2012 Contemporary Kitchens Decorating Ideas

Think you know what a contemporary kitchen looks like? Think again. These days, well-chosen colors, materials, and personal objects take the chill out of modern work spaces.

Past Meets Present 

Vintage architecture can accommodate modern function. For example, century-old brick provides texture, color, and contrast in a kitchen with otherwise sleek and seamless surfaces. The black granite countertop climbs the wall to become a backsplash and display ledge for the homeowner's art.

In the Woods

A central work table  not an island gives this kitchen a casual, almost nostalgic attitude. To warm up the white walls, the designer created wall panels and an under-soffit "bridge" of wood to match the cabinet finish.

Open Wide

Once claustrophobic, this Pacific Northwest kitchen now feels fresh and bright, thanks to major surgery. Most wall cabinets were removed, and the new windows are 6 inches taller than the ones they replaced. Aqua paint, a suspended range hood, and a custom zebrawood island with "stiletto heel" legs match the airy design.

Texture Message 

Earthy slate tile makes a mottled statement on this kitchen's floor and walls. The flat-front maple cabinets pick up the theme; most wear a natural stain, but a few doors and drawers sport a darker finish.

Family-Friendly Design 

Clean-lined but comfortable, this kitchen contains a balance of wood and metal, warm and cool. Guests seated at the island and matching dark-stained dining table can visit with the cook or watch the wall-mount TV. Upholstered dining chairs encourage relaxed entertaining. Sculptural objects line the stark white countertops.

Sunny Outlook 

A clever window/backsplash (with a Zen garden view) makes this a pleasant place to cook in the daytime. Soft yellow cabinet fronts and display shelves extend the welcome after dark. Gleaming stainless steel an iconic material in most contemporary kitchens  reflects light anytime.

A Playful Palette 

Sleek lines and neutral wood tones clear the way for fruit-basket shades of yellow, orange, and green in this kitchen's fun and functional decor. Mismatched chairs surround a lowered surface ideal for snacks or homework. Modern white pendants keep the mood  and atmosphere  bright.

Sophisticated, Not Stark

An Asian influence gives this kitchen its personality and informs its materials choices. Recycled glass mosaic tiles, grid-back stools, and cabinets faced with alder veneer show this is no cookie-cutter design scheme, despite the popular granite countertop and stainless-steel appliances.

Colorful Condo

In a small, open-plan living space, it's even more important that every view be pleasing. Space enhancers here include the glass island top and bamboo flooring laid on the diagonal. The palette pairs neutral gray with planes of butter yellow and tomato red.

2012 Candice Olson Living Room Design Tips

Check out these designer living rooms with simple tips from Candice Olson on how to transform your ordinary living room into an extraordinary space the whole family can enjoy.

Add Floor-to-Ceiling Tiles

Glass mosaic fireplace tiles are an easy way to spice up a living room design. To create a vibrant and contemporary focal point, designer Candice Olson suggests adding an elevated fireplace covered in floor-to-ceiling glass tiles in hues that coordinate with your palette. This will add both visual and physical warmth within a room, she says. Design by Christopher J. Grubb

Splash Color on the Walls

Add some zest to your living room design with a fresh coat of paint. Use the mosaic fireplace tiles to help inspire your entire color palette. Whatever color you choose for your walls will set the mood and tone for the entire space. To create a warm and inviting environment, Candice prefers using bold hues, like charcoal or chocolate brown. Design by Kenneth Brown

Warm Up the Window Treatments

One of the most common decorating mistakes is forgetting the window treatments. To soften charcoal walls and make a dramatic statement, Candice suggests adding copper-colored silk panels and woven blinds. In this contemporary living room, designer Ana Donohue enhanced charcoal walls with ivory, copper and charcoal patterned panels in a shiny silk fabric.

Create a Conversational Atmosphere

You can never have enough seating, and if you're living room isn't quite large enough to house a large sectional or L-shaped sofa, then individual chairs are always a great option. Candice suggests adding lounge chairs with a high, round table to provide plenty of space for guests to relax and unwind. In this contemporary living room, designer Troy Beasley added four separate lounge chairs on either side of a sofa and small bench. A conversational furniture arrangement can make all the difference in the world, especially when hosting parties.

