2025 PREDICTIONS ARE IN: DESIGN FORECAST FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE

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2025 PREDICTIONS ARE IN: DESIGN FORECAST FOR THE WHOLE HOUSE

What’s in (and what’s out) for the new year, according to WGSN and 1st dibs insider data

November 29, 2024

It’s important to know that not everything new becomes a trend. The factors that drive a trend are much bigger than individual preferences or desires. They are powerful enough to change values and life goals, originating long before the trend impacts the mainstream.

TikTokificaton has spawned an endless stream of interior trends. But what’s the real difference between what’s trending and trend forecasting?

A TikTok trend can be a knee-jerk reaction or a fleeting moment, while trend forecasting is supported with extensive data and expert analysis.

In our 2025 Interior design forecast, we’ll explore influential factors like sensorial design to discreet tech, and more, and consider the impact they will have on the spaces we inhabit

The last few years have led to significant changes in what people want from both the form and function of the home. What design trends do the next few years have in store?

In a time of economic uncertainty and existential woe, WGSN’s newly-released Home Lifestyles 2025 Paper predicts a period of necessary innovation as we continue to “do more—and expect more—from the spaces we live in.”

Organized around our growing desire to live intentionally, work dynamically, rest restoratively, and play immersively, the all-encompassing report has plenty of takeaways for forward-thinking designers looking to stay ahead of the curve. Here’s a closer look at some of the emerging design trends that could well become commonplace by 2025.

The rise of discreet tech As homes have gotten smarter, they’ve also become more cluttered with tech. A novel solution that WGSN’s consumer technology team sees taking hold is the move towards discreet design, which sees gadgets forgoing sleek shininess in favour of an aesthetic that can blend in with decor.

A domesticated design approach ‘softens’ tech products to make them feel less obtrusive and more blended into the home environment,” says Lisa Yong, WGSN’s director of consumer technology. “User interfaces for home tech products are also moving away from screen-based interactions to more intuitive controls that follow the principles of calm technology.”

Technology continues to advance, and in 2025, it will become even more seamlessly integrated into our homes. Discreet tech means incorporating smart home devices in a way that they blend effortlessly with the decor. Hidden speakers, wireless charging furniture, security devices that mimic minimalist toys to disguise their true purpose, voice-controlled lighting, and designs with integrated screens that go invisible when turned off are just a few examples.

Shower rooms While light and airy showers with frameless glass enclosures continue to be popular, Parker says some homeowners prefer more privacy. The shower room style of shower has a glass door leading into a fully enclosed space that creates an intimate, spa-like look and feel,” he explains. And the beauty of this type of shower is the ability to incorporate such features as a steam or sauna, as well as aromatherapy and chromotherapy. “With a powerful ventilation fan, a shower room can keep moisture contained, instead of it spreading to other areas of a bathroom,” Parker says.

Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Living Sustainability remains at the forefront of interior design trends in 2025. Designers will be focusing more than ever on creating beautiful spaces that are also kind to the planet. Vegan leathers, non-toxic materials, reclaimed wood and eco-friendly products are not just options but essentials. In addition, look around for reusable and repurposable items (including buildings) to reduce the need for frequent replacements. It’s a creative way to reduce waste and preserve architectural heritage while making a stylish statement. Incorporating energy-efficient appliances and fixtures also helps.

Eco-driven One of the most prominent and enduring concerns of the entire design industry is sustainability, both in terms of building materiality and how long items in the home will last for. From a design perspective, it’s about buying secondhand, sourcing investment pieces, and choosing materials that are durable and long-lasting. After a few years of supply-change disruptions, and with uncertain environmental futures approaching, 1st dibs latest trend survey reveals designers say 43% of projects will have at least some kind of sustainability requirement in 2025. And while 35% of designers plan to integrate discreet tech into homes, a full-throated resistance to AI continues: 60% say they are uncertain or uninterested in AI-powered processes as they prefer human touch and sustainability.

Quality first There is never any substitute for clever, thoughtful and intentional design that rests on quality. Many designers noted a shift towards collecting. The new year will see an increased appreciation for investment furniture and art, that will keep classic profiles and pieces current for years to come. Quality and robust materials will always carry through year on year, as their embedded authenticity and the craftsmanship required to work with such materials transcends time.

Deep in the woods Warm and darker toned timbers are here to stay. If you hadn’t already noticed, the return of dark mahogany or rich walnut tones has been creeping into our homes for a while now, thanks to the embrace of vintage and antiques. Some believe we’re trending hard against the cold Hamptons look that has been popular for so long with wood-wrapped rooms that are surprisingly warm, and comforting. And forget streamlined wood dining chairs, Chunky timber dining seating is in. Any kind of chair that looks hand-carved or a bit sculptural will do.

