When asked to predict the top interior design trends for 2025, many ELLE DECOR A-List designers cited similar themes, including wellness, relaxation, and comfort. And at the end of a contentious election year, these are fitting buzzwords. “People are seeking spaces within their homes that let them recharge,” interior designer Brigette Romanek puts it simply. Really, we all just want to live in spaces that help us feel good again.
After analyzing millions of their real estate listings, Zillow came to the same conclusion: Mentions of the word “cozy” have increased by 35 percent compared to last year, while “nostalgia” appeared 14 percent more often. “Homeowners and buyers today are looking to the past to create a sense of warmth, character, and comfort in even the most high-tech environments,” explains Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert.
Pendleton also noted that energy-efficient electric features are on the rise. “Technology has enabled homeowners to live more sustainably and more affordably, which is a growing priority for prospective buyers,” Pendleton says. Regarding sustainability, designers agree. According to 1stdibs’ annual trend survey, which reached 643 interior designers this year, 43 percent say their projects are expected to have some sustainability requirement in 2025. “Consumers are becoming more discerning about how long products will last and how they’re made,” says founder of Paris–based firm Uchronia, Julien Sebban. And as much as the next year’s designs will be focused on protecting the earth, they will also be inspired by its grounding qualities, with tones and materials taking a cue directly from the natural world.
What does this mean for 2025? Read on to find out how the focus of the year to come will be on crafting homes that are nurturing, enduring, and a little bit unexpected.
At-Home Wellness Spaces
One theme several designers agreed upon was a growing emphasis on physical and mental well-being at home. “Clients continue to ask for wellness areas—spas, gyms,” says designer Nicole Hollis, who fields requests for water circuits, sauna steam rooms, and cold plunges.
Romanek points out that the trend doesn’t always require a sprawling footprint. “I think we’ll continue to see more requests for places that feel private and personal, like a quiet reading nook or a wellness room where you can just breathe and unwind.” Sebban agrees, adding, “even meditation alcoves can serve as sanctuaries within the home.”
Even More Clay and Ceramics
The use of ceramics and clay shows no signs of slowing down, as designers continue to embrace their organic appeal. “Ceramic lighting, tables, fireplace surrounds, and mirrors will continue to be incorporated into interiors,” says Hollis. Sebban echoes this enthusiasm, highlighting a broader embrace of natural materials. “Clay-based products and natural plasters are being rediscovered for their tactile appeal and environmental benefits,” he notes.
Amped Up Earth Tones
Just like 2024, brown will continue to have a major moment in 2025, offering endless versatility and a connection to nature that feels just right for the times. “There are so many shades to play with, and it can act as a soft neutral or a rich moody tone,” says Night Palm founder Tiffany Howell. “Brown is timeless. It’s always been a grounding color,” Romanek shares. “I’m seeing clay-toned browns coming through, which bring a bit of natural warmth and feel very connected to the earth.”
In addition to brown hues, earth tones are set to dominate interiors in 2025. “Shades like deep burgundy, navy blue, saturated greens, and terracotta will be prominent, adding depth and sophistication to spaces,” says Hollis.
“Soft greens and muted blues are becoming very popular, as these colors are associated with wellness and a sense of calm,” Sebban offers, predicting that darker earth tones, like chestnut brown and moss green, will crop up in both residential and commercial spaces.
Rita Konig agrees. “I’m very drawn to a palette of sienna colors—ochre yellow, warm orange—the colors of the earth,” she says. “And I think warm blues will be popular next year because they are timeless. I painted my own hall a really warm blue that’s the color of a good sky—it’s a color that makes me happy.”
A Return to Classic Furniture
“I’m predicting a return to the classics when it comes to furniture—less curved sofas, more structure. Less boucle, more patterns,” says Jeremiah Brent. “Modern minimalism will take more of a backseat across the board.”
Meanwhile, some designers are reimagining minimalism through a classic, historical lens. “More minimal Art Deco rooms, minimal Colonial American rooms, and minimal formal, French rooms,” explain Adam Charlap Hyman and Andre Herrero, founders of Charlap Hyman & Herrero.
Artful Lighting
“Clients are increasingly drawn to pieces that are more than just functional—they want statement pieces that shape the entire room,” says Romanek. “For me, lighting brings everything together and can set the tone in a way few other elements can.”
Dynamic designs are redefining lighting’s role. “We’re seeing minimalist fixtures with sculptural forms—think lighting that doubles as art,” notes Sebban. Howell agrees, noticing a shift toward unconventional approaches. “I think we are going to see people using the lighting in their home in less traditional ways and more as playful art pieces.”
Nods to Nature
“Natural materials bring warmth and texture,” says Romanek. “Clients are gravitating toward stones, woods, and natural fibers. I love the feel of raw, untreated materials that age beautifully, giving spaces a sense of history and grounding.”
Designers are also embracing natural finishes in creative ways. “Verdigris everything! In furniture and accessories; indoors and out,” Brent emphasizes.
Sebban highlights the importance of bringing the outdoors in. “Integrating nature into the built environment is more important than ever, especially in urban settings,” he offers. “This could mean larger indoor plants, living walls, or even natural materials like stone, wood, and clay. I love to use lava stone or marble stucco.”
A Focus on Comfort
Comfort may be a bit of a dirty word in the design trade, but A-Listers are embracing it, whether through spaces designed to add ease to daily rituals or through silhouettes that are more laidback. “Breakfast nooks have become a constant request—a space that feels more casual than a dining room but more intentional than barstools at a countertop,” says Brent. “I always incorporate performance fabrics and a banquette to create an elevated but easy feel.”
This balance of elegance and ease is also reflected in living rooms. “We’re seeing shapes that invite comfort and a softer, more relaxed environment,” Sebban reflects. While Howell adds that she’s seeing more soft, comfortable materials gaining traction.
Individualistic Interiors
Overwhelmingly, designers are prioritizing personal expression. “More than ever before, I am seeing clients lean into individualistic interiors—a style that fits their lifestyle over trends,” says Howell. “We are revisiting eclecticism in a less bohemian, maximalistic way.”
This shift toward personalized design also draws inspiration from groundbreaking movements of the past. “At Uchronia, we are deeply inspired by the Memphis Group and the Italian Radical Design movement, which challenged conventions and created spaces and objects that were full of color, humor, and experimentation,” explains Sebban. “They resonate with us because they emphasize freedom of expression, breaking norms, and embracing the unexpected.”
“Individuality will always set your space apart,” adds Kelly Wearstler. “How do your interiors, music, fragrance, fashion, and art collections connect? That is the question everyone should be asking of themselves going into 2025. This is where you will find your style.”
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