Add an Extra-Large Sofa

When creating a family-style living room, comfortable seating should be one of the top considerations when choosing furniture. A stylish and cozy L-shaped microfiber sofa provides plenty of seating for everyone, and the kid-friendly fabric is ideal because of its durability, absorption and softness. Add lots of throw pillows in various patterns and fabrics for extra comfort, Candice says. Design by Gregory Augustine

Showcase Your Collections

A built-in wall unit can be the perfect addition to a living room. Add mirrors to a few of the shelves to visually expand the space while adding extra dimension. Candice likes to use living room bookshelves to showcase the homeowner's collection of artwork, accessories and books. This can also be the perfect place to hide a flat-screen television. Design by Christopher J. Grubb

Add Proper Lighting

Along with a beautiful wall color, proper lighting can alter and affect the tone of a room. To help brighten a space without washing out the walls and furnishings, Candice says to install recessed lighting, monopoint spotlights and to incorporate stylish drum pendants above the sofa side tables. The result is a bright and inviting living room with continuous warmth and comfort. Design by Andreas Charalambous

Don't Forget the Accents

No room is complete without striking accent pieces and coordinating decor. To finish off a room, Candice says to add a contemporary coffee table, a spacious area rug and eye-catching pieces of art. Designer Joseph Pubillones spiced up a neutral color palette with vibrant blue artwork and unique sculptural pieces.

Havertys Contemporary Living Room Design Ideas 2012

Mix and match these pieces in over 30 fabrics to design your custom look. Styled with rolled arms and high wooden legs in a merlot finish. Fully padded inside and outside backs and arms

Comfort is key to this collection. Down–blend toss pillows invite you to relax. Reversible seat cushions and back cushions are perfectly plush with 1.8–density foam wrapped in down–blend. Accent chair cushions are wrapped in polyester fiber. No–sag springs support the seating area of each piece except the ottoman, which has webbing. The engineered wood frames are padded on the arms and backs. Wood legs in merlot finish.

Part of our SIGNATURE SEATING program, our Erin collection features customizable pieces in a simple, sophisticated style. Choose track, rolled or English arms. Pick from a skirted or banded base and turned or tapered legs. The finishing touch to each one of your signature pieces will be your choice of over 150 upholstery and accent pillow fabrics in an array of colors, textures and patterns. Sink into loose back and seat cushions with down–blend cushioning. Seat cushions are supported by a patented Comfort Flex spring unit for stability and strength.

Once you experience the buttery soft velvet microfiber of this collection, you'll never want to get up. Matching toss pillows made with feather and down will entice you to stay a little longer. The optional polished nickel nailhead trim adds a bit of glam to the tailored look. Sitting on no–sag springs, the reversible seat and back cushions are made with 1.8–density foam wrapped in polyester fiber. Fully padded arms and back. Tapered legs in a merlot finish accentuate the clean look. Hardwood and engineered wood frames are reinforced with dowels and corner blocks for a sturdy build.

This collection is an eco–friendly oasis. Each piece has a natural sophistication created by wood frames with woven banana leaf elements. Feather–filled accent pillows deliver a refreshing contrast to the chenille fabric. Reversible 1.8–density foam seat cushions and back cushions are made with soy–based material and wrapped in a plush foam cap. A patented independent spring seating system on the sofa, loveseat and matching chair isolates the movement on each seat, for a personalized level of comfort.

Eye–catching silhouettes and a sundrenched palette define this collection. A hint to the classic wingback, the sofa and matching chair suggest vintage–chic style wrapped in beige linen. An oversized bench and swivel chair infuse mid–century modern flair. Down–blend accent pillows brighten the space with mango and tangerine hints, stripes and an organic impression from a linen, postage stamp design. Bask in the loose back and seat cushions wrapped in down–blend. No–sag springs offer support for each seat while the ottoman features webbing. Banded bases expose block feet in a brandy finish.

Relax with an eco–friendly design that embodies the essence of livable style. Wrapped in sumptuous Sunbrella fabric that's easy to clean, even after the messiest spills, the silhouettes are softened by feather–filled accent pillows. Reversible 1.8–density foam cushions are made with soy–based material and wrapped in a plush foam cap. The sofa, loveseat and matching chair have a patented independent spring seating system for a personalized level of comfort. Accent chair has no–sag springs. Ottomans have webbing. Kiln–dried hardwood with laminate supports gives the frames a sturdy build.

