Using natural materials in your home décor design can be a great way to bring the outside inside your home. From wood to stone, the right natural décor and accessories can really make your home look good without costing you a fortune. So what are you waiting for? Use these tips and techniques now for decorating using natural materials and you can be sure you’re going to get a design looks good and one you’ll be proud of.

Stone

Stone and other rock surfaces come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, designs and materials. From basic stone table decorations to stone fireplace hearths, stone can be employed in any area of the home with ease. Stone can suit modern, classic and country themes perfectly so you can be certain whatever stone materials you use for your décor design, it will work with your design theme. Best of all, stone is such a hard and durable material, it can be used anywhere without worrying about being damaged.

Wood

An affordable and durable material, wood can be carved, cut or shaped into any décor material you need for your project. Wood can also be painted, stained or colored to suit any color combination in any design theme. No matter what room you plan on using wood for, it can easily be worked into décor, accessories and furniture easily and cost effectively. And since wood is easily recycled and is a renewable resource, it is an ecofriendly way to decorate.

Bamboo

If you’re looking for the ultimate in eco-friendly material for your home accessories and décor, it’s a good idea to choose bamboo. While this material has the look and feel of wood, it is really a fast growing grass. Since bamboo can be grown anywhere easily, it makes it an affordable and classy addition to any décor design or accessory for your interior design project. Bamboo can also be molded similar to plastic, allowing it to be used for many home décor and accessory items. There is even a wide selection of wall art available in bamboo to suit your home.

Paper

A classic material for any décor project, paper can be used for wall coverings and room dividers. Paper is such an easy medium to work with; that’s why it’s such a common natural material often employed by interior designers around the world. Paper comes in a wide variety of thicknesses, shades and colors, ensuring you get the most out of its use in your home décor design projects.

Need some help figuring out what natural home accessories to put in your home? Check out our wide variety of home decor to start decorating your home today!  1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Whether it’s a hard day after work, stressful situations or you just need some time to yourself, nothings better than having a serene place to unwind and relax. By adding your own relaxing décor design to your favorite space, you can be sure it’s going to help you have a pleasant day. When you’re looking for the ultimate in relaxation, what better way than to decorate using relaxing home décor styles and accessories. Use this guide to relaxing décor design and you’ll get the most pleasing and calming décor design for any room in the home.

Colors

Décor design starts with colors. Choosing colors that please the senses are a great way to help you to relax. Instead of choosing your favorite color, choose a color towards the blue-green end of the spectrum. Colors like violets, greens, purples and blues all help to make you relax. Whether you are choosing table decorations or wall paint, choose a calming color theme to help you relax. Choose a contrasting color on the color wheel to help accent your relaxing design theme.

Art

Wall hangings, paintings and wall tapestries are all great ways to help achieve a relaxing space. Décor materials that display happy themes are proven to help you relax and have a calming effect. Flowers, boats, oceans, lakes, rivers, forests and animal paintings all help to add a relaxing vibe to any room design. And since art work is pretty much limited to the imagination, you can be sure you’ll find the perfect relaxing pictures and paintings for your relaxation station.

Water Features

Calming sounds help to relax and let the mind unwind. Rivers, waterfalls and flowing water in general has a bubbling effect that calms the nerves and soothes the senses. Complemented with wall art, a water feature is one of the best relaxing home accessories you can get. Water features range from small fish bowls to a complete indoor waterfall. Many water features are inexpensive, require minimal maintenance and come with their own pumps, cords and lighting systems, making their setup as simple as plugging in an electrical cord and filling it up with water.

Materials

Relaxing home décor ideas that involve soft and sleek materials are sure to create a relaxing effect in any room design. Materials like silk, cotton and velvet all add to the relaxing effect of the décor design. Plush and comfortable accessories and furnitures are sure to help finish your relaxing space perfectly. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Be sure to check out the furniture selection to make your home more relaxing!

If you keep up with the latest trends in home accessories and decor, then you know bright, colorful furniture is all the rage. Of course, this look doesn’t always compliment your existing home accessories and decor, nor does it work with every style of home decor. Here’s the low down on colorful furniture for the home and how to use it in your space.

All About Colorful Furniture

First off, it is important to note that colorful furniture is not a new concept. In fact, many furniture stores have always given the option of having custom upholstery in different hues—many of which are not your usual neutrals. However, most people settle for the floor room colors for their furniture, which tend to be neutral in hue. While for some this is because they prefer these colors, for others it is often because they don’t want to wait for the custom upholstered furniture to arrive.

