This year's “Design Month” revealed a significant shift toward authenticity, sustainability, and material honesty.

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Spanning Salone del Mobile in Milan, Design L.A., and NYC x Design, the season’s top trends unveiled a departure from the disposable mentality that once dominated interiors. Experts like Melissa Lee of Bespoke Only predict a resurgence of spaces filled with eco-conscious materials and deeply personal narratives. "Cultural authenticity matters," she emphasizes. "We appreciate storytelling in an intimate and personal fashion."

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To get a pulse check on the state of interiors, we asked the most sought-after designers and industry tastemakers, recently returning from Milan, Los Angeles, and New York, for their insights on the trends they anticipate seeing more of in 2025. Here are the ones that captured their attention.

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Blurred Lines

Anne-Marie Barton observed materials once considered too delicate for the outdoors stepping forward with new confidence. "Bouclé and chenille showed up in weather-ready formats. But the biggest surprise was outdoor-rated leather in warm, saddle tones, used everywhere from sling chairs to architectural panels," she says.

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Co-founder of In Common With, Nick Ozemba, also observed the shift: “Designers are moving past the idea that something has to be either indoor or outdoor. We’re seeing more lighting and homewares that work beautifully in both settings. When you’re hosting or relaxing outside, why should the design feel like an afterthought? These pieces should be just as considered, sculptural, and well-made as what you'd use indoors.”

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Trim on Everything

Revered for adding instant personality, Avery Cox predicts ornamentation is making a major comeback. "In Paris and New York, I saw so many creative uses of trim from traditional brush fringe on pillows to decorative tape repeated at the base of an ottoman," she says. "I love it because it offers a way to personalize a space and add character without the cost of fully custom furnishings."

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An Eco-Friendly Uptick

Melissa also observed a rise in recycled, biodegradable, and carbon-negative materials, predicting that sustainability continues to be an important conversation in the design community: “Biodegradable materials or processes were incorporated in many of the designs we saw, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship.”

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Celebrating Craftsmanship

A natural response to technology’s growing presence, Kristi Bender, co-founder of Cuff Studio, champions the irreplaceable value of human hands. "With AI becoming more dominant in so many industries, design included, we are noticing that craft is becoming ever more important," she says.

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Think Beyond Polished Perfection

Anne-Marie is advocating for stone at its most authentic: "Marble was everywhere at Salone this year, but not in its usual form," she explains. "Instead, earthy, richly veined slabs stole the show. We observed bathtubs carved from deep green marble, vanities in soft travertine, and case goods that felt more like sculptures than furniture."

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Pause on Paint

Departing from plain surfaces, Avery anticipates a wave of textured wall treatments: "Whether it's paper-backed fabric or fully upholstered walls, adding textiles to vertical surfaces instantly elevates even the simplest room," she explains. "The most magnificent example was in the embroidered wall panels at Cristiana Agnelli's private apartment, designed by Renzo Mongiardino, which I toured during Maison et Objet in Paris in January."

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Merging Materials

As a result of designers craving tactile experiences, Nina Takesh noted a rise in interiors that aren’t afraid to push the envelope when it comes to finishes. "Designers embraced a new wave of earth tones—rusts, ochres, moss greens, and rich browns—paired with tactile materials like bouclé, velvet, stone, and lacquered finishes," she explains.

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Unexpected Sculptural Objects

A natural evolution from purely functional fixtures, Nick is excited about pieces that command presence. "Lighting doesn't just illuminate a space, it shapes it," he says. "I'm always drawn to pieces that feel more like objects than utilities. Something with presence. I love using lighting in slightly unconventional ways, like a big floor lamp next to a dining table."

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Time-Warp Triumphs

Once seen as an accent piece, Anne-Marie predicts antique rugs will take center stage: "Vintage rugs are becoming anchors in modern spaces," she remarks. "Their irregular weave, sun-faded palettes, and imperfect charm bring soul to otherwise clean, edited environments. They offer weight and warmth in a way no machine-made piece can replicate."

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Functional Furniture at the Forefront

Nina anticipates a wave of seating systems offering unprecedented flexibility: "Modular furniture was everywhere, reflecting the demand for adaptable, multifunctional spaces," she notes. "Sofas with adjustable backrests, stackable tables, and open shelving offered customization and compositional freedom, catering to evolving lifestyles and personal preferences."

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Glass Houses

Wendy Schwartz, co-founder of Cuff Studio, observed that creators are increasingly incorporating glass into their work. "Molten, blown, cast—more and more designers are incorporating this material," she explains. "This speaks to the gravitational pull towards craft. Its popularity is driven by interest in pieces that are one-of-a-kind and unique."

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