Is your home trashy? Top interior designer names the three trends OUT for good – and the unexpected style skyrocketing in popularity

Interior design is in the midst of a major shake-up, and three once-popular trends have officially fallen out of favour.

According to Temple and Webster interior pro Lucy Sutherland, 2025 is all about warm, expressive, and spaces that reflect some personality – marking the death of minimalism, cool-toned interiors, and overly coordinated rooms.

‘We are moving away from plain minimalism and going into some really interesting, colourful texture trends,’ Sutherland told FEMAIL.

‘It was a bit of a revolt.’

If 2024 was the year of quiet luxury, this year is shaping up to be far more playful.

The latest home design trends range from whimsical, ultra-feminine interiors to the return of ’70s excess – with ‘Dollhouse Chic’ coming out on top.

Overly coordinated rooms are out

For the past decade, interior styling followed a strict formula: a carefully balanced sofa arrangement, cushions in perfect symmetry, and colour schemes so meticulously matched they looked straight out of a showroom.

But this approach now feels outdated and a little ‘soulless’.

‘I thought we had a lot of formula-created rooms,’ Sutherland noted.

‘We followed the rules of decorating, and we ended up with colour combinations that worked perfectly – matching rugs, cushions, artwork, all balanced and pleasing to the eye.’

While these rooms looked beautiful in magazines and on real estate listings, they lacked individuality.

People are now embracing a more relaxed, instinctive way of decorating – mixing bold colours, clashing patterns, and layering different textures.

‘I felt like people were rebelling against the rules of design,’ Sutherland explained.

‘It became more about doing what made you happy rather than what was “correct”. It was about injecting personality into a space.’

The new approach is all about imperfection – eclectic styling, mismatched furniture, and pieces that reflect individual taste rather than trends.

Instead of copying a showroom setup, people are curating homes that feel lived-in, unique, and personal.

‘We saw people looking at magazine-perfect homes and thinking, ‘I want that,’ Sutherland said.

‘But actually, they wanted something with more of them in it.’

Dollhouse Chic

Dollhouse Chic is set to be one of the most talked-about trends of the year.

It’s playful, ultra-feminine, and all about curating spaces with a sense of whimsy and nostalgia.

‘This was such a fun one,’ Sutherland said.

‘I thought it was an evolution from the whole dopamine decor movement. Dollhouse Chic was a really fun, whimsical style with real hints of nostalgia.’

The trend is defined by vintage-inspired pieces mixed with bold colour choices and statement furniture.

‘I believe it had gained momentum after the Barbie movie phenomenon, which really got us loving playful, ultra-feminine design,’ she explained.

Sutherland said the trend could be incorporated in many ways, from entire lounge areas to smaller curated spaces like dressing tables and reading nooks.

‘It was those little moments that people really took the time to curate and have a lot of fun with,’ she noted.

Shapes and textures played a huge role in this look, with scalloped edges, curvy cushions, and statement lamps leading the way.

‘Scalloped rugs were really popular, and we saw scalloped edges appearing on dressing tables, entertainment units, and even bedheads,’ she said.

As for colours, pink remained at the heart of Dollhouse Chic, but it wasn’t the only option.

‘Obviously, pink was huge in this trend, as were beautiful lavender colours and pops of lemon,’ Sutherland explained.

‘To a lesser degree, we saw some greens, but it was more about the shapes and big statement colours.’

Bye-Bye, Minimalism

For years, minimalism reigned supreme and homes were stripped back to their bare essentials, featuring monochromatic colour schemes, sleek furniture, and carefully curated blank spaces.

But in 2025, the obsession with stark, ultra-modern interiors is fading fast.

‘We had a long period of very modern interior design – simple, uncluttered spaces with clean lines,’ Sutherland said.

‘I thought we were seeing that on its way out. Interiors were becoming more fun and a way for us to express ourselves.’

But now, a wave of bold, eclectic decor that celebrates personality over perfection is taking its place – and Aussies are leaning into filling their homes with objects that feel meaningful rather than merely ‘designed’.

‘I thought COVID really played a part in this,’ Sutherland explained.