Custom upholstery can take upwards of 6 to 12 weeks to complete, which means you need to order your furniture in advance, so keep this in mind. However, it is also important to note that there are several furniture stores and home decor stores that sell furniture in an already bright color.

Furthermore, if you ever find a piece of furniture you love but it’s not the right color, don’t be afraid to have the color changed. If you don’t do the work yourself, there are furniture refinishers out there who can do the work for you for a nominal fee.

Tips and Tricks for Incorporating it Into Your Space

If your home decor is already relatively neutral, then it will be easy to incorporate colorful furniture into your space. In fact, it is often recommended by many professional designers that if you choose colorful furniture for your home, that your walls be more neutral to allow the furniture to pop; and vice versa: if your walls are more colorful, then neutral furniture will pop better.

However, rules are made to be broken, especially when it comes to home decor. If you want to incorporate colorful furniture with colorful walls, go for it. For some people, it works!

Of course, not all of us have the budget to replace our furniture. With this in mind, you may want to consider repainting your existing furnitures or perhaps investing in a colorful slip cover. If you’re particularly crafty, consider sewing one on your own. Painting your furniture is not difficult, but if you’re unsure of what to do or where to start, you may want to consider hiring a professional refinisher to complete the job.

Furniture you may want to consider refinishing include your side tables, your coffee table or your dining table. Of course, not all of these pieces have to be repainted, but just repainting a single piece can add a serious pop of color to your space. For example, having your dining room table painted with a red lacquered finish but leaving your chairs their original color can make a huge statement in your dining room. The same goes for painting side tables or a coffee table. It will help draw the eye in and create a focal point.

Colorful furniture isn’t for everyone, but it’s always worth a shot. After all, if you don’t like it, you can always swap it out for something else! Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Add brilliant color to your interiors with a beautiful selection of home decor and wall art!

Global chic home decor is one of the hottest new trends in decorating. This particular style involves a plethora of different home accessories that pull the look together. However, many people are wondering what exactly is global chic and what home accessories and decor items are needed to pull this look off? Here are a few tips and tricks.

In 2012, there are a number of globally inspired home decor looks hitting the market. Global chic is just one of many, but it does tend to be one of the cleaner, more elegant and chic looks of all the global styles currently out there.

Global Chic Furniture

Furniture for this particular style of home decor tends to be more on the contemporary side. It features clean lines, solid colors or clean patterns. However, that does not necessarily mean that some designers won’t mix clean lines with global influenced patterns. Don’t be surprised to see contemporary styled upholstered furnitures with tribal ikat prints, which are also extremely trendy but surprisingly clean and stylish.

Global Chic Color Palette

The color palette for the global chic look is surprisingly vibrant, despite the inclusion of contemporary styled influences. For this home decor style, don’t be surprised to see varying tropical shades including citrus hues such as Pantone’s Color of the Year, Tango Tangerine, as well as hues such as lime green. Other popular hues for global chic home decor include linen, ivory, turquoise, fuchsia pink, indigo blue, mauve, caramel and many more.

Home Accessories for Global Chic Home Decor

Global chic is actually a combination of contemporary home decor and global influencing. However, the specific type of global influencing you choose will vary, which makes this particular style extremely personal.

For example, you could choose to mix your main contemporary pieces with African inspired looks, such as wooden masks for wall decor, small hand woven African baskets for table decor and so forth.

On the other hand, you could choose to mix your contemporary pieces with Moroccan inspired pieces. Moroccan is still African, but yet, it isn’t. With this style, you may find yourself infusing jewel tones into the space through your rug and throw pillows, as well as in your wall art and your lighting.

With global chic home decor, you need to chose a style or styles that represent you and your family. These globally influenced styles can be representations of places you’d like to visit, countries that your family has originated from or perhaps a past but well enjoyed vacation. You can also choose to infuse multiple global styles if desired, as long as the basis of your design remains contemporary in nature. Clean lines are the base for this style, so always return to this and you’ll find that global chic home decor is surprisingly easy to recreate in your own home.

Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Add vibrancy and a global sophistication to your interiors with a wide selection of fabulous home accessories!

When it comes to wood tones, either for floors or for furniture, the trends tend to last quite a bit longer than for other home accessories and decor items. With home decor, the color of the wood you choose can have a huge effect on how your space feels. In 2012, expect to see warmer tones of woods popping up on home accessories and other items.

