As we welcome a new era in 2025, the world of interior design is poised for transformation, blending vintage elements with contemporary twists. Punam Kalra, Interior Designer and Creative Director for Applied Arts, predicts the trends that will redefine our living spaces and shares her expert insights into the styles set to dominate this year.

"2025 is opening new doors to not just another part of the century but also to another side of design that is not bound to one particular style. The fusion of the old and the new carries the year forward to a wholesome tomorrow that is sentimental yet ready for change," says Kalra.

Here are expertly defined trends that will dominate the interior design world in 2025:

Mix of minimalism and maximalism

Minimalism and maximalism are no longer polar opposites; instead, they find harmony in a new style called "midimalism." "Minimalism and maximalism will be finding a subtle balance with midimalism, a style that captures the liveliness of maximalism and infuses it into the simplicity of minimalism," explains Kalra.

This trend allows for a mix of wing chairs, ottomans, and extravagant velvets alongside tuxedo sofas, pristine leathers, sheer drapes, and mixed metals. The combination of these elements adds a personal and dynamic touch to spaces, encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Wood in its true colours

Natural wood textures continue to reign, but with an emphasis on their raw and unaltered aesthetics. Warmer and darker tones like walnut, teak, cherry, and mahogany are making a bold statement. The expert comments, “Warmer and darker tones like walnut, teak, cherry, and mahogany will be coming to make a bold, moody statement that is organic and real.”

Parched, pecky textures and natural grains emphasise the material’s character, while trends like wabi-sabi draw inspiration from the zen energy of nature’s imperfections. Twigs and logs, used decoratively, celebrate the beauty of wood in its natural form.

Rounded furniture redefines comfort

Rounded furniture designs are poised to take centre stage in 2025 with their luxe appearance and comfort. These silhouettes bring an inviting softness to interiors while exuding sophistication. “The curves of this furniture will be bolder, fuller, and voluptuous, like that of the bulb pendants, cocoon chairs, and round pouffes, that bring a certain finesse to their make,” explains Kalra.

To complement their curvy forms, materials like satin, velvet, and suede add a luxurious “second skin,” highlighting their solid hues and neatly tailored finishes.

Accent light trends

Lighting continues to evolve, with technology enabling dynamic and mood-enhancing options. From luminance to gradients, lighting in 2025 will go beyond functionality to deliver visual drama. The designer adds, "Smart technology has taken mood lighting beyond sensor controls and automation—it will be playing with the luminance, gradient, and every other aspect of light that ties it with its visual appeal."

Expect sunset projector lamps mimicking red-yellow hues and corner floor lamps evoking the purple-blue glow of nightfall. Accent lights such as lampshades, uplighters, profile lights, and wall sconces will take precedence over traditional ambient lighting, creating calm and intimate atmospheres.