‘We spent so much time in our homes, and they became much more personal. We started putting in pieces that we loved – things that reminded us of happier times, like travel and fashion. It felt like a move towards homes that were cosy, comfortable, and a real reflection of who we were.’

Minimalist interiors, though beautiful in magazines, no longer suit the way people want to live.

‘They weren’t really lived-in homes,’ Sutherland observed.

Earthy cocoons: the warm alternative to minimalism

While some were embracing bold colours and retro influences, others leaned into warmth, comfort, and natural textures.

‘This trend was about creating warm, inviting spaces that felt like a comforting retreat,’ Sutherland explained.

‘It focuses on layered textures and organic shapes that are pleasing to the eye.’

Earthy neutrals like rust, terracotta, and olive green were key to the look, paired with materials such as bouclé, chenille, and raw timber.

‘It was really about bringing the colours and textures of nature into our homes,’ she said.

‘The key was layering – plush fabrics, linens, rattans, and even cork – to create a cocoon-like atmosphere.’

This trend had already begun making its mark, first through smaller decorative pieces and later through statement furniture.

‘Initially, people experimented with smaller pieces – cushions, throws, or bed covers- but as the trend took hold, we started seeing larger statement pieces: feature chairs, couches, dining chairs, and rugs,’ Sutherland explained.

Grey interiors are over

Australians considered cool, grey interiors to be the height of sophistication for years.

Inspired by Scandinavian design, muted greys, soft blues, and washed-out greens dominated everything from walls to furniture.

But in 2025, that once-trendy colour palette is officially outdated.

‘We had a period where we were really into minimalist homes and then moved into the whole Scandi phase,’ Sutherland recalled.

‘Those soft greys and cool colours were everywhere, but now we were shifting away from that to warmer tones.’

The shift isn’t just aesthetic – it’s emotional.

‘I think we’re now much more attuned to what colour does to our moods,’ she explained.

‘Shades of grey and cool colours weren’t uplifting. They didn’t increase our dopamine levels.’

Now, warm neutrals, earthy greens, deep rusts, and rich mustards are all making a comeback.

Pops of pink and lilac are also becoming more popular as people opt for shades that bring joy rather than just look chic.

‘It was a really big shift,’ Sutherland said.

‘We had years and years of cool interiors, but people wanted warmth and connection in their spaces.’ 

’70s revival: the return of retro glam

While some people may have wanted to forget the design choices of the 1970s, others have fully embraced the decade’s revival.

But this time around, it’s coming with a modern twist.

‘This was a really fun one – it was a little over the top,’ Sutherland said.

‘We saw a big revival of 1970s style, bringing back the bold, quirky aesthetics of that era.’

Claret red and mustard yellow were key colours, paired with high-gloss finishes that added a sense of retro glamour.

‘Previously, side tables might have been timber, but now they appeared in deep red tones with high-gloss finishes,’ she explained.

‘Coloured glass also made a comeback – not just in vases and accessories but in side tables, coffee tables, and more.’

One of the most striking elements of this trend was the return of sunken lounges. 

‘One of the biggest ’70s Revival trends was the re-emergence of conversation pits – sunken lounge areas designed for comfort and socialising,’ Sutherland said.

‘In Australia, they evolved into sunken lounge concepts, creating a cosy, intimate space slightly removed from the rest of the home.’

Mixed materials also made a strong comeback, particularly chrome and aluminium, which had been out of favour for years.

‘We also saw fringe details – fringed cushions, tassels, and other textural embellishments that added a playful touch,’ Sutherland said.

According to her, the resurgence of ’70s aesthetics followed a familiar design cycle. 

‘We had seen a resurgence of ’50s and ’60s influences, and now it was the ’70s’ turn,’ she explained.

‘Velvet was one of the first indicators of this shift – it emerged suddenly, with plush, groovy velvet couches popping up everywhere.’

For some, the look may have felt like a blast from the past, but for others, it was entirely new.

‘For people who lived through the ’70s, it might have been an era they never wanted to see again, but now, enough time had passed for it to feel fresh and exciting,’ she said.

Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold choices, playful nostalgia, and deeply personal interiors.

Whether it’s the soft femininity of Dollhouse Chic, the retro excess of ’70s Revival, or the soothing warmth of Earthy Cocoons, there’s a design trend to suit every taste.