The 2024 Interiors Trends That Will Still Be Big In 2025

Call it the Lucy Williams effect – check out the arched doors in her kitchen extension – but it felt like we saw arches everywhere this year, from internal openings to shower entrances. We asked interior designer Irene Gunter about arches in the summer – and here’s what she told us…

“Arches bring a sense of playfulness to a space. They create a unique transition, leading you from one area to another. I love them because they’re quite a soft, feminine architectural motif in properties that tend to be mostly right-angled. I especially like them in a very long corridor – a series of arches looks really elegant.” 

“The classic arch is a true semi-circle, but there’s also a style with arched corners and, of course, there are quirkier looks you can try, such as a pointed arch. An arched door is a thing of beauty – it’s the best way to accentuate and celebrate an opening.” 

“For a more modern look, you can simply cut your arch into the wall and plaster over it. It’ll look really sharp and sleek. In a traditional setting, I’d line it in timber and add an architrave – Orac mouldings work well with most openings. It’s also smart to line them in stone. In a recent project, we had a terrazzo floor and buttressed up 2cm pieces of the same terrazzo in the arch. You could do the same with any solid material, including marble, but be warned it doesn’t work with something thinner, such as porcelain.”

“Some designers like to paint the inside of the arch a contrasting colour. Picking out the feature in a bold colour can be a fun way to inject more personality and make a statement without having to paint an entire room.”

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A mainstay of the autumn fashion palette, brown made its mark in the interiors world this season. Designers embraced shades of coffee, mocha, caramel and chocolate – and from the many comments we collated from them, the trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere…

“Brown is an incredibly flattering colour. It’s all around us in nature, so we find it very comforting too. You can combine all sorts of textures and other colours with it. We believe we will see more people incorporating dramatic, dark browns as accent tones, paired with vibrant, striking colours. This combination – a blend of traditional, rustic vibes with a fresh, modern aesthetic – creates spaces that feel both timeless and contemporary.” – Edward Bulmer, founder, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint 

“Brown lacquer is an all-time favourite, and brown mohair is so rich and sumptuous. Also, faux painted tortoiseshell is amazing, not forgetting a spot of leopard print. Personally, I like deep bitter chocolate tones, ideally in a lacquered finish – although I have chosen the paler ‘Mummy’ by Edward Bulmer for our living room, which is such a lovely cocooning shade.” – Tiffany Duggan, founder & creative director, Studio Duggan & Trove

“Brown is a colour that speaks to our growing desire for spaces that feel natural, grounding and timeless. As we move further into a design landscape that prioritises sustainability and wellness, brown will play a central role in shaping environments that are deeply connected to nature and evoke a sense of calm and comfort.” – Murude Katipoglu, founder of Murudé

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At the end of the year, we were seduced by the idea of having a place to curl up with a coffee and a good book. Keen to create such cosy spaces, designers are embracing nooks and window seats, whether  in a large country home or a small garden pod…

“In nearly every project, I get asked to include some sort of nook. Nooks work in many different types of houses, from flats to old country houses. Some areas of the house immediately want to be nooks, and others require some outside-of-the-box thinking and perhaps reconfiguring.” – Octavia Dickinson, founder, Octavia Dickinson

“I love to use a smaller nook or window seat in projects where space permits. A smaller nook is so flexible – it can be used as a cosy reading spot or a place to sit with a coffee with a friend. They’re also true space savers because a built-in bench, unlike a chair, can sit flush against a wall. It’s an excellent way of adding interest and making practical use of a dark corner. For durability, I recommend choosing a heavily patterned fabric – or an outdoor fabric, which can be easily cleaned. After all, the purpose of a nook is not to fret over sticky fingers or spilt drinks.” – Tiffany Duggan, founder & creative director, Studio Duggan & Trove 

"Nooks can be one of the most fun areas to design because every single inch matters. Plus, with a small space you can usually go all out – use that wallpaper you've always wanted to use for example, as you won't need much of it. You can get maximum effect for minimum materials. Nooks are also flexible and can be incorporated into many different interior styles, and they’re not necessarily limited to the size of the property either.” – Melissa Hutley, co-founder, Hutley & Humm 

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