The concept of interior design trends can feel contradictory — homes are meant to be lasting, while trends are fleeting. That’s why instead of talking about what’s “in” and “out” for the year of 2025, we want to take a look at the themes that will define the latter half of the 2020s decade.

Craftsmanship & Subtle Luxury

Both fashion and interior design are shifting away from the disposable culture of fast fashion and trend-driven consumerism, and leaning into more timeless, sustainable choices. This movement mirrors a broader lifestyle shift toward conscious consumption. Just as capsule wardrobes and secondhand fashion are gaining popularity, interior design is following suit. People are starting to prioritize longevity over novelty, seeking quality materials, well-made pieces, and design elements that will age gracefully and won’t feel outdated in a few years.

We’re seeing a return to traditional elements and high-quality, enduring craftsmanship. Instead of chasing mass-produced, disposable decor, people are opting for second-hand, vintage, or antique pieces with history and soul. There’s also a growing appreciation for restoration and heritage architecture. Restoring a historic home not only celebrates its charm and story, but prioritizes sustainability.

Likewise, we’re moving toward subtle luxury and a softer, more approachable aesthetic. Gone are the days of harsh, sleek, glossy modernity. Instead, natural materials like rich woodgrain and organic textures are making a comeback, layered with muted earth tones and intricate details. The result? Interiors that feel warm, inviting, and grounded in timeless elegance. Think deep colors, curved silhouettes, and traditional moldings paired with understated investment pieces that you’ll treasure for years to come.

Embracing Layers & Imperfection

Designers are beginning to ditch the overly-curated minimalist look that can sometimes make you feel like you’re in a museum. There’s beauty in a layered, cozy, lived-in space that welcomes you to come in and kick your feet up. The meticulous, carefully-styled images you see in magazines are a fleeting snapshot of a home – but in everyday life, our homes are meant to be lived in.

“It’s the crack in the glaze, the unexpected overlap of materials, the way something imperfect feels alive and visceral. In design, it’s not about messiness for its own sake; it’s about creating layers of texture. It also ties into the act of collecting—surrounding yourself with objects that hold stories. We could all use a little comfort.”
– Karen Spector

The emphasis on handcrafted, artisanal pieces will continue to be a hallmark in design as we move toward 2030. We’ll see a lot of rustic textures, handcrafted furniture, and unique textiles that were made with consideration and care. As designer Oliver Furth said, “We’re not sick of seeing the artist’s hand and the human touch in design… human irregularity is soothing.” After years of mass production dominating the market, we’re thrilled to see a return to one-of-a-kind pieces that bring warmth and personality to a space.

“The days of perfectly matched, overly coordinated rooms are behind us—design is now about creating spaces that tell a story, embracing contrast and individuality.”
– AD100 Designer Julie Hillman

Colors

One thing is nearly unanimous among designers as we move into the next 5 years – people are craving rich color and soft earth tones as opposed to stark pure white. All-white spaces risk feeling cold, sterile, and lifeless, lacking the layers and depth that makes a home feel truly comforting. Pantone’s color of the year is “Mocha Mousse,” a sophisticated blend of brown and pink, reflecting this shift towards spaces that feel natural, inviting, and grounded. Saturated pigments and rich earthy tones like mahogany, chestnut, jewel tones, and wine red are set to dominate interiors going forward.

Materials

Our advice is to not listen to the materials that are “in” or “out” for the year. To determine if a material will feel timeless, and you won’t want to rip it out in the following decade, look to two places: nature and historical architecture. Materials like wood, stone, and marble are timeless because they’re all around us in nature. The same goes for incorporating decor elements like plants, branches, florals, and greenery. When it comes to metals and other finishes, brass, polished nickel, wrought iron, bronze, ceramic, brick, and clay have been used for centuries and will continue to feel timeless.

Neutrals will always be in style, but the application of neutrals is evolving. We’re moving away from cold, bright whites and grays towards earth tones, warm hues, and softer colors. Creams and browns will be layered with greens and autumn colors like terracotta and rust. This will bring in a more organic and inviting feel so our homes don’t feel like a cold commercial space. Many designers believe that muted earth tones will even be considered neutrals moving forward.

One of the things we hope we’ll be seeing a lot more is people not feeling afraid to mix different woods and metal finishes. You don’t need to make sure that every piece of wood in your home has the exact same stain, or choose only one type of metal for every single fixture. Layering and mixing these finishes will add depth and character to your space.

“We think this is the year people are going to figure out that mixing different wood species and finishes (same with metals) is cool. Mixing it up creates depth and authenticity. Combining textures and tones makes spaces feel layered and lived-in, as though they’ve come together naturally over time, not just assembled to look perfect. It’s that contrast and harmony that gives a design its soul.”
– Karen Spector

Your Home Should Reflect You, Not Trends

The idea of following trends just for the sake of being “in style” is, quite frankly, exhausting. The notion that we should all overhaul our homes every few years to keep up with the latest fads is not only unrealistic—it’s also unsustainable. As legendary interior decorator Billy Baldwin once said, “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” And we couldn’t agree more.

Homes are more than just places to live; they are reflections of personal identity, designed to nurture, inspire, and provide comfort in a fast-paced world. As people embrace these themes, interior design becomes a celebration of individuality and warmth, ushering in a new era of living spaces that truly feel like home.

This shift aligns perfectly with our philosophy: creating designs that reflect our clients’ unique preferences and stories, rather than copying fleeting trends. We are excited for what the next era of design will bring, and look forward to helping our clients embrace the unique style that they love most, while keeping these themes in mind for a timeless look. Let us know what you think about these design predictions!

But don’t feel like you have to go dark & moody if you prefer a more bright & airy vibe – lighter woods, off-whites, creams, and colors like yellow, blue, and green are the perfect colors to incorporate for a more refreshing, coastal or Mediterranean design style. The key is choosing colors that you love surrounding yourself with – colors that will feel timeless to you.