Unveiling the Future of Home Decor: Zillow Digs’ 2015 Trend Forecast

As the calendar turned to 2015, the world of interior design braced itself for a significant transformation. Leading the charge, Zillow Digs, a premier authority in home design inspiration, unveiled its annual Home Trend Forecast. This highly anticipated report not only spotlights the top five emerging trends set to define homes in the coming year but also bids farewell to four prevalent fads from 2014, signaling a shift towards a more refined and enduring aesthetic.

The forecast painted a clear picture for 2015: a year where home design would be “modern, yet approachable.” This philosophy translates into an eclectic blend of styles, emphasizing unique textures, thoughtful accents, and a departure from the overly saturated and matchy-matchy looks of the past. From unexpected cowhide elements to a vibrant return of wallpaper, and a sophisticated reinterpretation of gold fixtures, homeowners and design enthusiasts alike had much to anticipate.

“Home design will embark on a dramatic shift in 2015, moving far away from the bright jewel tones and overused chevron and ikat patterns that took 2014 by storm,” explained Kerrie Kelly, a respected Zillow Digs design expert. “Unexpected textures and an eclectic, modern vibe are about to find their way in 2015. Expect to see a more sophisticated look that incorporates gold hardware, natural textures, and a subtle midcentury modern undertone.”

This comprehensive forecast isn’t just based on speculation; it’s meticulously compiled from a rigorous survey of leading interior designers across the nation, combined with an in-depth analysis of the most popular and saved photos on Zillow Digs’ expansive platform. This dual approach ensures that the predictions are grounded in both expert opinion and real-world homeowner preference. Let’s delve deeper into these burgeoning 2015 trends that promise to redefine our living spaces, and also explore the outgoing styles making their graceful exit.

The Top 5 Home Decor Trends to Embrace in 2015

1. Gold Fixtures: A Radiant Renaissance

For many, the mention of gold fixtures conjures images of the overly zealous, often brassy accents that dominated homes in the 1980s and 90s. However, 2015 marked a sophisticated comeback for this metallic hue. Zillow Digs design experts confidently predicted that gold hardware would be reincarnated with a fresh, contemporary appeal. This wasn’t about a nostalgic replication; it was a reimagining. The new gold was brighter, often boasting a softer, brushed finish or a polished gleam that felt luxurious rather than ostentatious. Lines were sleeker, more minimalist, allowing the warmth of the metal to shine without overpowering a space. Furthermore, designers encouraged a “mix-and-match” metal scheme, pairing gold with chrome, matte black, or brushed nickel to create dynamic and personalized looks. This modern iteration of gold promised to add a touch of glamour and warmth, elevating everyday elements like faucets, cabinet pulls, and lighting fixtures into genuine statements of style.

2. Midcentury Modern Accents: Timeless Elegance in Doses

Midcentury Modern (MCM) design has long held a revered place in the annals of architecture and interiors, celebrated for its clean lines, organic forms, and emphasis on functionality. While a full immersion into a midcentury aesthetic can sometimes feel sterile or like a museum, the 2015 forecast ingeniously called for the integration of MCM elements as thoughtful accents. This approach allowed homeowners to infuse their spaces with the sophisticated charm of the era without committing to a singular, overarching theme. Expect to see iconic MCM pieces — think Eames chairs, Sputnik chandeliers, or Saarinen tables — carefully placed within contemporary or transitional settings. The beauty of using MCM as an accent lies in its ability to provide a strong design anchor, a point of visual interest, or a conversation starter. This trend extended beyond furniture, influencing architectural details, lighting choices, and even decorative objects, proving that timeless design, when applied judiciously, can enhance virtually any interior, making it more curated and dynamic.

3. Wallpaper: A Resurgent Canvas for Creativity

Once considered an outdated relic of bygone eras, wallpaper made a triumphant return in 2015, reinvented and re-energized for the modern home. This wasn’t your grandmother’s floral print; the new wave of wallpaper encompassed an astonishing array of digital prints, intricate patterns, and, notably, rich textures. “Wallpaper is coming back in a big way,” affirmed Zillow Digs designer Jamie Beckwith of Beckwith Interiors in Nashville. Textured wallpaper, in particular, was highlighted as a key trend. Materials like grasscloth, cork, linen, or even subtle embossed patterns added incredible depth and tactile appeal to walls, transforming them from mere backdrops into integral design elements. Beyond texture, bold geometric designs, abstract art-inspired murals, and sophisticated botanical prints allowed homeowners to express personality, create focal points, and introduce an unparalleled level of visual interest that paint alone simply couldn’t achieve. Wallpaper in 2015 was about making a statement, infusing rooms with character, and pushing the boundaries of wall decor.

4. Blue Accent Colors: A Calming and Versatile Hue

Blue, a color inherently linked to tranquility, stability, and natural beauty, firmly cemented its place as a top accent color for 2015. Its particular prominence was bolstered by its exquisite compatibility with Marsala, the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year. Kerrie Kelly emphasized this synergy: “Pops of indigo blue or deep navy will become a staple in home design this year, as their deep natural hues become extra vibrant against warm earth tones like Marsala.” This trend wasn’t limited to a single shade but embraced the entire spectrum of blues, from vibrant cobalt and serene sky blue to sophisticated navy and deep indigo. As an accent, blue offered incredible versatility. It appeared in various forms: a bold painted feature wall, plush velvet upholstery, decorative throw pillows, statement artwork, or even in unexpected places like kitchen cabinetry. Its ability to evoke a sense of calm while simultaneously providing a striking contrast to warmer palettes made it an indispensable tool for designers seeking to create balanced, inviting, and sophisticated spaces.

