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What 2025 Design Trends Did We Get Right (& Which Ones We Didn’t…)
Predicting design trends is something that is extremely fun, so we really love doing it. But just because it’s fun doesn’t mean we don’t take it seriously. There’s not a secret magic ball; instead, simply a total love/obsession with design, constantly looking and examining A LOT of spaces on every platform. Does every single trend we talk about “go viral”? No. But I’d say we are in the green overall:) So today I thought it would be interesting to a bunch of trends we talked about and see what we were right about and what didn’t take off in the way we thought it would. I’d say overall we are in the green, but let’s go through most of the ones we predicted, and we can all see where we landed for 2025! P.S. get ready for A LOT of eye candy:)
Kitchen Trends
Dark Beige
Dark beige was a color I predicted for this year, and I have to say I’m still seeing it a lot (as shown above!). I’m both happy because who doesn’t love to be right? Ha. But also not surprised because it’s a moody neutral color that adds a lot of visual depth and warmth.
Colorful Stained Wood
YES, YES, YES! This might be one of the strongest trends that felt “new” this past year. I saw them mostly in higher-end renovations, but far more than in past years. It’s only a matter of time till all of us will have easier access. It’s funny because before this year, I wouldn’t have thought I’d love this style as much as I do, but so many designers are using colorful stained wood in such beautiful and elevated ways that I am so on board. Goes to show there’s a great version of practically anything you can imagine.
Colorful Window Trim
I’d say this is a kinda. The design world is still very much in the cozy elevated cottage vibes, and what’s more charming, regardless of style, than a colorful window trim? But also, I wouldn’t say that my feeds were as filled with colorful window trims in kitchens as I thought they’d be. However, I don’t think this trend was exclusive to kitchens, and designers have also been adding this element to lots of different kinds of spaces.
Bold Cabinet Interior Colors
This is another “sort of”. There are plenty of designers who add this element to an interior cabinet, and it’s such a wonderful surprise! Very much a sign that whoever designed the home really loves/cares about the details. So it was around, but not in a huge way. I’d happily see more in 2026.
Red Marble
Definitely on trend this past year, but I oddly had a difficult time finding photos to prove it in kitchens (hence the bathroom, which is more of where I think it was on trend). This stone was also used a fair amount in pieces like accent tables. Remember Mal’s coffee table? I think we will see more of it in 2026, but there’s actually another color that’s hitting much harder that we’ll talk about in January:)
Dark Wood Cabinetry & Paneling
This is a soft yes. There were way more dark wood kitchens than I have felt in past years, but I think dark painted kitchens (like a deep burgundy) may have surpassed wood. Dark wood islands, however, were definitely very popular this year! A dark walnut is just so elegant and classic that you really can’t go wrong with it.
Double Bullnose Counter Edges
When I first saw that we called this trend this year, I was unsure if it was a big contender, but I stand corrected! I think I may have found even more photos than I have above. So this is officially a big, YES. I don’t know the fabrication cost, but if you can swing it, it’s a stunning detail that’s cool and interesting but not too “trendy”. I even love that the wood island, in the last photo, looks like it has the double bullnose counter edge.
Sculleries
I believe it was Arlyn who called the scullery trend, and she was right. It’s one of those additions that requires some space. Although the second photo is on the smaller side, which is nice, because it’s not like you need a huge home to create this kind of area. I feel like this is also an example of people leaning away from open concept floor plans. Can’t wait to see how this shakes out next year!
Rounded Cabinets
While I LOVE rounded cabinets, I don’t think it was in its trend prime this past year. I think we say far more rounded-edged islands instead. I’m sure the price tag for those types of custom cabinets is also quite high, which may have been a factor. I’m still keeping my eye out.
Bathroom Trends
Moody Boutique Hotel
Yes! The internet is chock full of amazing, moody bathrooms that are beyond boutique hotel quality. The rich tones, the mix of textured materials, what’s not to love? I very much hope that we see many more next year.
Raw Edge Vanity And White Plumbing Fixtures
These two trends sadly didn’t take off despite both being so cool. They are fairly specific, at least for now, and I’m sure a raw-edge vanity can’t be cheap. As for white plumbing, I really couldn’t find a recent example, and that’s likely because people are still very attached to classic metals (aside from black). So, unless you want a very modern bathroom, white likely still needs time to break through to the mainstream.
Decor Trends
Color Drenching
Well, this is DUH. Color drenching was everywhere this year, and we loved it. It’s so exciting to look at such colorful rooms, and with the right colors can be soothing or really energy-inducing. I hope this lives on for many years so we can all stare at the amazing combos and tones these extremely talented designers choose.
Browns
Pantone got it kinda right for 2025 with their choice of brown, Mocha Mousse. However, warm, rich, and delicious browns were more of the stars. So the color brown was absolutely on trend for 2025, and we don’t see it slowing down. I mean, when done well, it’s a total classic!
Burgundys
Do I even need to say it? Yes, burgundy could have easily been the color of the year. You couldn’t open your feed or look at a magazine with this incredible color staring at you in the face. Was anyone made about it? They better not have been. I also don’t think this beautiful color is going anywhere anytime soon.
Light Blue
Another HUGE hit in 2025 that I unexpectedly loved! It’s such a joyful color that really pops. Even for me, I had categorized it as a “little kid” color, but the way designers used it this past year, I am so in. It’s chic, elevated, yet playful. I even almost chose light blue curtains for my bedroom!
Curtains As “Doors”
Eh, yes and no with this one. Not a huge trend for this past year, but when done, they are done so beautifully. I think we can take it as a good reminder that it’s an awesome option when you can’t have or don’t want an actual door:)
Glass Chandelieres/Sconces
Yes! Sure, these are all STUNNING and grand examples, but even in less extravagant homes, cool and beautiful light fixtures were being added in. I’m actually working on a project now where we are trying to find some glass sconces that work:)
Lacquer & High Gloss Finishes
I think mostly “ish,” but it’s still on the rise. I mean, Heidi Caillier laucuered two ceilings, and they look awesome (only one shown above). So I think let’s keep an eye out for this one for 2026 too.
Oversized Lighting and Wallpaper Borders
Here were two misses, I think. Both oversized lighting and wallpaper borders are happening, but really not any more than they were before. I couldn’t love an oversized lamp more, so I will always be rooting for that trend:)
Other
Checkerboard Tile
I know some people feel that checked anything is on its way out, but I love it, and so did A LOT of designers this year, especially with tile. When done in a way that feels true to the space, I think it’s a classic! So yes, this was definitely a trend this year, and I personally wouldn’t mind if it continued.
Regency Minimalism
This last trend was one that I called out this past June, and I think it’s a 50/50. Designers like Marco Zamora are very much on board, but it’s not ALL over the internet yet. Hey, maybe next year. It’s beautiful and cool, and I would love to see more.
Well, there you have it! Hope it was a fun read, and let me know if you have any thoughts and feelings. As I said at the top, we love digging into design trends because it’s so interesting how they form and take off (or don’t). Have a wonderful week and holiday!!
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: MOTO REVEAL: How Mallory Made Her Boring Living Room Feel Homey In Just One Month
What a delightful read! I think you were right about the large majority of your predictions. I agree that people are leaning away from open plans. When you heat or cool an open kitchen, you heat or cool the whole house, and electricity is getting just too expensive to do that. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see enclosed kitchens come back in a big way. Happy Holidays thanks for the great post.