What’s Hot for the Home

The great part about living in the city that hosts Las Vegas Market twice a year is what happens once it's all over. The vendors all pack up and go home, but we're left with the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center. That's where the public can browse all the hot trends, straight from market, and design with looks and features that in many cases aren't even in stores yet.

Paul Watson, director of leasing for Las Vegas Design Center, walks us through the five biggest trends the winter market left us with. If they haven't quite had their moment yet, they will before 2010 is over. You can get your hands on each of them through the ASID Design Salon located here at Las Vegas Design Center.

1. Brighter days ahead

Bursts of vibrant color will inject any room with immediate energy. Watson says this comes as a result of the somber mood the nation adopted when the recession hit. "People wanted to delve into color to lift their mood," he says. Don't go buying a fuchsia couch, though. This trend only applies to things that can quickly change such as throw pillows and painted accent walls. With the latter Watson recommends painting whichever wall acts as the focal point of the room.

2. lighten your load

This trend goes hand-in-hand with the bright colors. Light wood finishes have officially pushed the dark, deep tones into the storage facility. You can embrace this trend in a weathered, rustic look or something with a high texture material. Once it's time to replace the entertainment center or dresser drawers, you'll want to seek out a lighter, brighter finish. But not until then. "If someone has a house full of dark wood and it was a major investment, keep it. (Lighten) the upholstery or drapery in the room instead," says Watson.

3. the green light

The longer the whole earth-friendly theme hangs on, the more options it produces. Furniture is no exception. In 2010 expect to see some, not just super stylish looks, but affordable furniture that's sustainable. "Everyone is becoming more aware of (the environment) for future generations," says Watson. "The most eco-friendly thing you can do is buy good, quality pieces and hang onto them." Also, if the materials have a "re" prefix in the description, it's part of this trend: recycled fabric, repurposed wood, reclaimed teak, etc.

4. shaping up

This is part of the trickle down effect from trend number three. The shape of things to come is organic. What does that mean exactly? You could very well eat breakfast every morning while sitting on a chair held up with a tree trunk. Every night you could turn off your lamp with intertwining branches as a stand. It's also part of the trend of bringing the outdoors inside. Watson says it's all comprised of "things people want to touch."

5. keep it simple

Last but not least, the biggest transformation homes will undergo this year will be in simplification. All that heavy, oversized furniture so popular with the formal trend of recent years will expire this year. People have scaled back on their lifestyles, which means more time spent at home and they want it as uncomplicated as possible. Pieces are lighter, easier to move, pared down with little to no embellishment. It's the kind of look that lets people appreciate the room, rather than focus on the furniture.