5. Cowhide: Unexpected Texture and Rustic Chic

While cowhide rugs have long been a staple in certain regional designs, particularly in areas like Texas, 2015 saw cowhide transcend its traditional use, emerging as a surprisingly versatile and sophisticated accent in homes across the globe. This trend highlighted cowhide’s inherent ability to introduce natural texture, organic patterns, and a touch of rustic luxury into diverse interior styles. Designers were incorporating cowhide in creative and unexpected ways: upholstering bar stools or accent chairs, transforming it into throw blankets for sofas, or even framing smaller pieces as unique wall art. Its distinctive markings, ranging from speckled patterns to solid blocks of color, made each piece unique, adding an authentic, earthy touch. Cowhide was valued for its durability, its ability to ground a space, and its striking visual impact, whether used to complement a modern minimalist aesthetic, a bohemian retreat, or a classic traditional room. It became a subtle yet powerful way to inject personality and a raw, natural element into highly polished interiors.

Fading Fast: Four 2014 Fads Making Their Exit

1. Chevron Patterns: The Decline of an Overused Motif

The chevron pattern, with its distinctive V-shaped zigzags, enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity in the years leading up to 2014. Its playful, dynamic, and bold graphic appeal made it a go-to choice for adding a contemporary edge to everything from textiles and rugs to stationery and home accessories. However, as Zillow Digs pointed out, the very ubiquity that made it popular ultimately sealed its fate. The market became saturated with chevron in every imaginable color and application, leading to what designers often refer to as “trend fatigue.” When a pattern starts appearing on dog food bowls, it’s a clear sign that it has moved beyond being a chic design statement to becoming an overdone cliche. For 2015, the design world was ready to move on from this once-beloved motif, seeking fresh patterns and less ubiquitous ways to introduce visual interest and movement into interiors. The demand shifted towards more subtle geometrics, organic prints, or the textural depth offered by newer wallpaper designs, leaving chevron to fade into the background of past trends.

2. Super-Saturated Bright Colors: A Retreat from Overwhelming Hues

For several years, vibrant, super-saturated jewel tones dominated interior palettes, injecting homes with an undeniable burst of energy and personality. While bright colors can certainly uplift a space, the experts at Zillow Digs suggested that their overuse made them “not built to last” as enduring trends. As designer Jamie Herzlinger noted, “It’s hard to work with such saturated colors” in a way that feels cohesive and sophisticated over time. The intensity of these hues often made them overwhelming in large doses, hindering the creation of truly calming or adaptable environments. In 2015, the design sensibility shifted towards a more nuanced approach to color. This meant favoring more muted versions of popular shades, embracing earthy tones like Marsala, and utilizing bolder colors as precise accents rather than entire room schemes. The desire for a more “approachable” and “sophisticated” aesthetic meant toning down the intensity, allowing for greater versatility and longevity in home design choices. Homeowners were encouraged to explore richer, deeper tones or softer pastels that offered warmth and character without the visual fatigue associated with overly bright palettes.

3. Matching Furniture Sets: The Rise of Eclectic Curation

For decades, the matching furniture set—a sofa, loveseat, and armchair all from the same collection—was a go-to for furnishing a living room. While convenient, this approach often resulted in interiors that felt generic, uninspired, and frankly, a little too “perfect” to convey genuine personality. Zillow Digs’ style gurus proclaimed the end of this matchy-match era, heralding the triumph of eclectic, multi-era decor. The modern homeowner increasingly sought to create spaces that told a story, reflecting their individual tastes, travels, and personal history. This meant mixing different pieces from various styles, periods, and even price points. A vintage armchair could comfortably sit alongside a contemporary sofa, or a rustic coffee table could complement sleek, modern side tables. The beauty of eclectic design lies in its ability to create a layered, interesting, and deeply personal environment. It encourages thoughtful curation over mass purchasing, allowing homeowners to express their creativity and cultivate a space that feels genuinely lived-in and unique, rather than simply furnished from a showroom floor.

4. Solid Painted Accent Walls: Embracing Depth Over Simple Contrast

The solid painted accent wall, often in a contrasting bold color like red, teal, or charcoal, was a popular interior design tactic for adding a pop of color and defining a space without painting an entire room. While effective in its simplicity, this trend began to lose its luster by 2015. Designers and homeowners alike started seeking more sophisticated and nuanced ways to create focal points and introduce visual interest into rooms. The decline of the simple accent wall directly correlated with the resurgence of wallpaper and the growing appreciation for textured wall coverings. Instead of a flat block of color, the new preference leaned towards walls that offered depth, pattern, and tactile appeal. Wallpaper, with its endless array of designs, from subtle textures to dramatic murals, provided a much richer and more layered alternative. This shift signified a move away from quick, straightforward design fixes towards more thoughtfully considered and enduring wall treatments that add character and sophistication far beyond what a single coat of paint on one wall could achieve.

Your Home, Your Style: Embracing the Future of Design

The 2015 Home Trend Forecast from Zillow Digs offered a compelling glimpse into a future where interior design prioritized sophistication, personalization, and timeless appeal. It was a year for homeowners to move beyond fleeting fads and embrace enduring styles, natural textures, and a carefully curated aesthetic. The emphasis on subtle midcentury modern accents, radiant gold fixtures, versatile blue hues, distinctive cowhide elements, and the artistic comeback of wallpaper invited individuals to craft spaces that felt both modern and deeply personal.

As we reflect on these predictions, what resonated most with your personal style watch list for 2015? Did you find yourself agreeing with the rise of new trends or nodding in approval as some older fads made their graceful exit? We invite you to share your thoughts, insights, and how these trends, or your own unique interpretations, shaped your home’s decor. Comment below and let us know your favorite (or least favorite) trends from this transformative year in interior design!