The interior design world has witnessed a remarkable evolution in 2025, with several distinctive trends emerging that show no signs of slowing down. From botanical-inspired patterns to bold color choices and innovative architectural elements, this year's design movements reflect a blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation that's reshaping how we think about our living spaces.
One of the most prominent trends gaining momentum is the widespread adoption of trellis patterns, both as decorative motifs and actual structural elements. This movement gained significant traction following Daniel Slowik and Benedict Foley's launch of their product venture, Nuthall Temple, in late 2024, which introduced three trellis designs of varying complexity in fabrics and wallpapers. The Diamond Trellis pattern in chartreuse, featured prominently in Daniel's WOW!House room, demonstrates how a simplified version of this classic pattern can create striking visual impact while adding graphic irreverence to traditional spaces.
Beyond printed patterns, designers are increasingly incorporating actual wooden trellises into interior spaces. Fashion designer Wiggy Hindmarch has transformed her London morning room by installing trellises on both walls and ceiling, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of glamorous beach settings in New England or the Caribbean. Similarly, interior designer Virginia White has cleverly used trellises to provide privacy on bathroom windows in her Hampstead Heath mansion flat, covering the lower half of windows to maintain light while screening the interior from view.
Another significant trend reshaping luxury homes is the emergence of hyper-specific spaces designed for particular activities. This movement represents a departure from the open-plan revolution, as homeowners seek dedicated areas for specialized functions. The ultimate luxury now includes dog wash rooms, meditation spaces, and even pickling rooms, which have become new status symbols. While dog shower facilities have gained widespread acceptance, more unusual spaces like dedicated pickling rooms remain subjects of debate among design professionals.
Color trends in 2025 have been dominated by an overwhelming presence of yellow across virtually every surface in the home. These yellows primarily fall into the mustard and egg yolk categories or appear as paler butter tones – earthy, rustic shades that avoid acidic brightness. The most compelling applications pair these warm yellows with bold aubergine shades and reddish browns, creating fresh and sophisticated color combinations that feel both contemporary and timeless.
Architectural elements have also undergone significant transformation, with arches becoming essential features in full home renovations. Designers are implementing arched doorways, passageways without actual doors, and particularly popular shower archways. These elements elegantly draw attention to specific spaces and views, as demonstrated in a Notting Hill cottage where an archway frames a sightline into the bathroom while breaking up cabinet lines. The preference leans toward slim, classic arches, though Gothic ogival arches are also experiencing renewed interest.
Wall treatments have embraced texture as a primary design element, moving beyond traditional flat finishes to incorporate organic, tactile surfaces. Tadelakt, the Moroccan plaster technique, has become increasingly common in bathrooms, while other textured finishes like marble-dust plasters create subtle shimmer effects. Strié or dragged plaster techniques, where brushes are drawn through wet plaster, and highly polished Venetian plaster are gaining popularity. Lime wash paint continues its strong presence, offering texture variation that changes with natural light.
Botanical influences have manifested through Linnaean florals – delicate flower patterns reminiscent of hand-painted botanical illustrations. This trend draws inspiration from 18th-century Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus, whose plant classification publications sparked widespread interest in botanical art. De Gournay's Linnaeus wallcovering has gained increased visibility, while artist Tess Newall's Herbarium wallpaper, featuring charming flowers on pale pink backgrounds, has appeared in bedrooms across the design world.
The great purple revival represents perhaps the most surprising color trend of 2025, with designers embracing practically every shade of purple after a decade of widespread rejection. The key to this revival lies in strategic color combinations, with aubergine pairing beautifully with bright blues, and unexpected combinations with yellow creating striking effects. Designer Rachel Chudley has successfully combined purple with pink in kitchen applications, though experts warn against pairing purple with gray to avoid outdated associations.
Bathroom design has seen innovation through standalone shower enclosures, potentially signaling a movement away from built-in fixtures toward more portable solutions. These independent shower units, such as the Severn shower from Drummond's, provide grandeur without requiring extensive tiling work. The trend offers practical advantages, as these fixtures can be relocated when homeowners move, maintaining design consistency across different properties.
Classic elements continue to hold strong positions in contemporary design, particularly antiqued mirrors, which remain timelessly appealing while experiencing renewed favor. Dominic Schuster has become renowned for creating beautiful antiqued mirrors that add depth and intrigue unmatched by standard versions. These versatile pieces work effectively in hallways, living room alcoves, and small spaces where light reflection is desired.
Finally, cork applications have expanded beyond traditional flooring to encompass wall treatments, creating functional giant pinboards throughout homes. Interior designer Alice Crawley has implemented this approach in her west London house, while Sophie Rowell of Cote de Folk has extended cork flooring partway up walls to create display spaces. This trend combines practicality with aesthetic appeal, offering homeowners creative surfaces for personal expression and organization.
These trends collectively represent a shift toward more personalized, textured, and functionally specific interior design approaches that prioritize both visual impact and practical living solutions. As 2025 progresses, these movements continue to evolve while maintaining their core appeal to homeowners seeking distinctive and purposeful design elements.