Walnut

One of the most popular wood tones for 2012 is walnut. Walnut does tend to be on the darker side of the warm wood tones out there. However, it isn’t too dark for the looks that many people are going for with their home decor this year. This particular wood tone can come in a few different hues, though they all tend to have the same warm undertones and get along with many table decors.

With this in mind, there are also a few manufacturers who produce walnut furniture or walnut finished flooring that is bleached or features cool gray undertones. These are also going to be trendy for 2012, as gray is extremely trendy and will continue to grace home decors for years to come. This makes walnut the perfect hue to invest in, as we tend to hold onto our furniture for several years before making any major changes or new purchases.

Cherry

Another popular hue, cherry tends to have a red undertone that adds to its appeal. Cherry wood and cherry finishes actually come in a plethora of different tones and colors, with extremely red versions to woods and finishes that feature a subtle hint of the hue. This color compliments a select number of home decor styles, so be wary. Unlike walnut, cherry will not necessarily look good everywhere. Though it will be scarce in terms of furniture pieces, cherry will be particularly popular for kitchen cabinetry, so keep this in mind.

Cedar

Another wood tone trend for 2012 is the use of lighter toned woods. Cedar is a perfect blending of warm, rich tones with lighter tones for a stylish look. Unlike cherry, cedar tends to be more versatile. It can be used on both indoor and outdoor furniture and it will compliment a variety of home decors.

Much like other wood tones, cedar comes in a plethora of different hues including gray, silver, red and brown hues. This makes it extremely versatile and easier to match up to existing or new home decor looks.

These are just a few of the many warm wood tones that will be gracing the home decor market this year, at least in terms of furniture. Warm wood tones will also be found in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry as well as wood flooring throughout every space, so keep this in mind if you are remodeling or redecorating. Images 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Whether you decide on a modern or rustic look, wood floors bring a warm touch to any interior space! Discover stylish home accessories and decor that will complement your wooden flooring!

The flooring options for wood lovers are bountiful. If your home comes with with flooring already, you can leave them naked, stain or paint them, do whatever you wish (as long as you’re allowed to, of course). If not, you also have the option of having hardwood floors installed.

Typically made from oak, wood, maple or cherry, wood flooring is durable, recyclable, renewable and looks so elegant and chic. If you love wood, you could even go a step further and find home decor pieces that incorporate wood, such as light fixtures, furniture or even wallpaper. Be creative and have fun when it comes to your flooring options.

The envy of most design bloggers, herringbone wood floors are beyond gorgeous. This type of flooring is more commonly found in European apartments; so if you’re stateside, you’ll have to have them professionally installed. It would be worth the effort, since herringbone wood floors also come off as being causally elegant.

If you’re feeling really bold and adventurous, why not paint your wood floors? This color combination of teal, red-orange and pink, along with the interesting furnitures, is perfect for any kid’s (or playful adult’s) room.

Wood flooring in the bathroom is a gamble, since it’s more likely to warp when wet. You’ll need to be especially diligent about keeping it dry. But, with proper treatment and a few area rugs, your wood-floored bathroom could be as chic as the one above.

This impossibly chic living room is made even more so when coupled with painted white floors. It also has this lovely mix of antique and mid-century modern furniture; the antique velvet Louis XIV chair, the vintage gilded picture frames with wall art and antique silver candlesticks look modern and fresh, thanks to to a pair of bright white Barcelona Leather Chairs.

Now, if you don’t have wood flooring, but want the look, you can always do a faux-bois treatment. French for ‘false wood,’ faux-bois is extremely popular these days. This black-and-white, hand-painted treatment takes the look from natural and elegant to fun and graphic.

This rustic dining room is pitch perfect with its mix of antique furniture and industrial pieces. The maple wood plank floors have been left totally naked. Coupled with reclaimed chairs, the wood table and DIY pendant lights, this homey dining room is a perfect example that you don’t actually need to treat or paint your wooden floors for them to be stylish.

Famed decorator Miles Redd once said, “If you want the look, paint it.” While it’s definitely true for floors, if your home has been blessed with beautiful flooring, no need to break out the paint or stains. Sometimes it is nice to let the natural beauty of wood flooring stand on its own. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Whether you’re going for a modern or rustic look, wood floors bring that organic touch to any interior space! Discover stylish home accessories and decor that will complement your wooden flooring!

