Biggest Furniture Trends in 2010

Customized furniture continues to be one of the biggest trends in 2010. In that furniture is now no different from many other consumer goods.

An increasingly busy lifestyle is making people demand more from their purchases. Manufacturers are offering different degrees of personalized and customized furniture. It varies from fabric choices for upholstered furniture to customized arms, legs and sizes or finishes.

Another way that products are customized is by letting customers choose how to configure them to make them more functional and comfortable.

Written words and text are found everywhere from chairs, sofas and pillows to cabinets and chests. Who knew we liked the written word so much?

The beauty of letters whether in cursive or other forms is in high demand. Horchow has dining chairs with French script. Rowe has script upholstery and Hooker has a cabinet with handwriting.

Melange Papillon Chest - Hooker

In talking to manufacturers, I heard the words "updated classics" over and over again.

This is in keeping with the larger trend of casual with a formal twist which is found in fashion as well as other consumer goods. We like the classic looks of yesterday, but we don't want them to look dated. Specifically, we can do without heavy ornamentation and bulk. We also want today's fresh color palette.

So when you hear that something has an updated classic look, think streamlined, with a smaller footprint, and fresher colors. This is a look that will stand the test of time, because it seems to belong to the past and present all at once.

Turquoise was one of the hottest, and biggest stories in furniture this year.

It is very seldom that color predictions actually come true, but turquoise was the color predicted for this year, and we took to it. You see it in upholstery as well as case goods. There are turquoise rugs, pillows, vases, frames and chandeliers...you get the idea.

It seems like we will be seeing turquoise well into next year along with some other fresh, upbeat colors such as chartreuse and mid-range pinks. The colors have been grayed somewhat to take the edge off and make them more calming. Calm is what we need.

Added functionality is something that we have seen aplenty this year. We also seem to like it, and the trend will continue.

One of the most functional collections this year has been Tangerine by Pulaski. Tangerine has nothing to do with the color, but everything to do with freshness of its concept. The pieces are made for how today's technology dependent consumers live and work, and offer support for their needs.

Pulaski was hardly the only manufacturer with functional furniture. It wouldn't be a trend then, would it? Some other major manufacturers making functional furniture were Broyhill, Lane, and Universal, to name but a few.

2010 has seen its share of nostalgia for the past and the resulting demand for vintage furniture and retro looks. 

Mad Men on AMC has refuelled a love for Mid-century Modern, if that love was ever in danger of dying out. The series has a fan base that watches it as much for its set design as its story lines.

Vintage furniture continues to be in high demand and not just out of a love for nostalgia.

Today's consumer is health conscious, and willing to invest in furnishings that help in that quest. The most common complaint you hear is about bad backs or allergies.

There are several products out this year that claim to help with these health concerns. Many are not exactly inexpensive, but when you consider the importance of good health, the price becomes secondary.

• Mattresses and other sleep products fall in this category, as does reclining furniture and ergonomic office furniture.

• Recliners and Back Health
• Berkline Massage Chairs
• Mattress Trends and Developments

Green furniture has steadily been growing in popularity, and it is no longer the specialized niche that it once was.Maybe it isn't as mainstream as we would like it to be, but there is a growing awareness.

It is not just that manufacturers have decided to go green, but eco-conscious consumers ask for it. The latest amendments to the Lacey Act went into effect earlier this year, and over a period of time its effect on wood sourcing and sustainability will make furniture greener.

The Sustainable Furnishings Council recently published a study it conducted with the Las Vegas Furniture Market, which showed that consumers are interested in green choices if they like the style, and costs stay about the same.

The beauty of wood continues to be important in this year's furniture.

Turning House has beautiful wood furniture from reclaimed wood. Reclaimed, recycled wood is used with all its signs of use and age. But other wood furniture also focuses on the beauty of wood with stains and washed finishes that expose all its characterisitics.

Finishes are also distressed or scraped while unfinished looks offer wood in a rustic feel. Another look is a mix and match look with several mixed wood tones.

Metal and metal-like finishes were as popular this year as they were in the previous couple of years.

Metal is used for chairs, tables, lamp bases as well as screens and other accessories. Metal finishes are also applied to wood and you will find metallic fabrics for upholstery also.

Metal can also be found in frames for mirrors and metal wall art.