The world of design is inspired by and influences the appearances of colours and materials and finishes in many different arenas, including the world of fashion and interior design. In this article we are going to focus on the trends in interior design and home fashions.
The world of design is not isolated. It is affected and influenced by the world we find ourselves living in. Elements of design are often heavily influenced by changes in its surroundings including political and societal and environmental changes.
Regardless of the arena of design, there are some macro trends that have been emerging over the past few years and have become an integral part of the design process. These include sustainability, creativity, mental health and well being, and authenticity. Creativity has always been synonymous with design in general and over the last few years considerations of sustainability have been a mainstay of most design fields. The emphasis on mental and physical well being and authenticity are newer considerations when it comes to the world of design, but that does not diminish their influence.
All in all, sustainable design, earthy tones, and natural materials are becoming the forefront of design once more. New fields in interior design such as designing for the neurodivergent, biophilic design, inclusivity and communal living, are themes that are gaining more and more steam and power. These movements in general inspire more grounded colour palettes that seem to take inspiration from Mother Earth and natural tones and pigments found in nature. Emphasis on found pieces, unique one of the kind art, rhythmic patterns, and recycled or recyclable and locally sourced materials is also widely felt.
So, it comes as no surprise that most colour trends for 2025 are seeing a trend moving towards earthy and warmer tones, while still keeping an element of coolness. Looking at the Pantone colour of the year, mocha mouse, the move towards organic design and a warmer colour palette is easily seen. A departure from the airy and light sensation provoked by the previous year’s colour - peach fuzz - Mocha Mouse is a deeper and grittier colour. It brings to mind fertile soil that nurtures a plethora of different plants and fauna to full bloom. It recalls the fertility, versatility, and adaptability of Mother Earth and invites us all to be more flexible, grounded, and down to earth in our everyday living.
The colour trend in paint revealed by Sherwin Williams is also showing us capsules that are warmer, earthier, and less fantastical. Although there are elements of surrealism present in some aspects of design, specially using AI, the general themes seem to be more organic, and an emphasis on returning to old familiar patterns, creating and reusing familiar rhythms and materials, and sustainability of design. Juxtaposition of hard materials like wood and stone with paper-like materials that are airy and light is a theme that is seen again and again.
Wood floors are becoming a centre piece in interior design. Even though the days of red brown floors are long gone, we are making a return to the natural, and medium to rich tones of brown in hardwood flooring. These new warmer tones on hardwood, have kept an element of coolness. Even though the colour palate for hardwood floors is warming up, we are finding more and more neutral and natural or olive based and cool browns on offer from the trendier hardwood manufacturers.
Let us take a closer look at the capsules introduced by Sherwin Williams at IDS 2025 in more detail.
Chrysalis Capsule
It seems like these days the most influential design trend is authenticity. It is the point of view from which design is getting its meaning. Stealth wealth, quiet luxury, and planetary empathy are top of mind in the world of design today, as demonstrated by the Chrysalis, The first palette by Sherwin Williams. This palette brings to mind the softness of sand, warm earthy hues and the subtle yet undeniable elegance of live-edge wood.
This palette invites us to reevaluate what value truly means. It is the combination of understated elegance and refined simplicity. It celebrates rare items or meaningful experiences. The spaces created with this palette in mind beg for a deeper connection with both our environment and the people around us. This type of design celebrating quiet luxury has been gaining popularity in interior design since 2023. Design isn’t just about the visual impact, but rather there is greater emphasis on the story the space has to tell. It is about well-built pieces, meant to last life times, and enjoying a better quality of life with less material possessions.
It is about planet-friendly design, which promotes an emotional connection to nature, in all aspects. It brings to mind that life on this planet is meant to be for all living creatures and keeping in mind the effects of our own existence onto the planet and future generations. It is about intuitive and instinctive designs that feel natural to everyone, whether at work, at play, or at home, regardless of their abilities, and needs. This planet is made for all living creatures and inclusivity is a big aspect of modern day design. The aim of this collection is to create an immersive, emotional, and memorable experience for everyone that enters the space.
As part of this trend modernization of ancient techniques and using upcycled and innovative building materials has become a main focus. The idea is that we need to take care of our planet and our impact on it, at the same time as we create spaces for protection and well being of the human population. Colours and materials used with this type of design aesthetic include natural tones, materials like raw wool and fibers, and plant based materials which create an authentic, grounded feel in the design. The aim is to invoke a sense of cozy luxury. Calming neutrals, whether warm or cool in temperature, create species that feel inclusive and inviting for all.
