Interior designer Kelly Hoppen, known for her appearances on This Morning, recently shared her insights on 2025's interior design trends through a special love and loathe list. For Hoppen, trends represent both opportunity and risk, but she remains steadfast in her belief that the most crucial factor in design is the creation of spaces that feel comfortable, timeless, and personal.
"While I love seeing design evolve, the most important thing is creating a space that feels comfortable, timeless, and personal. Trends come and go, but a home that's designed with care and filled with pieces you truly love will always feel right," she shared in a feature for HELLO!.
This year’s trends include a fondness for beige, which Hoppen describes as versatile and sophisticated. "I've heard that beige is making a comeback, but it's always been part of my neutral philosophy. Beige can be rich, and when layered with depth and warmth, it's a brilliant tone that works wonderfully with textured finishes like linen upholstery," she explained. For her, beige is more than just a neutral; it represents a return to elegance.
Another trend Hoppen embraces is tablescaping. She emphasizes the dining table as a place of connection, stating, "The dining table is a place where people connect, share stories, and create memories. This year, tablescaping is about elevating the everyday dining experience." She encourages creating an inviting, personal space that celebrates communal meals, adding warmth and personality to gatherings. Hoppen's new collection, launching on April 3, 2025, from M&S, aims to capture this essence of hosting.
On the flip side, there are certain trends she finds overdone. For one, overly maximalist designs do not resonate with her aesthetic vision. "I love personality in a home, but for me, balanced and well-curated interiors feel more harmonious and calming. I'm not a big fan of excessive layering and clashing patterns that create an overwhelming atmosphere. I always say — edit, edit, edit!"
One trend that raises her eyebrows is the intricately decorative wall panelling. While she appreciates architectural details, she comments that some of the overdone panels can create a busyness in a room that is unflattering. Hoppen prefers a more subtle approach with clean lines and textured finishes that enhance a room without overwhelming it.
Additionally, she critiques the trend of color blocking — using large blocks of bold, contrasting shades within a room. While color has its place, Hoppen advocates a more moderated approach, suggesting that color should punctuate rather than dominate. "Introduce colors you love as accents rather than committing to a full-room takeover," she advises.
Shifting focus to another emerging trend, farmcore is gaining traction as a popular design style in 2025. As a blend of rustic farmhouse aesthetics and cottagecore sensibilities, farmcore celebrates a lived-in warmth that appeals to both country and city dwellers alike. Bethany Adams, principal designer at Bethany Adams Interiors, notes, "Farmcore holds a certain appeal for country and city dwellers alike." The emphasis is on natural materials, cozy textiles, and tailored furniture.
To achieve this inviting ambiance, one might establish a foundation of colors that reflect the earth — think rich browns, mossy greens, or deep burgundy. "Look for leather furniture in sophisticated styles, like wingback chairs or tailored sofas, and add in pieces with velvet and wool for chic contrast," Adams elaborates.
Moreover, the use of reclaimed wood beams and vintage decor is resonant in farmcore design. Jean Liu, principal designer at Jean Liu Design, describes how antique elements can elevate a kitchen's aesthetic by combining rustic features with elegant details. For instance, kitchens adorned with 300-year-old reclaimed wood beams and apron sinks trimmed in floral patterns capture the heart of this style.
Phillip Thomas of Phillip Thomas Inc. highlights the strong moment farmcore is experiencing, as it reflects a universal desire for serenity in today's fast-paced world. "Farmcore design reminds us of a time where things moved at a slower pace... There is a warmth and coziness to farmcore interiors that is so often missing in day-to-day modern life,” he observes, suggesting that embracing this trend may be key to finding calm amid chaos.
In conclusion, 2025 appears to be a year where designers like Kelly Hoppen advocate for a return to timelessness, balance, and personal expression within home décor. With influences from both classic and contemporary movements, it remains essential for homeowners to find joy in their spaces, harmonizing trends with traditions to create unique and enduring environments.
