Out with the old and in with the new. Interior design in 2025 is bringing in splashes of bold colors and warm metals and woods rather than the classic all-white kitchen and gray walls.
“Bold kitchen cabinet colors are replacing the all-white kitchen. Red, cobalt blue, teal, and mustard cabinets will be spicing up kitchens in 2025. Mixing these colors in with white or wood cabinetry is a great option for homeowners who are not 100 percent committed to floor-to-ceiling bright colors,” she said.
Along with color, kitchens are in for a bit of a redesign in 2025. Banquette seating and comfortable chairs with dining tables are becoming more popular.
“2025 will usher in family-friendly eat-in kitchens with banquette seating, comfortable chairs, and dining tables for cozy, face-to-face conversations and a place to linger,” McCormick said. “While islands are not going anywhere, the trend is to use them for meal prep or to incorporate a sink or appliance rather than for stools lined up in a row.”
Stained wood is returning for cabinetry as interior design goes toward warmth and natural materials.
“Oak, walnut, and maple are the preferred species with multiple stained finishes available from light to dark. To avoid disappointment, be sure to get a full sample door from your cabinet company for approval, as each type of wood takes stain differently,” she said.
Also in 2025, it’s time to look up in your home. Statement ceilings are beginning to replace boring, white paint.
“Wallpaper, painted motifs, metallics, decorative plaster, and lacquer are just some of the ways we can expect to adorn the ‘fifth wall’ in the coming year,” McCormick said.
As far as metal fixtures go, warm metals including brass, bronze and copper are trending over the cooler chrome.
“The big story is masterfully mixing warm metals with silver finishes like nickel and chrome to add life and a bit of the unexpected to avoid cookie-cutter interiors,” she said.
Avoiding cookie-cutter interiors is the main focus for where interior design is going. It’s time for homeowners to have fun with their homes and put their own stamp on it rather than subscribing to a “typical” white or gray look.
Another main focus for design in the new year is bringing more nature and the outdoors inside.
“Selecting colors from outside one’s window is one of the easiest ways to accomplish the feeling of being one with nature,” McCormick said. “Earthy tones like brown, beige, and terracotta work well with various hues of green and blue and create a calming effect. Decorating with artisanal objects made from wood, sisal rugs, and lots of plants add the finishing touches.”
Paint manufacturers have begun releasing their Color of the Year. McCormick said shades of purple will be everywhere in 2025, from muted lilac to rich plums.
“Black is back, as is cobalt blue. Using these colors as accents in pillows, throws, rugs, and window treatments will instantly update a room and work very well with the abundance of gray furniture many had invested in,” she said.
This is a continuance of “color drenching” that began in 2024 which consists of using the same color on a room’s walls, woodwork, and ceiling.
“The key to successfully using this technique is to use different sheens of the same color, for example satin on the walls, semi-gloss on woodwork, and flat on the ceiling. A lacquer finish can be used on any of the surfaces for added elegance and a ‘wow’ factor,” McCormick said.
