Design Trends for 2025
Will see a slight shift away from minimalist style
Will see more bolder, richer colours, patterns and textures, more ornamentation
Increasing focus on wellness
People want their homes and outdoor living spaces to reflect comfort, wellness
Affordability will continue to be important
Designing on a smaller scale will mean focusing on functionality and versatility without sacrificing style
2025 Design Trends
1. Smaller Footprints, More Functional Homes
As the demand for affordable and efficient living spaces continues to grow, homeowners are increasingly shifting their focus from large, sprawling homes to smaller, more functional living environments. The emphasis is on creating homes that are both space-efficient and versatile, catering to modern needs while still offering the comforts of a traditional home.
Prioritizing Affordability and Functionality over Square Footage
One of the key drivers in this movement toward smaller footprints is the desire for affordability. Larger homes typically come with higher construction costs, maintenance expenses, and utility bills. In contrast, smaller homes are not only more affordable to build but also cost less to maintain and operate in the long run. By prioritizing functionality over size, homeowners can invest in well-designed, space-efficient layouts that meet their needs without unnecessary square footage.
Versatile Spaces: A Shift in Home Design Philosophy
Gone are the days when a three-bedroom home was considered essential for resale value. Modern homeowners are looking for homes that can adapt to their changing needs, whether it’s a growing family, a home office, or the ability to entertain guests. The idea that a home must have a specific number of bedrooms or designated spaces is being challenged by more flexible, open-concept layouts.
These innovations not only maximize every square foot but also enhance the home’s functionality, ensuring that spaces are used efficiently and effectively.
Working with a Knowledgeable Beaver Homes & Cottages Design Consultant
The path to a truly efficient and functional small-footprint home often begins with a knowledgeable design consultant who can guide homeowners through the process of making thoughtful decisions. A Beaver Homes & Cottages Design Consultant brings expertise to help homeowners create a tailored design that aligns with both their lifestyle and budget.
Incorporating Multifunctional Elements and Spaces
In today’s housing landscape, especially within smaller homes, multifunctional design elements are crucial for maximizing space, improving functionality, and enhancing the livability of a home without sacrificing comfort or style. These adaptable features are not only space-saving but also cost-efficient, making them an ideal choice for homeowners who seek to make the most of their available square footage. Here’s how multifunctional elements can be seamlessly incorporated into a home:
Dual Purpose Islands that Serve as Dining Tables
Kitchen islands have long been a central feature in modern home design, offering additional prep space, storage, and a place to gather. But in smaller homes, maximizing every inch of space is essential, which is why dual-purpose islands are becoming increasingly popular. These islands can be designed to also function as dining tables, eliminating the need for a separate dining room or eating area.
Bunk Rooms that Can Sleep More People in a Smaller Footprint
In homes where maximizing space is a priority, especially for families or vacation cottages, bunk rooms are an ideal solution for accommodating more people without taking up a larger footprint. Instead of multiple bedrooms that might each sleep one or two individuals, a well-designed bunk room can fit several beds in a compact area.
Lofts that Serve as Home Offices or Additional Sleeping Space
Lofts are an excellent solution for creating additional usable space in homes with limited square footage. Often underutilized, loft spaces can be transformed into home offices, additional sleeping areas, or even quiet reading nooks. Their elevated position provides privacy and separation from the rest of the home’s activity, making them ideal for various functions.
Incorporating Storage into Furniture
In small homes, storage is often a challenge. However, the problem can be solved by integrating storage into furniture pieces, thus eliminating the need for extra bulky cabinets, closets, or storage units that would take up additional space. By designing furniture with built-in storage, every piece in the home can serve a dual purpose, keeping the space organized and streamlined.
“With the limitations of available housing and the high costs of buying a new home, many homeowners are looking for ways to develop their existing spaces to suit multi family living. This has led to more people thinking small and making do with what they have. ADU’s fit that requirement, it allows for more density in cities that need space and allows homeowners is more rural areas more options for their families. Whether that is rental income or living space for extended family. Previously there was a lot of red tape when trying to add a Secondary Suit but now that more municipalities are on board it is allowing for higher density projects to move forward. We had the needs of families and homeowners in mind when we designed our new collection of Secondary Suites and we have seen many inquiries come in from across the country.” – Home Hardware Architectural Manager – Melissa Weiler
2. Colour, Pattern & Style: The Art Deco Influence in 2025 Interiors
In 2025, Art Deco style is making a powerful comeback, infusing contemporary interiors with a refined yet dramatic aesthetic. Known for its luxurious materials, bold geometry, and opulent glamour, Art Deco introduces a sense of sophistication and artistry to modern homes. The key elements of this design style blend a rich, vintage sensibility with contemporary flair, creating an atmosphere that is both timeless and progressive. Here’s how these design elements will influence furniture, artwork, wall accents, and décor:
Rich Woods for Cabinets and Flooring
Wood remains a quintessential material in Art Deco design, but its use in 2025 will be elevated to create spaces that are both warm and sophisticated. Rich woods like walnut, mahogany, and rosewood will be the focal point of furniture, cabinetry, and flooring, adding texture and depth to interiors.