Have a look as refreshing as a cool summer breeze. Wood trim with relaxed angles, turned feet and down–blend accent pillows set a casual tone. A multi–step distressed white finish gives this group the appearance of many years of cherished use. Loose cushions feature 1.8–density foam wrapped in polyurethane and are supported by no–sag springs

Savor this fresh look of sophistication. Fresh accents add a bold contrast to tailored stripes trimmed with nailhead. Tapered legs in a wenge finish update this classic look. Settle back in the deep, reversible cushions covered in the softest cotton. Supported by no–sag springs, the seat cushions have Marshall–spring units surrounded by 1.8–density foam and polyurethane. Accent pillows have down–blend. Kiln–dried hardwood frames are padded on the arms and backs

2012 Living Room Design Styles From HGTV

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern style is characterized by simplicity and natural shapes. It is often emphasized by ample windows, an open floor plan and the idea of bringing the outdoors in.

Asian

Designer Jane Ellison took a unique approach when designing this Asian-style living room. Subtle Oriental elements are represented with the porcelain blue-and-white wares, tatami mats, brass sculptures, bamboo shades and elegant gold sofa upholstery.

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Contemporary

Contemporary living rooms feature softened, rounded lines and contain neutral elements with pops of bold color.

Eclectic

If you can't choose one style, go eclectic. It's a mixture of different styles and periods, but pulls the look together through a similar texture, finish, pattern or color.

Mid-Century Modern

The mid-20th century design movement left us with sleek and modern furnishings actively used in homes today. Designer Robin Callan celebrated the rugged limestone focal wall with mid-century modern furnishings and a large piece of artwork that ties in the room's diverse color palette.

Cottage

The 20-foot stone fireplace features warm lighting and stunning display shelves to really set the tone of this cozy cottage-style living room. For an elegant and chic approach to cottage living, designer Shane Inman used a simple neutral and pastel color palette and decorated with minimal accessories, all in a crisp ivory hue.

Country

Rich, vibrant hues and dark wood furnishings emit visual warmth in this country-style living room. Pale yellow walls tone down the bold sofa and reflect the softer shades visible in the area rug's floral design. Rustic decorative stars pull in the country feel in a simple and subtle way. Design by Helen Richardson

Mediterranean

This warm living room exudes true Mediterranean-inspired elegance through its structure and decor. With dramatic interior architectural elements, the living room design is kept simple yet refined with a touch of Old World Spanish flair. Design by Vanessa DeLeon

Modern

Designer Andreas Charalambous created an ultra-modern masterpiece in this two-story urban loft. The living room is especially ideal for entertaining, with two-story atrium windows, an entirely open floor plan and convertible furniture that can transform into sofas, sectionals and interconnected club-style seating. Far from bland, these white walls provide the perfect backdrop to an energetic display of patterns.

Old World

Nothing short of magnificent, this Old World living room pulls in elegant, Italian-inspired design elements to create an over-the-top and illustrious gathering spot. The hand-painted cathedral ceiling and Renaissance-style furnishings make a bold statement, creating a look that will immediately take you back in time. Design by Lori Venners. Architecture by Thom Oppelt. Image courtesy of Gene Northup of Synergy Sotheby's International Realty

Traditional

This well-known design style will instantly make you feel right at home. Designer Linda Woodrum created an elegant yet functional living room with a soothing color palette of ivory, navy and pale blue. Simple, understated furnishings mirror the classic, casual and comfortable elements associated with traditional interiors.

Transitional

This vibrant living room successfully mixes classic traditional details and accessories with contemporary fixtures and hues to create a one-of-a-kind space. Designer Shelly Riehl David used sunny lime and fuchsia as her unique color inspiration. Beyond the color palette, the room's most striking elements are the dramatic floor-to-ceiling lime draperies and the grand carved stone mantelpiece in a contrasting shade of ivory.

Cottage Living Room Decorating Ideas 2012

Cottage Living Room Decorating

Cottage design is a colorful, comfortable look characterized by painted and decorated furniture with graceful lines.

The cottage style living room invites you to slouch on the couch, put your feet up and sit a spell. Furnishings are relaxed and unpretentious. Slipcovers and quilts can cover up upholstered furnishings that have seen better days; a pretty quilt also makes a great wall hanging for cottage style living rooms.