6 interior trends for 2025 that won't go out of style
Interior trends are not a regular guest in country homes. And even as an Interiors Editor, I would never encourage changing your home along with the ebb and flow of fashions.
But on occasion, a trend will feel particularly beautiful and even – albeit slightly contradictory – timeless.
Heading into 2025, this feeling is quite pronounced. There are design trends with real longevity, like the resurgence of dark woods, nudged along by the popularity of antiques – or the focus on cosy living spaces (after all, when will retreating into cosiness ever go out of style?).
Below, we look six design trends to take into 2025, across colour and decoration, that will stand the test of time...
The nostalgic kitchen
In the hyper modernisation of the kitchen – that saw kettles become hot taps, stoves become induction hobs, and ovens become microwaves become air fryers – all the romance was lost.
The nostalgic kitchen eschews modernity – or at least hides it in the pantry – and dips into our design past, reviving kitsch details like cafe curtains, playful Delft tiles and retro kitchenware.
"Nostalgia is making a strong return, offering a comforting retreat from today’s fast-paced world," says Victoria Robinson, Style Expert at Hillarys. "People are looking to create spaces that evoke cherished memories and a sense of simplicity, and help cultivate warmth and connection."
"With the right blend of natural materials, soft colours and vintage details, you can transform your kitchen into a nostalgic sanctuary where you'll love to spend time," says Tom Revill, Co-Founder of Plank Hardware. "Think gingham accents, cafe curtains, bobbin detailing, and antique brass hardware for a warm and inviting space."
Dark wood (and brown)
Out go the sallow tones of pale wood in favour of the depth of walnut, mahogany and oak. A natural shift given the ever-increasing popularity of antiques where you find deep, reddish woods in abundance.
"We’ll see a resurgence of warm, dark woods in 2025, both on floors and room cladding" says Amanda Smith Corston, an interior stylist at Ted Todd. "I would start with parquet flooring in classic herringbone or chevron patterns, using warm wood tones like oak or walnut to anchor the design. Complement the flooring with an earthy colour palette, featuring shades like burnt orange and olive green, that naturally enhance the richness of the wood.”
In terms of its decorative impact, brown is a close substitute.
"Brown is a cosy, grounding and versatile hue so its renaissance is unsurprising," says Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village. "For those who wish to style brown in their home, but are unsure where to start, I recommend investing in a buttery soft, leather sofa in a chocolate hue. It will only grow better with age as the leather becomes worn-in and well-loved."
Cosy rustic
Sofololgy recently reported on the rise of cosy spaces "where comfort and character collide."
"The word ‘cosy’ is the most searched-for sitting room term on our site," says Pinterest’s Head of Home Matt Siberry in Sofology's report. "From ‘cosy living room ideas’ to ‘cosy reading corners’ – up 85% this year. It’s an indication that we are prioritising the idea of characterful appeal over a sense of impersonal luxury."
Rustic country homes are rich reference material here, where layers upon layers of cosiness temper the hardness of stone floors or the roughness of wooden beams. They are purveyors of sink-in squidgy sofas and upholstered everything.
In creating what Gisela Lancaster, Head of Sales at Sofololgy, calls "a cosier approach to life," the sofa is king. "Shaping is more important than ever," she says. "Cloud-like sofas with wide arm pads and soft back cushions deliver inviting silhouettes, whilst slimmer frames offer cosseting shapes that are hard to leave."
Sunset shades
A welcome respite from the pervasive greys, greens and blues that have so dominated interior design – nourishing shades of yellow, warm blush, russet and buttery magnolia create a room that looks as if it is permanently bathed in sunlight.
True Joy, a brazen yellow shade, was announced as the Dulux Colour of the Year 2025, Benjamin Moore choose the plummy Cinnamon Slate, and Lick created an entire colour palette called New Nostalgia that is full of oranges and pinks.
“When we think of yellow, we think of hazy summer days, ripe and zesty lemons, and vibrant sunflowers: so much of yellow is tied to nature’s finest and most familiar offerings, and can be used to energise us," says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux.
"Pops of yellow have a playful zing to them. Adding little touches of it here and there is great way of introducing the shade into your rooms without overwhelming the space – one of my favourite places to do this is in doorways.”
Eclectic interiors
Eclectic interiors thrive on a mix of things – old and new, plain and patterned, as well as the mixing and merging of spaces, like the bathroom that welcomes a cosy armchair. Shelley Cochrane calls it "an invitation to play with scale, colour, and pattern."
"Don’t shy away from mixing textures and eras; the key is in the mix, not the match," she says. "Start with a statement piece that you love and build around it, layering in accessories that reflect your personality and passions."
Eclectic interiors are not quite the same as maximalism. Both are unrestrained and both mix patterns and colours and lots of things, but eclectic interiors feel a bit more relaxed and lived-in. It's maximalism without the shock value.
"A key part of this trend is marrying opposites together in a harmonious way, such as pairing vintage items with modern ones, or clashing bright colours with striking patterned prints," says Lena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse, a mix that she describes as "brimming with character.”
Internal windows
A detail born of necessity, but one that is being increasingly used in two main areas of the home.
Firstly, the poorly divided terrace house with its long, dark hallway and windowless middle room. Here internal windows improve the flow of natural light between hallway and living areas. And secondly the pantry, that sits within the footprint of the kitchen but partitioned with internal windows, with frames painted a cheerful colour and offering an enticing peak inside.
"Removing walls is no longer the only option when it comes to re-working our living spaces," says Gisela Lancaster, Head of Sales at Sofololgy. "Internal Crittall doors and look-throughs into other spaces are a clever way to create cosy areas.
"The secret is to ensure that each space retains its own character, whilst the overall design feels connected and coherent."
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