Home Design in 2025, and What’s Shaping 2026
In 2025, interior design moved away from a single dominant aesthetic and toward something more layered, expressive, and personal. Rather than chasing trends, designers began focusing on homes as places of story, identity, and emotional depth.
Leading voices across the industry — from editors at Architectural Digest to internationally recognized designers and architects — pointed to a shared shift: interiors that feel intentional, collected, and deeply human.
Colour With Confidence and Restraint
One of the most widely noted shifts in 2025 was the return of colour, not as a trend, but as a form of expression. Designers moved beyond stark neutrals and into deeper, warmer tones that carry emotional weight.
Rich greens, muddy blues, warm ochres, burgundy, and softened earth tones appeared in cabinetry, wall treatments, and textiles. These colours weren’t loud. They were intentional, grounding spaces rather than overwhelming them.
Looking ahead to 2026, colour experts predict this evolution will continue with an emphasis on layered palettes inspired by nature — mineral hues, aged neutrals, and tones that feel timeless rather than seasonal.
Texture as a Defining Element
Texture emerged as one of the most defining elements of 2025 interiors. Designers leaned into materials that reveal their craftsmanship — plastered walls, natural stone, wood with visible grain, and textiles that feel substantial and tactile.
This movement reflects a broader industry focus on authenticity. Rather than hiding imperfections, designers embraced them. Surfaces were meant to age, patina, and tell a story over time.
Predictions for 2026 suggest that texture will continue to replace ornament, allowing homes to feel layered and rich without relying on excess decoration.
“Your home should tell the story of who you are,
and be a collection of what you love.”
— Nate Berkus
Softer Forms and Architectural Ease
Across interiors in 2025, lines softened. Curves replaced rigid geometry. Furniture, millwork, and architectural details reflected how people actually move through and experience space.
Designers predict this approach will mature in 2026, shifting from trend-driven curves to forms that feel architectural, grounded, and enduring. These shapes are not decorative gestures, but thoughtful responses to comfort and flow.
Pattern With Purpose
Pattern made its presence felt in 2025, but always with intention. Rather than dominating entire spaces, pattern appeared in focused moments — hand-crafted tiles, heirloom textiles, or historic references woven into modern homes.
For 2026, designers anticipate a continued emphasis on meaningful pattern, where history, craft, and story matter as much as visual impact.
A Broader Shift in Design
The defining thread across 2025 and into 2026 is not a single colour, shape, or material, but a shift in philosophy. Homes are being designed to reflect how people live, what they value, and what brings them a sense of calm.
This movement away from performance and toward permanence marks a deeper evolution in design — one rooted in emotion, craftsmanship, and the quiet confidence of spaces that feel truly lived in.
