2024 has been quite a year! I know I’m not alone in saying that I look forward to the fresh start that 2025 will bring — and thankfully, it’s also bringing with it some fun new design trends. After over a decade in the business, I’m pretty confident in my ability to spot the latest and greatest in the world of interior design, and I’m excited about all that’s to come in the new year.
Each December, I spend some time predicting what we’ll see in residential design in the coming year. See below for my educated guesses…
Color Drenching and Maximalism
I’m so thrilled by how much my clients have been embracing color lately. In 2025, we can expect to see a lot more vibrancy and saturation color-wise — I’m thinking bold yellows, sophisticated reds, and bright pinks. And as much as I love to marry complementary shades, I’m excited about the upcoming influx of color drenching, which is when you use a single color or shade on multiple surfaces (i.e. the same blue on the ceiling, walls, trim, doors, and even furniture). In a similar bold vein, personality will continue to run the show — meaning we’ll be adding as much pattern, texture, and intrigue as possible. Don’t go big or go home… go big AT home!
An Increased Focus on Sustainability
It feels wrong to call sustainability a trend, but the truth is that it’s an increasingly important practice, and to categorize it as trendy can help everyone hop on board. While many people already consider sustainability when choosing materials, paint sources, or other finishes, I like to remind my clients that shopping vintage is a sustainable practice in itself. Disposable furniture is my nemesis — which is why I’m so glad that vintage furniture is becoming more and more enticing to homeowners.
The Art of Storytelling
Long gone are the days of buying a whole home of furniture from the same retail store. This is, and always has been, one of my biggest design pet peeves. There is no uniqueness to a home designed in this manner, and I’m happy to report that 2025 will see less of it. In addition to vintage pieces (as mentioned above), which come with their own backstory, I love to help clients tell their own stories through custom furnishings, the display of sentimental photos and keepsakes, and the prioritization of homeowners’ actual, unique needs.
Adapting to Change with Multifunctional Spaces
Hybrid work is clearly here to stay, meaning that dedicated at-home work spaces are a necessity — but not every single day. Maybe one room is part office and part home gym, or maybe the lighting at the kitchen bar is perfect for Zoom meetings (so long as no one’s noisily chopping vegetables a few feet away). Modular furniture has come a long way, making it easier than ever for rooms to serve multiple purposes at once.
Upcycled/Alternative Finishes
I wasn’t lying when I said sustainability is making some new strides… In 2025, we’re going to see a continued increase in alternative materiality. Some makers are transforming discarded marble into artful furniture pieces, utilizing traditional joinery techniques. This not only reduces waste but also celebrates local craftsmanship. Sustainable leather alternatives such as vegetable-tanned leather from higher welfare animals and repurposed surplus supplies reduce waste and environmental impact while maintaining luxury and durability. Polygood surfaces such as those developed by The Good Plastic Company are made from recycled polystyrene and sourced from post-consumer and industrial waste (life refrigerators and electronic equipment). They offer diverse patterns resembling terrazzo and marble and are suitable for various areas of the home. I can’t wait to see all that we can do with these upcycled goods!
Smart Home Integration
The surround sound of the early 2000s was just the beginning… Now we’re talking all about programmable aromatherapy in your at-home yoga studio, posture-correcting desk chairs, voice-activated HVAC systems, light systems that automatically adjust based on the time of day and the season, and more. In 2025, we’ll be automating and integrating to our hearts’ content.
And Finally, Here’s What I’m Most Excited About…
As much as I love gadgets and gizmos, I’m most looking forward to helping clients create homes that are truly unique, special, and meaningful for their families. Cookie-cutter homes are a thing of the past — and though Instagram and TikTok can serve as inspiration, the coming years will prove that a home that’s YOURS is much better than a home that looks like someone else’s. Let’s get creative together in 2025!
To Continue Reading:
How to Display Your Passions at Home, the Designer Way
Going Bold: My Favorite Patterned Wallpapers and Statement-Making Paint Colors
And just to see how many I got right from last year…
My Predictions Are In: These Will Be the Biggest Design Trends of 2024