Contemporary home decor has been around for a while, but, as with anything, there are trends within this decor theme. Trends can go in and out of style but the main idea behind contemporary home decor still stands strong. The theme of contemporary home decor is clean strong lines on the furniture, minimal decorations, and neutral colors mixed with bold accents. The types of accents and furnishings used are what may change because these things are always expanding and improving. The question that stands before you now is "what are the latest trends in contemporary home decor?"

Since the look of contemporary home decor offers fabulously textured fabrics, bold but elegant art work, and strong lines there is plenty of room to focus on one of the latest trends in contemporary home decor. This particular trend is in the lighting of a contemporary room. Lighting can be one of the most important elements in a contemporary home decor themed room. Lighting can add structure, highlight focal points, and bring balance or harmony to a room. Some of the must have lighting for a contemporary home decor themed room is track or recessed lighting and accent lamps made from woods and metals.

Furniture is another big thing in a contemporary home decor themed room. The most popular furniture is made either of oak, cherry, or birch, but bamboo and rattan are becoming more and more popular. Another trend in contemporary home decor furnishings in metal framed furniture. One less trendy, but still popular form of contemporary furniture is upholstered furniture with abstract designs using wools, cotton, and leather. Armani once said that contemporary home decor furnishings are "a subtle richness, not an obvious beauty".

Contemporary home decor also focuses on the bedrooms in a home, especially the master bedroom. One fabulous contemporary bedroom decor item to have is a platform bed. A platform bed does not have a foot board and the box spring is already built in, these features keep with the clean strong lines of contemporary home decor. Add a black and white or a beige comfort with a bold colored sheet and you have the latest trend in contemporary home decor in your bedroom.

Bathrooms are another hot commodity when it comes to a contemporary home decor theme. Visitors will end up seeing one of your bathrooms, so why not follow the latest trends and make it a contemporary one. Contemporary bathroom trends focus on stainless steel, glass, and acrylic made into clean cut lines. You might even find a black and white or stainless steel toilet. Hot things to have for a contemporary home decor bathroom is a vessel sink with the faucet/spout in the wall and not on the sink.

Contemporary home decor trends will always change and it is not necessary to keep up with them. The important thing to do when using a contemporary home decor theme is stick with clean lines, neutral colors with bold accents, and minimal decorations. Focus on these features, while personalizing the space will give you a contemporary home decor.

If you're looking for a business that

• you can start and run from home
  
• requires a minimum start-up cost and
  
• provides you the opportunity to work your own hours
  
• has the potential for you to earn as much as you want
  

check into becoming a consultant for a Home Decor company.

How A Home Party Business Works:

As a consultant with a home decor company, you start by purchasing a sales kit that has everything you need to hold your first party, or first several parties. You will also receive training from another consultant or manager in the company - usually the person who sponsored you.

The basic idea behind this type of business - known as direct sales, or direct selling, is that you recruit people who are willing to hold a home decor party in their home and invite guests - neighbors, colleagues, friends and family members.

During the party, you pass out a catalog and show the products that are in your sales kit, and take orders. You might also do a few simple product demonstrations - for example, show how to combine silk flowers with candlestick holders, or show how well different items in the catalog can be combined to create customized decor.

You also invite other guests to schedule a party in their homes at a later date, offering incentives such as free or reduced merchandise or "hostess-only" gifts that they can earn by holding a party.

Why Home Party Businesses are So Successful

These types of home shopping parties are very popular, especially for newly married, 30-something women, who are looking for ways of making their homes more attractive and welcoming, but have little time to shop or learn more than basic skills in home decorating. Plus, everyone loves going to a party, where you can relax, get together with friends and have a good time.

Home Party Companies

Two well-known home decor companies are "Home Interiors" and "Southern Living Home Party." According to their Website, Home Interiors has over 100,000 Decorating Consultants, and is the largest direct seller of home accessories in North America.

Southern Living Home Party offers individualized WebPages to each of their consultants and royalties (an additional commission) for every consultant who signs up as a result of your recommendation.

To find more home party companies, search on the Internet for "home décor parties" "direct selling opportunities" or "home décor party plan business."

Is a Home Party Decor Business Right for You?

Even people who say they don't like selling often do very well with this type of business, especially if they choose a company with a solid reputation, a good training program and quality merchandise.

According to Helen Huppert, a director with Southern Living At Home, she started her business as a way to get out of the house once a week but soon realized she could contribute to her family's monthly income. One of the things she likes best about running her own home party consulting business is that she knows she's not alone, that she's part of a team who is committed to her success.

It's important that you take a realistic look at your personal attitudes and likes and dislikes. If you're someone who doesn't like to get up in front of people and talk, or if you think you won't be willing to put in the time it takes to make phone calls and get parties lined up, this might not be the best business for you.

On the other hand, if the issue is simply that you're not sure of yourself, or you are shy, this might be exactly the type of business you need to build your confidence and increase your self-esteem. By letting your sponsor or trainer know about your misgivings, and letting her know what training you might benefit from the most, you'll increase your chances of success.

What to Watch Out For

Before choosing which home décor party company you want to work with, do some Background research on the company first. Ask your sponsor questions, and if possible, get the contact information of other home décor consultants as well and talk to them as well. Check with your local better business bureau, state attorney general's office and local Chamber of Commerce.

As with any home-based business opportunity, owning your own home décor consulting business, you need to investigate the offer and the company seriously, and make an informed decision. But once you make the commitment, dive in with both feet and prepare yourself to have a wonderful time meeting new people, earning additional income and maybe even winning some great prizes. Before long, you'll find that you've mastered new skills, and will be well on your way to being a successful business owner doing something you love.

Create a trendy kitchen in one of this years hottest color schemes, Teal Blue and Lime Green! It's easy to pull off this hot new trend when you follow the tips and tricks outlined in this article.

The biggest concern that people have when considering this color scheme for their home decor, is "how do I pull this off, without it coming across busy and overpowering". This can be achieved by finding the correct balance in your home decor. You're not going to want to make everything in the room teal blue and lime green, the key is to incorporate those colors into a neutral base color scheme.

First you will want to start with a light color base on your walls. This can be achieved with a color of fresh white paint but I think that you can achieve a much more polished room design by choosing a faux wallpaper in a white or light cream. A metallic sheen wallpaper would set a fabulous tone for this room decor theme.

After you have your base layer completed it is time to bring color into the room. This can be done by using a bold stripe window treatment with dominant colors of teal blue and lime green. You can balance the strong visual lines of the window treatment by adding solid elements in the kitchen such as the back splash and the cupboard. The color scheme is carried throughout the room with small accents such as the cushions that atop your kitchen stools.

You can create an interesting visual focal point in your kitchen by designing your own kitchen island. This can be done by using two shelving units with a work surface placed across the top. This is a much more cost effective option for developing an island in your kitchen and you won't have to pay for custom woodwork.

A faux slate tile flooring in a dark charcoal shades provides the perfect balance for this bold and trendy kitchen design and gives the room a fun modern look.