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From Boneless Sofas to Hostingcore: TikTok interior design trends designers recommend
When it comes to TikTok, interior design advice can be a bit hit or miss.
For every inspired DIY upcycle or clever space-saving hack, there’s a questionable paint choice or trend that’s best left in the algorithm.
But every once in a while, something unexpected breaks through the noise, and even seasoned designers stand up and take notice.
Take boneless sofas, for example, those soft, blobby structures that look like oversized marshmallows. Surprisingly chic.
Or the boy apartment aesthetic, which sounds like it should smell like dirty socks but is actually a masterclass in sleek minimalism.
Then there’s the red theory (spoiler: add something red and your room just works), the dinner-party obsession known as hostingcore, and the delightfully fruity interiors trend that’s turning lemons and cherries into legit style statements.
“While TikTok is famous for its fast-moving and sometimes fleeting trends, it’s also a treasure trove of genuinely creative ideas that can breathe new life into our homes,” explains Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys.
“Though there are plenty of trends that might be more style than substance, there are definitely some that stand out for their practicality, personality, and ability to make everyday living more enjoyable.”
Turns out some of these trends aren’t just flash-in-the-pan fads, they actually tap into deeper design principles: comfort, personality, and a sense of play.
“And of course they also reflect a growing desire to showcase your personality through your home décor.
“The best trends are those that encourage people to express themselves and create spaces that feel welcoming, comfortable, and uniquely their own,” Victoria adds.
“The key is to pick and choose trends that genuinely resonate with your lifestyle and taste.
“The best interiors tell your story – so have fun with trends, but always make them your own.”
So if you’re curious about which TikTok interior moments are worth bringing home (and how to do it without turning your living room into a content creator’s set), read on.
We spoke to the designers to get the lowdown.
TikTok trend: Boneless sofas
Boneless sofas (or couches as they are often known on TikTok) are all about soft curves, oversized proportions and a relaxed, sink-right-in silhouette.
They’ve surged in popularity on the video sharing platform as the antidote to overly structured, showroom-perfect furniture.
Instead, they embrace comfort, character and a slightly undone vibe.
Low to the ground, no sharp angles, and zero fuss – it seems designers are impressed by their looks as much as the lounging potential.
“I’m genuinely excited by the boneless couch trend,” says Victoria.
“These ultra-soft, low-profile sofas with rounded, almost ‘melted’ shapes create such a cloud-like, relaxed vibe.
“They’re all about comfort and informality, making living spaces feel truly inviting and lived-in.”
To really sink into the look, Victoria suggests pairing these sofas with textural throws and oversized cushions for extra cosiness.
“Choosing neutral or soft pastel upholstery gives a timeless feel, but if you want to make a statement, a bold colour can really anchor your space,” she adds.
But there are some things to consider if you are thinking of purchasing a boneless couch.
“Soft, low, rounded sofas invite you to stay, but they also melt the edges of a room, which means the architecture has to hold its ground,” explains Maria Ramirez, founder of BB Interiors.
“Big cloud sofas can swallow a space if cornices, skirting, door frames and sight lines are timid.”
Instead she suggests grounding the sofa with proper mouldings, scaling the art to the wall, then letting the sofa layer over it.
“Choose a solid frame and good foam, keep side tables tailored and lamps crisp so comfort does not turn into collapse,” she adds.
Boy apartment
What started as some tongue-in-cheek banter of sparsely furnished flats with a lone gaming chair and a mattress on the floor has evolved into a full-blown aesthetic – and a strangely stylish one.
The boy apartment look on TikTok has been reclaimed as a sleek, minimal vibe that favours clean lines, muted tones and unfussy styling.
Think black leather, metallic details, brutalist shapes and a hint of 90s nostalgia.
It’s moody, pared-back and surprisingly grown-up – like the bachelor pad finally got a personality (and a better sofa – preferably a boneless one).
