25 Interior Design Tips for 2025 - Part 1
- Grace
- Mar 23
- 8 min read
I often see people struggling over questions like "What is my interior design style?" "Which colours work well together?" "Which materials are best suited for the kitchen and bathroom?" "Where do I place the sofa?" "What lighting should I select?"
I get it. For interior designers these questions are part and parcel of the job, we’re exposed to these details all the time and they become second nature. To the untrained homeowner or renovator, these questions can be confusing and cause a certain degree of anxiety.
Interior design can be overwhelming especially around the functionality and aesthetics of our own home.
To address these questions and plenty of others, I'm creating a series simply called: 25 Interior Design Tips for 2025. It’s in three parts and I'll cover my top design tips and advice around kitchen design and bathroom design but also include tips around general interior design.
I hope you enjoy reading these tips and if you have any questions please get in touch. I work in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie as a kitchen and bathroom designer and love helping homeowners transform their interiors into spaces that bring them joy.
1. Embrace Sustainable Materials
Go green in style
Let’s face it - sustainability is no longer just a trend—it’s a necessity in modern home design.
Making sustainable choices doesn’t mean sacrificing your preferred style and sticking to a certain aesthetic. There is so much more to creating a sustainable home.
Increasingly, sustainability is about making conscious choices that benefit both your home and the planet. It’s about thoughtfully considering all the options for materials, suppliers, trades, interior architecture, building processes and more.
Materiality
Choosing products that are locally made (or as close as possible) is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint.
Reclaimed wood, recycled glass and bamboo are top choices as they offer durability and character. These materials are making their way into furniture, bench tops and cabinetry. Choosing sustainable materials not only reduces waste but also brings warmth, character and texture into a home.
One standout example is the 10-star Green Star-rated home by sustainable architect Clare Cousins in Melbourne. This home features salvaged timber beams, rammed earth walls and energy-efficient glass to reduce heat transfer. It’s a great example of a home that merges environmental responsibility with luxurious design.
2. Maximise Natural Light
Let the sunshine in
Natural light is a powerful element in interior design. It enhances mood, makes spaces feel larger and reduces reliance on artificial lighting.
I’m a huge fan of natural light and nothing beats seeing those early morning rays of sunshine flooding in or the dappled afternoon sun filtering through linen curtains.
There are a few ways to enhance the natural light that enters our homes:
Strategic placement of windows. By carefully considering the placement of windows based on the direction your home faces to capture the most amount of light.
Opt for larger windows.
Add skylights.
Open plan living allows the light to reach further into our homes.
Replace heavy curtains with linen sheers.
Painting walls in light-reflective colours like soft whites or pale greys can help bounce natural light.
Swap out bulky dark furniture for glass topped tables or shelving to keep your space feeling airy and bright.
Place a mirror adjacent to a window to reflect the light back into the room.
3. Bold Statement Walls
Make your walls pop
We once painted a feature wall in our lounge room (back when this was a trendy design feature) a beautiful deep earthy red. It was a bold choice but it added so much warmth and energy to the room. The colour was both energising and grounding at the same time.
Fast forward to the current state of play and the feature wall is now feature walls. Now all four wall share the spotlight. Applying a finish to every wall creates a cohesive look, adding depth, personality and visual interest to a space.
Whether it’s through a deep, moody paint colour, a unique paint finish, textured wallpaper or even a bespoke mural, applying a finish to all four walls (and sometimes the ceiling also) creates a more cohesive, drenched look. It adds an extra layer to the overall design.
4. Finding your Interior Design Style
Working out your interior design style starts with understanding what you naturally gravitate towards.
Your personal taste is a huge clue in discovering your unique style.
Notice the colours, patterns and textures that make you feel at home. Do you love soft neutrals and natural materials or are you drawn to bold colours and statement pieces? Take note of the furniture and decor that catches your eye when scrolling through Pinterest or visiting a beautifully designed space.
Next, think about how you actually live in your space.
Your home should work well with your lifestyle. If you have kids or pets you might need durable fabrics and easy to clean surfaces. If you love hosting friends then an open layout with plenty of seating might be a priority.
If you prefer calm and simplicity, a more minimal and clutter free space could be your thing.
The way you use your home plays a big role in shaping your design style.
Lastly, take a look at the bones of your home.
The architecture and layout can naturally steer you in a certain direction. A sleek, modern apartment might suit a contemporary or minimalist style while a charming older home with decorative mouldings might lean toward a more classic or eclectic vibe.
Instead of forcing a style that doesn’t quite fit, work with what you have to create a space that feels cohesive and natural.
By tuning into what you love, how you live and the space you’re working with, you’ll start to see your personal style which then translates to your preferred interior style.
5. Maximise Space and Style
Choose designs that integrate seamlessly
With urban living spaces becoming more compact the use of multi-functional furniture can expand your storage options. Pieces that have dual purposes—like storage beds, extendable dining tables and modular sofas are perfect for increasing storage and functionality without taking up twice the space.
