Design trends

7 Interior Design Trends for 2025 /  by Margaret Chambers

Global-inspired rooms, like this African bedroom we designed for our Dallas clients, are very popular this year.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and bring it up-to-date. If you’re redecorating this year and want your rooms to look as current as possible, consider incorporating some of these design elements. Here are seven trends that designers like myself are featuring in our projects in 2025.

1. High-Lacquer Walls and Cabinets

Traditionally, lacquerware from China or Japan was created by coating an object with several layers of resin. Today, high-gloss paints and topcoats can be used to achieve that same effect for your walls. Lacquered walls add a lot of drama to a room. Dark colors, especially, make the room feel moody and mysterious. Greens and blues seem to be the most popular paint colors for lacquered walls right now. If you want something more subtle, choose a soft pastel or off-white instead.

The high-gloss enamel paint we used on this ceiling has a similar shine to a lacquered finish.

One thing to note is that lacquered finishes will highlight any imperfections in your walls. They also work best in rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light; when there’s too much light bouncing off the walls, it can feel overwhelming. If you don’t want all of your walls to have a lacquer finish, consider using a high-gloss finish on just the ceiling. High-gloss enamel paint has pretty much the same visual effect as lacquer.

2. Wallpapered Ceilings

When our clients bought this house in Kessler Park, the dining room had a dark terracotta paint color on the ceiling. The ceiling was only nine feet tall, so that color really brought the ceiling down. By installing a light-patterned wallpaper there, we actually “lifted” the ceiling. The wallpaper also adds interest without being too distracting.

Wallpaper has been making a comeback for several years now, and the trend will continue in 2025.

Since most homeowners ignore their ceiling, a wallpapered ceiling is very memorable. If you’re only wallpapering your ceiling, make sure to paint the rest of your walls in a solid, complementary color. A word of caution: wallpaper is much more difficult to install on the ceiling, typically requiring two people and scaffolding. I would recommend having it professionally installed rather than trying to do it yourself.

Installing wallpaper inside of built-in bookshelves is another popular trend. Here you can see an example from a Preston Hollow home we designed.

Also, keep in mind that wallpaper doesn’t stick to textured surfaces, and you’ll need to fix any cracks before adding wallpaper. The walls need to be as smooth as glass.

The colors and patterns you choose for your wallpaper make a big difference. Adding a darkly colored wallpaper to your ceiling makes the ceiling feel lower, while a dark wallpaper on every wall makes the room feel cave-like. That said, if the room is very large, this might work in your favor.

3. Textured Rugs

Designers are exploring other kinds of rugs besides traditional Oriental rugs. In my projects, I like to use sisal rugs or rugs made of wool carpet that have been cut to size. Rugs with tufted details, high-pile rugs, or rugs with raised patterns are all great ways to add more texture to the room. Subdued, neutral colors like cream, gray, and beige work especially well on textured rugs, along with earthy colors like terracotta or olive green.

Some rug sellers offer Oriental rugs with traditional patterns but contemporary, neutral colors. Asymmetrical designs are also trendy. The flowing lines of an asymmetrical rug can add softness and movement to a contemporary room composed of straight lines.

This textured rug is an African design from a Ralph Lauren line. It goes perfectly with the African theme and motifs in this guest bedroom.

4. Wide-Plank Wood Floors

Most new houses these days have wood floors with at least 5-inch wood planks, instead of narrow strips of wood. In a big house, you might see a herringbone pattern wood floor used in a study or a dining room for variety.

This is a bathroom we remodeled that features a herringbone pattern on the floor. Our client wanted to add hardwood floors to give the bathroom some warmth. Many people think that you can’t put wood floors in a bathroom, but you can. You just need to protect the floors from water by using multiple coats of high-quality polyurethane, which is what we did here.

A lot of homeowners are opting for natural materials in flooring, which last longer than laminates. Sustainable materials, such as bamboo, hardwood, cork, and marmoleum (natural linoleum) continue to grow in popularity. As far as wood color goes, I’m starting to see people in Dallas move away from gray and towards warmer browns or blond woods.

5. Flush-Mounted Decorative Light Fixtures

Flush-mounted fixtures are installed directly against the ceiling with no gaps. They are space-saving, sleek, and great for low ceilings or minimalist rooms. Since they are closer to the ceiling, they also accumulate less dust.

6. An Element of Surprise

Adding an element of surprise to a room introduces tension and keeps your space from being too matchy-matchy. It also gives your room individuality so that it doesn’t look like a model home or a hotel room. Some people will create surprise by installing an unusual light fixture, or mixing in contemporary art and lamps with traditional furnishings. Your hobbies and collections can be a source of inspiration here, especially art pieces collected from your travels.

