Courtney Wollersheim, interior designer at FLOOR360, said she expects to see backsplashes in colors like deep green or terracotta as more homeowners look for new ways to complement neutral walls and cabinets.

A colorful backsplash may seem risky, but a skilled tile installer can change it if your tastes change over time.

Wollersheim said she's also seeing more homeowners eager to personalize their kitchens by combining different decor styles for a custom look.

One example is mixing modern finishes with antique finds, such as treasures from flea markets or inherited items.

"Mixing old and new adds character and warmth while providing an opportunity for creative self-expression," she said.

Sarah Pickard, founder of Pickard Design Studio, predicts more people will get rid of open kitchens and divide their space to create a secondary area, like a butler's pantry, that "can be used for prep or a place to store dirty dishes."

She told us this trend is returning as some millennials seek designs similar to the homes they grew up in and entertain guests in groups.

"It is more affordable to host and eat at home, and people want their spaces and kitchen to be received as luxurious and clean," Pickard said.

Deana Duffek, CEO and principal designer of Pure Design House, said a continued interest in sustainability and biophilic looks will help nature-inspired designs rise in popularity throughout 2025.

"Kitchens now incorporate natural materials, like wood and stone, earthy colors, like sage and terracotta, and greenery, like indoor herb gardens," Duffek told BI.

She said we can also "expect to see more eco-friendly designs using reclaimed materials."

Joyce Huston, lead interior designer at Decorilla, thinks we'll see kitchen lighting evolve in 2025.

"Lighting is everything in design, and people want flexibility. The ability to change your kitchen's entire feel with lighting creates a more dynamic, personalized space," Huston said.

She said that instead of basic under-cabinet strip lights, we might see more intricate options that allow people to control the color, temperature, intensity, and mood of a space through lighting.

Huston said she's also seeing more appliance manufacturers offer hardware in a variety of finishes, like brass or gold.

After all, the right pop of metal can be a small way to add depth, warmth, and sophistication to a design without overdoing it.

Sleek and modern designs introduced cool, neutral colors into kitchens over the last few years, but Wollersheim told BI that these shades have had their moment.

"Cool-color cabinets like white, gray, or black are moving aside for warm wood cabinets like oak or maple," she said.

Wollersheim expects this shift toward warmer colors to continue over the next few years.

Although previously a staple in modern kitchens, all-white cabinets, counters, and kitchen walls are no longer as hot as they used to be, Duffek told BI.

"The dominance of stark, all-white kitchens with clean lines and minimalistic finishes is waning," she said. "Expect a surge in colorful, layered kitchens that blend bold hues with natural materials, reflecting a more dynamic and inviting aesthetic."

Open shelving has been popular in kitchens for years, and many use it to showcase everyday dishes or collectibles.

But, Duffek said, this trend is fading out for a few reasons.

"While stylish, open shelving requires constant upkeep to remain presentable — and many homeowners prefer practical storage solutions that hide clutter," Duffek said.

Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer at Decorilla, has seen enough bouclé (a thick, curled fabric) in living rooms this year.

"Bouclé has exploded in popularity, particularly as upholstery for couches, and it's just so overdone," she told BI. "I also think it can be a really restrictive textile as it only works with a limited number of colors and can look very synthetic."

Instead, consider adding other textures to your space to create more variety.

Tatsioni told us that minimalism was taken to extremes to create tidy and clean-looking spaces this year — and isn't working in its current form.

"So many interiors are starting to look like those I'd find in a show home," she said. "Minimalism can be done beautifully, but when brought to the extreme, it can dampen any sign of unique personality or character in an interior, making a place feel sterile and uninviting."

"I suspect that social media might be to blame for this, but the trend of having massive cloud couches is problematic for smaller living rooms," Tatsioni said.

She cautions against thinking oversized furniture is necessary to create a cozy living room space, as other options often work better.

"There are so many gorgeous styles of comfortable couches and easy chairs that are perfect for smaller living rooms, which can work much better for maximizing limited space," she told BI.

Brad Smith, the CEO and lead designer at Omni Home Ideas, said it's time for living rooms to stop feeling "too sterile and uninviting" with their all-white color schemes.

Smith said homeowners can create a balanced look and add warmth and personality to predominantly white spaces by "incorporating colorful accents like throw pillows, artwork, or even a textured rug."

Industrial elements include metal accents, exposed bricks, and raw materials. They can make a space look edgy and modern.

However, when a living room leans too far into this design style, Smith said, it instead "comes off as cold and impersonal."

"A balanced approach using softer textures and natural materials can help soften the industrial feel and make the space more welcoming," he told BI.

Keri Petersen, owner and lead designer at KP Spaces, said maximalism missed the mark this year because it can quickly go from "collected and cool" to "cluttered chaos" in a living room.

"Too many patterns, colors, and styles thrown together without a plan? The result is a space that feels overwhelming and anything but relaxing," she told BI.

To add life to a space without creating chaos, she suggested sticking with a cohesive color palette and limiting yourself to only using two or three complementary patterns in a room.

