4 Living Room Trends on Their Way Out This Year (and 2 Taking Their Place)

Living room trends change slightly with every passing year. Remember the Barbiecore decor that characterized spaces in 2023? It wasn’t unheard of to see a hot pink sofa or walls. Or how about farmhouse design, which reigned supreme in the early to mid-2010s, thanks to the popularity of Joanna Gaines and HGTV’s Fixer Upper? 

As we move into the second half of 2025, I wanted to learn more about the living room design trends on their way out as well as those you can expect to see more of in the coming months. I tapped interior designers located around the country to get their input on what’s fading away and what’s to come. 

Ultrasparse spaces aren’t what most people are looking for these days, explains designer Amy McCoy, the founder of McCoy Design Studio. “Stark minimalism is beginning to fade in 2025, making room for a warmer, more layered aesthetic,” she says. “We’re seeing a strong shift toward cozy textures and colorful upholstery that adds depth and personality to a space.” 

Designer Molly Miller agrees. “Sterile, overly pared-back rooms are giving way to warmth, comfort, and personality-driven design,” she says. 

Bold hues are a good way to dig into creating a more layered space, but the designers I spoke to suggest going all in with fun prints, too. Whether it’s florals, stripes, or geometrics, printed accents really amp things up in your space. “Pattern play is a big part of this movement, whether it’s through pillows, wallpaper, or upholstery,” McCoy adds. 

There’s no need to constantly redesign your space to keep up with the latest looks. Classic touches are evergreen for a reason, and it’s probably best to stick with these items for the sake of your home — and your wallet. “People are tired of buying trendy stuff that falls apart,” says designer Bradie Fisher. “They want to invest in fewer things that actually matter.” 

Designer Kathy Kuo, the founder of Kathy Kuo Home, agrees. “The concept of jumping on every viral fast furniture trend is coming to an end,” Kuo says. Instead, she’s all about decorating for the long haul. “I am a big proponent of timeless, beautifully crafted pieces over trendy ones that are inexpensive but not well-made,” Kuo continues. “It’s not sustainable to refresh your living room every time a new aesthetic with the word ‘core’ on the end of it circles around.” 

No living room is complete without a layered lighting scheme — you know how averse everyone is to turning on the overhead light, aka “the big light,” but you still need your space to be illuminated. That’s why the more layers of light you can incorporate into a living room, the better, explains Monica Guarnaschelli, a designer at Indigo Mavens Interior Design Studio. “We’re doing soft wall sconces, integrated LEDs in built-ins, and accent lighting tailored around fireplaces and art collections,” she says. 

A well-designed bookshelf is never a bad thing, but there’s no need to make yours overly curated. “The hyper-styled open shelving with stacks of books no one reads and objects without meaning?” says designer Rachel Blindauer. “It’s looking increasingly contrived. People want fewer, better things — and space to breathe. Intentionality is replacing performative styling.” 

What’s replacing some of the more outdated ways of decorating detailed above? These two trends will be popping up more and more, so read on to be ahead of the design curve.

While you’re embracing bold hues and playful patterns, there’s no need to shy away from unexpected color pairings, either, Miller notes. “Color is back, and bold combos like ochre with powder blue or deep navy with blush and rust are energizing rooms,” she says. 

Designer Andrea Schumacher has also been drawn to “color combinations that you wouldn’t find in a catalog.” She explains, “I’ve been mixing things like lavender with mustard, or oxblood with teal — it’s about creating spaces that surprise you a little but still feel deeply comfortable.” 

Why go out when you can host friends for an evening of fun at home? “We’re seeing the Mahjong movement making its way to furniture requests, with clients asking to incorporate a dedicated game table into their floor plans,” Guarnaschelli explains. 

The simple folding card table you may have busted out in years past won’t do, though, she adds, noting that fancier pieces are all the rage these days. “We’re now sourcing showpiece game tables in luxe burl, shagreen, and lacquer finishes,” she says.