These Are the Home Design Trends You Need to Know About in 2025

As 2024 fades into the rearview mirror, interior design experts are already looking forward to the trends that they think will shape the look and feel of homes in 2025. From color palettes to furniture styles, two clear themes emerge: timelessness and individuality. We recently caught up with Steffani Drass, lead architect of her firm Trop Architecture; Amanda Patela, an interior designer with Chic on the Cheap; and Isabelle Boba, founder of Lux Interior Design, to hear their insights into the styles that will define the coming year.

A Shift to Richer Palettes

Patela predicts a move toward warmer, grounding colors like Sherwin-Williams’ Black Fox, a rich brown she describes as “sophisticated, warm and inviting.” Patela also highlights the resurgence of greens, from sage to Black Forest Green. “Green pairs beautifully with Black Fox,” she says. “Together, they create a comforting and grounded palette.”

The concept of “color drenching”—painting walls, ceilings and even built-ins in the same shade—is gaining popularity. Both Patela and Drass see it as a way to create enveloping spaces.

“You can play with finishes like gloss to add depth,” Patela says. Drass emphasizes the enduring appeal of matte finishes. “Shades like mocha are versatile and timeless,” she says. (In fact, Pantone’s color of the year is Mocha Mousse.) Warm grayish whites, meanwhile, remain a staple for foundational palettes.

All three designers note an emerging fondness for monochromatic schemes, in which baseboards, walls and even sometimes ceilings are painted in subtle tonal variations, or one color, which creates a seamless, cohesive look. “White trim is unforgiving,” Patela says.

“People aren’t afraid to go bold anymore. You’ll see stark contrasts, but we’re softening them by layering textures and materials. That layering creates flow and dilutes the boldness,” Boba says. “Picture a dark sideboard. If you lead with art above it and place objects in front of it, you get a cascading effect. Without those layers, it’s just two large, static elements. The layers make the space dynamic.”

Curves and Comfort

In furniture design, curves are here to stay, with larger pieces featuring soft, rounded edges in vogue. “Square furniture and spindly legs can feel harsh against the lines of modern architecture,” says Drass. “Curves bring warmth.”

“Curvature changes how a space feels and even how you move through it. You’re not avoiding rigid lines—it’s more welcoming,” Boba says.

Texture plays a critical role, too, with boucle, high-performance fabrics and darker leathers leading the way. Patela notes that performance fabrics have become essential for families with kids and pets, offering durability without sacrificing style.

Textured pieces, like fuzzy couches, are having a moment. “Fuzzy textures hide imperfections and add comfort,” Drass says.

Scene wallpapers, often tropical or mural-like, are also trending. “It’s not just an accent wall anymore; it’s about creating immersive environments,” Patela says. Boba agrees, adding that “the right wallpaper can turn a room into an experience.”

Matte or Shine?

“Matte textures are soft and grounded,” says Drass, who favors them for their subtlety. Shiny surfaces, in contrast, tend to highlight imperfections like dust and fingerprints. Drass suggests textured finishes such as Roman clay washes or plaster for accent walls to add tactile interest.

Biophilic Design and Layered Lighting

Drass and Boba both emphasize the importance of biophilic design, a philosophy that fosters a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Neutral palettes and greenery play key roles in this style. “A splash of greenery can change the entire room,” says Drass. According to Boba, natural materials, like wide-plank wood flooring, can enhance this connection. 

“It’s all about bringing nature inside. Philodendrons are a favorite—they thrive and look great in these systems,” Boba adds.

Lighting is also evolving. “Layered lighting is essential,” says Drass, who recommends a mix of recessed lights, decorative fixtures and circadian rhythm systems like Lutron.

Decorative fixtures—Drass calls them “the jewelry of the room”—add flair without overwhelming a space. Patela praises rechargeable lamps for their flexibility, noting their usefulness indoors and outdoors.

A New Approach to Layouts

After years of open-concept designs, Drass sees a move toward defined spaces. “We’re introducing delineation with design,” she says. That includes creating separate conversation areas or cozy nooks while maintaining connectivity with elements like a fireplace, peninsulas or varied ceiling heights.

Personalization Over Trends

Boba stresses the importance of designing homes that reflect individual personalities. “It’s less about following trends and more about creating spaces that feel authentic,” she says. “Dark academia” and Japandi spa aesthetics are two styles gaining traction, with their focus on moody tones and minimalist, serene environments.

What’s Out?

“Shiny white finishes and gray wood washes feel cold and impersonal,” says Drass. Patela adds that overly matchy décor and ubiquitous “live, laugh, love” signs have overstayed their welcome.

Also say farewell to the modern farmhouse look. “If you do shiplap, it has to be in a space that makes sense,” says Patela. “Use it to go with the style of your home, not just because it’s a trend you saw that worked elsewhere.”

Boba says, “Gray everything is on its way out. Mass-produced mid-century modern pieces are losing appeal too.” She’s also moving away from all-white upholstery. “People want practical options now—fabrics with zippers for easy cleaning, slipcovers and high-performance materials. It’s a coastal look that works and encourages people to actually use their spaces.”

Drass says authenticity is key—”no fake plants or faux materials.” She favors natural flooring like wide plank wood in nude tones, and, for kitchens, timeless materials such as quartzite or stone with modern sealers for easy maintenance. Chiclet tiles are long gone; monolithic marble finishes are the preferred choice.

How to Refresh on a Dime?

Patela encourages homeowners to start with a purge, removing pieces that no longer resonate. “Shop your own house first,” she says. “Sometimes a piece of art or furniture works better in a different room. It’s about seeing your space with fresh eyes.”

If shopping for new is the way to go, “make sure to measure,” Boba says. “Get painter’s tape and tape that credenza out on the wall and live with it for a couple of days to understand your proportions before committing.”