Photo: Irissca / Adobe
15 New Year interior resolutions designers are making in 2025
As we clear away the last of the popped champagne corks and wake to a shiny, new year, thoughts will start to turn to the changes we’d like to make to our lives in 2025.
While many will no doubt include setting personal challenges, some may also be looking to set some decorative goals in our homes too.
Whether you’re planning to refresh some of the spaces in your abode or aiming for a big renovation, the start of a new year is the perfect time to embrace and experiment with change.
Just ask the interior designers who also use this time as an opportunity to set some décor-related promises.
“As we step into 2025, many of us are looking for fresh starts, and our homes are a great place to begin,” advises Milena Vallier, interior designer at My Bespoke Room.
“This is the perfect time to embrace new trends and breathe fresh life into our interiors, whether it’s through bold colours, creative storage solutions, or exciting new finishes.
“Small changes can have a big impact on how we feel in our spaces and set a positive tone for the year ahead.”
From experimenting with unique ceilings to embracing bold colour clashes, we asked the experts to share the interior resolutions they will be making this new year.
Curating more curves
There has been a real surge in popularity for curves in design in recent years and Karen Robinson, interior designer and founder of Ruby Red Interiors plans to continue to further experiment with this trend in 2025.
“Internal curves are being embraced as creating a sense of movement and offering a welcome change to straight lines,” she explains.
“The simplest way to introduce curves into your home’s interior is to invest in a curved sofa for your living room. It is fast becoming a popular alternative to chaise-sofas and makes a space feel more relaxing and inviting.”
New Year interior resolution: introducing understated metallics
For 2025, Karen plans to switch out flashier finishes and will instead be reintroducing understated metallics in hardware to add authenticity and warmth.
“The dramatic rose golds and coppers will give way to the subtler brushed nickel variety, a metal I regularly use in my designs,” she explains.
“With its slight tan undertones, this metal really will become the go-to for hardware in the coming year.
“It is low on the chrome ‘bling’ factor and devoid of the over-powering red-toned hues of other metals, making it a brilliant choice for both modern and traditional décors.
“What’s more,” she adds. “Your taps and hardware can easily be teamed with brushed nickel radiators for a uniformed look.”
Incorporating biophilic design
Biophilic design, which focuses on connecting with nature, is something Milena expects to see even more of in 2025.
“People are looking for ways to connect with nature in their homes, not just for aesthetics but to enhance their wellbeing and adopt more sustainable living practices,” she explains.
“It’s a beautiful way to create a harmonious and eco-friendly environment.”
To incorporate this trend, start by bringing greenery indoors with low-maintenance plants like peace lilies or fiddle-leaf figs.
“Combine this with wooden furniture and stone accents, and don’t forget to maximise natural light—it makes everything feel fresher and more vibrant,” suggests interior designer, Nardus Lamprecht, also from My Bespoke Room.
Milena also advises using sustainable materials like rattan furniture, linen curtains, or reclaimed wood. “Adding a vertical garden or grouping large, leafy plants can make a big impact, while layered natural textures bring warmth and depth to a space,” she adds.
New Year interior resolution: dialling up drenching
We’ve already started to see the use of bold, saturated colours in what designers call “colour-drenched rooms”, which involves painting an entire space—walls, ceilings, doors, trim, and even radiators—with a single colour or closely related tones.
But this year designer Laura Cole expects people to become much braver with their use of colour.
“People’s colour confidence is growing, and the earthy tones we already love are going to be dialled up and made even richer,” she explains.
“Think deep toffees and clay hues in sumptuous fabrics like velvet.
“These tones give us those cosy, nurturing vibes and tie into the growing trend of quiet luxury—a design movement that’s all about creating a calming, elegant sanctuary at home.”
Experimenting with unique ceilings
Unexpected ceilings are a subtle yet powerful way to transform an often overlooked upper space into a focal point.
