Key home styling trends in 2016

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Key home styling trends in 2016 Home decor fans get as much pleasure from beautifully designed interiors as fashionistas get from clothes, but even the most devoted don’t want (and can’t afford) to be such dedicated followers of trends that it means redecorating every season. Thankfully, a little inside knowledge goes a long way and savvy home bunnies know the styles that won’t have a short shelf-life, because their good looks and design credentials will ensure enduring appeal. Plus, some looks are versatile enough to allow for fresh interpretations, which can easily breathe new life into them. Reprise some of last year’s favourites that are set to make their mark again in 2016. GLADLY GREY Those reduced to a ‘rabbit-in-the-headlights’ standstill when confronted by colour charts hailed the passion for grey as a blessed relief. This is surely a ‘Mr Right’ palette – easy-on-the eye, versatile and grey can be mean and moody or feminine and delicate, depending on the shade you choose. It’s also the perfect foil for a multitude of other colours, whether in home furnishings, painted walls, or accessories – grey is an easy shade to invest your money into, as it’s not likely to budge any time soon. Opt for a lounge-setting like this gentle shade of grey (above) from Fiore Rosso, see fiore-rosso.com. TURN UP THE HEAT The tropicana prints, outgoing colours, birds, and florals took 2015 by storm. Many fell deep for the brightly coloured birds that were must-have accessories as the temperature was turned up on decor and designers embraced jungle prints, rich with tropical flora and fauna. Don’t get in a flap if you didn’t catch tropical fever in 2015 though, because it’s still raging. The new collections are filled with beautiful exotic blooms, fruit (pineapples, of course) and birds. Monkeys will be 2016’s favourite creature, which is particularly appropriate because it’s also the Chinese Year of the Monkey. Get a stylish serving platter, from Lifestyle, see lifestylestores.com.   SUIT YOURSELF Global influences are constantly reflected in interior trends, and the strongest theme to emerge in 2015 was ‘boho chic’. A bohemian-gypsy style – encompassing texture, colour and pieces ‘with a story’ – the style will continue to appeal because it has a ‘go with the flow’ freedom, allowing tastes to wander West or East. Be inspired by holiday destinations and think Indian sari fabrics, Moroccan jewel-rich patterns or Mexican brights (clashing is cool!) to conjure an explorer/traveller atmosphere. Add a bit of worldiness with a colour-pop like a bar-stool from Mosaique, see mymosiaque.com. BRING ON BLING Many sparkly, glitter lovers were utterly delighted by the copper craze of 2015, and in 2016 will be following the metal trail to gold, likely a celebration in the country where more is more, and gold is a hot favourite. There should be a ‘handle with care’ label on metallics however, as overdosing on them can all too easily tip a setting into tacky territory. But with a careful ‘less is more’ approach, they’re guaranteed to inject glamour and interest. Go full-on with metallic-finish tiles, a high-end choice for kitchens and bathrooms, or simply confine burnished metal to glittering accessories. Opt for an understated addition with this gold pot, from Zara Home, (zarahome.com/ae) or a gold-framed mirror, from Home Centre, see homecentrestores.com. MONOCHROME MAGIC Classic, timeless black and white never goes out of fashion, and just as a wardrobe should have at least one LBD (little black dress), every home can benefit from one room decorated in monochrome. It’s a style that’s surprised even the interiors experts with its enduring popularity over the past few years – but not its fans, already well aware of how versatile it is. For life on the really dark side, you can opt for drama – a black feature wall or ceiling – or white walls and black paintwork, complemented by black framed photographic prints. Leave it minimal or dress it up with simple ‘home jewellery’, like colourful cushions and lamps. Frankly, what’s not to like? Add some monochrome with a photo frame from  Zara Home, or combined the Boho looks, and monochrome with beautiful Arabic ottomans from Andrew Martin, call 04 323 1388. RUNNING WILD Last year’s fun, achievable look, was the ‘country lodge’ – think hunting, shooting, fishing, with wood panelling and stag heads – and its wilder cousin, frontier decor, evoking the Wild West in prairie chic, fur throws, buffalo heads and tribal prints. Nature will still rule in 2016 but looking forward: step away from the squirrels and cute creatures! A more formal botanical look’s coming through, which is less cosy and more sophisticated, and those deer heads should be funky and colourful and a little less like true hunting trophies. Alternatively, embrace a luxury lodge look; natural materials from stone to wood and layered faux furs – more grand mountain retreat than cowboy shack. Start with a smart botanical print armchair from DND, see DND-furniture.com features@7days.ae Read the original story at: Key home styling trends in 2016