“The boy apartment trend is a celebration of masculine, minimalist aesthetics – clean lines, dark hues, leather, and industrial accents,” Victoria explains.
“What I love about this look is that it’s both timeless and practical, focusing on quality over quantity and resulting in a sophisticated, uncluttered environment.”
Victoria recommends investing in classic pieces like a leather sofa or sleek metal lighting.
“To keep the space from feeling too stark, adding warmth with layered lighting,” she adds.
Other bachelor pad 2.0 tips from Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice, include grounding the zone with a wool rug, adding linen curtains, and choosing a real bed with a proper headboard.
“Bring in one living plant and art that is bigger than a postcard,” he continues.
“Swap flimsy chrome for solid wood or aged brass.
“Stick to a tight palette so it stays calm, then add one piece with presence so it doesn’t feel disposable.”
TikTok trend: The red theory
The unexpected red theory took off on TikTok after Brooklyn-based designer, Taylor Migliazzo Simon, claimed that adding something red instantly makes a room look better.
It might sound a bit random, but there’s actually real design logic behind it thanks to the fact that red adds contrast, and gives even the most neutral space an instant lift.
“I’m a big fan of the red theory, which is all about injecting pops of red to energise and elevate a room,” says Victoria.
“Red is such a powerful accent – it draws the eye and adds vibrancy, whether you use it in small touches or as a bold statement.
“I always suggest starting with accessories like cushions, vases, or art if you’re new to the shade.
“For those who are a bit braver, a red accent wall or a standout piece of furniture can be a real showstopper.”
Maria suggests using red as an anchor or as a spice.
“Oxblood steadies earthy palettes, cherry perks up cool neutrals, tomato loves green and timber,” she explains.
“Repeat the colour two or three times so it feels intentional.
“A lampshade, a bowl on the coffee table, a stripe in a rug or the edge of a cushion is often all you need.
“Let the rest of the room breathe so the red can do its job.”
Hostingcore
From well-stocked cocktail trolleys, ambient lighting, vintage glassware and a table that’s always set, just in case, hostingcore is the TikTok-fuelled obsession with creating the ultimate dinner party-ready home.
Cosy, curated and all about making guests feel special, the trend is believed to have taken off as more of us embrace FOMO in favour of staying in. Interior designers love it for bringing warmth, personality and a sense of lived-in charm back into the home.
“Hostingcore is one of my favourite trends because it’s all about designing interiors for entertaining – with thoughtful layouts, ample seating, and welcoming touches,” Victoria explains.
“The movement encourages connection and makes guests feel truly at home, transforming everyday rooms into social spaces.”
If you want to channel your inner host, Victoria suggests opting for flexible furniture such as extendable tables or modular seating.
“I also love styling dining areas with layered tableware, candles, and fresh flowers for instant hosting appeal,” she adds.
Maria recommends leaving routes clear for movement, introducing flexible seating that can slide into place and curating a simple drinks moment that is ready for pouring even on a Tuesday.
“Keep the room open and bright,” she continues. “If you are hosting lunch you do not want to feel like you are in a cave or shoved into a corner.
“Borrow light with pale window dressings and mirrors, put everything on dimmers, tuck cables and clutter away, and keep surfaces easy to wipe so you can relax and actually enjoy your guests.”
Fruit-Inspired Interiors
From cherry-shaped lamps to lemon-print cushions, TikTok has fallen hard for fruit-inspired interiors.
Playful, punchy and a little bit retro, this trend adds instant joy to a space and has tapped into a desire to find a fun, feel-good alternative to more serious design styles.
Interior designers love it for the way it brings in bold colour, organic shapes and a sense of humour that still feels stylish.
“Food-inspired interiors are such a playful way to bring personality and warmth into your home, especially in kitchens and dining areas,” explains Victoria.
“Whether it’s olive green kitchens, terracotta accents, or fun fruit prints, these colours and motifs create a sensory, inviting atmosphere.”
