8 Interior Design Buzzwords You’ll be Hearing Everywhere in 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, there’s a noticeable shift in how we think about our homes. It’s no longer just about following trends or chasing the latest look—there’s a deeper focus on creating spaces that reflect how we live, how we want to feel, and what truly matters to us. The interior design buzzwords emerging for the year ahead point towards a more conscious way of shaping our environments, capturing a growing desire for balance, sustainability, and a sense of connection in our homes.

Here are 8 key buzzwords you’ll be hearing everywhere in 2025, and some easy ways to incorporate them into your home, without a full-scale renovation.

1. Biophilic Design

Biophilic design has been a buzzword for a few years now, but it’s only getting bigger in 2025. This concept focuses on incorporating natural elements into indoor spaces to foster a connection with nature, which has been shown to improve well-being. Think natural light, indoor plants, water features, and organic materials like wood and stone.

How to incorporate it: Start by bringing in more plants or positioning furniture to take advantage of natural light. You can also introduce natural textures through wooden frames, stone vases, or woven baskets.

2. Sustainable Luxury

Sustainable luxury is a growing trend that blends high-end, elegant design with environmentally conscious practices. It’s all about creating luxurious spaces without compromising on eco-friendly principles, offering the best of both worlds—style and sustainability. Think responsibly sourced materials, energy-efficient technologies, and high-quality craftsmanship that stands the test of time.

How to incorporate it: Start by opting for furniture and decor pieces made from sustainable materials like reclaimed wood, organic fabrics, or recycled metals. Look for brands that emphasise ethical production, and consider investing in energy-saving appliances or smart home systems to enhance both the luxury and sustainability of your space.

3. Low-VOC Materials

With increasing awareness around health and wellness, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials are set to become a major trend in 2025. These materials, from paints to flooring, emit fewer harmful chemicals, making them a healthier choice for indoor environments.

How to incorporate it: If you’re planning a home refresh, opt for low-VOC paint or sustainable flooring like cork or bamboo. This small change can significantly improve the air quality in your home.

4. Wabi-Sabi

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese design philosophy that embraces imperfection and simplicity. In 2024, this concept will continue to inspire a move away from the overly polished or “perfect” look in favor of spaces that feel lived-in and authentic.

How to incorporate it: Think less about symmetry and more about character. A handmade ceramic bowl or a slightly uneven wooden table brings a touch of wabi-sabi into your home. Let imperfections tell a story rather than trying to conceal them.

5. Circular Design

Circular design is all about minimising waste by creating products and interiors that can be reused, repaired, or recycled at the end of their life cycle. This approach reflects a growing shift towards more sustainable living and conscious consumption.

How to incorporate it: Invest in furniture or decor pieces made from recycled or recyclable materials. Look for brands that promote circular design principles, and consider how long-lasting a piece will be before purchasing.

6. Slow Decor

Inspired by the slow living movement, slow decor focuses on thoughtful, intentional decorating. It’s about curating a space slowly, investing in meaningful, sustainable pieces rather than following fast, ever-changing trends.

How to incorporate it: Take your time curating your space—choose items that hold sentimental value or support artisans and local makers. Prioritize timeless, sustainable materials like handcrafted wood or vintage textiles. Let your decor evolve naturally as you find pieces that truly resonate with you.

7. Neuroaesthetic Design

Rooted in psychology, this term describes the design of spaces that cater to mental well-being. Neuroaesthetic design focuses on how the design of a space can positively impact our brain and emotions. By carefully selecting colours, shapes, lighting, and textures, neuroaesthetic design aims to create environments that enhance mood, reduce stress, and boost well-being. It’s all about crafting spaces that feel harmonious and nurturing, directly influencing our mental state.

How to incorporate it: Choose calming colours like soft blues or warm neutrals, and opt for natural materials such as wood and stone. Incorporate soothing elements like gentle curves in furniture and artwork, and maximise natural light where possible. Adding soft fabrics can further enhance the sense of comfort and relaxation in your space.

8. Adaptive Reuse

This term originally hails from architecture, but it’s making its way into interior design as we see more focus on sustainability. Adaptive reuse involves taking an existing space or object and repurposing it for a new function. For example, converting an unused loft or garage into a yoga space or home office.

How to incorporate it: If you have a spare room that’s collecting dust, consider how it can serve a new purpose in your home. You don’t need major renovations—just some creative rethinking of the space.

As I think about these buzzwords for 2025, it strikes me how much design is shifting away from being just about aesthetics and more towards wellness and how we want to feel in our homes. I find myself drawn to concepts like ‘slow decor’ and ‘adaptive reuse’ because they challenge the fast-paced consumer culture and encourage a more thoughtful approach to how we shape our spaces. Instead of chasing trends, I’ve started to focus on how my space makes me feel—calm, grounded, and connected to my past experiences. And by letting go of the need for everything to be ‘just so,’ I’m finding my home feels far more personal and inviting.

But enough about my thoughts—what about you? Which of these buzzwords resonate with you the most, and why?