It’s a new year and that means new opportunities, particularly in the realm of home design trends. What will be the hot choices in 2015? What can we expect to see popping up in design magazines and blogs over the next 12 months? While only time will tell, here’s a look at some of the top predictions for 2015 home trends.

Deeper, Darker Colors: Several experts are saying this year will be out with the light and bright and in with the dark and deep. “Almost every new textile collection and furniture debut seems to be awash in a much more saturated hue than we saw in the early 2010s,” says designer Scot Meacham Wood, in a Q&A at House Beautiful. Nancy Mitchell at Apartment Therapy agrees: “For a long time we’ve been seeing mostly bright, white interiors (white walls, white floors, white ceiling), but I’m feeling a shift towards darker, moodier hues.”

Comfortable, Cozy Sectionals: As society continues to shift away from formality toward more casual living, it only makes sense that big, comfortable sectional sofas would become a popular trend. According to Houzz.com Editor Sheila Schmitz, “It is back in a big way. As living rooms have become more relaxed places for lounging, we have less need for formal sofas and more love for a versatile padded zone that lets us sprawl out however we like.”

Cowhide: Using cowhides as rugs in living areas is expected to keep growing in popularity this year. Alexa Fiander at Zillow calls it the “ideal accent texture for 2015’s modern, yet approachable design aesthetic.” Expect cowhide to move beyond rugs, too — to pillows, throw blankets and even art.

Open Floor Plans: An open layout is not a new trend, but it will likely remain a popular one this year. According to Barbara Ballinger at REALTOR Magazine, “It’s becoming a wish beyond the young hipster demographic, so you’ll increasingly see this layout in traditional condo buildings and single-family suburban homes.” Ballinger attributes this to the fact that after the kitchen became the hub of homes, the easy next step was to expand it into open-living areas for greater togetherness.

Mid-Century Modern Elements: From furniture to lighting, mid-century modern should stay big in 2015. “Many are attracted to the simplicity and clean lines of mid-century modern furniture, accessories and décor,” says Karen Highland at the Frederick Real Estate Blog. “A few iconic pieces can work well in any room.” Whether found on Craigslist or West Elm, these slick pieces will remain popular this year.

Gold Accents: 2015 will likely see an uptick in gold accents, from light fixtures to mirrors. Lauren McPhillips at Style at Home says “Gold and warm metallics have graced the homes of Canadians and the runways of the world for the past several seasons and they’re not going anywhere in 2015.“ What’s more, varying shades of gold and brass will be mixed together to create unique looks.

Wallpaper: Wallpaper is making a comeback. “Wallpaper provides an easy way to add visual impact, even in small amounts,” designer Lee Hardcastle told Houzz. “Wallpaper gives you the control of complementing the architectural elements throughout the kitchen or adding a beautiful contrast to an otherwise simple color palette.”

Whether you’re ready to redecorate or the new trends are getting you inspired, consider working some of the hot 2015 decorating choices into the way you design. If the predictions are right, this is what we can expect to see a lot of in the coming year.

Vicki Clary is the Marketing Director of Curtis Homes, a semi-custom home builder. For over 50 years, Curtis Homes has provided premium homes and townhomes in the Southern Maryland Communities.

View this original post on RISMedia’s blog, Housecall.