Upholstery fabrics in 2014 are more attractive, vibrant, and bold

Animal, bird, and butterfly motifs dominate the world of prints
Refresh your furniture with accessories that match the latest trends
Cheerful, bold, and metallic colors give a space a vibrant feel
Furnishing fabric trends in patterns and colors draw inspiration from their counterparts in the world of clothing

Home furnishings fabric trends draw their styles and colors from experts and designers in the apparel industry. Just as the new calendar year ushered in vibrant looks, patterns, and colors in clothing, the world of upholstery fabrics has also introduced materials bursting with vitality. In this issue of Amlak, published at the start of the new year, we wanted to summarize for you, dear reader, some of the most important trends in fabric design for 2014 to help you choose furniture and accessories that align with the latest trends.

Furniture fabric trends in 2014 feature attractive designs that add a touch of elegance, modernity, and luxury to the home, Patterns on furniture—whether on upholstery, pillows, or curtains—are characterized by large, vibrant designs in bright and varied colors, in addition to timeless classic colors like white, black, and gray.

Colors
Bold, exciting, and eye-catching colors—such as lemon, orange, pink, purple, and any other color that draws attention—are at the forefront of this year’s choices for fabrics, patterns, and embroidery. We find that the understated floral patterns we’re accustomed to are taking a bolder turn with their vivid, natural colors, in addition to the availability of fabrics with bold color gradients we haven’t seen before.
Bright and soothing pastel colors remain popular but with a softer intensity, and a new trend has emerged in the world of fabrics, drawing inspiration from colors found in nature—such as the hues of gemstones—which infuse a space with a sense of vitality and naturalness, yet in a luxurious and unique way. Furthermore, as is the case in the world of apparel fabrics, warm, brighter, and eye-catching metallic colors—moving away from subdued silver tones, such as copper and gold—are experiencing a major resurgence. This trend goes beyond these colors being limited to solid, abstract huesas in fabric colors, but rather as digitally printed gradients or printed on fabrics of various colors.

Embroidery and Patterns
This year’s embroidery designs are characterized by their vibrancy and naturalistic style, moving beyond small flowers and leaves to include large-scale flowers and plants in a variety of colors, ranging from muted tones to cheerful hues. Animal motifs reign supreme among this year’s latest patterns, featuring jungle animals such as birds of prey, gazelles, lions, and zebras, as well as more delicate and traditional motifs like cranes, hoopoes, lovebirds, and delicate butterflies have taken center stage on this year’s upholstery fabrics, particularly for winter, fall, and spring, but in bold and cheerful colors. Animal-print fabrics, such as leopard-spotted and zebra-striped patterns, made only a brief appearance in this year’s fabrics and were replaced by designs featuring tigers and zebras instead.
New this year is a trend in upholstery patterns that relies on color coordination and the printing of patterns and designs using computer-aided digital printing technology, which opens up vast possibilities for pattern design through color blending, gradation, andshading, as well as openwork or watercolor effects.

A Blend of Sophistication and Vibrancy
If you, dear reader, tend to choose furniture with conservative designs and colors—staying away from garish hues and leaning toward neutral tones like black, navy, beige, gray, and olive— don’t worry—one of this year’s trends is creating a blend of the understated and the bold. Combining classic-colored furniture with more vibrant accessories, pillows, and curtains—featuring bold patterns and bright colors—is one of the dominant trends in the world of furnishings and furniture for 2014. For example, if you have a black sofa, you can find plenty of accessories with bold patterns and cheerful or metallic colors and scatter them around the room to keep your space warm but with a more modern feel—all on a modest budget that doesn’t require buying or replacing your basic furniture pieces.

Diversity of Styles, Materials, and Variation
Diversity and variation dominate this year’s interior design trends, with a single unique piece—whether furniture or an accessory—serving as the focal point of the room. For example, place a sofa in a bold color or a uniquely designed home accessory at the center of the room, then arrange the rest of the design elements around it to highlight it.
In addition, using different sizes, styles, and colors, as well as unconventional materials, and bringing them together in a contrast-based arrangement showcases creativity in design and coordination. Choosing pillows in a variety of designs, colors, and sizes—and skillfully arranging them together on a sofa in the room—creates a striking, personalized aesthetic that demonstrates a keen sense of style and coordination despite the contrasts. This year’s trends also feature the blending of classic and contemporary furniture in a unique mix characterized by contrast yet harmony—such as pairing a modern glass dining table with comfortable chairs featuring a luxurious classic design to create a look that is simple and modern yet luxurious.

In conclusion, whatever your choices may be for renovating your home this year, don’t let fashion trends overshadow your enjoyment of comfort at home or force you to spend more than you can afford, and always remember that beauty is found in simplicity.