Make sure your element of surprise is complementary in terms of texture or color to the rest of the room. Old antique pieces can be repainted in a new color, or re-upholstered in an unexpected, modern fabric.

7. Indian and African influences

Global-inspired rooms are very big right now, especially African or Indian-influenced. The term “Indian modernism” describes rooms with clean, straight lines but bright colors and traditional Indian patterns, especially on cushions and rugs. These rooms often feature a sprinkling of Indian antiques or brass accessories as well.

This kind of Syrian table is rare and hard to come by, which adds an element of surprise to this formal living room. Inlaid with mother-of-pearl, it has a wonderful sparkle. The table also makes a great conversation piece. In the background, you can see an Indian sunburst mirror set with shards of glass.

Handcrafted items like baskets, plates, or earthenware are important in African interior design. Terracotta, wood, straw, ivory, and clay are commonly used materials, while jute and sisal are often used in woven pieces. The geometric designs that are common in Africa pair perfectly with mid-century modern interiors. The color palettes tend to be warm, with muted reds, browns, oranges and yellows.

In my opinion, these are all trends that I think will stand the test of time. Although I stay abreast of the latest trends, I always try to design homes for my clients that are timeless enough to look beautiful for decades. You should only follow a trend if it’s something you genuinely enjoy. When you design a home personalized to you, you’ll love it for a long time, no matter how design trends change.

Are you updating your home this year? Consider reaching out to Chambers Interiors & Associates. Professional interior designers have access to on-trend items not available to the general public. To schedule a consultation, call our Dallas office at 214-651-7665 or send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

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Hardware 101: Choosing Styles, Shapes, and Finishes /  by Margaret Chambers

Always a classic choice for traditional architecture, brass hardware is trendy right now. For this Colleyville remodel, we used brass hardware to bring it up-to-date.

Hardware is often described as the “jewelry of the home,” but it’s more than just an accessory to your interior design. Hardware is something that you’ll be looking at and putting your hands on every day, so it needs to be both stylish and comfortable to use.

However, finding the right hardware isn’t always easy. There are many different shapes, styles, and finishes to choose from, and not all of them will look flattering in your home. Here are some things I as a designer consider when I’m helping a client choose their hardware for a new house or remodel.

Brass hardware and white-painted cabinetry are an appealing combination.

1. Make a List of Everything You Need

To begin, go through and count how many new handles, knobs, pulls, hinges, and faucets you will need in total. Determine your budget and how large you want the new hardware to be. Don’t forget to stop and think about how you want the hardware to feel, too. Whenever possible, try out samples at the hardware store so you can see how they fit your hand. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the hardware is if it’s cumbersome to use.

2. Learn About the Different Kinds of Hardware Available

If you’re updating your interior door handles, your two main choices are levers and knobs. Levers are usually used in contemporary homes, while knobs are great in traditional and transitional style homes. Keep in mind that knobs are more difficult to handle for those with mobility issues, the elderly, and young children. Knobs, unlike levers, can be easily child-proofed.

You should also make a note of which doors will need locks. Passage knobs are for doors that don’t need to be locked. Privacy knobs lock on one side, while keyed entry knobs lock from both sides. Dummy knobs don’t have any moving parts, meaning they don’t turn and click. They’re usually used for closet doors and pantries.

We chose hardware with a satin brass finish (seen here) for this Dallas remodel, as well as a satin nickel finish for the faucets in the main kitchen. This project was designed in collaboration with Helene's Luxury Kitchens.

Photo courtesy of First Showing Photography

As far as style goes, traditional homes usually look best with hardware that has rounded curves and intricate details instead of sharp angles. Meanwhile, simple, angular hardware is suited for contemporary interior design. These days, I see modern kitchens using very long drawer handles. Pot fillers have been a fad the last five years, but I try to steer my clients away from them. They distract from the cooktop and backsplash, so I think they’re a fad that won’t last.

3. Pick Up to Four Finishes to Use Throughout the Home

Believe it or not, it’s perfectly acceptable to mix finishes. The ideal range is three to four finishes in a home, with no more than two different finishes per room. If your heart is set on a door handle finish that looks good in one room but not the next, look into getting a “split finish,” in which the handle has a different finish on either side.

Your hardware finish choices should reflect your home’s style of architecture. For example, I would use oil-rubbed bronze in an Italian home, brass in a French, English, or Federal home, and either satin nickel or chrome in a contemporary home. Brass, by the way, is having a huge comeback. Another trendy finish that designers have been using the last few years is matte black.

