IKEA's Classic KALLAX's Trendy New Color Is Perfect For 2024

For anyone who keeps up with color trends, the news that green is the new red might be the information alert you've been waiting for. Replacing the loud hues associated with passion, love, anger, and heat, green is here to bring people back down to earth and introduce a little calm into the void. While paint shades and upholstery are surely two pieces of any home that will change with the decor shift, you might not expect IKEA to have the season's most trendy shelving unit in the color designers can't get enough of. The IKEA KALLAX is now available in dark green, and the shade couldn't be more fitting if you've been craving a calmer, more grounded decor scheme in your home. Since this hue is already catching the world's attention, adding it to your layout will provide you with a sense of serenity and keep your interior relevant in the design world.

It might come as a surprise to some to learn that fashion and home aesthetics can overlap and often do. In fact, the fashion world inspires and correlates with trending designs in your dwelling, with the latter reflecting current runway patterns, textiles, and colors. Dark green is popping up all over famous clothing brand selections, and it was only a matter of time before it began seeping into home interior themes. The KALLAX is just one example, but a simple addition to any room that is both stylish and functional.

Decorating and integrating a piece of this shade doesn't need to be daunting. In fact, the earthy element it brings to a room makes it easy to find complementary accents. Dark green pairs well with both neutrals (think beige, cream, and even gray), but it also matches brighter shades. If you prefer pops of color, try incorporating pinks and yellows, otherwise, utilize whites in varying hues to brighten and produce an airy ambiance. Use throw pillows, throws, artwork, and rugs to enhance the shelving unit, keeping the colors that best match closer so they work together to make the space flow.

Instantly elevate your dark green KALLAX even more by placing it up against a wallpapered wall that features similar or complementary colors that show through the gaps. If you opt for this, ensure your accents aren't too distracting on the actual shelves, especially if your wallpaper has a lot of busy print. 

The KALLAX is one of the most versatile pieces from the store. It definitely will draw the eye in a room, so play to that with curated and matching books, frames, candlesticks, or other accents that feature the vibrant shades mentioned or a neutral palette. If you opt for bright tones, less is more. Since the shelves are already a focal point, they don't need to be weighted down with too many items. The green should stick out, along with one or two larger statement items.

Thick, textured rugs or throws in neutrals will add dimension and soften the edges so the whole room feels more relaxed and grounded. You can also opt to use a more monochromatic theme if you prefer, incorporating earthy olive greens in decor and textiles for depth so the area you're designing doesn't feel one-dimensional. 

For your KALLAX, you can place brass or gold accents like vases, bowls, and other metal pieces on the shelves to really create a dramatic effect that doesn't feel too heavy. This Brass Candle Holder from Crate and Barrel can either sit on top of or on one of the larger shelves, while a gold floor lamp can be placed nearby to pull the metals through. 

Wood also pairs well with the dark green, and can help to balance out metals and pops of color. If you opt for a neutral palette, you could also add in lighter woods like white oak or birch, while medium to darker woods can pair nicely with brighter colors. Place these around the unit intermixed between metals and accents, still ensuring you're not over-decorating. You want each item you are placing on the KALLAX to make an impact, which is why it's important to consider carefully what you are placing, where. Larger accents or sculptures should host their own shelf, so that they can play the focal point without clutter distracting from them.