The unexpected 'microtrends' that designers say are actually timeless

Design trends are moving faster than ever before, which makes committing to a new decor style difficult. Plenty of innovative ideas across the world of interiors later reveal themselves as nothing more than passing fads. And since redecorating is a costly business, we don't want to invest in these, what can be called 'microtrends', that end up dating our home in as little as six months.

Recent years have given birth to a wealth of new interior design trends, from the resurgence of 70s classics like curved sofas to fresh ideas like the 'unexpected red' color trend. They've all enjoyed a moment in the spotlight already, but the question is, which of them is likely to endure throughout 2025, too?

To find out, we spoke to leading designers who offered up a list of microtrends they expect to dominate 2025 and beyond. While they might be relatively new to the scene right now, we expect they'll soon become part of the design canon, allowing you to redecorate your home and make design decisions with confidence.

1. Curved sofas

Curved sofas are by no means a new phenomenon, but they've certainly come to the fore in recent years. Furniture with swooping strokes and convex shapes is being favored over clean lines and symmetry, helping to soften spaces and make for a more convivial feel.

Designers have no intention of moving away from the trend any time soon, either. 'This trend isn’t going anywhere,' says Dallas-based interior designer Jessica Maros. 'In fact, I think we’ll soon see new iterations of the boomerang sofa. This trend teaches us not to smash sofas against walls and encourages centering furniture in a room. I’m a huge advocate for this shift in spatial arrangement.'

Paris Forino, the designer who styled the space above, agrees that the curved sofa trend has given birth to a new living room configuration. 'This shape of sofa is sculptural, pretty, and beautifully shaped,' she says. 'For that reason, it works really well as a floating statement piece in a room, as opposed to being tucked in a corner or against a wall.'

2. Monochrome color palettes

Monochrome color schemes offer a cohesive design idea and help to emphasize depth and dimension within a room. They've been a popular design trend in recent years, rising alongside the color-drenching paint technique and a growing appreciation of color more generally.

'The benefit of monochrome spaces is that they present with great visual strength,' says Paris. The space above, for example, uses a minimal palette, but every decision is intentional and works to complement the surrounding furnishings. The result is a layered and harmonious look with a clear focal point for your eye to rest.

3. Skirted Furniture

If you've noticed an uptick in contemporary chintz styles lately, you're not alone. Frumpy fabrics and decorative details that look as though they've been borrowed from your Grandma's 1980s living room have had a contemporary twist.

Skirted furniture is a brilliant example. Beautifully patterned pleats on the edges of ottomans, chairs, and sofas create a homey, cottage-core-esque feel, and designers say it's a microtrend you'll notice even more of in 2025.

'I’m noticing modern takes on pleated skirts wrapped around sofas,' says Jessica. 'Imagine them on curved, L-shaped, or U-shaped sofas. This trend feels like a refined nod to the past, and while I’m not a fan of ruffles, modern pleated skirts –highly pressed around sleek, clean-lined sofas – have me absolutely thrilled.'

4. Color drenching

Over the last few years and the turmoil that came with it, our attitude towards decorating has changed. As we spend more time in the comfort of our own four walls, we've all been embracing more character and personality in our designs.

One of the enduring trends that's here to stay in 2025 (and no doubt beyond) is color-drenching – the technique of saturating an entire room, including the ceiling and woodwork, in one shade.

'Immersing a room in a singular hue makes a bold statement and captures the energy and essence of a beautiful color,' says Paris. 'The first thing I learned in design school is that a well-designed space can change the way you feel, and I’ve always held that idea close. Color unequivocally sparks pure joy.'

5. Lime plaster and microcement

From bouclé upholstery to high gloss paint finishes, texture has been a big part of the conversation over the past 12 months. Heading into 2025, designers expect raw, unfinished textures to be on the up. We saw similar ideas in 2023 and 2024, with the use of raked plaster, stucco, and artisanal paint techniques like limewash being used to create an organic look.

