Christina Rordam: 2014 home decor ideas

Décor trends for the home are heating up in 2014. Bright colors, eco- and tech-friendly features, and specialized design are hot right now. Whether you are simply adding an accent or completely redecorating a room, there are ways to incorporate the latest styles for your space. Here are some stylish ways to modernize your home:

Bright colors, specifically Pantone’s color of the year “Radiant Orchid,” are currently all the rage. Pantone describes Radiant Orchid as, “an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones.” The color, according to Pantone, pairs well with hunter green and olive, and adds a nice pop of color to cooler neutrals such as grey and taupe. You can incorporate the trend by creating an accent wall, or just adding a few purple accessories such as throw pillows, an area rug or fresh flowers.

Earth- and tech-friendly home features are on the rise too, according to Realtor magazine. Items such as eco-friendly cabinets made without formaldehyde or other potentially toxic glues or chemicals will be a larger presence on the home improvement scene, a continuation of the eco-conscious trend that has been growing for the past few years. Expect to see more buyers and builders adding home features for the gadget lover, such as wall plugs with USB ports built right into them. The user can quickly and easily revive their tablets and phones without searching for their chargers.

2014 is also all about the niche. Whether it’s greening your home with energy efficient features such as water conserving toilets and showers, or adding low-e double-pane windows, anything that is good for the Earth and your wallet is in demand. The American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey highlighted a growing fondness of homebuyers for special function rooms such as home offices and outdoor living areas. As long as your special interest has beauty and purpose and isn’t too terribly different in terms of it’s specialty, it will likely add value to your home. With function and fashion playing integral parts in home-style trends, it looks like 2014 is going to be a beautiful year.