Hot Home Trends for 2011

1. Honeysuckle

Pink has officially become the new black. This year’s must-have color is Pantone’s Honeysuckle, which is perfect for splash accents around your home from throw pillows to picture frames. Don’t go too wild or else it’ll look more ‘Barbie’s dream home’ than on-trend style.

SHOP NOW: Chair, $598

2. Pocket-sized Gardens

Mini gardens are all the rage this year as homeowners (and renters) embrace their smaller spaces. From delicate hanging planters to freestanding pocket planters, you can grow your own veggies just as if you had a sprawling backyard.

SHOP NOW: Pockets, from $29

3. Decorative Housewife

Alas, the return of ladylike design. Whether you’re channeling your inner Bree Van de Kamp or you just love girly things, this is your year. From poppy florals to hand-painted furnishings, feminine is in. Soften up your bathroom and kitchen for an easy infusion of this trend.

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4. Modern Mood Lighting

Track lighting was so 90s. Recessed lighting was all the rage in the early 2000’s. This year, luminous ceilings and lights installed in the floor to shine upwards are all totally in. Whether you up-light your staircase or a sunken living room, transform the feeling of a room with subtle low lights.

5. One Night Only

As we tiptoe out of the recession and begin to splurge again, 2011 will see the emergence of the single night vacation. Many high-end hotels nation and worldwide are offering great deals on one-night getaways. So take a drive to your nearest out-of-town hot spot for a little R&R this year.

6. Double Duty

The two-for-one deal has taken over home appliances. Purchasing dual duty home accents and devices not only saves money, but also it saves space. From two-in-one shower heads to one unit washer and dryer machines, every thing and everyone is multitasking this year.

SHOP NOW: Hand Shower, from $92

7. Spa Bathrooms

Escape to your own personal spa this year. Bathroom renovation and remodels are an instant way to add value to and luxury to your home. From steam showers to heated floors, spa-like bathrooms are must-haves for any home this year. If you’re on a budget, invest in a towel warmer or new fixture for a quick fix.

8. Outdoor Rooms

While dad used to have a bbq pit in the yard and mom had those palm-tree printed loungers, for 2011 it’s all about creating a well-designed patio that could be mistaken for another room of the house. Homeowners want outdoor kitchens, living rooms, garden rooms, and more. The best arrangement places the outdoor kitchen and dining area close to the indoor kitchen because it’s convenient and flows with the house.

9. Zig-Zag Patterns

For a true high-design mind bender, infuse the hottest pattern of the year into your home: zig-zags. While brands like Missoni have seemingly cornered the market on this trend, shop for rugs, throw pillows, blankets, wall art and dinnerware to incorporate this zany style.

SHOP NOW: Placemat and Napkins, $90

10. Ethnic Prints Are Back

Culture is classic, and like all timeless trends, this one is back in a big way for 2011. Go global with bold colored armchairs, ottomans and bed linens for an international flare.

SHOP NOW: Chair, $1300

11. High Design, Low Price

Cheap is now super chic at stores like Target, Walmart, and TV retailers HSN and QVC. Pick up the habit in 2011 of browsing through the home décor sections of these stores to snag stylish accents at lower prices.

SHOP NOW: Bedding, $170

12. White Homes

While we all know that US currency is green, but according to real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, the color that will make your the most money is white. A white home exterior makes your home more attractive to house hunters. In this market, do all you can to increase the worth of your home by opting for a shade of white for the exterior. It’ll pay off in 2011.

13. Front Door Fancy

Striking and unique front doors will make you the block club favorite. Fire red is a popular option, but cobalt blue, autumn orange and sunny yellows are fast becoming front door color trends. Try out this quick visual improvement for a refreshing outlook on the year.

14. In Plain Sight

While we used to store all of our household appliances and cleaning gadgets in the hall closet or the pantry, 2011 is revealing some uber stylish tools that are so chic that you can leave them out all the time. Case and point: the Ultrasonic humidifier that looks like a sleek teardrop.

SHOP NOW: Humidifier, $120

15. New, Old School

The technology of yesteryear is getting a high-tech upgrade this year. Old record players are being turned into MP3 players, rotary phones now cater to iPhones and if you crave a vintage handset to connect to your iPad, Moshi Moshi makes those too. What’s old is very, very new again this year.

SHOP NOW: Phone, $195