What are the hot new trends for the new year/new decade? We asked local designers for their insights on how to jazz up our living spaces without having to pay the piper.

The easiest way to get more bang for your buck is a splash of color.

PHOTOS BY AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Lindsey Valiulis, sales and customer service manager for Exclusively Home Offices, sits on a Le Corbusier designer replica couch with a KoKo brand Habitat pillow. Valiulis suggests that a splash of color in a things like pillows or wall hangings can liven up any room. 

Lindsey Valiulis of Exclusively Home (exclusivelyhome.com; 815-877-5746) says that turquoise is the color of the year.

“It’s always in fashion to start with basics and add a splash of color in an accessory or wall hanging,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to go the edge of your comfort level.”

Soft greens, like these from Victoria Dyer
Interiors, work with any wood tone.

Vicki Dyer of Victoria Dyer Designs (vdyerinteriordesigns@sbcglobal.net; 815-637-2190) says green is still the “it” color, “although the direction of green has been going toward the blues for a more clean and fresh look. Green is the easiest color for the eye to see and works well with any wood tone.

Mary Sweeney of Mary’s By Design (1025 Harlem Road, Machesney Park; 815-877-5191) says grays are going to be big: “Charcoal is the hot new neutral.” Grays paired with neutrals like taupes and tans work well with one bright vibrant color like yellow or green thrown in for a punch of fun.

For room décor, Sweeney suggests bigger and bolder.

“Go with bolder prints, floral or graphic, in something like an area rug to change the whole feel of a room,” she said.

Valiulis recommends, “Mixing it up is always in.” You have to follow your instincts and make the space uniquely yours. “Don’t just buy the furniture set from the store, mix up pieces of furniture to create your own unique style. Don’t be afraid to mix modern, traditional and transitional furniture pieces in the same room.”

Dyer says classic is always, well, classic.

“A neutral palette gives a timeless foundation, but keep in mind that any color ‘done well’ within a space can become classic,” she said. “Fabric trends now are soothing florals and calming textures, all derived from nature. The more classic looks today are less flash as we become more cognizant of how we spend our money.”

The trend for “green” is stronger than ever. Green for the environment also means more green in your pocketbook. Victoria Dyer Interiors believes in “repurposing” existing furnishings.

Vicki of Victoria Dyer Interiors found new purpose for this hutch by removing
the top doors and changing the finish of the wood.

“For example, I recently used an outdated oak dining room breakfront, had the glass door removed and refinished it in an antique black finish creating a decorative bookcase piece for the living room,” Dyer said.

Valiulis agrees that green is here to stay.

“We have seen a trend toward customers purchasing eco-friendly furniture and lighting,” Valiulis said. “It may cost more, but the customer is making a statement with the product.”

Saving resources and saving money has led to more people buying reproductions and purchasing furniture over the Internet.

“We find many people indulging in one piece and finding lower-cost items for the remainder of the room,” Valiulis said.

“Reuse the same big-ticket pieces, but change out the look with less expensive options, like paint, rugs and pillows,” Sweeney said. “Another DIY and cheap trend is always paint. It’s easy and makes the room fresh and completely transformed.”

Thinking about the whole cycle is important. According to Dyer, some U.S. furniture suppliers are recycling wood shipping pallets.

“Also, furniture that is made in the United States will have a reforestation program in place when cutting down trees,” she said. “Besides having home trends going in the direction of ‘green,’ I think the furniture-buying direction for consumers is to buy better-quality or buying the best quality you can afford, even if it’s a piece at a time.

“Again, think classic and timeless. And of course, the ‘green’ thinking here is that we’re not throwing an inexpensive, not-well-made piece of furniture into our landfills.”

Taupe and gray pair together in this Victoria Dyer Interiors set-up.