be found in everything from curtains, area rugs and upholsetery to kitchen and bathroom countertops.
European design has embraced the classic combination of black and white. America too is doing the same, with this color match becoming a trendy choice in many homes. The same is true with the combination of contrasting colors like red and pink, green and red, and so on. Red and pink are noteworthy as known colors for the fight against HIV/AIDS and breast cancer.
Violet is a top choice nowadays for accessories. Black is no longer the exclusive color for the Goth style as violet is fast becoming a sought after choice. Not surprising therefore to see teenagers with violet or purple eyeliners, nail polish and even lipstick!
So what’s not on the color horizon? Experts say that bright, sunny yellows are out, along with orange. Maybe they remind us too much of global warming. However, gold is expected to be seen in all kinds of elegant decor, possibly in response to the money we’ve lost over the past year n the recession.
One good thing especially about the neutral palette that’s holding sway over home decor right now: It provides a good foundation for whatever kind of accessorizing you choose to do.
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