San Francisco Bay Area designer Jasmine Wang predicts people will start to embrace hand-painted murals in their bedrooms because they add artistry, warmth, and a deeply personal touch.

She said this trend will take shape with nature-inspired scenes, statement accent walls, personalized artistry, and vintage motifs.

Ali Burgoon Nolan, the owner and principal designer of Studio Burgoon, said restorative hues like sage, clay, and soft taupe will help ground bedrooms with calming energy in 2025.

"Drawn from nature, these colors create harmony, offering a tranquil retreat within the home," she said.

Jordan Miranda, the founder and principal designer of JM Living Concepts, also thinks we'll see more muted-terracotta and warm-taupe tones. She also thinks natural materials like wood and linen will be popular.

The bedroom is a place to unwind, which is why Nolan predicts more people will "transform the bedroom into a space for reflection, rest, and rejuvenation from daily life."

She said clients might do this by incorporating relaxing design features like reading nooks or meditation corners into their bedrooms.

Celeste Robbins, the founder of Robbins Architecture, also sees built-in nooks being popular next year.

"There is something intimate and grounding about a built-in nook in a bedroom," she said. "It's a place to curl up, read, or recharge that is not your bed."

In the age of at-home work and smaller spaces, Miranda acknowledges that the bedroom often becomes a multi-use environment.

By visually and physically defining the bed as its own cozy sanctuary, a canopy bed reinforces the boundary between work or activity zones and restful sleep areas.

"A canopy bed is a way to keep the sleeping space sacred, creating thoughtful separation between the rest of the room where a desk or exercise equipment might also live," she said.

"One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to enhance a bedroom without major construction is using wallpaper to create a feature wall," Kristin Christensen, the owner and principal designer of Mod Earth Studio, said.

She said wallpaper is "in" again because it's an easy way to add personality and flair to a bedroom for much cheaper than construction or custom pieces.

Wang and Nolan both told BI they think all-white, minimalist spaces are on their way out.

Nolan said, they can have a "sterile" look and more people are leaning toward "richer, layered designs that invite relaxation."

"The all-white, ultra-minimalist look is making way for spaces with more warmth, color, and texture," Wang said. "In its place, expect to see more accent-wall colors, layered neutrals, and earthy tones that create a cozy, inviting atmosphere."

Wang and Christensen predict the "bedroom in a box" look will be replaced with a more curated and eclectic approach.

"Designers are mixing and matching materials, finishes, and styles to create a unique, collected-over-time vibe," Wang said.

Christensen recognizes that matching furniture sets provide a convenient solution for creating a polished look, but individuality and self-expression are becoming highly valued by everyday consumers.

"People are increasingly seeking to create spaces that feel more authentic and lived-in," she told BI.

According to Wang, the ultra-industrial aesthetic will exit bedroom spaces next year.

"While industrial touches may still be popular in certain spaces, the overly rugged look with exposed brick, metal, and harsh edges is being traded for softer, nature-inspired designs," she said. "Organic textures, natural woods, and calming colors are now the go-to for a warmer feel."

Christensen predicts that recessed lighting, a round lighting fixture installed into the ceiling or wall, will be replaced for its lack of ambiance.

"For years, recessed lighting was the go-to choice for many bedrooms, promising a sleek, minimalist look and ample light without taking up visible space," she told BI. "However, in recent years, recessed lighting has started to feel outdated, especially in bedrooms."

Instead, she said, people may opt for alternative lighting solutions with things like smart ceiling lights and dimmable fixtures, table lamps, bedside lighting, wall sconces, or pendant lights.

I'm always impressed by Gap's mix of closet essentials and seasonal, on-trend pieces.

I also love that the brand, which has over 580 locations across North America and Asia, typically offers reasonable pricing on most items.

I visited my local Gap and grabbed the CashSoft cable-knit mini sweater dress in an extra small. I was drawn to this option because I loved how the neutral tan shade combined with the knitted pattern and ribbed hem.

This dress comes in Gap's best-selling "CashSoft" fabric (as in cashmere soft), but it's actually a blend of 53% cotton and 47% nylon. Still, it felt incredibly smooth against my skin upon slipping it on in the dressing room — it was warm and cozy yet lightweight.

I liked the above-the-knee length, but the extra-long sleeves and square cut weren't flattering on my body type. This dress does have potential, though, and a little styling would go a long way. I think pairing it with a belt to cinch the waist would instantly elevate the overall look.

However, I also thought this dress was a bit pricey — unless it's actual cashmere, I'm not paying $90 for a sweater dress.

Next, I took a trip to Old Navy, which has over 1,200 stores around the world.

Although I've found that the material and quality of most Old Navy clothing doesn't feel as high-end as its Gap Inc. counterparts, I appreciate that I can count on the retailer for budget-friendly seasonal styles.

After browsing the store, I grabbed the SoSoft mini sweater dress, made of a blend of 56% cotton, 25% recycled polyester, 16% nylon, and 3% spandex.

I was drawn to this option for its V-neckline and rib-knit trim material, offering a modern flair on a classic style. The fabric also felt decently soft yet lightweight, making it ideal for a mild winter in Southern California.

I tried this dress on in an extra small, but the sizing seemed off. I thought the shape was frumpy and gave me no shape — it went straight down on the sides like a box.

The dress also fell to an awkward length right below the knee and would probably be better suited for someone taller. Although Old Navy offers petite sizes online, my local brick-and-mortar didn't have this option.

On a positive note, this dress was $45 — half the price of the Gap option. The style wasn't for me, but if it had fit nicely, I might choose this dress primarily for the cost-friendly price tag.

To end my trip, I stopped at Banana Republic, Gap Inc.'s higher-end store that has over 400 locations worldwide.

I love Banana Republic's collection of elevated styles, but every time I visit the store, I'm shocked at how expensive everything is.

I can't typically get behind boutique prices for mass-produced goods, but I figured I'd check to see if there was a sweater dress worth splurging on.

I grabbed the cable-knit mini sweater dress — made of a blend of 54% cotton, 24% nylon, 17% polyester, and 5% wool — to try on because I loved the color and the unique cable-stitch detailing across the front. The fabric felt durable and warm but was still soft and comfortable.

I liked the details on this dress, but thought the overall fit was unflattering on me. Part of this is likely because the store didn't have my size in stock.

I liked the length, as it fell right above the knee, but the baggy shape was distracting. It might have styling potential with a belt at the waist, but I wouldn't spend $160 on it.

Although it was an unsuccessful shopping day, I still trust these retailers to provide everyday essentials. Sweater dresses may just not be in my outfit rotation this season.