To choose a complementary finish for your doors and cabinets, focus on color temperature. If your doors are painted a warm white, you should choose doorknobs with a warm finish, such as brass, polished nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze. If your doors are painted a cool color, like cool gray, I recommend hardware with a cool finish, like chrome. Remember that your hardware should also complement your light fixtures, especially your sconces.

This kitchen is an example of how to combine mixed metals effectively. The hardware is polished nickel, the pendant chandeliers are brass, and the vent hood is made of steel and brass.

Since hardware is situated at the front and center of all your doors and cabinetry, when in doubt, pick a style that is simple and timeless. If this is your first time choosing your own hardware, you may want to reach out to a designer like myself. With almost every job, I have to select and place the hardware, so I have a lot of experience mixing different styles and finishes in a single home. If you're interested in working with me and my design firm, call our Dallas office at 214-232-9501 or send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

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6 Reasons Why Framed Wallpaper Panels Are Hot Right Now /  by Margaret Chambers

We hung these de Gournay panels in a rising sequence. The panels add interest to the wall of this high-ceilinged room.

The words “wallpaper” and “trendy” might sound like an odd combination, but as it turns out, wallpaper has been coming back in a big way in Dallas homes over the last three or four years. One of the trendiest ways to use wallpaper is to take individual panels, frame them, and display them as art.

If you’ve never seen framed wallpaper panels in action, you might be wondering why someone would choose them over papering an entire wall or room. Here are some reasons why interior designers like myself recommend them:

  1. They are less of a commitment.

    It’s much easier to remove framed panels from a wall than it is to remove wallpaper from the wall itself.

  2. They are more affordable.

    If you have your sights set on very expensive, hand-painted wallpaper brands like Gracie or de Gournay, you can bring down the costs by only buying the panels you need. They’re also a smart way to add wallpaper to large voids, like in a high-ceilinged room or a staircase. After all, it’s easier to use several panels of matching wallpaper than it is to find several pieces of matching artwork.

  3. Using panels can help break up bold patterns.

    Sometimes a dramatic wallpaper would be too much for your room. But the same pattern divided into visual blocks could possibly fit better into your design.

  4. You can take them with you to your next home.

    Once applied directly to the wall, most brands of wallpaper can’t be reused. Framed wallpaper panels, however, can come with you when you move, making them a wise investment. They’re a great option for renters, too.

  5. Framed wallpaper panels are less hassle.

    Even if you’re planning on framing the panels yourself, this will still be an easier project than putting up wallpaper.

  6. They can add some much-needed interest to plain walls.

    For example, framed wallpaper panels are great for homes without many architectural details.

Sounds appealing, right? If you’re sold on the idea but don’t have much experience with wallpaper, here are some pointers to help you get started.

Before you even pick a pattern, measure your wall space carefully so that you can figure out how many panels you need and what their dimensions should be. Once you have your measurements, then it’s time to decide what color and pattern you want. The dominant color in your wallpaper pattern should be based on at least one other color from the surrounding room, even if it’s just a secondary color.

On the other hand, if you’ve already found the wallpaper you love but haven’t designed the rest of the room, you can use the wallpaper as inspiration for the room’s color scheme. Wallpapers with neutral colors and touchable textures (like linen or painted grass cloth) are another creative option if you don’t normally decorate with bold colors or patterns. “Busy” patterned wallpapers should be used in spaces that are otherwise clean and simple in style. That way, your panels will command attention without making the room feel overwhelming.

We used Gracie wallpaper panels in this upstairs hallway. Although they are part of a set, each panel is unique.

Your choice of frame can have a bigger impact on the wallpaper’s presentation than you might expect, so pick a complementary one. For example, one-inch gold bamboo frames are the perfect match for chinoiserie wallpaper. Your frames should always be small to make them lightweight and keep the focus on the wallpaper itself. Another thing to note is that adding glass will make your wallpaper panels much heavier and more difficult to hang, so I don’t advise it at all.

I myself have worked with framed wallpaper panels on two Dallas projects recently. For one project, we used Gracie panels in the client’s upstairs hallway. On the other project, we hung de Gournay panels in a rising sequence along the wall next to the staircase. If you’re interested in adding this surprising alternative to artwork to your walls, but could use help making measurements, picking the right pattern, and picking the right frame, give us a call. You can reach our Dallas office by calling 214-232-9501, or you can send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com. I personally believe that this is one of those occasional design trends that is classically beautiful enough to stand the test of time.

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