Material Obsession: The Fall 2025 Finishes Elevating Luxury Commercial Interiors

The line between residential and commercial design has never been more blurred — or more beautiful. Here, Kuchar Creative Director Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson answers burning questions about the textures, materials, and moods redefining luxury in commercial spaces this fall. 

Let’s start with the big picture. What’s the defining aesthetic or mood shaping luxury commercial interiors this fall?

The biggest shift we’re seeing is the continued blurring of lines between hospitality, residential, and commercial design. Our clients want their spaces to feel elevated, comfortable, and personal, like a boutique hotel or a well-designed home. And that means layering in more refined finishes — rich wallcoverings, cozy textiles, and design-forward lighting — to add warmth.

What materials or finishes are dominating Kuchar’s studio palette right now, and why?

We’re obsessed with marble at the moment — particularly pieces with dramatic veining or unique colorways. These kinds of marbles make a space feel curated and luxurious, almost like art. We’re also working with a lot of leather, especially in unexpected hues like deep, muddy greens and muted blues. It adds a level of sophistication but also brings in a softness that’s often missing in commercial interiors.

Tile is another big focus for both wall and floor applications. We’re constantly searching for ways to make commercial-grade tile look beautiful, whether it’s through pattern, finish, or texture. For example, we’re currently designing an office space here in Chicago inspired by the Prairie School movement and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. In the bathroom suite, we created a custom floor tile pattern that nods to Wright’s iconic geometry and earthy palette. It feels thoughtful and contextual, which is always our goal.

Texture and tactility are having a moment. How are you leveraging those qualities in commercial spaces?

Texture is everything right now. We’re layering it in through acoustic wall panels, mixed metals, upholsteries, draperies — you name it. And it’s not just for aesthetics. Acoustic applications, for example, have come a long way. We’re using sound-absorbing materials that double as design elements, especially in café spaces or collaborative work zones where noise control matters.

Velvet has become a go-to for us as well. We’re specifying it for drapery and seating to bring softness into a space. And we’re loving textured plaster for more intimate zones, like a private dining room. It creates a moody, enveloping atmosphere that’s incredibly chic and comforting.

What’s the most unexpected material you’ve used recently in a commercial setting?

We recently designed an office space in London that featured a connecting stair. Instead of defaulting to something typical and utilitarian, we installed a patterned, Oriental-style runner on the stairs — something you’d usually see in a residence or a hotel. It gave the whole space a layered, lived-in feeling.

The contractor actually asked us several times if we were sure about it. He was so surprised by the choice! But the impact is truly incredible. We’ve also been adding antique mirrors and colored-marble vanities into office restrooms. These small, unexpected touches bring a real sense of soul to the space.

Let’s talk about shine. You’ve mentioned a return to “high polish.” How do you balance glossy finishes like lacquer, mirror, and metallics with warmth?

It’s all about contrast and restraint. A little high-shine goes a long way. For example, in a recent New York office project, we used a high-gloss lacquer on some cabinetry but balanced it with warm, handmade tile and vintage sconces. That juxtaposition — the polish against the patina — creates this layered richness that feels both luxurious and approachable.

We’re seeing more metallics and mirrored finishes across the board, but the key is using them intentionally, almost like jewelry. Just a touch to catch the light and elevate the space.

Are client expectations changing when it comes to finish quality and customization?

Definitely. Recently, one of our clients asked us to design a luxury-grade shower and bathroom suite for their employees. They were very clear about it: They wanted it to feel elevated and luxe to impress new candidates and retain existing employees. It’s quite literally design as a business strategy. That kind of request would’ve been rare five years ago, but now it’s becoming more common.

Post-pandemic, people invested so much into their homes, and I think in many ways that has recalibrated our clients’ expectations to a degree. They want their workplaces and shared environments to match that level of comfort and quality. It’s no longer just about function. It's about experience.

Are there any materials that you think are bridging the gap between residential softness and commercial durability?

Absolutely. We’re seeing more commercial-grade fabrics that have a luxurious hand — bouclé, velvet, chenille — but they’re engineered to hold up to heavy use. There are also beautiful acoustic materials on the market that don’t look utilitarian at all anymore. Some resemble felted wool or come in sculpted panels, so they blend in seamlessly or even become a design feature. That’s been a game-changer for us.

Rugs, too… There are so many now that look high-end and textural but are designed to stand up to traffic. That crossover is where a lot of innovation is happening.

Are there any materials or finishes that you feel are fading or being reimagined in new ways?

We’ve all been living in a Scandinavian light wood moment for quite a while. It’s still beloved, and for good reason: It’s clean and timeless. But we’re starting to see a shift back toward darker woods. There’s something inherently rich and grounding about walnut or smoked oak cabinetry. It adds a sense of permanence and depth that aligns with where luxury interiors are headed.

Finally, finish this sentence: “If you really want to make a space feel luxurious this fall, you have to use…”

…layers of materials. It’s not about one finish or texture, but rather the interplay between them. That’s what creates true luxury.