Design Trends 2012- What's Hot This Year in Upholstered Furniture

For upholstery, my favorite design trends were the unique shapes in chair frames and the great colorful prints. My most favorite (and many other designer's favorite too) way to style a living room grouping reared it's beautiful head during this World Market Show. If you still have a matching sofa, loveseat and chair, you are behind the trend about 10 years! The look of ultimate home fashion is solid colored sofa and patterned chair. Here are some of my favorite examples of this look.

This traditional lined sofa gets a fun slant with a more contemporary streamlined chair. The high back is a current trend which bodes well for taller people who desire comfortable, yet hip seating. This bold stripe is still neutral, yet fun!

I love that this style of sofa, around for a good 6 years now, has finally gotten a modern update by Lazar. The straight, high sides give it pizzazz and, when paired with this great printed wing back chair and solid, modern ottoman, it's gorgeous!

One of my favorite vignettes at the market. This set up by Robin Bruce features a stately worn leather contemporary sofa with more traditional details and accent chairs. The fun print on these aqua chairs says "look at me", yet the more laid back squares on the opposing chair are just as great to look at. 

Tangerine tango at work in a traditional living room with modern touches.

Unexpected Details-

One of the most fun and unique looks at World Market 2012 were the unexpected touches and the expected ones used in new, refreshing ways. The two most exciting ideas in design for 2012 are door knockers and nailhead, but...it's not your girlfriend's old Tuscan style nailhead! 

Nailhead is being use in everything from contemporary pieces to mirrors to creating fun designs on accent cabinets.  

Gold nailhead trims the edges only on a Lazar contemporary sofa.

Door knockers were one of the most fun and exciting elements to see on furniture at this year's show. At first glance, they may appear to be circular pulls, but these door knockers were everywhere from cabinet drawers to my favorite and completely unnecessary yet "gotta have it" spot--- on the backs of dining and accent chairs! Too fabulous!

Here are some of the other design trends for upholstery I found at the World Market Show 2012:

Acrylic

Embossed or stitched patterns in leather

Bling by way of crystals

One trend that has been a personal design staple of mine is uniquely shaped pieces. I love an interesting carved leg, a funky frame or exaggerated back on a piece of furniture. Here are some of the greats!

Shaq would just love this!

You can sleep in these!

I'm sexy and I know it!

I love unusual backs on chairs and bar stools. What a cute, tiny tuft of leather!

Another fave from the show. I love the lines of this piece and what better way to show it off, then to repeat!

How to get these looks: Take a risk. It will pay off because designers have been creating these looks for years and they aren't going anywhere. Replace your boring living room "set" by breaking up the monotony and investing in a fun, bold print chair or two. Then accent your plain sofa with colorful pillows, using hues you find in your chair's print. It's just that easy and looks AMAZING when you're done! If you need help with any of the looks you've seen on this post or any other new styles featured on my World Market Show posts, please call me at 480-227-1832 and let's schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.