What’s Out: Home Renovation Design Trends to Skip in 2025

As we move into 2025, home design is continuing to evolve. While trends come and go, it’s important to stay current with styles that are not only functional but also promote a welcoming and comfortable environment. Some popular design trends are starting to lose favor as people seek more personalized, cozy, and practical living spaces. If you're planning a renovation this year, here are some key trends to leave behind.

1. Overly Industrial Interiors Renovation

For the past several years, industrial-style interiors have been in the spotlight. With features like exposed brick, steel beams, raw concrete, and metal accents, the industrial look was synonymous with urban lofts and modern, edgy spaces. However, in 2025, this trend is gradually starting to fall out of favor.

Why It’s Out:

Industrial design is often cold, harsh, and impersonal, which can make a space feel unwelcoming and sterile. While it worked well in trendy, minimalist spaces, it doesn't necessarily create the warmth and comfort most homeowners crave in their living environments. The trend towards open spaces is still popular, but people are leaning more toward creating homes that offer both aesthetic appeal and inviting warmth.

What’s In Instead:

Instead of keeping all the raw industrial elements, try blending them with natural materials. For instance, combine industrial features like steel beams or concrete floors with wood accents, textured rugs, and soft textiles. This fusion of hard and soft elements balances the rawness of industrial design with the comfort and warmth that make a space feel like home. Opt for softer lighting and natural woods, such as reclaimed wood furniture or wood paneling, to balance the sleekness of metals and concrete.

2. Matchy-Matchy Home Decor

For many years, the design world was all about creating perfectly coordinated spaces. Everything from furniture to throw pillows to wall art needed to match in color, fabric, and texture. However, in 2025, the trend of overly coordinated spaces is quickly being replaced by more eclectic, individualistic, and personalized design approaches.

Why It’s Out:

The matchy-matchy trend can often result in a home feeling sterile and lifeless, devoid of character. It limits personal expression, making the space feel more like a showroom than a home. Today, homeowners are embracing individuality and creativity in their interiors. Homes are becoming more about expressing personality, style, and comfort, rather than strictly following a coordinated aesthetic.

What’s In Instead:

Today’s spaces are moving toward eclectic combinations—mixing various textures, patterns, and colors to create a dynamic and personal atmosphere. Homeowners are now encouraged to play with design, incorporating pieces from different time periods or styles that reflect their unique tastes. Layering furniture from various cultures, combining contrasting fabrics, or showcasing a bold accent wall are all ways to make the space more interesting and authentically you. Think about pairing modern and vintage pieces, or blending bold colors with natural textures for a truly unique look.

3. Overly Minimalistic Spaces

Minimalism has been a hot trend for a long time. It emphasizes clean lines, simplicity, and clutter-free spaces. While the appeal of minimalism lies in its ability to create a serene and orderly environment, the trend is evolving in 2025. The stark, empty spaces of minimalism are being replaced by more inviting and functional designs.

Why It’s Out:

Overly minimalist spaces can feel cold and devoid of life. The lack of color and texture can make rooms feel empty and unwelcoming. This starkness may have appealed to some homeowners in the past, but in 2025, people are looking for homes that reflect both comfort and personal style. The absence of bold colors, textures, and personal items can leave spaces feeling sterile and disconnected from the inhabitants.

What’s In Instead:

Instead of a space stripped of personality, think of welcoming, cozy, and functional environments that still maintain simplicity. Minimalism can still work, but it’s important to infuse warmth and livability. Add cozy textiles like throws, pillows, and rugs that provide tactile comfort, or incorporate statement pieces that reflect your character, such as unique furniture or artwork. Bold accent walls, layered textures, and natural materials like wood and stone are great ways to create interest and personality in the space. Additionally, functional décor that serves both aesthetic and practical purposes can elevate a space without overwhelming it.

4. Avoid Cold, Uninviting Color Palettes for Your next Home Renovation

For a while, cool and neutral tones like whites, grays, and blues have dominated home design. While these colors can create a clean and modern aesthetic, they often feel flat and lack the depth and richness that many homeowners now crave.

Why It’s Out:

Cold, neutral tones, though easy to decorate with, can make rooms feel impersonal and sterile. They lack the warmth that encourages relaxation and comfort. A monotone palette can leave a space feeling uninspired, especially when there’s little variation in texture or accent colors.

What’s In Instead:

In 2025, warm, earthy tones are making a strong comeback. Terracotta, rich greens, deep blues, and muted yellows create a warmer, cozier feel. These colors have the ability to transform a space into a welcoming retreat, inviting relaxation and comfort. Layer these tones with wood accents and textural elements for a natural, grounded look. Rich hues also create a sense of sophistication while still being cozy and inviting, which is perfect for both modern and traditional settings.

5. Overreliance on Open Shelving

Open shelving was a popular trend, especially in kitchens, where it was seen as a practical way to store everyday items. However, open shelving is beginning to lose its appeal as homeowners realize the downsides of having exposed items constantly on display.

Why It’s Out:

Open shelving can quickly become a cluttered mess, particularly in busy areas like kitchens. It requires constant maintenance and tidying to keep things looking neat. Dust, grease, and everyday wear-and-tear also tend to accumulate on exposed items, making them harder to clean and maintain.

What’s In Instead:

Instead of open shelving, closed storage solutions are making a big return. Cabinets, drawers, and smart storage units help keep your space organized and clean. For those who still want to display items, curated shelves with just a few items on show—like plants, books, or artwork—are a much more stylish and organized approach. Closed cabinetry also offers the benefit of a cleaner, more streamlined look, which contributes to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Conclusion: Designing for Comfort, Function, and Style in 2025

As we move into 2025, the key to successful home renovations is focusing on comfort, function, and style. Homeowners are moving away from trends that feel cold or overly rigid, opting instead for spaces that reflect their individuality, embrace warmth, and enhance their daily living experience. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, renovating your living room, or designing a completely new space, it’s important to incorporate trends that balance aesthetics with practicality.

At Kallos Building Group, we specialize in helping clients navigate these evolving design trends while ensuring that their renovations meet both their functional needs and personal style. If you're ready to start your 2025 home renovation and need expert advice, contact us today for a consultation!