Daring creativity blooms in this season's floral decor

(BPT) - A little black dress, a great pair of jeans and a leather jacket - some styles never go out of fashion. Some elements of home decor share that same sense of timelessness, and none more so than a simple floral theme.

"Flowers are always fashionable, stylish and on-trend," says Dani Nichols, a trend-watcher for home decor website MuralsYourWay.com. "Whether you're looking for just the right touch of elegance and life for patterned upholstery or modern floral murals to make an accent wall pop, flowers are always appropriate."

Nichols points to hot trends in floral decor this spring and summer:

Floral walls

"Flowers have always inspired paint makers to create colors that pay homage to both the boldness and the delicacy of floral inspirations," Nichols says. This year, paint manufacturers are offering a diverse palette of floral-inspired colors, from dusty roses and iris blues, buttercup yellow and daisy white, to frothy lilac and popping peony.

Floral wallpaper and floral murals are also great ways to incorporate flowers into a room's decor. A subtle pattern of small, delicate flowers can create a gentle, peaceful feeling in a room. Or, go bold with an accent mural that depicts a single, showy bloom. You can find a plethora of floral options online at websites like MuralsYourWay.com.

Sustainability

One of the most enjoyable ways to decorate with florals - cut flowers - is also one of the most fleeting. Few beautiful things are as short-lived as cut flowers. This season, look for cut flower designs to trend toward sustainability, as everyone looks for ways to get more enjoyment from their flowers for longer.

While adding the packet of plant food will help keep a florist's bouquet alive as long as possible, there's more everyone can do to make their displays more eco-friendly. Look for more florists to use biodegradable packing products, compost their leftovers and choose seasonal blooms that don't require long-distance shipping.

Daring pairings

When you think of floral design, you probably envision bright, rich hues paired with background neutrals. This year, however, florals are going daring, mixing in metallic accents, and deep, saturated purples and blues that almost appear black. A touch of silver or gold matched with pure white creates an upscale, classic effect. A dash of bronze or copper married with vibrant yellows or blues is an unexpected and delightful decorating twist.

And while bright or light colors are as intrinsic to floral decor as the background greenery, dark blooms impart an almost mystical aura, whether the hue is natural or dyed. You'll see these daring pairings pop up everywhere from throw pillows to centerpieces, this year.

Nichols also predicts designers will continue to experiment with combinations of floral patterns. "Long gone is the conventional wisdom that if you had one bold floral pattern in a room, you couldn't do more," she says. "It's perfectly alright to experiment with one floral pattern on the drapes and a complementary - or even competing - one on accent pillows."

"Few decorating themes afford the timelessness and flexibility of florals," Nichols adds.