During our next circle around the sun, expect lime plaster and microcement to crop up in our homes. 'The patina and texture are to die for,' says Jessica. 'You can plaster anything – walls, fireplaces, ceilings, even tile floors. It creates a stunning feel and is both sustainable and eco-friendly.'

6. Mural wall coverings

Our bolder approach to design in recent years also translates to our walls. Accent walls have been given a new meaning with the emergence of statement motifs and murals, creating immersive scenes inside your home that make an excellent conversation point.

'I think the verdant trend – lush greenery and floral motifs on wallpapers, fabrics, and rugs – is here to stay,' notes Laura Elliott of Refined Interiors. 'The calming influence of nature continues to be a significant design element, and its enduring appeal suggests it will remain a staple in interior design for the foreseeable future.'

This statement wallpaper idea is especially popular in convivial rooms of the home. 'I particularly like using a mural-inspired wallcovering in dining rooms to add a visually interesting and engaging focal point for those gathered around the table,' says Paris.

7. Raw wood kitchen cabinetry

The world of sterile, white kitchens with high gloss finishes is no more. Modern kitchens feel much more cozy, featuring soft textures, relaxed seating, and — more recently – raw wooden cabinets.

Organic materials can make a kitchen feel much warmer and more inviting, and their raw simplicity will stand the test of time, too. 'While bold and bright kitchen colors have their place, natural materials like wood offer a timeless alternative, creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere,' says Stacey Cobley, senior designer at kitchenmakers, Harvey Jones.

Wooden kitchen islands, in particular, can make a striking focal point. 'As the heart of the kitchen, an island crafted entirely from wood strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, boldness and warmth, form and function,' says Stacey. 'Not only is it appealing to the eye, but wooden accents also complement a variety of materials, from luxurious marble worktops to metallic hardware like brass handles.'

8. Standout ceilings

Lately, more and more of us are choosing to decorate our fifth wall (better known as the ceiling). Far from a passing fad, designers say our changing attitudes towards this long-neglected space is set to become permanent. As Ansley Majit of San Francisco based studio LARK + PALM says, 'In 2025, we’ll continue to see ceilings covered in paint or wallpaper that create enveloped, cozy spaces'.

Beyond typical ideas with paint and wallpaper, Laura says she's witnessing even greater creativity on ceilings. 'High gloss, painted murals, even exposed wood — we are breaking the rules here,' she says. 'The ceiling provides such a great canvas and focus point for the eyes, I think it’s here to stay!'

9. Red decor

The 'unexpected red' trend in 2024 saw us embracing primary iterations of this shade in daring splashes across our home. The theory goes that a random injection of bright red can instantly elevate a room, but designers are adapting the idea in 2025.

Instead of crimson hues, darker, deeper reds are the color trend of the moment. 'We've been using various hues of maroon in recent projects, which we love for its versatility,' says Ansley. 'A dark maroon – purples, plums, or a rich Bordeaux – is especially great in small bathrooms or bedrooms,' adds Jessica.

And instead of punchy pops of color, drenching is the way to go. 'Having a rich tone like this is wonderful for cozy spaces where you want to relax, unwind, or feel safe,' Jessica says. 'I don’t see this paint color fading away anytime soon. In fact, we may see even more color-drenched rooms in this tone and style.'

10. 'Lived-in' Interiors

If one thing's for certain in 2025, cookie cutter homes are well and truly out. No one wants a bland, non-descript space to call home. Instead, the microtrend of 'lived-in' interiors feels more pertinent than ever, with designers choosing unique, one-of-a-kind decor and accessories to make a home more unique.

'Spaces that reflect the people who live there both subtly (someone who loves to bake has a kitchen set up with a baking corner), and overtly (a collection of art from personal travel arranged into a gallery wall in a corridor), are going to continue into 2025,' explains Ansley. 'It all comes back to who lives in the house and how that's reflected in the space, storytelling through a visual map of the objects and orientation of the interiors.'

If these enduring microtrends teach us one thing, it's that the best designs will always find a way to cement themselves as staples. For a chic home that stays that way for years to come, try adopting one of these lasting microtrends in 2025.