So, what do you do when a decorating trend shows up that you just cannot live without? Let’s take a look at one decorating trend – using black and white – and see how many ways we can think of to incorporate that scheme into our home, without spending a fortune on revamping everything.
Here are some ideas:
- Invest in soft goods with a shorter lifespan.
Here I mean items like trendy pillows, bedding, tablecloths, and throw rugs. So whether your bedroom is painted white, tan, or even red, bringing in bedding in black and white should fit well into the existing scheme. You’ll get your fix of the decorating trend, yet not have to make a major investments in furnishings. - Use paint to full advantage.
Buy some black paint and refurbish an dining room table. Complete the look of the decorating trend with a couple of yards of black and white fabric stretched around the seats of the dining room chairs and stapled on. Or, use the patterned fabric to make a simple slipcover for each seat. On your tabletop, add placemats in bright green, turquoise, or red, and your everyday white dishes will look like a designer planned the whole thing. - Revamp a small room.
A tiny powder room, guest room, or laundry room may be just the spot where you can indulge your black and white fantasies all you want. Put up some black and white wallpaper, or go with white walls and lots of black and white graphic art framed in black. Put up a valance or window treatment in black and white to tie everything together. - Walk all over it.
Black and white vinyl floor tiles are inexpensive and easy to install. Just figure out how much you need, then buy half of the tiles in white and the other half in black. This is a classic trendy look for an entryway, kitchen, or hall, and one that pairs easily with many other colors – think golden yellow walls, mirrored furnishings, or even a crystal chandelier. Be sure to install them on the diagonal, so when you enter the room you see the pointed corners of each tile facing you. This designer decorating trick gives the illusion of more space, even in a small area. - Think trendy but timeless.
Consider using classically timeless patterns or prints like stripes or toile, which can outlive a decorating trend and become a treasured favorite. Toile patterned wallpapers, drapery fabrics, or pillows might be added into your existing living or dining room and feel right at home. - Trim what you already have.
Are you tired of plain white drapes or boring white chandelier shades? Give them a trendy pop with borders of black braided trim from a fabric store. Or, go even cheaper by using black grosgrain ribbon attached with fabric glue. - Stencil it on.
Here’s a craft that is easy to master and quick to do. Stencil a narrow scrolling black border above a chair rail or choose an arched design for over a doorway. These touches may be just the punch your room needs. And, the good news – it is only paint so can be covered up in the future as your taste changes. - Spray paint is cheap.
Take a garage sale chandelier and turn it into a trendy fixture by spraying it with white spray paint. Next, use a small brush to fill in some details in black. Top with black lampshades embellished with white stripes and you have a one-of-a-kind piece to show off to friends. You could also do the opposite beginning with a coat of black paint and adding white embellishments.
There you have it – eight great ways to use black and white – and it hardly cost a thing. Everyone you know will think you’re the most creative (and trendy!) person around.
