EDMONTON - Who decides the next big thing in home decor? Are trends spontaneous or is there a boardroom full of style arbiters calling the shots?

The answer is yes and no. When it comes to colour, an international non-profit trade organization known as the Colour Marketing Group gathers annually to choose the colour palette for everything we buy, from cars to clothing. Pantone, developer of an international system of standardizing colour, further narrows the spectrum by selecting a single colour of the year. This year it’s radiant orchid. Last year, it was emerald green and before that tangerine tango.

Trends in home decor generally follow what’s happening in fashion, says Jason Templeton, chief merchandising manager for Simons. He leads a team of buyers who shop the big trade shows of Europe.

“(Spotting a trend) begins with one sighting, then another, and almost without realizing it, an item or trend enters your consciousness,” says Templeton.

A trend can start simply as an idea executed by someone in the public eye. Others copy it and a pattern emerges. Forecasters watch for these patterns. Every retail sector has professional trendspotters who combine an eye for design with knowledge of social science and economics to spot the next big thing. Timing is everything. If they’re right, they can make a lot of money. If they’re wrong, or too late, they can end up with a warehouse full of unmovable merchandise. So ultimately it’s the consumer who holds the balance of power.

That’s where cultural differences come into play. Canadians are more conservative than Europeans, explains Templeton. Even within the country, there are regional differences. Quebec shoppers are more likely than western Canadians to fully embrace European influences, he says.

Climate, too, is a factor. Take colour, for example. “This year’s softer palette does not hold up in a region where the ground is covered by white much of the year. So colours have to be somewhat bolder here,” explains Templeton.

Iconic shapes and images are always changing, he says. “In past years it was mushrooms that appeared on everything, and before that cupcakes were popular. Today, it’s the stag, or anything with antlers.”

How can you avoid the costly pitfalls of following trends too closely?

The key is to aim for a timeless style, says Templeton. And avoid big-ticket items that appear trendy. Update your look with smaller accessories that can be swapped out when the trend is over.

On the way out

What are the ticking time bombs of yesterday’s decor magazines?

1. Everything matchy-matchy. A single-style look, whether it’s modernist, global or country chic, is now considered boring. Truly modern rooms are thoughtful mixes of the best of various styles.

2. Decorative Buddhas

3. Books placed merely as decorative objects

4. Posters with inspirational messages like “Stay calm and carry on!”

5. TV nooks or alcoves

6. Track lighting

7. Drooping swags as window treatments

8. Puddling curtains

Already gone and (mostly) forgotten …

1. Fake plants on top of kitchen cabinets

2. Wicker furniture for interiors

3. Ornamental bottles filled with pickled fruit or vegetables

4. Fake brick on anything

5. Wallpaper borders used in place of chair rails or crown mouldings

Will they last?

1. Granite countertops

2. Glass tiles

3. Stainless steel appliances

Overused colour combos

1. Burgundy and hunter green

2. Dusty rose and blue-grey

Resurrected but in another form …

1. Shag carpet, now with deeper pile and used just as area rugs

2. Wallpaper once everywhere, now chic on a single feature wall

3. Sheers, once billowing with pinch-pleats, now simply hung with industrial-style grommets

Established trends with staying power

1. Subway tiles

2. Exposed metal curtain rods with ring-top drapery panels

3. Green solutions and sustainable materials

Presented by Simons