As we approach the midpoint of the decade, interior design is entering an era where creativity meets conscientiousness. Australians seeking to elevate their homes are increasingly turning to bespoke designs that are not only visually compelling but also aligned with evolving lifestyles, technology, and sustainability standards. The trends forecast for 2025 are driven by a blend of functional elegance and intentional living, with a growing emphasis on personalisation and environmental impact.
Below, we explore the key interior design directions top professionals are championing this year.
Bringing the Outdoors In
Biophilic design—an approach that connects interior spaces with the natural world—has been steadily gaining traction, and in 2025, it is more than just a trend; it’s a design philosophy. This year, designers are pushing beyond the inclusion of houseplants and natural materials. Expect to see full wall green installations, indoor gardens, and even hydroponic herb walls in residential kitchens.
Materials like rammed earth, cork, and recycled wood are becoming more prominent, offering texture and a tactile warmth that resonates with Australians’ connection to the outdoors. The integration of larger windows and skylights also reflects a broader push for maximising natural light while blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Sustainability as Standard
As health and environmental awareness grow, Australians are rethinking the materials they bring into their homes. VOCs can be up to ten times more concentrated indoors than outdoors, especially when emitted from common sources like paints, finishes, and household products. These elevated levels are linked to respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and other long-term health issues.
In response, sustainability is taking centre stage in 2025. Homeowners are choosing materials that minimise harm and maximise longevity—formaldehyde-free cabinetry, natural insulation, and VOC-free paints among them. These choices not only reduce environmental impact but also contribute to healthier living conditions in Australian homes.
The result is a growing preference for interiors that are timeless in style, low in toxicity, and built with both people and the planet in mind.
Texture Is the New Colour
While colour remains important, texture is taking centre stage this year. Interior designers are layering textiles, finishes, and surfaces to add visual and tactile complexity to spaces. Think velvet sofas paired with boucle cushions, raw linen drapes hanging against concrete walls, and handmade ceramic tiles juxtaposed with polished marble countertops.
Many of these concepts are expertly executed by award winning interior decorators who blend technical knowledge with a keen eye for nuanced details. This kind of layered tactility transforms even modest rooms into highly curated, emotionally resonant spaces.
The interplay between soft and hard, smooth and rough, matte and gloss is where many professionals are focusing their efforts in 2025.
Earthy Tones Make a Comeback
While greige and stark whites dominated the early 2020s, 2025 is seeing a return to warmth and nuance. Earthy hues—burnt ochre, sage green, terracotta, and warm taupe—are being favoured as base tones. These colours provide a grounded backdrop that complements the natural materials popular in biophilic and sustainable design.
At the same time, bolder accents are reappearing in the form of statement walls, painted ceilings, and colourful tiles. The balance between subtlety and personality is key: it’s about creating spaces that feel calm yet curated.
Smarter Homes, Seamless Looks
With the rise of smart home technology, interior design is adapting to accommodate both aesthetics and automation. However, in 2025, the integration is subtler and more seamless than ever. Discreet smart lighting, voice-activated systems, and embedded speakers are being designed to disappear into the background while enhancing user experience.
One notable trend is the rise of “tech wellness”, where technology supports rather than dominates. Circadian lighting systems that mimic the natural daylight cycle, acoustic panelling for sound quality and tranquillity, and air quality monitoring devices are increasingly common in high-end residential designs.
Spaces with a Personal Touch
Cookie-cutter interiors are out. Australians are seeking homes that tell their story—where design is a reflection of values, history, and aspirations. Whether through curated art collections, locally made decor, or spaces designed for specific rituals like meditation or coffee brewing, homeowners want interiors that feel genuinely theirs.
Designers are responding with spaces tailored to the client’s lifestyle rather than trends alone. This might mean converting a guest bedroom into a hobbyist’s studio, designing flexible rooms for hybrid work-living setups, or incorporating heirlooms and travel souvenirs in ways that honour personal history.
A New Chapter in Australian Home Design
The future of interior design in 2025 is less about adhering to passing fads and more about creating intentional, enduring, and deeply personalised spaces. Whether through sustainable choices, natural integration, or tech-enhanced functionality, Australians are seeking homes that support their evolving lifestyles in both form and function.