25 Interior Design Tips for 2025 - Part II

Grace
May 9
6 min read

Continuing on from my last blog post, Part II explores ten more inspiring design tips to elevate your home. Choose one or more tip and consider treating it as a mini project - an opportunity to refresh and bring functionality and aesthetic appeal into your space.

At MEL MAR DESIGN, we recognise the opportunities that exist within the home to create a beautifully functional, deeply personal space that enhances your everyday living and reflects your unique lifestyle. Through thoughtful design, tailored solutions and a collaborative approach, we guide you from concept to completion to ensure that every detail aligns with your vision while maximising comfort, style and timeless elegance. Working in Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney, our goal is to create your dream home.

Tips 11 - 20

11. Smart Lighting Systems

Lighting has come a long way from simply illuminating a room to now playing a role in setting the mood, enhancing ambiance and improving how we live and work. Today these functions can now all be controlled from a single smart system or device.

A smart lighting system combines the light fixture with the smart control technology. These systems allow lights to be set and adjusted based on the time of day, the type of activity and even the circadian rhythm of the members of the household.

An added benefit of these systems is that they promote household energy efficiency and contribute to a healthier living environment.

Smart lighting system_Mood lighting_interior design tips 2025 — Control the lighting in your home with smart app technology

12. Earthy Color Palettes

Warm, grounded and timeless

Neutrals are evolving in 2025, from whites, creams and greys towards warm, earthy tones inspired by nature. Think rich terracottas, soft olive greens, warm beige and deep browns that bring a sense of comfort and connection to the outdoors. These colours work beautifully in both modern and traditional interiors, offering a timeless yet contemporary feel.

An stunning example is the Middle Eastern inspired, Byron Bay home designed by YSG. The use of muted, sunbaked tones create a visually striking yet relaxed atmosphere. Paired with raw textures like linen, jute and clay, the result is a space that feels effortlessly stylish and inviting. This palette is particularly effective in living rooms and bedrooms, where warmth and tranquility are key.

Earthy colour palette_interior design tips 2025 — Rich earthy palette by YSG Studio

To gradually introduce these earthy colours into your home, I suggest starting with accent walls, textiles or furniture pieces in warm shades.

13. Statement Ceilings

The fifth wall deserves attention

Ceilings are often overlooked in a home’s interior design and are usually painted in the never-fail Ceiling Flat White! However there is a growing trend to ceilings steadily becoming a feature focal point. Ceilings provide a viable opportunity to add interest whether this be by way of colour, pattern, texture or architectural detailing.

A statement ceiling adds depth and interest to a room and this trend is all about drawing the eye upwards and transforming an often ignored space into a standout feature.

A fantastic example is Kelly Wearstler’s interior designs. She frequently incorporates gold leaf, dramatic wall paper, textured plaster or grand coffered ceilings to create a sense of luxury.

If you prefer a more subtle approach, try painting the ceiling the same or a slightly darker shade than the walls to add dimension without overwhelming the space.

Ceiling treatment_fifth wall_painted ceiling_interior design tips

14. Mixing Vintage with Modern

Old meets new for timeless charm

Blending vintage pieces with contemporary design creates a layered, lived-in look that feels curated and richly layered. This trend is about mixing eras - pairing a sleek modern lounge with an antique rug or a vintage chandelier over a minimalist dining table. The contrast adds depth, character and a sense of history to a space.

A great example is the mid century home of stylist Simone Haag. She has paired mid-century modern furniture with more contemporary pieces. This combination creates interest and an effortless aesthetic that feels personal and unique.

Mix vintage with modern_interior design tips 2025

To achieve this look, balance is key. Choose one or two standout vintage pieces - like a distressed leather armchair or an ornate mirror and contrast them with pared back pieces with modern lines.

Flea markets, antique shops and even family heirlooms can be great sources for authentic vintage furniture and objects that add soul to a contemporary home.

15. Luxurious Spa Bathrooms

Turn your bathroom into a retreat

With our fast paced lifestyle, wellness-focused design has become increasingly popular. This is especially so in bathrooms with a shift towards creating inviting, relaxing personal sanctuaries.

Designing with wellness in mind means combining materials, colours, fixtures, fittings and lighting within an ergonomic layout to create a spa like experience.

Colours tend to be calming, materials are natural and fixtures are purposeful and of high quality. The goal is to create an environment that feels like an escape from daily stress.

I recommend some small changes if a full renovation isn't an option.

Swap out harsh overhead lights for dimmable sconces or LED mirrors.
Installing a smart shower system like Kohler’s DTV+ allows you to control water temperature, pressure and even mood lighting from your phone.
Thoughtful touches like eucalyptus bundles in the shower or a bamboo bath tray can elevate your bathroom into a daily wellness retreat.
Add greenery such as a fern or a weathered timber side table for a biophilic, natural touch.

Read my post on how to recreate your own Organic Opulence inspired bathroom:

16. Layered Textures

Layering textures is the secret to creating a rich, inviting space. By mixing materials like linen, wool, rattan, timber and ceramics, we are adding depth and visual interest, making a room feel lived-in and cosy. The key is balance so combining rough and smooth, matte and glossy, soft lead to a balanced, harmonious feel.

A great example is Studio McGee’s signature design approach. She creates spaces that are organic and where rooms feel effortlessly elegant through thoughtful layering.

Luxurious bedroom_layered textures_interior design tips

17. Personalised Gallery Walls

Tell your story through art

Our homes allow us to showcase our stories whether they be from travel, family or fond experiences as well as our personalities and creativity. Displaying art and photos is a way to tell our stories and gallery walls are the perfect place to showcase them.

The current trend leans towards a more relaxed arrangement of art and photography. There is a tendency to mix different frame styles, art mediums and even three dimensional sculptural objects like ceramics, metallics and textiles.

For a cohesive gallery wall, start with a central statement piece and build outward, mixing in different sizes and orientations.

18. Sculptural Lighting Fixtures

Lighting is no longer just functional, it’s also an art form. There are so many beautiful lights in the market by great Australian lighting designers. Expect to see more sculptural, statement lighting that act as a focal point and create interest in a room.. Organic, fluid shapes, glass, ceramic, brass all work beautifully and add an artistic touch to the interiors.

A couple of my favourite Australian lighting designers include:

Ross Gardam - Driven by a desire to engage people on an emotional level, the Ora Lamp is made from aluminium and is finely crafted.

Christopher Boots - A combination of brass and crystals creates this alluring light pendant.

19. Textured Walls

Flat painted walls are making way for more textured finishes. Venetian plaster, lime wash, wood panelling and even 3D wall tiles are becoming popular choices for adding depth and interest to interiors. This trend embraces imperfections, creating walls that feel organic and tactile.

I wrote about textured walls in my blog post: Top 6 Interior Design trends for 2025:

20. Multifunctional Furniture

With a growing trend towards multi generational living, working from home as well as more compact living in densely populated cities - selecting furniture that can be converted from one use to another makes economic sense.

The most common piece of multi functional furniture would undoubtedly be the sofa bed. This lounge is handy as it converts into a bed when family or friends stay over. Sofa beds are perfect when you don't have a spare guest bedroom.

Similarly if a household member works from home but doesn't have the luxury of a dedicated home office then furniture that can convert from a wall unit into a desk provides a handy space to work from. At MEL MAR DESIGN we design joinery that tailors to your working from home needs.