Top 10 Furniture Trends

Candice Olson of Divine Design outlines furniture trends for 2007.

Peace and serenity are themes that will be at the top of the wish list when it comes to home decorating in 2007.

1. Hand-Crafted Furniture Be on the lookout for hand-crafted furniture pieces, with the hottest items featuring intricate detailing and scrollwork, hand-woven finishes and unusual materials.
2. Leather with Fabrics Leather will retain its popularity as an upholstery fabric, but we'll see it making even more of a statement as it intermingles with various fabrics.
3. Back to Nature Getting back to nature will take on new meaning as the colours of 2007 are rolled out. Palettes will incorporate more relaxed tones, incorporating earthy hues with an emphasis on shades of brown, green and blue. Furniture will naturally pick up on these tones
4. Ethnic Trends Never before has the furniture and accessories market been so influenced by so many ethnic trends. It's now possible to go shopping in your neighbourhood and bring home fine, hand-crafted items from as far away as Asia or Africa.
5. Artistic Mix The hottest looks in 2007 will incorporate an artistic mix of items from a variety of cultures.
6. Indigenous Materials Furniture will be best complemented by accessories made from indigenous materials - textiles, hardwoods, reeds or bamboo.
7. Simple Yet Elegant If there's one mantra for decorating in 2007 this has to be it! The emphasis in furniture design will be on what styles make consumers feel the most comfortable and relaxed. The idea of the home as a stylish but simplistic haven will be at the forefront of home décor and design, from fabrics to paints to furniture.
8. Homemade Accents Anything homemade, hand-crafted or traditional - or at least anything with that kind of look - is going to make a comeback.
9. Space Conservation Aunt Ethel's formal dining room set may be a massive relic of the past. Today's dining room furniture is being designed with space conservation in mind. Scaled back tables, narrower buffets and small curio cabinets are popular with families who may have smaller dining rooms or choose to use that room for some other purpose altogether.
10. Counter-Height Dining Sets Today's sit-down meals are definitely less formal, a trend evidenced in the popularity of counter-height dining sets. Although families may be moving away from formal dining, they obviously still have an appetite for sharing meals in a more casual, relaxed setting. Bon appetit!