Most people begin their interior design projects with the floor because it is the largest expanse of space within any interior. What are the some of the trends that you should be aware of?

Neutrals are still popular, but most consumers are looking for more color and more vibrancy. Although today’s palette has become darker, richer and more complex, white is emerging and has a fresh appeal.

A resurgence of the 1980’s has crept into fashion, music and the home. All things that exemplify over-the-top glamour and luxury are in every area of design in color, texture and pattern.

Glamour and luxury lead many residential consumers to turn to carpet and rugs for their design inspiration, attracted by the use of rich color, accents of black, chocolate, lustrous yarns and intricate patterns that include, florals, vines, grids, checks, harlequin diamonds and even zebra or crocodile.

Hand-scraped, chiseled-edged, distressed wood floors are crossing all style boundaries. What initially was seen as rustic is now being installed in urban lofts, formal traditional homes, traditionally modern interiors and more. Designers and consumers are drawn to the crafted element, especially the subtle chatter marks left there by a true craftsman. These components impact the color palettes of carpet and rug styles.

People want things they wear and things they use to look “green” and natural. Materials will look handmade, undyed and unbleached, with lots of texture and all the natural imperfections proudly showing through. Off whites, sandy and linen-y colors, rock and soil colors, brownish-green – the colors of nature are seriously fashionable now.

For color trends we are seeing variations of rich shades of green in the classics such as emerald, Kelly and milky-green sea glass greens. Blue-based greens still appeal and are bridging well with new color introductions such as gray and the dark chocolates as well as classic black. Yellow-based greens are staying strong because of the environmental awareness as much as for their pop. Versatile, almost-neutral gray-greens can be subtle and sophisticated.

Navy, true blue and the diluted water blues are also important. The “trust me” color will continue to show up on candidates’ ties this election year. Nautical, blue and white, bold stripes are very strong. Soft shades of aqua, reminiscent of the water colors that have been trending strongly for the past couple of years are still vital. The prediction is that blues will become much blacker inspired by technology. Also, blue-greens will be seen in the unusual combinations such as rich browns, yellow-greens and vivid red-oranges.

Seville red (a purer red bordering on the blue side) is being used as a contrast against satiny, lacquered surfaces. Red is always classic and dramatic. Bright corals are strong, while mid-value pinks will begin to decline in the next year.

Copper has been appearing in eye-catching automotive color as well as in kitchen appliance fronts and more, and has worked its way into upholstery and drapery fabric, paint and fashion. Some of the coppers and muddy oranges are burnished and appear oxidized.

Subtle yellow-golds are appearing in gilded finishes, burnished leather, or precious metals. It has been at least twelve years since consumers lost their passion for polished brass fixtures in the home. Now that stainless steel is mainstream, we long again for something that is not seen everywhere. Gold today is bronzed over, burnished and patinaed.

Brown has become increasingly respected and dominant and is recognized as an alternate classic, like black. We’ve seen all shades of brown, including mocha, cinnamon, chocolate and coffee. These colors can be paired with vibrant, unexpected colors. It’s warm and elegant when used with aged gold or dramatic and daring with magenta or orange. Brown maintains its appeal because it complements a multitude of tastes and lifestyles.

Golden beige and taupe are easy to live with and to use as a neutralizer among the vibrant coppers, reds and yellows. For the ultimate combination of sophistication, pair gray with taupe, tan or brown. Neutrals are becoming darker and more saturated and are now being infused with a blush of color, sometimes relating to golden skin tones-crating the effect of more personalized options for consumers.

Gray is also making a strong comeback. Gray flannel and charcoal are re-emerging, possibly because of the sleek contemporary look that is stylish in home furnishings. Brushed nickel and aged pewter are popular for appliances and hardware.

Black is being used as an accent in every room in rugs, carpet, fabric and accessories. Black and white combinations are popular in large-scale, traditional motifs. Black accents in textiles of all kinds are in demand giving added body and visual dimension.

Tags: Color and Design, floor, rug styles, wood floors