Color additions bring life to home

People want to tell a story inside their house and that means several new trends popping up this spring.

Bold color — even a dash — can bring to life a kitchen or make a simple statement.

“Whites and grays created a clean, sterile palate,” said Christina Boyd, who assists homeowners with redesigns, construction projects and building custom furniture in McDonald County, Mo. She and her husband own Boyd’s Handyman Service, as well as Blackberry Lane Furniture.

She sees several new trends completely changing the way people decorate for the future.

While whites and grays provided a clean look, colors and designs will help homes “come alive,” Boyd said.

Even painting a wall in tangerine or pairing a room with some yellow chairs can bring a real splash of updated color and added comfort to a living space, she said.

Other trends include mixing pieces with the rustic farmhouse look. Some of the same furniture may be showcased, but customers are adding color. The rustic farmhouse look is still trendy but white furniture is being transformed into different colors.

Stools and benches are in, but traditional coffee tables are not staying put, she said. Some are using end tables for coffee tables, she added.

A giant farm table is still in, but some folks simply do not have the room for it, she said.

Other trends include keeping the mid-century dressers and furniture from the 1960s and 1970s, but repainting those.

“People will pay a fortunate for a mid-century piece that is refinished,” Boyd said. “People are refinishing and keeping their heirlooms again.”

Customers are also turning to updated and upscale wallpaper, which is more of a peel and stick nature. “It’s not like Grandma used to do,” Boyd said.

Decorations also include a mixture of live and plastic flowers.

This spring is an opportunity to launch a little color. Although some folks are somewhat shy about introducing too much color into their home, Boyd sees definite uptick in pairing the traditional gray and white with some vitality.

“Everybody wants to feel good in their home,” she said.