"Wood-paneled accent walls were a fun way to bring a natural, rustic touch into a home. But, like all trends, it got overdone, fast," Petersen said.

She added that when too many walls are paneled — especially with cheap, faux materials — a space can start to feel inauthentic and dated.

"If you want a focal wall with timeless appeal, try limewash or textured plaster for that subtle, earthy vibe," she said.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes to light-colored wood, said Allison Burke, principal at Allison Burke Interior Design.

"Light wood tones, especially white oak, have been absolutely everywhere, and while they have a fresh, airy look, it's starting to feel a little overdone," she told BI.

When spaces have too much light wood, they can "feel too uniform and lack dimension," she said. Plus, darker wood tones add a layer of sophistication to a room that light ones can't.

"Open shelving had its moment in the spotlight, but let's be honest: It's much harder to pull off than it looks," Burke told BI.

These shelves can make rooms look unpolished and busy.

"It's a tough trend to sustain day-to-day," she added. Most homeowners aren't styling their living room spaces to perfection or constantly dusting.

Instead, she recommended blending closed storage solutions with glass-front or framed cabinet doors that look far more polished.

Brad Smith, CEO and lead designer at Omni Home Ideas, told BI that neon lights, especially in excess, have no place in a bedroom.

"Although striking, neon lights can disrupt sleep patterns and create a jarring visual environment, which is less than ideal for a bedroom," he said. "Instead, opt for softer, layered lighting that enhances mood and function."

Smith told BI that fully carpeted rooms made a comeback in 2024, but that's not exactly a good thing.

Homeowners should be aware of the challenges that come with wall-to-wall carpeted floors before choosing to install them.

"They're not always practical because of maintenance challenges and allergen accumulation," he told BI. "A preferable alternative is using area rugs on hardwood floors, which can enhance the room's aesthetics while being easier to clean and swap out."

Shiva Samiei, interior designer and CEO of Shiva Samiei & Co., told BI that bedrooms aren't the best place in a home for single-tone or all-white color schemes.

"Overly minimalist bedrooms are more like hospital rooms than sanctuaries," Samiei said, adding they can often lack warmth and coziness.

Instead, she said, layer textures and utilize accent pieces to work more personality and color into a space.

Samiei also told BI that although edgy industrial designs with exposed brick and metal finishes look cool, they can make a bedroom feel uninviting.

If you're going to lean into an industrial style, she said, balance out the "toughness" of it by adding warm wood tones, bedding with soft textures, and thoughtful mood lighting.

A bed with a low frame (or none at all) can look really minimal, but Lucy Harrison, senior interior designer at SouthPark Interiors, said this look is rarely ideal and often inconvenient.

"If you place this bed in a large room, it also makes the bedroom very disproportional, which can mess with the overall look and feel of the space," she told BI.

Plus, a low-to-the-ground mattress means missing out on the opportunity to have under-bed storage space.

"Your bedroom does not have to be perfectly curated, and every piece of furniture does not need to match," Harrison said.

She isn't the first designer to tell BI they dislike a matching bedroom set and that a space looks better when the nightstands, dressers, and headboard aren't the same material and finish.

After all, Harrison said, mixing various pieces can make a bedroom feel more interesting and relaxing.

Joyce Huston, the lead interior designer at Decorilla, told BI she's done with chunky, oversized furniture. The designer hopes people will stop buying it next year because it almost always overwhelms spaces.

"For 2025, I'm all about choosing furniture with visual lightness, elegant silhouettes, and dainty details that make a space feel curated rather than weighed down," she said.

Hudson thinks the bouclé fad has gotten a little out of hand.

The woven fabric made from looped yarn is used on everything from throw pillows to accent chairs.

"I know bouclé has been everywhere, but the sophistication level of mohair velvet over bouclé is incomparable," she said. "Plus, mohair ages like fine wine, while bouclé looks tired after just a few years."

Viscose rugs may seem like an affordable luxury, but Jennifer Jones, the principal designer at Niche Interiors, said the semi-synthetic fabric isn't worth the hassle.

"Unfortunately, viscose area rugs are impossible to clean, and one spill can be their downfall," she told BI. "Instead, look for wool area rugs, which are the most durable and long-lasting."

Jones told BI that fiddle-leaf figs are out.

The popular houseplant is known for its height and lush leaves, but it's become a little too ubiquitous for the designer's liking.

"Fiddle-leaf fig trees had their moment, and that moment has passed," Jones said. "Instead, consider its equally beautiful cousin, the ficus Audrey, which also grows very tall and provides a lot of visual interest and texture to a space."

Luis Carmona, the owner and interior designer at Verde Interior Design, is ditching disposable, plastic kitchen items like storage containers, utensils, and drinkware.

"Investing in great, quality alternatives will not only save you money in the long run, but it will also help your kitchen be more green," he said.

Instead, he recommends glass storage containers, beeswax sheets to cover food and leftovers, and glass or stainless steel drinkware to upgrade your kitchen.

When in a pinch, it's easy to opt for inexpensive and accessible bedsheets, towels, and other home linens. However, you may want to reconsider that strategy.

