As we approach the end of 2025, let's reflect on the year's interior design trends. Last year, designers favored a reserved and modest approach, a trend that continued from previous years. The emergence of artificial intelligence sparked intense discussions on digital equity and misinformation, which continued into 2025, especially with the Venice Architecture Biennale. This opened the conversation to the opportunities of digital technologies, attempting a more hopeful outlook. On the other hand, completed interior design projects over the year focused more on the tangible and the pragmatic, with expressed raw materials and an appreciation of history.
One of the key trends was the use of earthy tones and terracotta, achieved not only through paint and pigmentation but also through the use of warm materials like wood and terracotta. Hard construction materials were left to speak for themselves, with shiny stainless steel used in panels, screens, or furniture, and raw concrete left exposed. Glass bricks remained a popular choice for the third year running.
Another trend was the symbiotic relationship between the structure and the interior design. Raw concrete walls and ceilings are as much a part of the building's infrastructure as the aesthetic interior finish. So are exposed wooden beams and the flat ceilings of a cross-laminated timber structure. Where the buildings are historic, this exposure of the original structure is part of a further trend of nostalgia and history.
In addition, designers continued to raise discussion topics related to the internal environment. As cities continue to grow, the role of design in maximizing space in constrained sites or creating peaceful sanctuaries in otherwise bustling environments has come to the fore. This approach recognizes the importance of health and well-being, including the acoustic environment. The creative reuse of objects and materials sits firmly in the context of sustainability as well as nostalgia and historic revival.
Based on over 3,000 projects built this year and added to our database, here are 10 design trends that shaped the interior spaces of 2025:
- Earthy Tones and Terracotta
- Blue Accents
- Use of Levels to Define Space
- Flexible Divisions Using Curtains and Screens
- Wooden Beams and Ceilings
- Raw Concrete
- Glass Brick
- Shiny Steel
- Modernist Revival Furniture
- Accent Lighting
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topic: Year in Review, proudly presented by GIRA. GIRA sets the standard where architectural design meets intelligence. From the defining moments of 2025 to the innovations shaping 2026, we create smart solutions that elevate living and working environments with timeless aesthetics. Join us in shaping the future of architecture and interior design — where vision becomes reality.