Moody and Bold Color Palette
Art Deco style has always been known for its striking use of color, and in 2025, this will be more evident than ever. The color palette will feature a mix of muted tones and vibrant accents, creating a mood that is both refined and dramatic.
Bold Patterns and Creative Pattern Mixing
One of the most distinct aspects of Art Deco is its use of bold, geometric patterns and vibrant contrasts. In 2025, this will be taken further by encouraging the mixing of creative patterns— floral motifs combined with chevron stripes or angular lines paired with circular forms.
Retro-Inspired Pieces for a Unique and Affordable Touch
Art Deco’s retro appeal extends beyond just design aesthetics; it influences furniture, décor, and artwork in ways that celebrate the glamour of the past with a contemporary twist. In 2025, we’ll see a resurgence of vintage-inspired pieces that offer unique ways to enhance a space.
Color Drenching for a Unified, Impactful Look
A key trend within Art Deco for 2025 is color drenching, where the walls, furniture, and trim of a room are enveloped in a unified, rich hue. This technique creates a seamless and immersive environment, enveloping the room in a cohesive color scheme that has depth and impact.
Thoughtfully Curated Furniture, Rugs, Artwork, and Decorative Accents
In Art Deco-inspired spaces, the emphasis is not just on individual pieces but on the overall curation of the space. Every element—from furniture to rugs, artwork to lighting—is carefully selected to create a layered, artistic ambiance. The goal is to evoke a sense of artistry, where the combination of color, texture, and design creates a refined and dynamic environment.
“In 2025, we’ll see the rise of bold yet quiet colors, intricate patterns, and layered textures. These trends will evoke a moody and mysterious atmosphere while remaining grounding and balanced—warm, inviting, and deeply expressive.” – Beauti-Tone Colour Expert – Kristen Gear
3. Timeless Kitchen: Clean Lines, Noble Materials, and Refined Elegance
The timeless kitchen trend embraces a blend of sophistication, functionality, and enduring style. In 2025, kitchens will continue to evolve toward simplicity, favoring clean lines, minimal decoration, and the use of noble materials like wood, natural stone, and metal. The aesthetic is all about creating a kitchen that feels as much like a living space as a functional cooking area, focusing on high-quality finishes, subtle luxury, and enduring designs. This approach results in a kitchen that transcends fleeting trends and remains a beloved heart of the home for years to come.
Rich Wood Cabinets
Wood remains a central element in the timeless kitchen, bringing warmth and texture to spaces that might otherwise feel cold or sterile. In 2025, expect to see rich, natural woods featured prominently in cabinetry, adding a sense of luxury and sophistication. Woods like walnut, oak, and cherry are being used not only for their beauty but also for their durability, ensuring that kitchens look just as stunning years after installation.
Moody Blues and Deep Greens
In terms of color, kitchens in 2025 will embrace deep, moody hues like navy blues and forest greens. These colors create an atmosphere of calm sophistication and add a sense of luxury to the kitchen environment. These bold colors will be used in combination with wood tones or as standalone features for cabinets, island bases, or even accent walls.
Range Alcoves
Range alcoves are one of the standout design elements of the modern, timeless kitchen. These functional yet stylish features create a sense of architecture within the space, elevating the cooking area from a mere utilitarian zone to a visually striking focal point.
Custom Rangehood Covers
Custom-designed rangehood covers are becoming an integral part of kitchen design, offering both functionality and style. In a timeless kitchen, the rangehood cover goes beyond the standard metal, becoming an artful and functional design feature in its own right.
Wood Ceiling Beams
Wooden ceiling beams are a bold yet charming way to add texture and warmth to a kitchen. While this design feature has historically been associated with rustic or farmhouse styles, it is now being used in more refined and modern kitchens, creating a striking contrast with sleek cabinetry and natural stone.
Furniture-Style Cabinets and Islands
One of the defining features of the timeless kitchen is the shift towards furniture-style cabinets and islands. These pieces are designed to look more like fine furniture than traditional kitchen cabinetry, making them feel like part of the home’s overall decor rather than just functional elements.
