Each year, there are themes, influences and ideas that crop up time again in the world of design. While we are loath to celebrate fleeting trends, it’s important to take stock of the year that was and the movements that shaped it. Contemporary design is often laser focussed on the new, now and next but this year, it seemed, we couldn’t help but look back. From the resurgence of venetian blinds to retro animal print, built-in baths and bamboo, the year was filled with modern-day takes on the aesthetics of yesteryear.
Off cuts and waste materials
Sustainable production continues to be a core focus across the industry and 2025 saw an influx of covetable furniture and design objects produced from surplus materials. From repurposed textile scraps or unused pieces of wood to stone crafted into one-off pieces, designers are getting creative and showcasing the infinite possibilities that offcut materials provide.
Venetian blinds
Once a fixture of 1980s design, venetian blinds are making a triumphant comeback. From artist Haegue Yang’s neon-tinted Venetian-blind installation at the Hayward Gallery to architectural firm Hanghar’s project in Madrid that saw exterior metal blinds used throughout the interior of a 1970s apartment, they are cropping up everywhere. Designers love them for their ability to shift light and mood, while we love any reason to rewatch American Gigolo.
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Listening rooms
If you didn’t go to a listening bar in 2025, did you even go out? What started in post-war Japan as a place for people to gather and listen to rare vinyl has evolved into the hottest ticket in hospitality this year. While these are all about the audio – expect high-quality sound systems, bespoke turntables and impressive record collections – the aesthetics mustn’t be overlooked, especially when a slew of cutting-edge designers get involved.
Animal print
Animal print has officially moved out of the wardrobe and into the home. Spots, stripes and even reptile skins add instant glamour to a scheme – patterned table settings are an easy way to dip your toe in the trend, or take a walk on the wild side with a bold animal print rug.
Bamboo
Both strong enough to be used in construction and supple enough to be woven, bamboo is a truly remarkable material. Beyond its tensile strength, the nubbly, organic appearance of bamboo has long made it sought after for aesthetic purposes. The fast-growing wood has become a signature for luxury fashion house Gucci, and French artist Nathalie Du Pasquier’s ‘Passavento’ screen at Gucci’s Bamboo Encounters exhibition at this year’s Milan design week highlighted its enduring association with the storied fashion house.
Chainmail
Chainmail became more modern than medieval thanks to a crop of contemporary creatives working the slinky metal into covetable lighting and furniture pieces. Its growing popularity signals a shift towards delicate hand-crafted metalwork seen elsewhere in the design industry.
Denim for the home
The denim jean is arguably the backbone of the modern wardrobe and now the sturdy textile has become a staple in interior decorating, too. Denim is beloved for its versatility in fashion and that same ability to be low-key yet polished, hardwearing but elevated is making it a popular choice for upholstery – see the classic ‘Soriana’ armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in denim crafted by Roy Rogers, or the ‘Neil’ chair by Jean Marie Massaud for MDF Italia.
Shrinking kitchen islands
Once the preserve of vast, open plan kitchens, the island has found a home in smaller spaces. By significantly reducing a monolithic rectangle into a compact cube, a central island can become a kitchen worktop, table or study area. ‘It must stop being a static piece, a symbol of luxury, and become something entirely different: an inclusive device, adapted to the domestic challenges of the contemporary world,’ notes designer Ismael Medina Manzano.
Aluminium
Move over stainless steel – aluminium has captured the imagination of designers and creatives this year. Lightweight and cheaper to produce, this sleek metal is an accessible choice that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. From stylish objects like incense burners and dishes to larger items like shelving units, it’s clear why this versatile metal is having a moment.
Built in baths
In 2025, the bath got bigger, better and built in. Another retro revival given a contemporary update, the vast freestanding tubs and cavernous shower rooms that seemed stalwarts of modern bathroom design were put to one side in favour of built-in baths often carved from large slabs of stone. ‘A tub with a beautiful surround gives you more function, and the additional surface space lets you add decor, creating a much more cohesive design,' notes Kirsten Blazek, the Scottish-born founder of Los Angeles firm A1000xBetter.