If you’re scared to go too full-on food design, Victoria’s go-to tips include featuring a wall in a rich, food-inspired hue.
“Sage, mustard, or chocolate brown are always gorgeous,” she says.
“And don’t forget to display beautiful cookbooks, ceramics, or even a bowl of fresh fruit as décor – it’s an easy way to make the space feel lived-in and loved.”
Café curtains
Once a fixture in charming French bistros, café curtains are having a major moment on TikTok – and this time, they’re not just for kitchens.
Hung halfway up the window, they offer just enough privacy while still letting in soft, flattering light.
Designers love them for their nostalgic, romantic feel and their ability to instantly soften a space. Whether in crisp linen or a playful gingham, they’re an easy way to add charm and character without committing to full curtains.
“I’m loving the resurgence of café curtains as a window dressing trend,” explains Victoria.
“These short, breezy curtains cover only the lower half of a window, offering privacy while still letting in plenty of natural light.”
Adding a relaxed feel to kitchens and bathrooms in particular, Victoria recommends choosing lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton for an airy effect.
“You can keep it classic with a subtle pattern or go playful with florals – either way, café curtains are a simple update that can completely transform a window,” she adds.
Transitional design
The transitional trend is TikTok’s answer to finding middle ground between traditional and contemporary design.
It’s all about blending classic silhouettes with clean lines, neutral palettes and modern touches.
The result? Spaces that feel timeless but totally on-trend.
Designers are on board because it balances comfort and sophistication, and TikTok users are embracing it as a more grown-up, liveable alternative to ultra-minimal or fast-decor.
“Transitional blends classic bones with modern clarity,” explains Maria.
“Think balanced proportions, natural materials, tailored upholstery, and lighting that feels current against architecture with history.
“It reads calm, it reads considered, and it ages well. In short, it is taste, not trend.”
If you want to apply a modern/classic blend at home Maria suggests keeping the base neutral and textured, then mixing curved with clean lined pieces, pairing antique wood with contemporary lighting, and letting craftsmanship lead.
“This is a proven bridge between traditional and modern that many major titles define as timeless when done well,” she adds.
TikTok trend: Cottagecore
Cottagecore has blossomed on TikTok as the ultimate escapist interior trend – think ditsy florals, vintage china, lace curtains and plenty of rustic charm. It romanticises slow living and countryside aesthetics, even if you’re in a city flat.
Interior designers appreciate cottagecore for its warmth, layering and sense of story – it’s a style that embraces imperfection and personality, with homes that feel collected, not curated.
“Cottagecore has become more than just an internet aesthetic as we find ourselves dreaming of country life, nature-inspired colour palettes and the slow living trend,” explains Amthal.
“Its nature-inspired colour palette also makes it easy to tie in the trending colours of the moment, such as butter yellow and millennial sage green.
“With its love for highlighting natural materials, it also makes it easy to channel the slow living aesthetic which inspires us to be grounded.”
Vanilla girl
Soft, serene and effortlessly polished, vanilla girl interiors are the homeware counterpart to the viral aesthetic – think creamy tones, fluffy textures, minimal clutter and cosy elegance.
On TikTok, it’s all about plush throws, boucle furniture, scented candles and sun-drenched neutrals.
Designers love the calming, cohesive feel it brings to a space, offering a sense of understated luxury that’s easy to achieve and endlessly soothing.
“If the clean girl trend, minimalism, Scandi interiors and Japandi had a baby this would be it,” explains Amthal.
“This gender-based interior trend is for the girl or woman who is in her ‘soft era’.
“The vanilla girl trend features monochrome interiors, a warm neutral palette and prioritises self-care.”
Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at 9 style lessons we can learn from And Just Like That… or Fashionable fungi: How to get the mushroomcore look in your home. And check out Labubu interiors have arrived! 11 ways to embrace ‘cutecore’ in your home
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