How to Mix Home Decor Trends with Classics

Interior decorating is a lot like fashion. There are a lot of fun home decor trends that come and go, and there are simple classics that never go out of style.

Some home decor trends have the potential to become classics, and these are worth investing in, but others fizzle out just as quickly as they appeared and you won't want to have spent a fortune on them. So what's a decorating fan to do? Invest in classic pieces and intersperse the trends that appeal to you in small doses.

Color Trends

One of the best ways to incorporate trends into your home is with color. Take for instance Pantone's color of the year for 2010 – turquoise. Let's say you want to use the trendy color but you're not convinced that you'll always love it as much as you do now. The solution is to incorporate it in small but effective ways.

Try adding some turquoise accent pillows or throws to your sofa or chairs, add some turquoise ribbon to lampshades or curtains, buy a couple of inexpensive turquoise vases, and add scatter the room with turquoise flowers. By layering the room with the color in a few small ways you'll achieve the look without any major changes. DO NOT go out and have a sofa or pair of chairs reupholstered because not only is it costly, but they cover a lot of visual space in a room and you're more likely to tire of it quickly. The same goes for new bedding. The key is to use it in small but effective ways.

Pattern Trends

Some patterns go through trendy periods where they seem to take over interiors. Think back to the big floral prints of the 1980s or the animal print trend of the 1990s. While they can certainly be fun, they eventually go out of style. That said, there's no reason why you can't make the most of these trends in small ways.

Take zebra print, which was a big trend a couple of years ago. A great way to incorporate it would be to add small pieces. Accent pillows, a small bench, or a floor mat is a great way to go. When it comes to prints a little goes a long way so you don't want to use too much. Unlike colors that you want to layer throughout the room, patterns are best when only used once or twice. Don't do something too large like a window treatment because it can become too much of a focal point and you're likely to get sick of it faster than you would a smaller item.

Furniture Trends

This one can be tricky. Furniture is almost always a financial investment so you don't want to buy something that will quickly go out of style. When it comes to buying trendy furniture ask yourself a few questions before buying.

Does it suit your lifestyle? If you're the type who likes to flop down on the couch and stretch out, an armless sofa (known as a slipper sofa) might not be the best purchase. If you really like the look try buying a slipper chair instead. You can still get the look without making such a large investment.

Is it comfortable? There are a lot of pieces out there that look great but certainly aren't comfortable to sit in. Do you want a piece you can actually spend time in or do you want a look-but-don't-touch showpiece? If you want to actually use your furniture, don't buy it based on its trendy style.

Furniture trends are really tricky. Unless you're truly in love with a particular piece, try to buy classic furniture and incorporate trends into the room with accessories. When it goes out of style or you tire of it you won't feel like you wasted a lot of money. You can pass on the small items to your local second-hand store and move on to the next trend.