Among all the home accessories in your home, perhaps the most important are the tables (though the bed is a close second). Tables, whether it’s a dining table, coffee table or nightstand, are staple pieces in every room. They hold lamps, they host family gatherings, they provide a decorative touch to the existing home decor. Of all the home accessories and decor items out there, tables are truly important and it’s no surprise that tables themselves go through different trends. For 2012, expect to see a surge in round tables.

Coffee Tables

Rectangular coffee tables are extremely traditional, but in the 2000s they were given chunky lines for an updated look that was more modern and stylish. Unfortunately, the rectangular shape is out and round is in (but not for all of your furniture, just for your tables!)

When shopping for a new round coffee table, you’ll find that there are actually a wide number of options out there. The global look is extremely hot right now, especially with furniture, so don’t be surprised to see round coffee tables with ornate carved legs or tops. Of course, there are also clean lined, modern looking round coffee tables too. Keep your eyes open for the right round coffee table to compliment the home decor of your living room.

Round Dining Tables

There is no piece of furniture as important in the dining room as the dining table. Round dining tables can be a bit tricky, however. If you’ve got a large family, then an average 4 person round dining table might not work for your space. Furthermore, even if you happen across the right 8 person round dining table, would it fit in your existing space?

Be sure to measure your dining room area and find a table that fits not only your needs, but also your lifestyle. Unlike the coffee table, round dining tables don’t work in every situation, as there are a number of factors to consider, not just your existing home decor or table decor but also the size of your dining room and the average number of people using your dining table.

Round Accent Tables, Side Tables and Night Stands

Though it may seem like round side tables, night stands and accent tables would be trendy, they’re not nearly as trendy as the round coffee table or the round dining table. These furniture pieces are few and far between, so if you’re interested in a round side table, accent table or night stand, then keep your eyes peeled. Square and rectangular versions are still very trendy right now.

That being said, there are small side tables and accent tables made from plastics and ceramics that are growing in popularity. For these looks, be sure to check out online retailers, who are the most likely to have one of these furniture items on hand. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Now that you’re ready to take on the round table trend, grab from one of our large array of oval mirrors to amplify your interior style!

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to update your home decor is through the use of a fresh new color palette. In 2012, the green and gray color palette is popping up everywhere from home accessories and decor to the fashion runway. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to update your home with green and gray home accessories and decor items.

Shades of Green

When looking for the right tone of green, there are two ways you can go that are particularly trendy in the home decor world. First, jewel tones have been popular in the past few months and will likely continue to be popular throughout the rest of 2012. With that in mind, emerald green and citrine green are both perfect hues that compliment the gray and green color scheme.

On the other hand, you can stray away from jewel tones toward more refreshing tones of green for your home decor. This includes mossy greens, grass greens, forest and foliage greens and so forth.

Shades of Gray

With gray, you can’t go wrong. Gray is the new neutral to hit the scene, so the home decor world is currently overwhelmed with a wide array of colors that are being deemed as ‘trendy.’ Shades of gray to consider include charcoal, slate, soft light gray, brown gray or blue gray. You will find that gray can also have warm or cool undertones, so take your chosen shade of green into consideration and mix and match with grays until you find the right hue to compliment the look.

With this color scheme, don’t be afraid to add in a third color to the mix to help keep things lively. White is a great choice, though a brown, yellow or blue can also compliment this color scheme.

Home Accessories and Decor

Apothecary jars are continuing to be popular through 2012. For this particular color scheme, opt for clear jars or jars that feature a blue or green tint. Apothecary jars come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one to compliment your scheme. Plus, apothecary jars make great table decor and you can fill them with other objects to create additional visual interest in the space.

Other table decor ideas include matte ceramics, which are also very trendy this year. White and yellows, greens and blues are all great choices; as well as hammered metal bowls, wood bowls and so forth.

For wall art, things could be a bit more tricky. However, whenever you’re choosing wall art, you should opt for pieces that compliment your space but also pieces that you enjoy looking at. If you don’t love your wall art, don’t put it up. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

What are your favorite colors of gray and green and how can you integrate them into your home for a trendy upgrade? Just stroll through the great home decor and accessories collection at Arcadian Home and get stunning ideas!

The quickest and easiest way to stay up to date in the home decor world is through the use of home accessories and decor in trendy colors. In 2012, a plethora of trendy colors and color combinations exist, making it easy to update your home accessories in a single shopping trip. Here’s the low down on trendy colors and color combinations for 2012.

