Home trends 2015: Natural materials and warm colors

Functionality is secondary – it should be comfortable and personal

Finding a definitive interior design trend for 2015 is proving somewhat difficult: variety is key. This year, interior design is something deeply personal; the home is not a field for design, but rather an expression of one's own private feelings.

Experts place the need for comfortable living spaces within a broader societal context. They see the current feeling about housing as a longing for security and comfort, for community, sustainability, and simplicity.

It's less about functionality; individual comfort is paramount. We want to relax at home in an environment that isn't primarily chic or "in," but rather one that reflects us and meets our needs.

Trend researchers also see this as an expression of a changing work-life balance. The home environment represents the emotional counterpoint to the rationally efficient professional life. Leisure time, and therefore family, relaxation, and individual well-being, are valued more highly than career and higher earnings.

The colors are also becoming warmer. Warm, soft earth tones suit the overall theme of coziness. Calming browns like "espresso" and "chocolate" are popular—muted colors combined with pastels. (Our tip: In smaller rooms, darkening colors like brown should only be used to accentuate one wall.)

Soft yet shimmering, copper orange is set to become the star among interior colors. Color experts see it as "the discovery of the wonderful in the everyday." The rather sterile-looking "non-color" white is being replaced by cream or gray.

The trend towards naturalness continues: Country style is back in fashion, as are natural wood furniture and accessories made from natural materials in general. As an alternative to wood-paneled walls, non-woven wallpaper imitates stone or wood walls.

Furniture is becoming smaller and slimmer, and can be supplemented as desired. Even a dining set no longer needs to be a uniform ensemble, but can, for example, be furnished with chairs in different colors. Mixing styles is still very much in vogue. The cozy interior is rounded off with snug accessories such as cushions and blankets with subtle, combinable patterns.