For a striking interior design statement this season look to flowers! Learn about contemporary decorating with florals - no need to chuck out your chintz for a modern feel these days!
They used to be thought of as boring, old-fashioned and chintzy... but actually, florals are a hot trend right now.
Floral patterns are an easy way to bring color and pattern into your home, but still keep the look soft, feminine and tasteful!
Everyone likes flowers, and what better way to bring a little bit of nature inside. Use florals to bring the outside in, and to bring an atmosphere of:
fresh spring
bright, blowsy summer
delicate femininity
oriental charm
bold, modern sophistication
bright and cheerful fun
contemporary decorating trends
soft romance...
Yes! Florals can bring each of these different feels to your room. So... decide how you'd like your room to feel, and choose your florals accordingly.
The modern way to use florals is to take a bold, but essentially a sparing approach to your interior decorating.
Florals can be used in any room, but are most often used in relaxing bedrooms and living rooms - anywhere where you'd like that softer feel.
Using small, repeated floral patterns all over can look somewhat dated - so do be warned!
Modern florals, even if delicate in design and color, tend to be larger in scale, so give greater impact in your scheme - this also means you need to use less of them.
For maximum impact, confine your florals to accents only - but these accents can be big...
Try a wall - or 2 - in a bold floral wallpaper, or even choose sofa, furnishings, beddings or curtains in a floral pattern.
Keep flooring plain and neutral (carpets or floor) - but do try a gorgeous floral rug to keep your toes cosy...
Check out some floral rug bargains from eBay. This is a live feed from eBay and is constantly updated. Just click on a product to find out more about it, or to bid or buy...
All-over floral patterns, on walls and floors, do have a place and can be used - but in these cases it is wiser to stick to:
paler or softer color schemes (such as white on cream, silver, greys etc)
larger rooms that can take the repetition of pattern
smaller rooms where you wish to make a deliberately dramatic statement
Of course, one of the most popular locations for your floral patterns is on cushions.
Cushions are easy to buy, can be relatively cheap and allow you to experiment with floral patterns and bold, vibrant colors without too much commitment...
...so if you're a little unsure whether this contemporary decorating trend is for you, try it out on cushions first!
Check out some floral cushion bargains from eBay. This is a live feed from eBay and is constantly updated. Just click on a product to find out more about it, or to bid or buy...
The top location for florals has got to be in artwork. Flowers always look beautiful on your walls, and will make you feel relaxed and happy when you look at them. I love photographing and painting flowers myself, so do take a look in my own art gallery where I sell reasonably priced, quality prints for you to frame and enjoy at home.
Reasonably priced prints start at just £0.40p (GBP). International Payment and Delivery are available. Click here to find out more...
No self-respecting floral themed room is, of course, complete, without vases of real (or silk) flowers. Bring them in from the garden, or buy them in, and enjoy the real scent and vision of beautiful flowers in your home.
It can be difficult to get quality, realistic looking silk flowers, which is why I like these beautiful silk creations so much - perfect for contemporary decorating themes - Shop Silkflowers.com
Ideas for Color Combinations
Some of the more common color combinations that can work well in floral schemes...
Pink and Blue
For retro, 50's style roses
Very feminine
Pinks, Reds, Oranges and Greens
Ideal for vintage roses schemes, or more modern color schemes
Pick orangey pinks, right through orangey-reds and mix with fresh, yellowy-greens
Pinks with Greens and Yellows
For fresh, spring-like schemes
For a modern, but feminine feel
Deep Fuschia Pink through to Purple
For a deeper and sophisticated look
Mix deep jewel colors with lilacs, purples and muted greens.
These contemporary decorating floral color combinations all use pink as their base - but we all know that flowers don't have to be pink! Try:
oriental colors
deep reds
soft lilacs and greens (think orchids!)
forget-me-not blue
sunflower, primrose or daffodil yellow
red (roses or tulips)
orange (nasturtiums, gerbera)
You can have lots of fun with a floral theme, whatever kind of style you wish to go for - so get started with a cushion, or a picture today - and enjoy decorating your home floral style!
Check out artwork ideal for contemporary decorating with a floral theme, here...
