Architecture and interior design trends for 2025

Sustainable living hits the mainstream

Green roofs and low carbon materials aren’t going anywhere, says Neil Dusheiko, director of Neil Dusheiko Architects. “Last year, eco-friendly designs gained significant traction, with homeowners embracing sustainable materials and energy-efficient solutions,” he explains, declaring the trend is set to become the norm in 2025. “Sustainable living will transition from a choice to the standard in domestic architecture.”

The commercial sphere is greening up its act, too. “We’ve seen a growing interest in Passivhaus principles, from private homes to community spaces,” note Sean Ronnie Hill and Imran Jahn of RISE Design Studio. The studio has embedded sustainability principles into its recent renovation of the Lexi Cinema in Kensal Rise (read: reclaimed brick, a wildflower roof for drainage as well as a mechanical heat recovery system that makes it one of the first UK cinemas to regulate air and temperature without traditional air conditioning). A eco-retrofit of a northwest London mid-terrace house has been another highlight, slashing energy bills by 75 per cent in the process. “It stands as a testament to the possibilities of modern sustainable architecture in urban environments,” says Sean. “The result is a home that’s not just energy-efficient, but also very comfortable to live in.”

De Rosee Sa directors Max de Rosée and Claire Sá add that shifting sustainability goal posts present challenges – namely “how to bring in that concern for sustainability without compromising on aesthetics”. The pair concede that whereas sustainable homes once had a very specific “look” this is starting to change as form and function align.

“What you often find with hyper sustainable projects that go all the way to certification is that the character and soul of the property takes a backseat,” muses Finkernagel Ross director Catherine Finkernagel. Currently in the throes of the UK’s largest EnerPHit (a renovation strategy that aims to make existing buildings more energy efficient) project, Catherine and the team are navigating the tricky balance between sustainability box ticking and preserving the architectural beauty of the rural manor house in question.

“If you’re going to open up the conversation on sustainability to a larger audience, you need to be able to address these things because people buy period properties because they love the features,” she says. “We wanted to prove it could be done.”

Success can often hinge on the finishes, argue Sophie Goldhill and David Liddicoat, co-founders of Liddicoat & Goldhill. “On one side, home technology is advancing and becoming more affordable; on the other, we’re predicting even more emphasis on the creative re-use of vintage and recycled materials.”

The pair has noticed an evolving aesthetic for raw and reclaimed items, an approach they believe allows for patina, warmth and durability. “We’re exploring ways to repurpose vintage wooden furniture,” says Sophie. “The use of these materials requires confidence and individuality in combining colours and textures. Environmental responsibility doesn’t have to be dull.”

Wellness is being redefined

From biophilic design that incorporates indoor greenery and even living walls (see Neil Dusheiko’s House of Elements) to fluid indoor-outdoor spaces like De Rosee Sa’s The Garden House, which comprises barely-there boundaries with its meadow-like Ula Maria designed garden, nature looks set to play a starring role in design this year.

But the notion of healthier, happier homes isn’t just a question of increasing connectivity to the environment. “I don’t know whether it’s tied to the political climate and what’s going on in the world, but we’re discussing the issue of wellness quite deeply with our clients,” says Catherine Finkernagel.

Having recently added a health and wellness category to the studio’s briefing process covering everything from VOCs to mental health, the team is factoring in retreat-like spaces to its homes. And this doesn’t mean spa-like bathrooms (although De Rosée Sá has noticed an uptick in infra-red saunas) – it’s more of a question of everyday escapism, Catherine explains. “Where do you go when you want to listen to music, to meditate or do your yoga. Because people are working from home more and more, that need to get away from it all is so important.”

Multi-use spaces

Integrating pockets of peace into a home sounds appealing – but perhaps not always practical given the sometimes tight footprints of London properties. Sure, country homes can have “wellness wings” (another De Rosee Sa discovery) but this doesn’t always translate to the capital. Cue: overlapping spaces.

“We’re thinking carefully about how spaces can work really hard and how you can fold in multiple activities into them,” continues Catherine – a hybrid office, gym and guest room, for example. “It’s about making areas of a home work harder but also about making sure you’ve got those spots to retreat to and get away from the world, your family, your screen.”

Neil Dusheiko agrees. “Open-plan living is evolving,” he says, referencing adaptable layouts with sliding panels, pivoting walls and multifunctional rooms. “In 2025, this flexibility will define domestic architecture, addressing the growing demand for home offices, family zones and personal retreats.” Take Aberdeen Park House, an interwar suburban villa in Islington where the practice completely reconfigured the internal layout to meet the demands of a young family. Highlights include large pocket doors on the ground floor that give occupants the open space to interact with each other while offering privacy and quiet when closed.

“Adaptable spaces have been a game-changer for meeting the demands of modern living,” he adds. “Whether it’s a room that shifts from a home office to a playroom or flexible layouts for multi-generational living, 2025 will see even more inventive approaches to versatile design.”

Hotel- (and catwalk) inspired design

“We’re definitely seeing more overlap between the hospitality and residential sectors in terms of design,” muses Max de Rosée. “There’s a maximalist vibe going on. When you go to bars and restaurants, you’re expecting a clash of velvet and trims, which has prompted a move towards more experiential homes too.”

With client’s reference points increasingly coming from hotels they’ve stayed in, the studio is also noticing a prevalence for a more lounge-y, textured look, bolstered by tactile finishes. “There’s an ‘anything goes’ feel,” says Claire. “The aesthetic now is about breaking down the rules and not having rigid looks. If you commit enough to texture and details, you can compose things together – whether that’s a 1970s lamp with a vintage chair and an antique painting.”

Tied to this is a tendency for bolder colour choices, add Sophie Goldhill and David Liddicoat, who point to the popularity of rich, earthy hues. “Terracotta and rusty tones work brilliantly to bring depth to spaces, making them feel dramatic while domestic and cocooning at the same time.” A current favourite studio shade is ox blood red, which it’s pairing with more 1970s and 1980s-style stones like travertine and porphyry.

Colour drenching – where the whole room is painted one colour – is also on the Liddicoat & Goldhill radar, in deep tints such as kale green, bloody Mary red and burnt orange. Next, they say, is double drenching, which is similar but with slight tonal differences between trims and ceilings, for instance.

The whole mood is one of relaxed luxury, translated, Sophie believes, from the catwalks into soft, comfy interiors. “Think spaces that are perfect for lounging in but with beautifully tailored and richly upholstered furnishing. I’d liken it to a great pair of cashmere sweats with a pinstriped suit.”

Boot rooms, bypassing trends and the best of the rest

Forget fleeting trends – if last year highlighted anything it was the appeal of timeless, modern design. “In 2025, expect homes that combine simplicity, craftsmanship and thoughtful details to create spaces that feel both contemporary and enduring,” affirms Neil Dusheiko.

On a more granular level, for those with the space, boot rooms – along with pantries and the perennially popular dressing rooms – can be a lifesaver, say De Rosee Sa. “We’re trying to do more with ceilings too. It’s another area to bring texture and colour to and create atmosphere with,” they note. “It’s forbidden to do a white plasterboard ceiling now,” Claire smiles: “It can’t be the forgotten surface.”