Natural wood and natural wood colours are making a strong comeback. With their ability to create timeless, sophisticated and comfortable spaces while simultaneously introducing an element of biophilic design, natural wood surfaces are all the rage in modern design. Naturally hardwood flooring, both in solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood flooring is being used more and more in residential and hospitality design. This material is not only inviting but also sustainable and has been a quiet staple of design as far back as we can remember. Just as the trees that eventually become hardwood supply oxygen to sustain our life, the wood floors bring an air of nearness to mother nature and cradle us in warmth, softness and familiarity in our living spaces.
Matte finishes are regent in this design theme. Matte finishes exude a time worn, weathered, romanic look that brings quiet opulence into any space. When applied to hardwood floors, it allows for the creation of a perfectly subtle undertone for the design elements on top to shine bright. It is also the finish that shows the least amount of imperfections and wear and tear over the years, and it is most forgiving for showing daily dirt and dust, due to its ability to reduce glare.
For those who want to push the boundaries of creativity, surrealism and playfulness, paradox presents the palette that creates a world of possibilities. This palette and spaces inspired by it are driven by neuro-escapism, surrealism, glimmers, and the ai revolution.
Paradox Capsule
sensory information about it. Our bodies also react to the sensory input received by the brain without any involvement of our conscious mind. However, spaces can and do evoke emotions in our bodies that we feel, even if we are not aware of them. This is why colour palettes and furniture selection is so important and specialized in different fields of construction. You would never choose the finishes you would put into a dentist’s office for a home. Wooden benches designed for a pub would feel out of place if placed in a church.
Architects have known and have played with this unconscious observation and physical reaction for centuries. It is one of the reasons why the door to many churches is small compared to the space inside. It is done so that you have a feel of awe once you enter the grand space, after having passed through a door or hallway that is more “human” sized.
While not as dramatic as a church entrance, we can evoke feelings and emotions through the use of colours and finishes in any given space. The paradox palette invites the more surreal and whimsical aspect of design into reality. The aim is to be playful and think outside the box, to push the boundaries of imagination and create avant garde moments and bespoke experiences.
The intention is to create and play with glimmers. While triggers are the moments in life that create pain, fear, or frustration, glimmers are the moments in life where we feel joy, liberation and elation. This playful aspect of interior design is looking to create moments of unexpected joy and elation through its use of colour placement and incorporation of geometric shapes in unexpected places. This type of design also tends to use state of the art technology such as AI design tools to create 3D models of the spaces in order to visualize the full impact of the design on the space.
Characteristic of this design is the juxtaposition of high contrast colours against each other, with striped patterns or twists, using out of place shapes and materials, use of kaleidoscope effects and colours, and even combination of bold colours and earthy patterns such as wood grains. Use of second use, or recycled material is also seen in this type of design aesthetic.
Given that the majority of the attention in this type of design is on wall treatments and furniture, wood floors are used with natural and light tones, creating a Scandinavian aesthetic that creates a neutral enough backdrop to create moments of glimmer. Therefore natural and light colours solid and engineered hardwood floors are a staple of this type of design aesthetic.
The next Palette presented is the Wellspring Palette. This palette is being influenced by trends such as classical revival, Heritage futures, Intergenerational Living, and the latest biophilic trends in interior design. The idea behind this palette is to bring in what is old into what is new, and to rely on the strength of the older generations to create a brighter future.
Wellspring Capsule
Intergenerational living is the art of connecting older generations with the future and living with legacy. This is not just about bringing in old pieces of furniture and legacy items into the space. It is also about the transfer of wisdom from the past generations into the lives of the future generations. It is not just about the accumulation of wealth and family heirlooms. It is about the transfer of wisdom, knowledge and experience from one generation to the next. To allow the future generations to live in spaces that feel as old as time, and yet have proven their ability to withstand the challenges of time and space. It is the process of keeping the past relevant and top of mind while adapting to the challenges and innovations of the present time. It is about the culture of preservation of history and heritage sites.
No matter how advanced we become as civilizations, we can accomplish nothing if we do not rely on the learned lessons of those who came before us. Remaining aware of and grateful for the experiences of those who came before us, fosters a sense of connection to our personal and collective past, and a feeling of being connected to the earth and its inhabitants creates psychological calm and certainty for us, increasing our self esteem.
The overall emotions that are being evoked by this capsule are awe and calmness. Creating a sense of awe is the newest addition to the biophilic interior design and it involves three aspects: nature in the space - the process of direct contact with nature within interiors to stimulate the senses , natural analogues - Indirect contact with nature within interior spaces to stimulate the senses, and nature of space - the physical layout of the space and its impact on the user’s emotions. Skilled combination of these factors can help us create a sense of awe in our interior spaces.
The reason there is so much focus on the creation of this emotion through interior design is that the feelings of awe are at the cutting edge of emotional research and when we are awed, our nervous system releases oxytocin and creates a feeling of euphoria and calmness in our bodies.
