MY MEDALLION
Once all the holiday decorations have been put away, your home can feel a little sparse. Rather than reverting to last year’s layout and decor by default, why not inject a little newness into your space? All it takes is a couple of small, easy updates to change the mood and help see you through the winter months. Here are six ways to refresh your decor for the new year.
Embrace Multifunctional Rooms
If you have a room that does double-duty, you’re right on trend. Multifunctional rooms are having a moment, thanks to so many of us working and attending school from home. This is the way people are living now, so don’t think twice about home office, home study, and dining room combinations, adding a workspace to a living or family room, or having furniture pieces that play more than one role. Many of us are rethinking the way we live and need our spaces to be not just comfortable but functional.
Add Plants And Greenery
One of our favourite new trends is biophilic design: biophilia is the human desire to connect with nature. All that’s required is to add some live plants and greenery into your space, creating a feeling of oasis. It’s all about creating a connection with nature that you can appreciate in your home everyday. You can take a minimal or a maximal approach to this, whatever suits your design ethos. If you worry you don’t have much of a green thumb, you can incorporate the colour green (and other neutrals) into your space. Other elements of biophilic design include natural light and good ventilation.
Incorporate Sustainable Materials
There is increased interest in the use of sustainable materials in decor, so you’re sure to start seeing more environmentally friendly options available. If you need a new piece of furniture, why not buy something made from reclaimed wood and recycled textiles. When decorating your space, use energy-efficient products and eco-friendly, ethically sourced materials. This sustainable way of shopping is more financially responsible and mindful of the environment.
Use Vintage And Antique Furniture Pieces
More and more of us are becoming upcycling devotees—it’s a responsible, inexpensive way to shop and decorate, and it allows you to unleash your creativity too. Expect to see more and more vintage and antique furniture pieces in modern decor vignettes, as upcycling grows in popularity. A coat of paint can refresh an old piece of furniture, as can swapping out the original hardware, and you can replace older upholstery with a favourite fabric print. Many talented DIYers sell their handiwork on local online marketplaces, so keep an eye out for any great finds.
Introduce Textured Fabrics
Layer the fabrics you already have and introduce a new texture into the mix, maybe a linen or a velvet, which you can often find now in lighter, sunnier, spring-like hues. While we’re certainly accustomed to using textiles in our bed linens and window coverings, pillow covers and throw blankets, there’s another interesting way to use textured fabrics in the home: as art. If you’ve got some wallspace that could use a bit of interest, consider a wall-hanging or even framing a favourite piece of fabric. The more texture you can introduce, the better.
Mix A Little Depth Into Your Earth Tones
Warm neutral tones are making a comeback, likely because of the sense of calm and peace they tend to create. Several colours are also now considered neutrals, especially the many tones of blue and green. Don’t be afraid to add a dramatic accent too and choose a deeper colour than you usually might—on one wall, for example. Mixing a hit of dark colour into an existing earthy palette looks rich and sophisticated. It also serves as an excellent backdrop; it both pulls focus and highlights whatever you place in front of it.
We hope you’ve found these decorating ideas exciting and are ready to give your home a bit of freshening up for 2022. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow along with the Medallion blog for more great home decor suggestions.