Fuchsia and Sky Blue

You may see a number of rooms popping up in your favorite home decor magazines that feature fuchsia and sky blue combinations. These two tones are surprisingly complimentary, as the rich tones of fuchsia tends to compliment the clean tones of the sky blue for a stylish look. Consider using blue as your main hue and complimenting the space with a few home accessories such as throw pillows or accent chairs in your chosen shade of fuchsia for a stylish home decor look.

Gray and Green

Gray and green color palettes are popping all over the place. Since gray is the new neutral, it makes the perfect modern backdrop for a warm, earthy green hue. Plus, you can blend this color palette with other hues, such as white or black, for a truly updated look. For this look, consider this: gray walls are complimented by a black chandelier, white or ivory furnitures and green home accessories: curtains, throw pillows and perhaps a throw rug.

Yellow and Plum

Another surprising combination, yellow and plum purple is making a subtle emergence into the home decor world. This combination is bold and daring, certainly not for the faint of heart. However, an elegant velvet tufted sofa set against a crisp yellow wall: perfect for the trendy eclectic home decor lovers of today.

Turquoise Everything

Finally, another hot hue seeing a huge resurgence in popularity is turquoise blue. Varying shades of turquoise have always been hot in furniture and wall art, but 2012 has already seen a number of spaces with this vibrant hue. Plus, turquoise is a color that will blend with a number of other hues, including the trendy Pantone Color of the Year: Tango Tangerine.

Considering pairing turquoise with vibrant red, crisp white or sunny yellow for a warm, updated look for your home decor.

These are just a few of the many different color combinations that are growing in popularity for 2012. When decorating your space, color is the easiest way to add a touch of trendy so keep this in mind when looking to redecorate or remodel your space. Remember, color can be changed on a whim: fresh paint, new throw pillows and viola, a whole new space. Color is everything when it comes to home decor and interior design. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

What do you think of these color combinations? Experiment with different pieces from our home decor and accessories collection and create the perfect interior design for you!

There are certain home decor trends that seem to come back every few years, and for good reason. Home accessories and decor that feature a subtle hint (or not so subtle hint) of Moroccan flair are no exception. In 2012, you can expect to see plenty of Moroccan-inspired home accessories, from furniture to wall decor and just about everything in between. Here’s the low down on Moroccan flair.

Colors for Moroccan Inspired Home Decor

Jewel tones are key with Moroccan inspired home decor. Look for hues such as ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green and so forth. Of course, these aren’t the only colors you should be looking for when you’re on the hunt for colorful Moroccan inspired home accessories and decor.

Other colors that compliment this home decor style include beautiful turquoise blues, clean whites, linen ivories, rich mahogany browns, beautiful and elegant gold tones, lime green hues, and rich bold red hues.

Moroccan Home Decor: What to Look For

When picking and choosing furniture that features a Moroccan inspired flair, it’s not necessarily all about the pattern or color. With furniture, you’ll want to choose pieces that are inviting. The hot weather of Morocco means that a good deal of time is spent inside, so it’s no surprise that they want their interior spaces to be warm, comfortable and stylish.

Low set furniture such as tables and sofas are a great example, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be entirely contemporary in style. With furniture, no matter what height you should settle on, you’ll want ornately decorated pieces. Look for elegant and wood carvings, rich toned upholstery and so forth.

Fabric is important, from furniture upholstery to curtains, throw pillows and everything in between. Look for elegant but vibrant hues as well as fabrics that feature a sheen. With Moroccan home decor, matte finishes aren’t as trendy. For curtains, consider combining sheers with heavy drapery for an elegant, luxurious look.

When looking at home accessories, attention to detail is key. Moroccan inspired decor is all about the intricate details. Look for bright and colorful pieces that compliment your existing home decor, or for pieces that compliment the look you are going for.

This concept should apply to everything you choose, not just furniture and home accessories. You should also pay attention to the details of your light fixtures as well. Look for light fixtures, including lamps, chandeliers and even wall sconces, that feature beautiful colors or intricate cut-out details. Lantern shapes are also incredibly stylish for Moroccan inspired spaces.

Finally, no Moroccan-inspired home decor is complete without a few natural finishing touches. Remember, this style actually involves a lot of bringing the outside tropical world inside. So, be sure to include a few plants in your space. Opt for brilliant, brightly colored pots for your lush greenery to complete the look. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Warm up your interior with rich Morrocan-inspired colors and plush home decor today!