From unashamedly bold use of colour to a deep dive into sensory-friendly design and just about everything in between, here is our forecast of five hot decor trends to transform your home in 2025.
WORDS Jo Buitendach PHOTOS Rawpixel, Maxime Brouillet/Index-Design/V2COM (La Maison Noire)
SENSORY DESIGN
Interior design is no longer just about the visual – the way you decorate your home should appeal to all the senses. Think a wealth of texture, scent and tranquil soft sound, as well as carefully controlled lighting and temperature. In terms of texture, bouclé-like fabrics can be introduced on a sofa – or in smaller doses with scatter cushions. Linen or silk wallpaper can add an interesting layer of texture to a wall, as can rough natural stone if that is more your style. On the olfactory front, scents can be introduced through candles, plants/flowers and air purifiers, and by ensuring fresh air movement. And to improve the acoustics in your home, try an acoustically optimal rug or Oggie Hardwood Flooring’s Scandipanels – oak-and-felt wall panels that absorb sound. | oggie.co.za
COLOUR DRENCHING AND THE “RED THEORY”
We couldn’t pick just one of this year’s strong colour trends, so we chose two. The first is colour drenching – the bold or heavy use of a single colour across all surfaces in a room, including walls, ceilings, wainscoting and even accessories. “Most of us default to a white ceiling, but this can be a hugely missed opportunity to add another layer of design to any room,” says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for UK paint manufacturer Farrow & Ball. “Consider taking the colour on your walls onto the ceiling too – this can enhance the scale of the room, lowering the height or softening awkward angles in an attic space.” You can also achieve this maximalist look by using intricately patterned wallpaper or monochromatic tiles in a bathroom. | farrow-ball.com
ARCHES
Whether it’s classic, with a semi-circular curve, or pointed and “rectangular”, an arch can work in many design styles. Versatile arches are nothing new, and have been used in architecture for centuries – but soft, beautifully curved versions will once again have a statement moment in 2025.
Arches play a structural role, offering strength and a means of effective weight distribution, thus negating the need for vertical supports or columns. But it’s their visual appeal that we’re crazy about – in windows, openings, niches, decorative wall mouldings, or non-build options such as freestanding mirrors and headboards. The possibilities are endless – and a cleverly positioned arch can soften a room and allow for flow and continuity, creating a sense of openness and “expanding” a space.
WOOD
Natural, knotted and grain-filled, wood is a perennial favourite – whether it’s meranti, oak, cherry, mahogany or ash. It can be incorporated into your home in myriad ways, through furniture, accessories, shelving, beams, wall panelling, decorative moulding or skirting. Plus, it complements most design styles.
According to Nick Gluckman, owner of Oggie Hardwood Flooring, “This year is all about making a statement with wood flooring, and bold patterns such as herringbone and chevron are set to dominate. Clients use our products on ceilings, floors, staircases and even walls. Combining a floor and a ceiling in different tones or woods can really pack a punch. Richer, warmer timber tones are also making a comeback, infusing spaces with natural warmth and sophistication.”
STATEMENT RUGS
Interior or hardier exterior rugs and carpets with a wow factor will be all the rage this year. Aside from the obvious warmth and comfort that rugs and carpets offer, they can also create a striking focal point. And the choices today are immense: from a rainbow of bright colours to more earthy natural tones, there is something for every taste. If pattern is your thing, you can pick a floor covering that’s graphic and contemporary, or a more traditional oriental version. And if you really want to step out of the box, try a uniquely shaped curvy or asymmetrical rug. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s scale-complementary – you don’t want a tiny carpet that’s dwarfed by a large room and oversized furniture.
Textured rugs are popular too, especially 1970s shagpile-style carpets with long, loose strands. They’re durable, can handle high traffic, and are a great example of sensory-friendly design – just scrunch your toes in one to find out. Similarly, tufted carpets, in which clusters of yarn fibres are punched through material by a needle to create the look, are fast gaining popularity – and you can make one yourself at a workshop, or commission a custom rug from the team at Homely.collection. Company founder Gabriella Rodrigues is passionate about creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces through tufting: “From baby rooms to branded rugs for pop-up events and unique wall hangings, our custom products are thoughtfully designed to bring each client’s vision to life.” homelycollection.co.za
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