If you take a glance through design websites and catalogues this year, you are sure to notice the encroaching threat of the tide. Or the tide’s colors, at least. Light blues, sea greens, and turquoises are all immensely trendy colors this season, which I discovered shortly after beginning my investigation into velvet sofas. Almost all of the popular items I was finding were in some form of blue or green, occasionally delving into a foamy ivory or a steely grey, the way the Atlantic Ocean looks on cold mornings.
Shop Sofas and Loveseat by Jennifer Taylor:
Although you may not be feeling particularly beachy at this point in the year, this is honestly the best time to bring in a little light and airiness, as we progress into the darker, drearier months. A beach or cottage aesthetic (and I am grouping them together because they rely on a lot of the same design elements) hinge on pastel colors, light, unfinished wood, and patterned fabrics. For a beach theme, think more nautical patterns, stripes and pastels, and think florals for cottages. With the pal that tends to hang over the mood in this season, calm, bright aesthetics may do you more good than you expect.
Shop Sofas and Loveseat by TOV Furniture:
Speaking of impact on mood, colors are one of the most reliable ways to alter the vibe of a room, as they are really the first thing anyone notices, whether consciously or not. There have been actual studies on the subliminal messages we get from different colors. Often they are used in marketing or businesses–for instance, deeper colors like red and orange are said to stimulate appetite so often restaurants will use them. Blue is often closely associated with the mind and serenity, imparting a sense of calm and stillness. We also connect the ocean and the woods with placidity and contemplation, so adopting a style that pulls from that can really chill down your vibe.
Blue, turquoise, and teal are all great colors for waking up a room–they immediately draw the eye, but aren’t noisy in the same way that red, pink, and orange can be. Another more practical upside to decorating with blue and turquoise furniture is the fact that they don’t show stains very easily. My dad had a grey-blue couch that we had for years that seemed to magically swallow anything that got spilled on it. Of course, the downside is that you will have a grimy couch and not be aware of it, but a regular cleaning can easily get around that problem.
Shop Chest and Cabinets by Guild Master:
Weathered wood and shabby chic aesthetics are key parts of the beach and cottage styles. Think looks that suggest your furniture has been laid into by the elements–the sea air or the slowly encroaching forces of nature. Of course, there’s a fine line between shabby and junky, but this style is great way to push those boundaries. Guild Master in particular has a lot of great styles of weathered and vintage furniture.
Building a room or home around a color rather than a particular style may seem counterintuitive at first, but it actually makes a lot of sense. You don’t have to be rigid in your choice of materials, accents, or time periods, you just have to make sure it balances with the colors. And since blues are very common this season, it’s easy to find the perfect piece, whether it’s to blend in seamlessly or make a statement.
