There are a number of possibilities as to why the world of interiors is moving beyond minimalism and neutrality into a richer, more tactile realm. Today’s spaces are becoming layered and characterful, perhaps, as a direct result of the increased amount of time the world spent at home during the pandemic and a desire to redecorate and rebrand interiors with a more personal touch. Perhaps it represents an attempt to move back towards more thematic, possibly even performative decor styles, such as embracing the rustic or the countryside.
Either way, it’s clear that in 2025, design is less about trends as passing statements, and more about curating a mood through every surface, colour, and detail. To explore what ideas to possibly take into one’s own home, it helps to wander room by room. Each space within has the potential to be reimagined with its own focal points, whether that’s the return of statement lighting in the living room or the rise of organic stone worktops in the kitchen. The following trends are at the forefront of the interior revolution sweeping through many properties.
Surfaces and Light
For many, the kitchen continues to be the heart of the home, but its look is moving far beyond clinical white cabinets and glossy worktops. Italian marble will always remain timeless, but quartzite and textured granite are making a comeback, as are solid oak tops with their deep, layered tones and reliable durability. In fact, combining polished stone with softer timber to create contrast brings real depth to any kitchen space, especially when accented by discreet lighting. Moving away from spotlights and replacing them with pendant clusters of similar calibre displayed above island units, along with undercounter lighting, really highlights textures and draws in the eye.
Wide-plank oak flooring in lighter stains remains a favourite, but more homeowners are turning to sustainable options such as bamboo and cork, which provide softness underfoot, but the classic oak-tones will always hold appeal, especially in spaces with more natural light. Combined with a move away from the classic – yet somewhat muted white tones that have been a staple of wall colours for the last few decades – the kitchen is once again taking centre stage, as the heart of the modern home, and prime gathering spot even outside of meal times.
Layers of Texture
Living rooms are becoming more atmospheric. Statement chandeliers, polished oak, and sculptured ornaments are returning as focal points, while elaborate lighting fixtures seem to be a thing of the past. Homeowners are rediscovering the importance of ambient versus task lighting, with dimmable, warm-toned LEDs helping create softness, especially in rooms that are dominated by darker tones and harder furniture.
Flooring in living spaces often accents textured furnishings marvellously. Parquet patterns are back in fashion, particularly herringbone in pale ash tones, while rugs are being used more boldly, layering geometric or handwoven designs out across spaces for depth. The lay of the land here is cocooning yet curated, giving living spaces a sense of intimacy whilst also being adaptable to a more chic or formal setting.
In Dreams
Bedrooms are moving towards a moodier, more immersive palette that's more reminiscent of Victorian trends and tastes. Deep blues, forest greens, and terracotta reds are finding their way onto walls, often in matte or limewash finishes that soften the intensity. Wall papering is increasingly more elaborate, setting the scene for sleep in patterns more closely akin to period bedrooms, adding a sense of undiluted glamour. Textures as always, remain key, be it a boucle headboard, set of velvet throw cushions, or layered covers that either complement or contrast against the level of detail on the walls.
Lighting is becoming increasingly more about setting the mood. Low-level sconces, pendant bedside drops, and even concealed LED channels behind headboards can create a sense of intimacy and softness. While hardwood remains a strong base, many homeowners are laying thick, neutral-toned carpets in bedrooms to balance acoustics and comfort. The bedroom is and always was a first retreat for a good night’s sleep, but current trends seem set on creating a space that’s so comfortable on so many levels that owners will never want to leave.
Relaxing Rituals at Home
Bathrooms are becoming more akin to the type of wellness-driven sanctuaries that one finds in luxury hotels and spa resorts. Surfaces are embracing stone in all its forms, with veined marble, honed limestone, and terrazzo becoming the go-to for vanities and flooring. Rainforest showers boasting sensory light and sound features, freestanding or deepset bath tubs with hydrotherapy settings or jacuzzi jets and ambient lighting, even the quality of bathroom sinks and smart toilets has seen a dramatic rise come into play in making bathrooms feel that little bit more relaxing.
Lighting is a game-changer here, with designers emphasising ceiling downlights for clarity, wall-mounted sconces for task lighting, and subtle under-vanity glows that transform the space into a spa at night, or try and create a more neutral yet warm environment for rooms cut off from natural light by day. More than any other room, the bathroom is where textures, colours, and lighting work together to deliver a space that feels sacred. A space that is a welcome escape from the trials and tribulations of one’s day.
Connecting Spaces
Often overlooked in the past, hallways and transitional areas are now receiving their due as the first impression of any home. Eyes will glance instinctively at what objects or fixtures lay around when traversing such spaces, and in no small measure, hallways, corridors or entry points represent the greatest opportunity to really set the tone for an entire home. Flooring trends in these spaces favour durability, with patterned tiles or stone adding visual intrigue, while timber creates continuity with adjoining rooms. Design features include mirrors to enhance light and space, built-in storage benches, and even bold artwork that animates otherwise dark and narrow corridors.
For walls, hallways are the ideal place to experiment whether through dark, cocooning paint shades, dramatic wallpapers, or textured finishes such as limewash and Venetian plaster, all of which lend a memorable character to spaces that set the tone for the rest of the home. Making yet bolder choices with lighting fixtures is the perfect way to signify to visitors that they are entering a space that’s been carefully thought out, yet isn’t afraid to push boundaries.
