Wallpaper: Wallpaper adds style to any room. From bold floral to vintage-style graphics to lavish textures – all these wallpapers are going up on walls in 2014. “Floral patterns are making a comeback in designs this year. As for colour trends, stick with bold colours such as red, purple, fuchsia, yellow, grey and blue,” said Mohamed Abdel-Rahman sales manager at a well-known wallpaper company. Choose shades anywhere from extremely light to extremely dark, he said, and also consider jade and emerald. Another new trend is 3D wallpaper patterns that can add flare to any home. The classic brick and wood grain patterns that were popular in the 50s and 60s are also in this year. Different textures, many with a velvety touch, embedded stones or a contrast of shiny surfaces with matt areas to give an additional dimension, can add something special to any wall. “Strong contemporary patterns in stylish colours and flock wallpapers with bold geometric patterns are in this year,” he said. Digital technology has also seen an abundance of design options for 2014, making wallpaper one of its biggest trends. “Wallpaper is no longer a matter of printed flowers. Thanks to digital technology, we now have animal skins, vintage plates and lace stripes among other designs, as well as gorgeous prints,” said Ahmed Sami, the managing director of a production company providing high-quality large format printing services using the latest technology. Lighting: Lighting plays a significant part in creating a successful interior within any home. “Unlike in 2013, this year's trends are artistic in nature, more relaxed, understated and more classic, using timber, metal and concrete,” said Samira Sarhan, owner of a lighting supplies centre. Energy efficient lighting is increasingly trending around the world, and this year most light fixtures accommodate some form of CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) or LED lamp. Chandeliers are excellent to highlight spaces and do not necessarily have to be put in the middle of the room. “Traditional chandeliers are being replaced this year with more minimal styles, though many keep the traditional crystals to maintain an appearance of glamour and elegance,” she added. According to Sarhan, combinations of warm metals like gold with cool green and gold foil on soft grey are trending this year after years of chrome and silver. Another colour trend is soft pink, especially when mixed with pale grey to achieve a timeless elegance. Moroccan-style lighting pendants in silver and brass are also still big in 2014. Furniture: Glamour is one of 2014's strongest trends in furniture. “Metallic-styled materials are booming this year. Blending pieces of furniture into the background of a room by using striking silver and gold brings sparkle to any room,” said Ahmed Sayed, a sales representative for luxury furniture. Standout furniture and floral pattern furniture that can create a natural atmosphere in your home are also trending this year, he added. “Vivid and soft colours predominate in furniture fabrics this year. You can also use golden, gray iron and dark gray colours.” Using geometric shapes for furniture is one of the hottest trends this year, according to Dalia Sabri, assistant manager at a well-known furniture company. “Uncluttered rooms and open space in addition to multi-functional furniture are the themes for 2014,” she said. Vintage furniture continues to be popular this year, ensuring that old furniture doesn't end up redundant too early, added Sabri. “Trendy colours for furniture fabrics this year are red, blue, turquoise, gray and purple,” she said, adding that white can also be used when paired with bright colours such as red, orange and green or in combinations of black and white. Flooring: When renewing a room, don't forget about the floors. “Flooring makes all the difference, giving any space a fresh look and style,” said Bassam Mustafa, senior sales representative at one of the leading flooring companies showcasing in the exhibition. According to Mustafa, bamboo is the flooring trend for the year. “Bamboo has been around for a long time, but the new thing here is the flare-up of different colours and styles,” he commented. Being a natural material, bamboo shares many of the benefits of a hardwood floor and is priced at almost the same level. It is ecologically friendly, easy to maintain and to some extent is more resistant to water damage, stains, and warping than hardwood materials. Mustafa added that new products called strand-woven bamboo are highly engineered using the plant's inner fibres and are twice as hard as traditional bamboo flooring. Though bamboo floors are extremely durable, strong, and silken to walk upon, Mustafa advises that it is not used in the bathroom or laundry, as the fibres are very absorbent and can warp when exposed to high levels of moisture. As people become more ecologically aware, they are demanding products that reflect this in decorating their homes. “Although it has a larger initial cost than wood, stone can provide substantial savings over the long term as a flooring option,” said Noha Abdel-Rahman, sales representative of the only manufacturer of eco-friendly coloured glass, stone and sand for decoration in the Middle East. With endless options in terms of colours, textures, shapes and design capabilities, especially the ability to adapt to curved surfaces, eco-friendly stone and glass are cool to work with this year, Abdel-Rahman said, adding that “inside or outside, the only thing stopping you is your imagination and budget.” “In contrast to ceramic tiles, stone tiles are the top choice for wet environments, including bathrooms, kitchens or entry areas where slip-resistance is a necessity,” she said. Stone tiles are exceptionally durable and very receptive to passive solar heating, as they will hold and radiate heat long after the sun goes down. Being an easy to clean hygienic material, they can be used in swimming pools, spas, gyms, wellness centres or even decorating areas, she added.
