(Above) Image Credit: Pepper Home - this image echoes the immersive moody textures that I will explore below.
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
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
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.
3. Pattern & Colour Drenching
Image Credit: Powder Room Design by Marina Medina Design
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: Custom Tub Nook inside a Client’s Primary Suite by Marina Medina Design //Photo: JVL Photo
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
Designers are also integrating sensory elements: textured fabrics, warm lighting, fragrance, and soundscapes for overall holistic comfort.
6. Earthborn Elegance - Natural Materials
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
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
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
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?