The way we create this sense of awe in interior spaces is by utilizing time-honoured materials and techniques, while combining them with new technologies and applications. A revival of large scale custom murals using mosaics as well as using colour palettes informed by pigments that naturally occur in our environment allows us to renew old, familiar materials and sensations.
Use of natural iridescent materials, also allows for the addition of structural colour with a soft glow of colour, or colour shifting finishes. This process both beautifies and softens the space and therefore our experience of it. Vintage tapestries are also used to add both cultural and visual weight to the design and user-experience of the space. The modern twist on this old classic is seen in its combination with industrial spaces and furnishings.
Old familiar patterns create rhythms in our environment that are easy for us to recognize without even being aware of the recognition. These classical shapes are being reimagined and reinterpreted, shaping new furnishings and finishes with a familiar feeling. The resurgence of patterns such as the “toile”, iconized by the brand Dior as an example, is a perfect representation of the comeback of the coastal grandma aesthetic.
When it comes to the use of hardwood flooring in these design aesthetics, the wood tends to be present in dark, complex tones, including rich and neutral browns. These tones bring to mind the grandiose design palettes of the past, weaving in the old familiar with the new technologies and trends. Wood grain in cabinetry, built-ins, bookcases and other millwork is also another staple of this design capsule.
The final palette presented for 2025 is the Kindred palette. The major influences for this palette include collective coalescence, neurodivergent environments, Locally sourced materials and reusing found objects. Collective coalescence looks at our connection to each other, not on a micro level focusing on our own families and neighbourhoods, but rather our connection to the general population and indeed the planet.
Kindred Capsule
In order to foster a more meaningful connection with more people, the environment should keep in mind the needs and sensitivities of everyone who would use the space. Given the in any given population, there are many people with neurodivergence and sensitivities to stimulants such as colour, sound and smells, this inclusive design theme, looks to minimize exposure to these types of stimulants by using sensory-friendly elements. These include not using pure colours such as reds, oranges, yellows and full-intensity blues, and using materials that will allow for sound absorption and reduction, as well as less textured fabrics in order to avoid being overwhelmed by these stimulants.
Since this design perspective is also looking to foster our connection to the earth as well as ourselves, using locally sourced materials and found objects is also a focus. Sustainability and investing in the local communities also strengthens the ties to our immediate environment and mindful consumption shows our attention and gratitude to our host planet. This can be taken as far as using earthly pigments and natural dyes in the design. Natural pigments and earth-inspired colours create a sense of calm and reduce anxiety without us being aware of it. Part of being a conscious consumer is also about reducing our impact on the planet. Upcycling and using found objects and breathing new life into them is an effective method for both beautifying our spaces with unique bespoke pieces and strengthening our connection to mother earth and the communities and people who have come and gone before us.
Given its perspective on decorating and reusing found pieces and upcycling materials, it is not surprising that this design schema would include a mix of colours and textures that create an eclectic presentation. It will include mixing and matching of textures, colours, fabrics, and finishes. It becomes a quilted form of design that weaves together different materials and finishes, creating a cohesive design that is greater than the sum of its parts. Folk references, joyful patterning, vibrant mixes of colours and textures work together to create a blend of global influence and lend meaning to the design and the space. Using woven patterns that bring to mind familiar rhythms and patterns is also psychologically soothing for those who are neurodivergent without triggering their oversensitivity. These repetitive patterns are also a great choice for healthcare and elderly living spaces as well.
Given its perspective on decorating and reusing found pieces and upcycling materials, it is not surprising that this design schema would include a mix of colours and textures that create an eclectic presentation. It will include mixing and matching of textures, colours, fabrics, and finishes. It becomes a quilted form of design that weaves together different materials and finishes, creating a cohesive design that is greater than the sum of its parts. Folk references, joyful patterning, vibrant mixes of colours and textures work together to create a blend of global influence and lend meaning to the design and the space. Using woven patterns that bring to mind familiar rhythms and patterns is also psychologically soothing for those who are neurodivergent without triggering their oversensitivity. These repetitive patterns are also a great choice for healthcare and elderly living spaces as well.
Overall, both in interior design in general and in flooring trends in particular, we are observing a warming trend with colours and materiality. Warm neutral and natural colours and finishes lend themselves really well to biophilic designs and create more of a connection for us to mother earth and create spaces that foster a feeling of safety for everyone regardless of their abilities and sensitivities. Feeling connected and safe is at the base of our survival, which has been encoded in our genes. And we are seeing greater awareness of this in interior design. Natural, and warm neutral wood tones will become more and more of a staple in design in the upcoming years. Medium brown shades with a cooler undertone are making a strong comeback. And of course natural wood in any species is a timeless classic that never ages or seems dated.
To explore the world of options available to you in solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring in different species, colours and finishes, please visit our showroom and allow one of our flooring experts to give you a complete tour of your options.
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