By drawing the eye upward, you can add a unique feature to your room that many others don’t have.
It’s a trick Charlie Snape, interior design specialist at Hammonds Furniture plans to use more of in 2025.
“Murals on ceilings are a great example of an unexpected ceiling,” he advises.
“They transform the space from a simple, plain surface into a canvas for art and expression.
“Typically hand painted, the mural could be anything from a landscape, a delicate pattern, or a bold, contemporary design.”
If a painted mural seems too time consuming for you, Charlie says wallpapers offer a huge variety of design to replicate murals in the same way hand painted ones would.
New Year interior resolution: embracing unexpected orange
Last year was all about red, but this year, Charlie is planning to embrace unexpected pops of vibrant orange to bring unique colour into the home.
“The colour orange is great at balancing vividness yet warmth, making it incredibly versatile,” he explains. “Mix and match different tones such as sunset orange, coral, or tangerine.
“This combined with soft neutrals creates a balanced, layered look.”
If you’re keen to experiment with orange hues Charlie suggests painting an orange feature wall or investing in an orange piece of statement furniture, such as a sofa.
“However, if you’re hesitant to go all-in on orange, start with accent soft furnishings,” he adds.
“Throw pillows, blankets, and rugs in various shades of orange can bring the same playfulness to a room without having to splash out on new big-ticket items.”
Clashing all the colours
Instead of sticking to a strict colour scheme of one to three complimenting colours, Charlie expects to see a rise in the use of clashing colours.
“Clashing colours can work great for a maximalist environment when you find the right balance,” he says.
“Mix bold hues with intention, then use neutrals to anchor them, and let each colour have its moment to shine.”
To make clashing colours feel cohesive, Charlie suggests pairing them with a common element like texture or pattern.
“A good example of contrasting colours are electric blue and bright red, or pastel yellow and deep purple, but balance them with soft textures like warm wood, glass or neutral marble.”
New Year interior resolution: building more boot rooms
Once seen as a practical luxury for rural estates or countryside homes, boot rooms are becoming increasingly popular in modern interior design, and something Charlie believes we’re going to see a lot more of in 2025.
“In a bid to create more organised, clutter-free spaces, boot rooms are a great solution,” he explains.
“These spaces provide a dedicated area for shoes, coats, bags, and other outdoor gear, helping to keep mud, dirt, and clutter out of main living areas.”
Enjoying a checkerboard revival
According to Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer, and creative director at Stone Superstore checkerboard patterns are making a huge comeback, offering a nostalgic nod to classic interiors with a fresh twist.
“Whether used in classic monochrome or modern colour combinations, checkerboard designs bring a sense of structure and drama to kitchens, bathrooms, and entranceways,” Molly explains.
She suggests opting for matt finishes to keep the design grounded and modern, or using glazed or polished surfaces for more of a traditional, maximalist look.
“Pair checkerboard tiles with sleek furniture and gold accessories for a cool, eclectic look or lean into its retro charm with antique furniture pieces and vintage finds,” Molly adds.
Embracing earthy terracotta
Molly predicts terracotta-inspired tiles and flooring will reign supreme in 2025, bringing warmth, texture and an authentic natural touch to interiors.
“From deep rust tones to soft, sandy hues, these tiles form a connection to nature within your home, creating a grounding and relaxing undertone to your decor scheme,” she advises.
Perfect for kitchens, garden rooms, or feature walls, the organic appeal of terracotta feels timeless yet modern.
“The versatility of these earth-based colours makes them a stand-out design trend for 2025,” Molly continues.
“Paired with natural materials like raw wood, neutral fabrics, and lush greenery, these tones create a calming, grounded aesthetic that meets the growing desire for wellness within interiors.”
Welcoming in warm neutrals
As we wave goodbye to grey, Molly plans to continue prioritising warm, inviting neutrals over the cooler shades of white, silver and grey.