These cheap linens, especially those made with synthetic fabrics, tend to fall apart quicker and need to be replaced more often — costing you in the long run.

"Investing in quality and comfortable towels, bedding, and even napkins makes such a difference," Carmona told BI. "Not only are they comfortable to the touch and perfectly functional, which is imperative, but you can usually tell the difference in quality just by looking at the fabric."

In the last few years, people have been drawing attention upward toward their ceilings with bright paint and bold wallpapers. However, Havard Cooper, an interior designer and architect, said it doesn't always transform a room how we expect it to

"I love a bold design moment, but wallpapering a ceiling does not fix a boring room," he told BI. "A room should feel cohesive, and focusing too heavily on the ceiling often disrupts the balance."

Instead, invest your time and money in the design and decor elements in the main area of the room.

Cooper said monochrome and beige rooms tend to "feel too safe and lack personality."

The fad was on the rise, partially because of the popular Japandi trend, which combines Scandinavian and Japanese influences.

However, the designer hopes people will stop reaching for the same bland couches, rugs, and decor accents and instead choose a more balanced mix of tones and textures. The latter adds character to a space, making it more unique.

It seems like there's always a new tile trend — whether it's an intricate pattern, bold color choice, or surprising texture — but remember that trends come and go.

"Before you splurge on the latest 'it' tile, consider its longevity," Jan Odesanya, the principal interior designer at Mondän & Co Interiors, told BI.

Instead, she'll be opting for classic choices, like subway tile, natural stone, and timeless geometric patterns, to prevent her clients from starting over again in a few years.

Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D, told BI we'll likely start to see more seamless connections between interior and outdoor spaces.

"This goes beyond just large glass doors as designers are integrating retractable walls, natural ventilation systems, and materials that age beautifully in indoor and outdoor environments," she said.

Moszczynski predicts materials like stone, reclaimed wood, linen, and other natural materials that bring warmth, textural richness, and authenticity to a space will become even more popular in 2025.

As people prioritize having unique, personalized spaces, we'll likely see more consumers rejecting mass-produced finishes, too.

"Expect a resurgence of materials that show imperfections, like handmade tiles and unpolished marble," she told BI.

Lucinda Loya, founder and principal designer at Lucinda Loya Interiors, expects to see a resurgence of the art-deco style next year.

The style, which has roots in Europe and boomed throughout the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by opulence and modern, geometric patterns.

"The updated trend blends the movement's iconic chevron patterns, zigzags, and sunburst motifs with opulent materials like marble, glass, and polished metal," Loya said.

She predicts we'll see neutrals like black, white, gold, and silver paired with luxe textures like velvet to create "vintage and fresh spaces."

In line with the art-deco revival, Loya told BI, mirrored, reflective surfaces will also make a comeback to give spaces a touch of glamour.

"Mirrored surfaces reflect natural and artificial light, adding depth and brightness, which is especially valuable in smaller or darker spaces," she said.

Loya also said we'll see mirrored accents paired with matte textures to create elegant designs that balance drama and restraint.

"More people are leaning into saturated colors — deep greens, dramatic blues, and spicy oranges and golds," Matthew Coates, owner of Coates Design Architects + Interiors, told BI.

Coates expects to see more rooms telling bold, colorful stories as homeowners search for a refreshing break from all-beige interiors.

He anticipates this trend will stick around for a while as more find comfort in creating spaces that reflect themselves.

In previous years, mixed-metal finishes might have been considered mismatched. Now, Coates said, they're becoming a popular option for a versatile look.

"Mixing metals gives a room personality and dimension, and it feels more collected over time rather than overly coordinated," he said. "It's perfect for people who want their spaces to feel relaxed but still elevated."

Biophilic design, which emphasizes connection with nature, has been a popular trend in recent years, but Moszczynski believes the days of faux plants are behind us.

"The trend of artificial plants and green walls to emulate biophilia is losing appeal as people realize these elements fail to deliver the wellness benefits of genuine nature," she said.

Instead, she said, we'll likely see more living plants throughout interior spaces.

"Gray-dominated palettes have overstayed their welcome and feel cold, monotonous, and impersonal — particularly in high-end spaces," Moszczynski said.

She predicts that earthy tones like terracotta, clay, ochre, and sage will continue to replace "millennial" gray.

The battle between maximalism and minimalism in the home continues, but Moszczynski predicts the pendulum will swing back toward a refined level of minimalism next year.

Maximalism was pretty big throughout 2024, but people may not be looking to buy a ton of items and decor in the year ahead.

"People are craving more visual calm and functional flow in their homes," she told BI. "Excessive decor often means unnecessary consumerism, which conflicts with the growing interest in sustainability."

Over the last few years, open floor plans have become less popular, and Coates predicts we homeowners will usher in a new chapter of balancing openness and privacy in 2025.

After all, closing off part of an open space can be really impactful.

"Adding a half-wall and a vintage room divider changed the whole vibe of a friend's open-concept living room, making it cozier and more intentional," Coates said.