2018 has started with the usual good intentions for a shiny New Year - alcohol purged from the house, calorie intake restrictions in place, morning jog attempts (once was enough), new language courses booked....so nothing new there. What is new, and exciting, is looking ahead to what is going to dominate the world of interiors and the predictions are in!

Interior Design Magazine spoke with a team of industry experts at the close of 2017 and asked them to predict what 2018 has in store. So here you have it, straight from the horses mouth, the top five predicted interiors trends for the year ahead. As well as our selection of the top Pad products that will help you achieve your chosen trend in your very own , soon to be cutting edge, home.

MAXIMALISM

It's bye bye Scandinavian minimalism, hello to bold, patterned, contrasting, colourful, decadent opulence of maximalism. Interiors schemes filled with texture, pattern, colour and extravagance are set to dominate this year in a backlash against the restrictions of minimalist aesthetics which has dominated the last few years. This fits well within the Pad remit, we have always embraced quirky, unique and fun homewares - and now it is there moment to shine...here are a few of our favourite maximalist pieces from the collection.

CHRISTIAN LACROIX FOLIE MYRTILLE WALLPAPER

This wallpaper is the perfect background setting for any maximalist interior. The quirky collage features amazingly three dimensional looking ceramic plates in combination with a myriad of other memorabilia, all set against classic toile with a twist. Just one of a range of fantastical, imaginative and show stopping wallpaper from the king of opulence, check out our Pad edit here.

REFLECTIONS SAVANNAH CRYSTAL TRAY

Nothing says opulence better than a 100% solid, hand crafted crystal tray. The perfect finishing touch to any maximalist interior, combining sparkle, colour, texture and luxury in one beautiful, and functional tableware. Indulge your crystal fetish further and shop the full Reflections collection at Pad, all designed by two innovative independent designers from Copenhagen, Julie Hugau and Andrea Larsson. 

SUSI BELLAMY PINK ROSE KALEIDOSCOPE ABSTRACT OBLONG CUSHION

You don't get much further from mimimalism than technicolour kaleidoscope. Oh and its velvet....Just one of several colourful, exotic cushions from textile designer and artist Susi Bellamy. Pair with another Kaleidoscopic cushion from her range for the full maximalist effect - shop the collection here.

POLS POTTEN GRANPA TEA SET

Inject some fun into your daily cup of tea with this fabulous tea seat from eclectic Dutch brand Pols Potten. They come in a set of four, and each cup is a different colour and pattern. Maximalist accessory box ticked! heck out the Grandma Espresso set if coffee is more your bag, or shop the full Pols Potten range here.

MONOCHROME

If you are a purist at heart and the above has left you seeking cover, fear not - there is a trend blossoming which will suit your more reserved aesthetic. Minimalism is by no means dead, rather interior stylists are opting for calming tonal interiors that layer shades of the same color. Tone on Tone is a refined, sophisticated look that can appear effortless, yet hard to perfect. Here are some Pad products that will help you on your way to achieving seamless, simple colour layering.

MUUTO SWAY THROW BLACK/WHITE

This silky soft, merino wool throw was created by Danish weaver and textile designer Tina Ratzer for Scandinavian brand Muuto. The perfect monochrome accessory for any room, pop it on a charcoal sofa or black chair to achieve texture without introducing contrasting colours to an interior scheme. There is a great collection of slimline sofas you can view. Shop the full Muuto collection here - they are masters of monochrome.

POLS POTTEN PASTEL AFRESH LARGE PLATES

Pols Potten make monochrome easy with the Pastel Afresh range, combining simple hand painted patterns with a sophisticated mix of cool blues, greys and whites within this set of four pretty plates. Dress your whole dinner table to match your subtle monochrome interior with the full tableware set of Pastel Afresh bowls, small plates and cups. Shop the collection here.

COLE & SON PALM LEAFY GREY WALLPAPER 

The perfect backdrop to build a monochrome scheme from, this classic Cole & Son Palm wallpaper introduces a subtle pattern to a paired back interior. The delicate grey palm motif is elegantly repeated on the ivory background which is a sophisticated alternative to a simple coloured wall in a minimalist scheme. Other colourways available in this design if grey isn't your preferred tone - shop the full range of Cole & Son wallpaper here.

THE KNOTS "GIMME COFFEE" BERBER RUG

Texture is a must in a monochrome interior. Inspired by iconic Moroccan Berber rugs, this hand woven wool rug is made to order in Anatolia. Combining delicate charcoal hues with a distinctive geometric pattern created in ivory, this Berber is a perfect shaggy statement piece for any monochrome interior. Just one of several beautiful berbers available from the iconic Berlin rug house, the Knots, at Pad - shop the collection here. 

MATERIALS WITH PURPOSE

The importance of responsibly sourced materials is at the forefront of design going forward. From leather created using pineapple waste to interior tiles made from corn husks, designers are looking to recycle where possible to create sustainable, environmentally responsible products. At Pad we have always supported ethically sourced products where possible, so this trend sits well within our own ethos. So here are some of our favourite products in line with this trend - to help you help our beautiful world.

MUUTO RESTORE BASKET

A place to artfully stack magazines, store extra blankets or even stack logs for these cold winter evenings. Stack able, versatile, stylish....but most importantly these pleasing storage trays are made from recycled PET bottles. Beautiful and responsible - its what storage dreams are made of! Also available in a smaller tray version, shop the full Restore collection here. 

THE KNOTS 'WALLABOUT' VINTAGE RUG

Recycling is just important as reusing, and the Berlin rug company have a wonderful way of breathing a new life into the old. This beautifully unique vintage rug was intricately hand crafted 50 years ago in Maschad, Iran, and has been reborn into this showstopping contemporary rug. It may not be an easy process, and to revive these old Persians there is elaborate restoration required, including stone washing, shortening of the 100% sheep wool pile and over dying in chromatic hues.  We for one think its worth it, age doesn't beat beauty this time - both shine together Shop the full collection of amazing vintage rugs from The Knots here.

LUBECH LIVING 'OOH'  PLANT POTS CEMENT CREASED

A plant pot made of paper...impossible you say, well turns out nothing is impossible these days. These stylish pots are the brain child of Lubech Living, a Danish design house with a focus on sustainable, hand made products. The 'Ooh' pot was the first and only waterproof paper pots to hit the market, made out of recycled paper, natural latex, sand, mahogany-waste wood, melted down plastic bags, bottles and aluminium. Every 'Oooh' pot made in Sri Lanka as part of a fair-trade project, which provides an important income for a large group of less privileged women on the west coast of Sri Lanka. They come with optional funky cement bases and a variety of sizes - shop the full collection here.

NICHOLA TAYLORSON TARAKA EMBROIDERED CUSHION

The statistics on textile waste are scary, we are a throw away society and with cheap clothing so readily available we are all surely culprits. One way to improve our ways is to invest in textiles that are responsibly made, sustainable and not throw away. Nichola Taylorson is new to the Pad collection and her beautiful, hand printed and embroidered cushion are not only stunning, but support local artisans in India in their manufacture. Paying hommage to age old traditions and techniques of the Indian textile business, these cushions have been hand made with a conscience using natural dyes  - definitely not one to throw away and the timeless designs will see you through years of redecorating. Shop the full collection here.