What trends interior designers are already sick of seeing in 2025

I see trends and tastes, and styles change so fast that it gives me design whiplash. But it also means I’m pretty steadfast on the trends I love and the ones I don’t. But I was intrigued to see what the trendsetters themselves thought of the latest looks, and more specifically, what are the styles and trends they are sick of seeing so far this year?

And it seems I asked the right question, because so many designers were keen to vent to me about the design trends they are tired of seeing. From farmhouse-chic to all-white interiors, I heard a real range of answers.

As eclectic interiors continue to grow in popularity, with character becoming the main aim for designers, I’m not surprised to see some of the less exciting trends featured in the list of dislikes. Let’s take a closer look at this year’s no-gos that could be making your home look dated…

Table of Contents

1. Shiplap

Living room with blue patterned carpet, blue linen armchair with dog sitting on it, white ship lap walls and floor lamp

(Image credit: Future)

While this was a popular design feature for a while (look back to a few years ago when interiors were covered in wood panelling reminiscent of a country cabin), shiplap is a trend designers aren’t loving in 2025. No wonder we asked ‘Is shiplap going out of style’ back in 2023, and the answers were mixed even then.

Yena Jung of By Yena Designs was keen to share her thoughts on shiplap wall ideas, saying, ‘There are so many places I see shiplap being used, and it’s just so overplayed. I especially do not want a feature wall to be made with shiplap. The whole point of a feature wall is to make it special. The shiplap makes it feel builder-grade. It may read timeless to some, but to me, it reads like you played it too safe.’

Yena suggests other accent wall ideas instead of the traditional shiplap look. ‘I would love to see other geometric patterns, tiles, wallpaper prints, or different textures to replace the shiplap. A geometric pattern like chevron could replace shiplap for the back wall of built-in cabinetry in a mudroom. A textured paint like limestone plaster paint on a kitchen hood makes for a much more interesting aesthetic than shiplap.’

2. Fast furniture

Living room with wood antique bar cabinet and blue painted fireplace with tapestry picture hanging above

(Image credit: Future)

This ‘trend’ comes as no surprise. As more of us favor quality over quantity, there’s less room for furniture trends that lack endurance and sophistication. Dubbed ‘fast furniture’ due to the faster design and making process, many designers are sick of seeing cheaply made pieces in 2025.

Founder of homeware brand Kathy Kuo Home, Kathy Kuo, is a homeware and furniture designer and says she is sick of seeing fast furniture.

‘The trend towards turning to ‘fast furniture’ to impulsively replicate every viral look is one I don’t love. My personal ethos is all about choosing timeless, well-made, and sustainable furniture and decor pieces, rather than the ‘fast’, disposable pieces. My advice is to take your time researching and selecting pieces meant to stand the test of time and leave trends out of it.’

Refrain from opting for pieces that aren’t sustainable and instead scout a hidden gem from antique websites like Chairish and 1st Dibs that are filled with all sorts of one-of-a-kind pieces. Ebay is the answer if you’re looking for more affordable decor that’s equally special; you’ll treasure these pieces far longer than poorly made furniture.

3. White bouclé

Living room with open shelving, marble fireplace and painting and woven armchair with boucle stool beside it

(Image credit: Future)

Bouclé was all the rage back in 2020, but its popularity has declined over the past few years, potentially due to its associations with minimalism. More designers are decorating with vintage fabrics instead of newer materials like bouclé, taking inspiration from cozy, country-style interiors rather than stark and overly curated spaces that feature layers of nudes and white.

Designer Eliza McNabb from Hyphen & Co. said she was sick of seeing bouclé this year. It’s not just due to its minimalist living room ideas associations, she argues, it’s not a sustainable material. She says, ‘While we love nubby texture, this fabric has become ubiquitous and, unfortunately, doesn’t always hold up to wear and tear.’

For a bouclé alternative, try these three picks that are made from vintage-inspired fabrics and feel far more fitting with the 2025 vibe for being more characterful with your decor.

Jebb Upholstered Ottoman
By Birch Lane™ (Vine Stripe Dusty Blue)

1st Dibs, Vintage Boho Roll Arm Lounge Chair

Vintage Boho Roll Arm Lounge Chair

H&M, Ruffle-Trimmed Cotton Cushion Cover

Ruffle-Trimmed Cotton Cushion Cover

4. Crammed ‘micro’ spaces

Narrow home office with skylight and white table and chairs

(Image credit: Future)

All good small room ideas acknowledge trends, but one designer says maximalist decor ideas don’t belong in a small space. Maximalism can make an already tiny room feel even smaller, hence why going overly busy in a smaller space is a trend Vyanca Soto, principal designer at Market Studio Interiors, is sick of seeing.

