2020 has been a strange year for any number of circumstances; from the election, the coronavirus, to the bevy of other strange and unusual situations we have all had to face. We’ve all probably picked up a new hobby or two, or at the very least have gotten back into an old one that perhaps we didn’t have the time for before. I for one, have been working nonstop on my own space, refurnishing and completing the look that I wanted guests, friends and family to see when they can eventually visit once more. One of the things I took special interest in was my window treatments. The old treatments I am embarrassed to say have been torn to shreds by my dogs in some places, while a couple of others no longer fit the space and the look I want to have. So, I took to the internet, to find what would work best with my new adjustments.
One thing that I noticed right away was the popularity of metallic hardware, brass rods, silver finishes, and nickel touches that convey a lot of bright color to accent the drapes and curtains in dining rooms and bedrooms. A great addition to create an atmosphere of style and luxury, while also being durable and reliable.
Another great thing I found was the idea of pastel neutral colors. When most people think of neutral colors for their window treatments, they think of grey, white, or even cream. Nothing wrong with these choices, but there is a whole range of colors that would work to create a calming atmosphere. Soft lavender and light blue are very pleasing to the eye, not to mention pink coral or faint mint green also have that soothing effect that we can all look forward to at the end of the day.
Floral and other natural prints are also becoming more popular this year, which is a great way to bring natural appeal and variety from the outside world into living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. They do not need to be flowers flowing over the shades either. Growing vines or branches that run off the edges of the shade work perfectly, bringing forth ideas of lush garden visits and quiet wood cabins. Shell and ocean drapes can evoke feelings of undersea understanding and calm or give breath to a love of aquatic life.
Finally, one of the biggest trends I have found in the year 2020, is that we need to be bold, take risks and see where it leads us. Choose patterns that are not the garden variety options. Strange color combinations and geometric patterns can make rooms pop. Don’t be afraid to innovate and relax the stiff rules that others follow. The dining room should be a place where memorable experiences are had with friends and family, not just a place to eat.
Though they can certainly invite the imagination and spark creativity this isn’t only about keeping up with the trends of the year. A house says something about the people who live in it, something about how they look, what they feel and how they act. We change to show that we can, that we are growing, not stuck in the same mold we were in last year. This isn’t about following trends, it’s about setting them.