Trendspotting: On the horizon for decorating in the new year

The top five trends, events and products to look for in 2012.

Mayweather sofa in electric pink by KGB Limited.

Colour trend: mixed metallics

2012 is all about the mixing of metals as we think about silver reflections, antique golden characteristics and reflective surfaces. Still keeping with a more sophisticated aesthetic, metals are burnished, blackened, brushed and oxidised. Be confident in your choices and combine pale brushed as well as aged gold, bronze and copper, with white gold, platinum, tarnished and polished pewter, and steel.

Stand-out sofas

There is no need to compromise on style to find comfortable furniture pieces next year - some of the biggest names in furniture design are offering both. Check out Ligne Roset's Ruche sofa in Highlighter Yellow and Edra's Esse sofa in one of the year's key colours, lapis lazuli, for colour-blocked interiors. Design by Leftovers' patchwork sofa, Charlotte's Leftovers is , and Deniz Tunc's Balinli sofa are the perfect solution for a more glamorous style. And ticking all the trend boxes is KGB's Mayweather sofa in electric pink with legs in burnished steel.

Reduce, reduce, reduce

Next year is about stripping things back and loving what's left. The attitude towards accumulating "stuff" is changing. Having 'fewer but more fabulous' possessions is the new mantra as our lust for constant newness is replaced with a more meaningful love of the rare, the considerately designed, and the long-lasting. Surround yourself with things you truly cherish and enjoy.

Design exhibition: Tent London

Tent London is regarded as the most cutting-edge exhibition running during London Design Festival, and this year the vibe was buzzing at the super-cool Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. There was an eclectic mix of exhibitors, with everyone doing their own thing in their own style. We saw the exquisite ceramic collection by Bodo Sperlein for Nikko of course, and were wowed by the plugged-in, kinetic energy of Jack Wimperis' bang on trend collection of sandblasted glass pieces with integrated LED technology. Looking ahead, we'll see creatives using aggressive production techniques, with products displaying a raw and natural finish.

Event of the year: London Olympics

2012 will see London take centre stage as the city hosts what is set to be both a culturally and generationally diverse Olympics. With Oscar-winning film director Danny Boyle overseeing the opening ceremony and "electro titans" Underworld masterminding the music, as well as expected performances from great music acts such as The Rolling Stones and Sir Paul McCartney, this "epic and intimate" event will present the best of London's diversity. The mood and aesthetic - represented in the angular architecture and graphics - is upbeat and bold.

Shelley Pond is the creative director of Scarlet Opus; www.trendsblog.co.uk and twitter.com/scarletopus