Top Home Decorating Trends 2016

Every year – even with the seasons – home decorating trends change up. Some stay for a while and some are short-lived until we discover the next best thing.

I like to call my decorating style coastal farmhouse because I live on the coast in beautiful Sarasota, Florida (with the number one beach in the U.S., Siesta Key) and I grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. My mother was always taking me to antiques shows and junking as I was growing up. There was rarely a weekend that we weren’t at one of a bunch of flea markets scouring all the vintage and antique goodies. I recently decided to incorporate farmhouse touches into my decor because it is in my blood. It became a passion of mine as well as I aged.

Anyways, I wanted to share some of the latest trends showing up in my Instagram feed that are favorites of mine as well.

• Apothecary Cabinets and Card Catalogs

Apothecary cabinets and card catalogs have invaded the blogosphere! I have even seen some amazing faux DIY cabinets and catalogs. Traditionally they are huge and make excellent storage compartments. They can easily become a focal point in your room. A lot of people like to paint them and give them a distressed look. Liz Marie Galvan has a beautiful card catalog that she uses in this way in one of her living rooms. If you aren’t following her, go and befriend her STAT! Here is a photo of her card catalog in action this past Christmas. Simply stunning! Click on the photo to be taken to the article.

And this apothecary cabinet I found on Pinterest makes my antique loving heart so happy!

• Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are everywhere and in many different home styles. They are popular for laundry room doors and awkward spaces where a sliding barn door is perfect. You obviously don’t want to use it for a personal area, like as a bathroom door, since they don’t seal completely and provide 100% privacy. They are another interesting focal point in certain spaces.

This is my favorite style: using a salvaged door.

• Dough Bowls

Dough bowls are widely used as dining table centerpieces. I see them store a wide variety of items from faux cabbage plants to glass ornaments to fresh fruit. The possibilities are endless and they can really have a big impact for your table and be a nice conversation piece.

I love how this one was used as blanket and pillow storage. Click the image for the source.

• Demijohns

These are a gorgeous way to fill a space on an oversized console table without cluttering it up. Being see through helps to create the illusion that there is unused space while they provide color. Some people put long stems in them and some wrap them with wooden beads. Your choice!

Photo source: Heather Bullard

• Jute Rugs

Jute rugs are becoming ever-so-trendy in homes these days as they are a fairly low-maintenance rug that can really warm up a room and keep it from making it feel busy. Once you get past the hay bail smelling stage, they will really win your heart over as they can be used with a multitude of themes and colors. Some people like to layer another rug on top, like a black and white striped rug that is smaller just to create layers in a room.

This is mine in my living room from this past Christmas. I will be sharing my review soon.

• Marble backsplash or countertops

One of my favorite accounts on Instagram has been Dreamy Whites Lifestyle. She is always posting photos that are so….well, dreamy! Her kitchen is finally coming together and she has shared a lot of photos of this transformation on her Instagram account. In her kitchen, she is using a marble subway tile as her backsplash. When I do my kitchen reno, I will be using the same.

• Wooden Cutting Boards

These have become a popular item and are mostly used as decorative pieces in the kitchen. Just stack your collection and prop it against your backsplash to create texture and warmth in your kitchen.

Click image for source.

• Shiplap

Shiplap is becoming popular again as the farmhouse style become increasingly popular. Shiplap is a type of board used on walls in older homes. If you watch Fixer Upper, then you know what I am talking about. They are gorgeous wide planks that are often painted white.

This photo is in Joanna’s home.

  
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees

These beautiful, large leafed trees really make a bold, organic statement in your home. They are not the fruit producing version, just a decorative one. I see a lot of people constantly asking where to find them. It seems in some areas they are hard to come by, but always check your local Home Depot. That is where I have purchased all 4 of mine. I get the smaller ones for only $10 there.

  
Open Shelving in the Kitchen

Open shelving can help to make your kitchen feel open and less heavy feeling as long as you don’t clutter up the shelves. This may not be practical for those who have little storage, but if you can find a way, make it happen! You won’t regret it.