4. Arches & Curves: Embracing Softness and Flow in Interior Design
In 2025, the trend of arches and curves will continue to shape the aesthetic of interiors, offering a refreshing departure from the sharp, angular lines that have dominated modern design for decades. Arches and curves have a timeless, classical appeal, and when thoughtfully incorporated, they create a sense of softness, elegance, and flow within a space. This design trend focuses on integrating rounded forms into architectural details, furniture, and décor to bring a feeling of warmth and balance to interiors. Here’s a deeper look at how arches and curves will manifest across various design elements:
Arches in Doorways, Niches, and Millwork Details
Arches have long been associated with classic architecture, but their reemergence in interior design will be seen in subtle yet impactful ways. Arched doorways, niches, and millwork details create an inviting atmosphere and introduce an element of visual interest without overwhelming the space.
Arches in Mirrors and Furniture Pieces
Arches are becoming a favored design feature in both furniture and décor, especially in mirrors and statement furniture pieces. Their fluidity contrasts beautifully with the linear nature of modern architecture, introducing a touch of romanticism and a sense of movement.
The Rise of Curves in Furniture
Curves are making a significant impact in furniture design for 2025, marking a shift from rigid, geometric shapes to more fluid, organic forms. This movement brings a softer, more relaxed vibe to interiors, and it reflects a growing desire for comfort, intimacy, and natural beauty in home environments.
Combining Arches and Curves for Cohesive Interiors
The beauty of incorporating arches and curves is that they work together harmoniously to bring balance and fluidity to an interior. A space with both arched architectural features (like doorways or niches) and curved furniture will feel particularly cohesive and well-rounded. The use of these shapes invites a continuous flow throughout the room, making it feel expansive and unrestrained
5. Enhanced Showers: Transforming the Shower Experience
In 2025, the focus on enhanced showers will continue to shift toward luxurious, functional, and accessible spaces. Showers are no longer just a utilitarian part of the bathroom; they are becoming personalized retreats designed to offer both relaxation and practicality. As homes evolve to meet the needs of diverse lifestyles, the shower experience is being redefined with features like wet rooms, spacious, multifunctional designs, and innovative solutions that promote long-term accessibility. Here’s how these key trends are shaping the showers of tomorrow:
Wet Rooms: Integrating Shower and Tub in One Unified Space
The wet room concept, which integrates the shower and bathtub into a seamless, open space, is becoming increasingly popular in modern bathroom design. By removing traditional barriers like shower doors or shower stalls, wet rooms create a fluid, cohesive space that enhances the overall bathroom experience.
Spacious Showers with Built-In Niches and Seating
As showers become more luxurious, the demand for spacious showers that offer both comfort and functionality is growing. Larger shower areas provide ample space for multiple functions, whether it’s showering, relaxing, or grooming.
Designing for the Long-Term: Curb-less Showers for Aging-in-Place
As homeowners increasingly seek spaces that accommodate a lifetime of needs, the concept of aging-in-place has become a key consideration in bathroom design. Curb-less showers, or barrier-free showers, are a fundamental element in making a bathroom more accessible, particularly for elderly individuals or those with mobility challenges.
6. Reeded & Fluted Panels: A Textural and Versatile Design Trend
In 2025, reeded and fluted panels are becoming a standout feature in interior design, adding texture, depth, and visual interest to various spaces. These panels are characterized by their ridged or grooved surfaces, often created with vertical or horizontal lines, and can be applied across a wide range of surfaces and applications. Not only are they easy to install, but they are also incredibly versatile, offering a modern, timeless aesthetic that can be adapted to many design styles. Here’s a deeper exploration of how reeded and fluted panels are transforming home interiors:
Accent Walls: Adding Depth and Drama
Reeded and fluted panels make stunning accent walls that create a sense of movement and texture in a room. Unlike flat, painted walls, these panels introduce an eye-catching feature that can change the feel of a space entirely.
Rangehood Covers: A Stylish Alternative to Traditional Covers
In kitchens, reeded and fluted panels are being used to cover range hoods, transforming an often utilitarian feature into an architectural statement.
Kitchen Islands: Textured Elegance
Kitchen islands are often the heart of a home, and using reeded or fluted panels is a fantastic way to add visual interest and texture to these central pieces.
Fireplace Surrounds: A Modern Take on Classic Features
Reeded and fluted panels are also making their way to fireplace surrounds, where they bring a modern, sculptural touch to the traditional focal point of a living or dining area.
Accent Surface Behind Built-In Shelves and Niches
Another growing trend is the use of reeded or fluted panels behind built-in shelves and niches. This subtle yet impactful design element helps highlight the items displayed and provides a unique backdrop.
