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Curves, chrome and happy corners
We reported at the the beginning of the year on the interior design trends defining 2025 – lots of vintage, XL sofas and butter yellows amongst them. And whilst trends in the home don’t move half as quickly as those in fashion, the chillier autumn and winter months do prompt a bit of a rethink and reshuffle.
The vintage revival is steering us towards thoughtful investment pieces and those XL sofas have become even squishier with curves aplenty. Butter yellow isn’t going anywhere, but we’ve seen an offshoot that adds a touch of green – have a look at how it’s used on kitchen cabinets below.
For those looking for a lighter touch, lamps are becoming more jewel-like and our shelves are being restyled for the better. ‘Accessories are doing the heavy lifting this year, making it easier than ever to refresh your space without a full restyle,' says Jason Wilary-Attew, director of home at John Lewis, tells House Beautiful.
With retailers already dropping their autumn/winter collections, we look at 12 interior design trends that are shaping the rest of the year.
This mood-boosting colour sits in the spectrum between yellow and green, but unlike its neighbouring primary colours, it has an earthy brown undertone. This muddying of the pigment – reminiscent of 60s and 70s colour palettes – is what makes it feel so retro. Try it in a south-facing room for a fresh and uplifting finish.
Beds, sofas and armchairs are being designed to signal softness and comfort before you even sit down. Plump cushioning, rounded shapes and circular sofa configurations feel inviting – Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery at DFS, calls them ‘sweeping curves that draw you in'.
Pictured: House Beautiful Aro Bed at DFS
We recently reported on the comeback of chrome, which made its way into our homes on the tail of last year's 70s revival. 'Chrome is a powerful tool for creating clean, contemporary spaces. Its highly reflective finish introduces a sense of precision, light and sophistication,' says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. 'In modern interiors, chrome works best when used as a supporting accent. In essence, chrome should function as the “jewellery” of the room – subtle, sharp, and deliberate.'
Pictured: HK Living Currents Side Table at Nest
The year-round garden signals a deeper appreciation for nature-based socialising, where shared meals and conversations unfold in a more relaxed and informal setting.
Design is stepping up to make way for year-round outdoor living, from integrated heating and affordable fire features such as B&Q's 5-star fire pit for £59.99, to sheltering overhead structures and reimagined solar lighting, such as Light4Fun's pretty solar-powered festoon lights with USB charging for darker months.
The next chapter of Scandi design swaps soft minimalism for something bolder and more structured. Clean lines and calm neutrals are animated by block patterns and jolts of saturated colour, balancing Nordic restraint with a more dynamic graphic vibe.
Pictured: Furniture and accessories, all John Lewis
Watch (below): Modern Scandi style reimagined with John Lewis's autumn/winter 2025 range
Lighting becomes doubly important during the dark autumn and winter months, but the blinding glare of overhead lights is never the solution. Wall and table lamps softened with lampshades or frosted and coloured glass offer a romantic glint in carefully selected corners.
Pictured: Viotti Marble and Linen Wall Light at Lights & Lamps
Pristinely styled shelves have become so ubiquitous (thank you, Instagram) that they now feel a bit rehearsed. Our approach to displaying our personal treasures was due a refresh, and the most stylish examples we've seen of late have been relaxed, informal and deeply personal. Make like Africa Daley-Clarke and create a happy corner full of meaningful photos, trinkets from travels abroad, heirlooms, or anything else that sparks joy.
As the conversation around sustainability matures, conscious consumers are moving beyond the eco labels, and focusing on investment pieces that will stand the test of time. The attraction is twofold: the joy of owning something you love. and the peace of mind that comes from aligning personal style with responsible choices.
'Customers are becoming more mindful about their purchases,' Jason Wilary-Attew, director of Home at John Lewis, tells us. 'This season, we’re seeing an appetite for investment pieces that will last for years, paired with versatile accessories that allow for seasonal updates.'
Pictured: Gubi Pacha Armchair at Heal's in the home of architect, Emily Pun
As highlighted in Houzz's emerging trends report, we are all trying to welcome more natural light into our homes in increasingly creative ways. We recently covered the trend for adding internal windows and Crittall doors to encourage the flow of light between rooms, and according to Houzz, the demand for skylights has increased +115 per cent, and glass wall partitions by +202 per cent.
We have all been colour drenching, double drenching and pattern drenching our way through 2025. The lesson? Unified surfaces feel modern, impactful and fun. Learn more about all the drenching possibilities here.
Pictured: Hollyhocks Wallpaper at House of Hackney
'Cocoa is our colour of the season because it feels both grounding and indulgent,' says Jason. 'Where camel and greige once dominated as neutrals, cocoa offers something deeper and more luxurious – a shade that immediately adds richness to a room.'
Look for upholstery with the velvety depth of hot chocolate, or accent pieces as glossy espresso. 'Cocoa pairs beautifully with soft tonal neutrals for a calm, cocooning look, but comes alive when contrasted with brass, deep green or burnt amber,' adds Jason.
Pictured: Hoxton Chair at John Lewis
This year marks the centenary of the 1925 Paris exposition that defined the Art Deco period. According to Pinterest's autumn/winter 2025 trend report, there is a renewed appreciation for its glamour and exuberance: 'it’s all about elevating the everyday, making every corner an inspiring, unique escape, no matter your square footage or budget.'
Authentic 1920s pieces are in high demand – on 1stDibs, "Art Deco" surged 10 places as a search term – with particular interest in accessories like sunburst mirrors and jazzy bar carts that offer a touch of the theatrical without going totally overboard on the theme.
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