Color Trends in Decorating for 2009

Most people aren’t in a position to change out every stick of their furniture each year just to keep up with decorating trends. But taking a lead from those trends — especially the hot colors for the next year — can spark some great decorating ideas.

Have you been considering swapping out a few of the prints on the wall in your living room? What about the throw pillows on your bed? Little touches like these can be an inexpensive way to breathe new life into a room — and color trends can provide a good guide to making those changes.

Pantone, the guide to all things color, reports that the trend of warm oranges and yellows has carried over from 2008 into 2009. Specifically, Mimosa — a color that falls somewhere between a very rich yellow and a light orange — is Pantone’s color of the year.

That trend isn’t just a question of what colors interior designers have been choosing: just about everyone is ready for the warmth and cheer such a bright color brings to a room.

You don’t need to run out and buy buckets of Mimosa paint, though. Instead, a practical approach is to keep that color in mind while you browse through some options to update your rooms without breaking your bank.

The color, along with similarly bright shades of orange and yellow, shows up with surprising regularity on the shelves of thrift shops and vintage stores. Garage sales can also be a great opportunity to buy new-to-you accent pieces for your apartment.

It’s also popping up on some of the great items available from Etsy — take a look at the bright yellows and oranges available in the vinyl wall art from Janey Mac.

Double-check with your landlord before applying vinyl to your walls, of course, but these decals come off easily and don’t damage walls. There are thousands of other sellers on Etsy with equally great pieces in colors sure to accentuate your current design or even refresh it. If you’re in a particularly DIY mood, you can even draw inspiration from sites like Etsy and put together your own accessories — starting with something like a throw pillow can be a great way to get into do-it-yourself home decor.

Of course, you don’t need to stick with Pantone’s recommendation. If there’s another color that works better with your existing pieces — or that you just prefer on a personal level — go for it. Remember, the trend towards warm colors is just a starting point.

Advice or ideas for the best colors to use for accent or wall art pieces in ’09? Please share below!