“Beige, taupe, and almond tones are dominating interiors this year, offering a versatile undertone for both contemporary and traditional styles,” she says.
She suggests combining warm neutrals with soft lighting, tactile surfaces and fresh planting to create a holistic, calming environment.
“Use large-format tiles to reduce grout lines, creating a sleek and seamless appearance that enhances the sense of openness in your space,” Molly continues.
“This approach not only makes a room feel larger but also promotes a calming atmosphere by minimising visual clutter.”
New Year interior resolution: introducing artisanal details
In 2025 Molly hopes to celebrate craftsmanship, by incorporating handmade details into her schemes.
“Think deliberately imperfect details, hand-painted patterns, and glazed finishes that embody a unique, one-of-a-kind quality,” she says. “This brings character and individuality to interiors.”
She suggests pairing handmade homeware with modern furniture to create a juxtaposition of styles, allowing their detail and character to shine.
“Or lean into the rustic feel with traditional design elements such as shaker cabinetry and antique furniture finds,” she adds.
Embracing primary play
Trending search terms such as “hand-painted wall pattern”, “door murals” and “contrast trim” have formed the basis for Pinterest’s prediction of the “Primary Play” trend for 2025 and it’s a design element Catharina Björkman, style expert at Contura is all for.
“Don’t be afraid to get playful with your interiors,” she advises. “After all, your home should be a place that brings you joy.”
Catharina says the trend is not just about the result but also enjoying the process of creating something new.
“Upcycling has been an interiors trend for a while as it offers a great way to put your own stamp on the furniture in your home,” she explains.
“Take inspiration from primary play and paint a chest of drawers in bright, bold colours.”
For bites of ‘play’ throughout the home she also suggests using big colours and patterns in smaller spaces.
“Choose a wallpaper with colourful birds to line your kitchen cupboards for a pop of joy when you reach for dishware, add colourful LED lights to your bathroom mirror, or cover a small room’s ceiling, like a pantry or utility room, in a geometric design using paint and electrical tape for sharp lines,” she adds.
Curating a coffee corner
From dedicated pantries to specially designed nooks, the “at-home” coffee shop experience has proven to be more than a fleeting trend, and according to Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr the hot drinks station is here to stay.
“With this comes the demand for bespoke shelving and cabinetry to display barista tools, coffee mugs and accessories,” he explains.
“Having a dedicated area to make and enjoy your favourite hot drink has become top of the wish list in kitchen design for caffeine enthusiasts and those who love to host and impress guests, providing loved ones with a special café-style experience.”
New Year interior resolution: mixing up maximalism
In keeping with the theme of embracing fun in 2025, Catharina says searches for “eclectic maximalism” and “vintage maximalism” have risen by 215% and 260% respectively and have heralded the arrival of (what Pinterest has named) the “Mix & Maximalist” trend.
“Whilst the trend is about using whatever colour, patterns and fabrics you like, it isn’t achieved through randomly throwing things together and hoping for the best,” she explains.
“The different elements should be linked by a theme such as metallic tones, gem colours or muted fabrics.”
Catharina suggests creating a wow moment in the entryway of the home, no matter it’s size, by adding a mirror with a gilded gold frame, a metallic vase with bright flowers, either fresh or faux, and a geometric tile on the floor – which, in smaller spaces, can be achieved with a rug.
“In fact, the trend works just as well in small spaces,” she continues. “Create drama in a bathroom by painting it a very deep navy or burgundy and mix in luxe elements such as gold handles, taps and light sconces.
“Then add interest by creating wall panelling using MDF strips and fill in the space with a wallpaper, ideally a bright floral or nature inspired pattern on a dark background to match the room’s paint colour.”
By adding this much activity in a small space Catharina says it allows you to bring in the dramatic elements in a controlled way so it doesn’t get away from you.
Need more inspiration? Try 18 ideas for carving out a reading nook… even if you’re short on space, or Clever tricks to makeover your home in the time you have
READ MORE: