The perfectly decorated, color-designed apartment in off-campus housing is officially out. Mixing finishes is in! From woods to hardware to textures, anything and everything will go together in 2015. So for all student renters who hated
the brown- sofa -neutral –carpet- with- matching curtains look, you are in luck!
2015 brings in mixing and matching to the max – anything goes! Patterns are very popular this year and if you really want to make a statement, try mixing patterns. Bold stripes! Bright geometrics! Try painting bold zigzags across one wall (practice on construction paper first, then use painting tape to mark off your zigs) or use an extra large canvas for a contemporary do-it-yourself artwork. Jewel tones? Yes! That would be deep red wine color, purple, rich chocolate brown, & peacock blue. Oops – hate rich tones? Go pale…mauve, robin’s egg blue, sand….pale colors bring calm! Not sure what color? Google the color wheel chart and notice which color appeals to you most. Choose a favorite bold contrasting color for pillows and throws as accents.
Chances are your sofa might need a bit of a lift – try new pillows that will brighten and refresh. If you don’t have the extra money for new, check out the slipcovers at Target and Walmart. And while we’re on the subject of sofas, this might be the time to vacuum all the Cheetos that have fallen underneath the sofa cushions. There’s probably a whole meal under there! Too tired to vacuum – call Fido over to clean it up. While you’re at it, you may as well clean the carpet…those stains are not part of pattern you’re trying to achieve!
Maybe instead of the faux wood coffee table, and opt for something metallic in gold or
iron or chrome with glass. Glass creates more “space” than a heavy wood piece.
And here’s an interesting trend – some students are even putting artwork on the ceilings! Wallpaper, not pasted, but push pinned to the ceiling might add a very interesting effect.
Also this year students are bringing the outdoors inside. So try a nice outdoor piece in the living room. No camping chairs, but director’s chairs from Pier One are a nice addition. Outside materials like stone and brick facades, raw wood architectural elements would be good to try too. Tall potted plants are always add a natural element
to a living room and a patio.
If you like Ethnic, prints are a great way to make your apartment look a bit more exotic. Try hanging rugs on the walls or use a patterned fabric or wild animal wood piece.
Matching is out and mixing finishes is in! From woods to hardware to textures, anything and everything will go together in 2015.
