Stuff of Life: What’s hot in 2015 home decor? Wallpaper, spa baths and cultural mixes

Last week, three local interior designers gave us their thoughts about the state of decor in 2014. They looked at trends that have staying power (warm metals, cowhide), trends that do not (burlap) and trends that never took hold (think Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s Color for 2014).

So now it’s time to look at what will be trending in 2015:

Wallpaper: Yes, I shuddered at the thought of this, too, especially when I heard that floral, damask and highly textured patterns are making a comeback. But they’re all done in ways that make them fresh and palatable. The flowers and damask are graphic and bolder, and the textured papers offer a pretty alternative to pristine white walls.

Modern and midcentury modern elements: These have been popular for a while. The trick with them, the experts note, is that you integrate them carefully into your home so that they don’t take over and make your home look like a museum or the set of “The Brady Bunch.”

Multicultural decorating: Want to instantly warm up or add texture to a room? Try colorful handwoven kilim rugs and African baskets. But be careful: You don’t want your living room to look like a Persian bazaar. You can mix a couple of trends by combining, say, Chinese antiques with midcentury modern furnishings, or blending Middle Eastern textiles with traditional furnishings.

Furniture-style kitchen cabinetry. Think islands and hutches with legs.

Rich color: Sapphire blue and emerald green are still hot, and Marsala, a deep wine-like red, is Pantone’s Color for 2015. All of them are popping up in shelter magazines and decor catalogs. Velvet gem-colored sofas and chairs are especially hot.

Natural materials in the bathroom: Earthy materials like natural stone, wood-look tiles and wood-plank feature walls create a spa-like atmosphere.

Sculptural lighting fixtures: They can range from iconic modernist pieces to new contemporary designs like Kichler’s Escala one-light pendant or Maxim’s Copenhagen.

Wall decals and stencils: These are especially fun for people who rent and are looking for a way to spruce up a wall.

This story was originally published January 2, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Stuff of Life: What’s hot in 2015 home decor? Wallpaper, spa baths and cultural mixes."