She says, ‘I’m ready to move past the hyper-trendy “micro spaces” packed with tiny furniture and oversized decor meant for social media moments rather than real living. Good design isn’t about cramming a look into a space, it’s about creating rooms that breathe, evolve, and genuinely serve the people who live there.’

In hopes of more thoughtful small room trends, Vyanca says, ‘Ultimately, I believe 2025 is the year we’ll start craving more authenticity and contrast again; richer palettes, collected materials, and a return to interiors that feel personal rather than performative.’

5. Awkward architecture

Living room with arched painted windows, two pink armchairs, marble coffee table and floor lamp

(Image credit: Future)

While adding architectural charm to a featureless room seems like a good idea, sometimes the result feels a little disjointed and unauthentic to the age or style of the building.

Although crown molding can be costly, decorative molding can add value to the home, hence why many designers and homemakers have been adding this classic architectural feature to their property. However, Eliza says it’s important to consider the style of your home before adding these sorts of features, as they can feel awkward, stark, and out of context.

She says, ‘Adding architectural details that aren’t reflective of the architecture of your building’ is a trend she’s tired of. ‘We love molding as much as the next person, but adding this style to a modern apartment can feel incongruous. Instead, look to historic architectural details that may have been original to your space when it was built.’

6. Overly cluttered spaces

Maximal living room with botanical prints above fireplace and striped rug and bookshelves

(Image credit: Future)

Designers are wary of styles that steer too far in one direction, arguing they’re too trend-led rather than examples of timeless design. Although many of us enjoy the characterful look, one interior designer said maximalist homes tend to feel chaotic and cluttered.

Kristen Thomas, founder of Studio Thomas, said, ‘I wouldn’t say it’s exclusive to 2025, but I’ve never been a fan of the maximalist trend. When there’s too much going on, it creates visual chaos and, for me, that leads to a subtle sense of anxiety in a space. I believe your home should reflect your personality, yes, but it should also make you feel calm and grounded every time you walk into it.’

Kristen explains, ‘It’s all about balancing unique pieces rather than fitting as many in a space as possible. What we’re seeing now is a shift away from mass-produced, one-size-fits-all design. Clients are craving more meaning and uniqueness in their homes.’

7. One tone interiors

Minimal living room with boucle armchair, linen sofa, white wall and wood coffee table

(Image credit: Future)

I’m sure many of us have recently asked, ‘Is minimalism out of style?’ and while there’s no clear answer to the question, as design tastes vary from person to person, there’s definitely less room for overly curated interiors in 2025. More than one designer said they’re sick of one-tone, all-white interiors that lack warmth.

Genevieve Webb and Ashley Mutch of Feather Hill Interiors said, ‘All-white interiors will always have a place in design, but we’re seeing a shift toward spaces that feel warmer, more layered, and more personal. A clean, neutral foundation is still beautiful, but now it’s being elevated with natural materials, tonal variation, and rich textures that bring life and depth to a room. It’s an evolution toward minimalism that feels less sterile and more soulful, and we’re excited to see interiors embracing that added warmth and complexity.’

It’s not just decorating with white that’s come under some heat, decorating with neutrals has too, as it’s associated with a lack of warmth and variation. Vyanca says, ‘As much as I love seeing design evolve, there are a few trends in 2025 that already feel oversaturated. Ultra-minimalist, all-beige interiors are at the top of my list; while serenity is beautiful, when every surface, fabric, and wall reads the same tone, it risks feeling sterile rather than soulful. Design should feel layered, intentional, and alive, not stripped of character.’

Steer clear of all-white interiors with these colorful decor picks that will liven up any space

Urban Outfitters, Nigel Wood Side Table

Net-A-Porter, CABANA Speckled 33cm serving bowl

CABANA Speckled 33cm serving bowl

Green Row, Amabel Rug 5 x 8

Do we have all trend fatigue in 2025, or are we just more conscious of good design versus bad? I think, as eclectic, personal design becomes the new standard, we are growing tired of cheaply made pieces and styles that lack character and individuality. We’re all more aware of what we don’t like, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

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