(Above) Image Credit: Pepper Home
I would dare to call 2025 the year of the anti-trend. Tired of keeping up with ever-changing trends in fashion and design, we are instead leaning into soul, comfort, individuality and intentionality. Uncertainty with economy and world events as well as our increasingly digitalized and chronically online lives have us craving homes that reflect comforts of the simpler times.
1. Moody Earth Tones & Rich Color Palettes
Image Credit: Storie Collective
Image Credit: Chris Loves Julia
Gone are the days of whites, greys and formulaic interiors. Today’s interiors are embracing deep, expressive hues—think chocolate, burgundy, indigo, forest green, and olive. These tones add warmth, character, and emotional depth to living spaces.
2. colorful Quiet Luxury
Image credit: Studio Squire / Christopher Horwood
As in fashion, so in design, “quiet luxury” has become a prevailing desired aesthetic of our era. However, instead of mostly beige and cream spaces, this direction has evolved to include more color. A refined, understated luxury with richer but muted tones like olive green, dusty rose, mustard, paired with sumptuous textures and sculptural form. This aesthetic balances vibrant expression with calm serenity.
'This new take on the quiet luxury trend is all about using color with depth and discretion,' says designer Kati Curtis, who first coined the term for this interior design trend. 'It’s where rich palettes, global influences, and handcrafted details unfold in spaces that feel intimate, emotionally intelligent, and timeless.'
'In today’s landscape, where minimalism feels generic and maximalism can be overwhelming, this concept offers a more soulful middle path,' adds Kati. 'It’s not about ostentation, but about intentional layering – where a deeply saturated wall might ground a room with contrast, or a handwoven textile whispers a story passed down through generations. It’s about elegance with personality; vibrancy with balance and harmony,' she explains.
3. Pattern & Colour Drenching
Image Credit: Farrow & Ball
Image Credit: Caroline Gidiere
Perhaps in response to years of minimalism, we are now craving “more” - spaces drenched in color and/or pattern. Maximalist creativity continues to rise—seamless pattern across multiple surfaces (“pattern drenching”) and bold accent ceilings or monochromatic rooms create immersive, expressive interiors.
4. Pockets of Sanctuary
Image Credit: April Tomlin Interiors
Our lives feel busier than ever and so we look to our homes for a much needed respite from it all. There is a growing demand for so-called “pockets of sanctuary” within the home - spaces that are thoughtfully curated to invoke peace and relaxation. A cozy reading nook, a desk with a calming view, a room dedicated to yoga or meditation - we are seeking out and carving out spaces that can promote physical and mental well being and an escape from the world that is always “on”.
5. Sensory-Rich Living
Image Credit: Alexander & Co.
Image Credit: April Tomlin Interiors
Designers are also integrating sensory elements: textured fabrics, warm lighting, fragrance, and soundscapes for overall holistic comfort.
6. Earthborn Elegance - Natural Materials
Image Credit: Storie Collective
Natural materials—such as marble, stone, clay, wood, wool, rattan—lend tactile richness and honesty to interiors. These materials invoke sensory pleasure and authenticity.
7. Statement Ceilings & Architectural Details
Image Credit: Wild in the Wolds
Design is reaching new heights—literal and figurative—with embellished ceilings. Think hand-painted murals, decorative moldings, wallpaper, or bold color treatments elevating rooms beyond the ordinary.
8. Curated Storytelling
Image Credit: Falken Reynolds
Display cabinets are making a comeback—not just for china, but as storytelling focal points to showcase books, keepsakes, art, and heirlooms in styled vignettes.
9. Decline of Minimalism and “Millenial Gray”
Thoughtfully curated kitchen design by Marina Medina Design // Photo: JVL Photo
2025 favors personality-rich, layered interiors. Minimalistic, ultra-coordinated spaces and millennial gray read as dated. Depth, texture, and individuality reign.
10. Heritage Craft & Artisan Detailing
Image Credit: Cym Warków. Artisan ceramic vases with texture and character.
There is an ever growing appreciation for craftsmanship and the handmade. We are drawn to woven textiles, hand-thrown ceramics, carved wood, and bespoke furniture anchoring spaces. These pieces bring soul, texture, and a sense of permanence—bridging tradition with contemporary living. They’re also a beautiful way to layer in individuality and cultural storytelling.
Rather than blindly following any trend (or even the “anti-trend list” above), I invite my clients to explore what speaks to their lifestyle and sensibilities? What do they personally feel drawn towards?