Consider custom designed joinery:
The beauty of investing in specially designed furniture is that you end up with a piece that not only complements your interiors but also fits the available space perfectly.
An example is a kitchen island that extends into a dining table or a built-in bookcase that conceals a pull-out desk.
In the photo below, custom joinery allows all the available space to be fully used to create a storage and display unit.
6. Tech-Integrated Homes
The future is now
I don’t think we can escape the ever advancing wave of home technology. What used be seen as futuristic is now more and more readily available, accepted and even expected.
From voice-controlled lighting to AI-powered climate control, home automation is revolutionising the way we live.
We can expect an even greater emphasis on discreetly integrated smart features usually controlled by a single app on your phone or tablet. Think window shades to the fridge and coffee maker and smart mirrors that display news and weather updates while you’re getting ready!
7. Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is all about creating a connection between nature and the built environment.
A stunning example is The Tree House by Akin Atelier in Sydney. This home features large glass walls to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design integrates lush greenery to create a tranquil oasis within an urban setting.
For those with smaller spaces or apartments, vertical gardens and hanging planters are a great creative solution. Modular green wall systems add a touch of nature without taking up floor space.
Even simple changes like using organic cotton textiles and wooden furniture contribute to a biophilic environment. By incorporating natural elements like indoor plants and organic shapes, you can link to nature and reduce stress.
8. Streamlined Kitchen Design
Gone are the days of overly ornate and complicated kitchens. Nowadays we all lead busy lives and an efficient kitchen allows us to easily prepare a meal and clean up afterwards. Accessibility is key.
A streamlined kitchen is all about clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and functional layouts. This trend emphasises simplicity and efficiency, using high quality materials to create a space that’s both beautiful and practical.
Expect to see more integrated appliances, concealed storage and seamless finishes that enhance a sense of calm and order.
An excellent example is The Springs Home by Gavin Hepper. This kitchen features handleless cabinetry, integrated appliances and a neutral palette. The design prioritises functionality while also maintaining a clutter-free look.
The key is to blend form and function seamlessly to create a kitchen that facilitates cooking without overwhelming the senses.
9. Determining Colour Combinations
As a Newcastle kitchen designer, I am often asked some interesting questions about design. I love to understand what people need help with and colour selections is definitely one of these areas.
Choosing the right colours for an interior space isn’t just about picking your favourite shades—it’s more about achieving a balanced, cohesive look that suits the space and its purpose.
The first thing to consider is the mood you want to create.
Colours have a powerful psychological impact. Soft blues and greens feel calming and serene, making them perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms while warm tones like terracotta and mustard bring energy and warmth to spaces and so are perfect for dining rooms and lounge rooms. Thinking about how you want a room to feel will help guide your colour choices.
Consider natural light and the size of the space.
Light, neutral tones can make a small room feel more open and airy, while deeper, richer colours add depth to larger spaces. The amount of natural light also plays a big role. Cool colours can balance out a room that receives a lot of warm sunlight, while warmer tones add a sense of comfort to spaces with limited natural light. Always test paint samples in different lighting conditions throughout the day to see how they truly appear in your space.
Think about colour harmony and how different shades work together.
A great way to achieve a cohesive look is by using a colour palette that is based on design principles like the 60-30-10 rule. The dominant colour (on the walls) is 60%, 30% is the secondary colour (furniture and larger elements), and 10% an accent colour (decor and accessories).
The colour wheel is also a great guide. Complementary colours (that is those on opposites sides of the wheel) create bold contrast while analogous colours (those that sit next to each other on the wheel) create a softer, more harmonious feel.
So, as you can see, determining the right colour combination for your home is about balancing colour choices with mood, lighting and proportion and, by applying these techniques, you can create an interior that feels both stylish and well put together.
10. Open Shelving
This is a fun one to finish this post with.
Open shelving is a fantastic way to showcase your personal collections and thus add visual interest to any space. Small spaces instantly feel more expansive as this is an extra layer in the room.
This trend was coming to the fore in 2024 and will continue to gain popularity in 2025.
I see this as a counter point to our tendency towards minimalist living. We are craving less clutter and overwhelm yet still desire a place place to express our selves and shelving is a perfect place for this.
Floating shelves are minimalist and provide an area to display our treasured decorative objects.The key is to strike a balance between function and aesthetics, keeping the look organised and intentional.
To achieve a curated look, arrange items in groups of odd numbers and mix textures—think glass jars, woven baskets, and metal accents.
Limit the colour palette to maintain a cohesive look and rotate displays seasonally for a fresh, dynamic feel. Open shelving invites creativity, offering a stylish way to personalise your space while enhancing functionality.
Next blog post:
"25 Interior Design Tips for 2025 - Part 2
Are you thinking of creating the home of your dreams?
To work with me, please start the process by booking a complimentary Design Discovery Call. I look forward to hearing from you.
Till next post,
Grace
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