The entertainer Blame the cost of living, but many designers are predicting a renewed appreciation for hosting dinner parties and small get-togethers at home. There’s a renewed interest in entertaining at home, with guest rooms now designed as immersive experiences that make visitors feel like they’re staying somewhere truly special. Creating a welcoming environment is key, as is designing spaces that accommodate multiple people at once. People want to bring a more adventurous spirit into their homes, specifically in spaces where entertaining is a key focus.

What’s your passion? Like individualism, homeowners are seeking a sense of personal freedom in the places they live – with an increasing request for purpose-driven, separate spaces. These bespoke moments are dedicated to people’s passions—whether it’s for culinary pursuits, creative hobbies, or wellness. It might be a separate area for imbibing wine, practising Pilates or entertaining guests for clients. Designers see this push, enduring well into 2025 and beyond, as we collectively become increasingly aware of our sensory and environmental needs.

Part 2: 1ST DIBS 2025 PREDICTIONS ARE IN

However the future might feel at the moment, the online marketplace 1stDibs has eyes on how it will look. Annually, the site takes a look at the year ahead—surveying more than 600 interior designers and offers their insights to the rest of us. Here’s what’s to come, and what’s on the wane, for the new year.

What’s In

Earthen Hues will dominate. Members of the “millennial gray” cult beware: this earthy colour design direction, is something we’ll be witnessing even more of in 2025, which is great because earthy, nature-inspired colors are easy to live with and have staying power. Warm chocolate brown is officially the most popular colour for 2025. The percentage of designers favouring it almost doubled last year. The appeal of dark brown and burgundy almost tripled from 2024, from 7% to 20%. Also resonating? Light blues and other natural wonders like emerald and sage will remain timeless favourites, while edgier folk will start experimenting with rust and red tones for a bolder look.

Looking to the Past—Especially the ’20s and ’30s. Designers often look back to look ahead. “I love that more than 80% of our designers are sourcing pieces from the 1920s through the ’90s,” says Anthony Barzilay-Freund, 1stDibs’ editorial director and director of fine art. “This confirms my personal belief that every room needs at least one antique or vintage piece of furniture or object to really make it sing.”A full 62% of designers expect to shop antiques, as opposed to 2024’s 56% rate, a four-year high.

Animal Nature. Tigers will show their stripes more than ever in 2025. Designers predict packs of bold aesthetics: 33% say maximalism or eclecticism will dominate, followed by 31% for organic modernism. Animal prints are ticking upwards, too, rising in support to 6% from last year’s 4%. And a jungle of eye-popping styles will join them, with designers taking on colourful painted murals (28%), patterned wallpaper (26%), and wallpapered ceilings (26%).

Flower Power. Interiors will be in full bloom in 2025, as organic patterns and motifs like botanicals remain the most-requested aesthetic. That said, large-scale florals are starting to see a slight dip from last year, with demand dropping six points from 2024 to 15% for 2025.

Classic Glass Lighting. Lighting design has seen a huge shift in recent years, with renewed interest in blown-glass confections. Another surprise is that when asked what iconic lighting style or design will be popular in the coming year, the top choice was Murano glass pendants, garnering a nod from 27% of our respondents (significantly up from last year’s 19%).” Turns out the ancient Italian technique is the bright idea for 2025.

A Good Year for Kitchen Renovations. Designers expect 2025 to be a big year for kitchens, with up to 61% of homeowners renovating, up from 54% last year. They also anticipate some 45% of clients will request scullery and outdoor kitchen areas. While living spaces have softened from 62% to 51%, there’s been a, well, striking interest in home bowling alleys, with double the number of designers recommending them to clients for 2025.

Curve Is the Word. Forty-seven percent of designers say curvy and irregular shapes have sticky potential for the new year—more than any other style. This might explain the enduring interest in the Vladimir Kagan Serpentine sofa, which 13% of designers surveyed predict will be the most popular seating icon in 2025. The organic modernism and biophilic designs that had a hippy-happy quality are making way for something that feels more elegant and grown up. Thus, a strong return for the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, up from 15% last year to 23% in 2025. And, in third place, an unexpected debut—8% of designers expect to be specifying the Kaare Klint Safari chair.

What’s Out

Midcentury modernism is still falling from retro favor, with only 7% of designers calling for its comeback. Legends like the Hans Wegner Wishbone chair declined from 11% for 2023 to 7% for 2025, while Afra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana designs have lost half their popularity since 2022.
Unsurprising, perhaps, but Barbie pink lost two-thirds of its support for the new year. Dark grey and slate both took a hit as well, losing half of their past supporters.
A third as many designers expect home office renovations in 2025, as hybrid work balances tip in favor of office spaces.