Outdated design trends making a comeback (and how to embrace them)
Design is cyclical, and what we were once removing from our homes is now being refined and reintroduced into current home interior design trends, allowing modern homeowners to embrace nostalgia while keeping spaces up to date. The home interior design trends of 2025 lean into nostalgia, bringing back bold tones, rich textures, vintage details and a sense of character that feels familiar yet on trend.
Dark, heavy wood furnishings
Minimalist, light-toned woods dominated interior trends over the past decade; however, the newer wave leans into rich, saturated woods such as walnut, mahogany and cherry. These tones anchor a room and exude sophistication. Unlike how they were used in the 70s, though, these dark woods are perfectly balanced with light, textured walls to keep spaces not only airy but contemporary.
Curved, sculptural furniture made from dark wood is also returning, bringing both form and function to modern spaces. To complement these dark wood furnishings, opt for pieces that are both practical and visually appealing, like sliding wardrobes in deep tones such as purple. These hues echo the richness of the wood, while still offering sleek, functional design.
The checkerboard floor
The classic checkerboard pattern is back, particularly in hallways and boot rooms where bold statements thrive. While traditional black and white can feel stark, softer combinations such as cream and terracotta, or sage green and white, can modernise the look. Playing with tile size, from oversized to undersized, can also manipulate the room's scale, creating a visually dynamic space.
This is a playful nod to the past that works seamlessly with contemporary home interior design trends, allowing homeowners to showcase character without overwhelming the room.
Furniture skirts and fringes
Skirted furniture is making a stylish return. Outdated interior design trends like sofa and armchair skirts are now used to elegantly conceal storage or unattractive legs while adding a tactile and luxurious feel. Materials like linen and corduroy replace the exposed, tapered leg look of the modernist era.
Fringed lampshades, particularly on floor lamps, also add subtle drama and texture, enhancing the cosy yet curated aesthetic now prevalent in 2025 interiors.
Coloured kitchens and bathrooms
The era of all-white or all-grey kitchens is fading. Homeowners are embracing bold, personalised colour palettes that add depth and personality to kitchen spaces. Deep shades of burgundy or olive green for cabinetry, paired with lighter or wooden islands, can bring warmth and visual interest to the space.
Bathrooms are also seeing a revival of colour, with many people choosing pastels or mid-tone tiles, applied floor-to-ceiling for a modern monochromatic statement. Combined with refined fixtures and soft lighting, these hues create a sense of calm while still feeling fresh for 2025.
Glass blocks and terrazzo
Once outdated design trends like terrazzo are no longer confined to flooring. Designers now use it for countertops, shower cladding and other decorative accessories. Glass block walls, which were once purely functional, are now reintroduced for texture or subtle light filtration in strategic locations like showers or small interior windows.
The mix of glass and stone creates depth and light, capturing the essence of today's home interior design trends in which vintage materials are celebrated in fresh, refined ways.
Rediscover timeless style with Hammonds
Not for the first time, design has come full circle, and 2025 proves that the best ideas never really go out of style. From home interior design trends that celebrate dark woods and bold colours to reimagined classics like terrazzo and glass block, the past is inspiring the present in fresh, exciting ways.
If you're excited by some of these returning ideas, book a free design visit with Hammonds, where our experts will offer practical advice about incorporating them into your home. We'll consider the specifics of your space and help bring your vision to life, letting timeless craftsmanship meet contemporary living.