What Interior Designers Are Loving in 2025: Top 8 Interior Design Trends to Watch

Featuring Miriam Buhlmann and Alex Starr of UMA Design Studio.

So far this year, personality has taken center stage in home design. Minimalism is no longer the gold standard; instead, homeowners are embracing warmth, individuality, and meaningful layers throughout their spaces.

To explore what’s next in interior design, we turned to one of our trusted design partners—UMA Design Studio. This Seattle-based, women-owned firm was founded by Miriam and Alex, two visionary designers known for their deeply personalized, client-centered approach. As a valued collaborator of Better Builders, UMA brings fresh creativity, thoughtful layering, and a refined aesthetic to every space they touch.

From curated maximalism to earthy color trends and vintage finds, here are the top interior trends to watch in 2025.

1. The Return of Maximalism (But Make It Curated)

Maximalism is rising again, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of cluttered spaces filled to the brim, think intentional layering and contrast. Miriam and Alex call it "curated clutter" — a thoughtful mix of bold patterns, layered textures, and standout personal pieces that add depth without overwhelming the room.

"Maximalism doesn’t mean everything all at once," says Miriam. "It means contrast, interest, and personality."

What is one popular maximalist method? Combining two distinct design styles—like organic modern and European minimalism—to strike a perfect balance.

Above Image: Design concept created by UMA Design Studios.

2. Earthy Tones & Natural Textures

2025 color schemes are all about warmth. Mocha Moose, Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year—a rich, grounding shade with red undertones that perfectly captures the desire for cozy, cocoon-like spaces. Expect to see rust, terracotta, and other muted earth tones filling homes—yes, even red is making a comeback, but in subtle, sophisticated shades, rather than the aggressive, firetruck reds found on accent walls of the early 2000s.

Designers are pairing these color palettes with natural materials like wood, stone, and microcement to create organic, grounded environments that feel both modern and lived-in.

Microcement is a popular design element due to its versatility and durability. This thin, cement-based coating can be applied to nearly any surface—from walls and floors to ceilings and even furniture—making it a seamless choice for modern interiors. “It’s a technique you can use for flooring, walls, ceilings—even to make a sleek, modern table,” Miriam explains. Its seamless finish and soft matte texture make it an ideal choice for interiors that aim to blend minimalism with warmth.

Available in a range of earthy tones and textures, microcement is especially popular in the Pacific Northwest for its sustainability, longevity, and ability to mimic natural materials like stone or concrete without the bulk or waste.

“People want their homes to feel cozy and lived-in,” says Alex. “It’s less about being sleek and sterile, and more about creating a space that feels like you.”

Image Above: A custom home built by Better Builders featuring earthy tones and natural textures.

Left Image: A Design concept created by CRAFTEX in their showroom, photographed by UMA Design Studios. Right Image: A concept in a private home, photographed by UMA Design Studios.

3. Color Drenching & The Rise of the Fifth Wall

Ceilings are no longer just an afterthought. Designers are embracing them as the "fifth wall," using paint and wallpaper to create immersive, dramatic spaces. This trend, known as color drenching, typically involves applying a single hue to the walls, ceiling, and trim for a unified and “drenched” appearance.

In bolder applications, print drenching takes it a step further with wallpaper or murals that extend up and over the ceiling. When combined with ceiling molding, these techniques create a layered, luxurious ambiance.

Designers are reintroducing ceiling molding in fresh ways to add warmth, dimension, and architectural interest, particularly in minimalist rooms. Rather than ornate or overly traditional moldings, today’s tend to be clean-lined or softly curved, enhancing the ceiling without overwhelming the space. That said, not all styles are staying: cove molding, in particular, is falling out of favor in places like Seattle, where homeowners are opting to remove it in favor of cleaner, more contemporary lines.

Image Above: Side-by-side images showcasing architectural ceiling details of a custom home built by Better Builders. 

Above Image: Color-drenched bedroom design created by UMA Design Studios.

4. Vintage & Sustainable Finds

Fast furniture is fading. Instead, people are gravitating toward unique vintage and retro pieces with a story to tell. Think family heirlooms, mid-century record players, and timeless pieces like Eames chairs or Mario Bellini sofas.

This shift is especially strong in Seattle, where design culture is deeply rooted in sustainability and individuality. Local favorites like Ballard Consignment offer a curated selection of one-of-a-kind finds that add personality while reducing waste.

"Vintage isn’t just a style; it’s a lifestyle here," Alex shares. "It’s about reuse, quality, and finding beauty in the imperfect."

Instead of chasing trends, Seattle homeowners are embracing story-driven design. From refinishing old furniture to reupholstering meaningful pieces, there’s a growing preference for authenticity, craftsmanship, and pieces that tell a story, often sourced locally and sustainably.

Image Above: Fireplace renovation by Better Builders in Seattle’s Sunset Hill neighborhood.

5. Layered Materials & Luxe Textiles

The materials mix in 2025 is all about contrast. Sleek elements like microcement or Cosentino quartz pair beautifully with rich and moody, soft textures like linen, velvet, and silk.

Cosentino quartz is a premium engineered stone surface manufactured by the global design brand Cosentino, which is known for its innovation in durable and beautiful materials. Alex and Miriam love Cosentino quartz for its wide variety of finishes, including dramatic veining, rich colors, and textures that mimic marble or natural stone, without the high maintenance. It’s non-porous, stain-resistant, and ideal for high-traffic areas, such as bathrooms and kitchen countertops.

In the words of UMA Design Studio, Cosentino quartz was the perfect choice for a recent kitchen project where they paired its dramatic veining with walnut butcher block, dark blue cabinetry, and matte brass hardware to strike a balance between modern elegance and timeless warmth.

Velvet sofas, linen drapes, and silk bedding bring tactile richness into every room, while handmade wool rugs—especially Oriental styles—offer durability and heritage appeal.

Image Above: A kitchen showcasing layered textures, designed with Silestone® Calacatta Gold by Cosentino.

6. Personalization Through Culture, Music & Travel

In 2025, interior design is more personal than ever, shaped not just by aesthetics but by the stories, passions, and cultural influences that define how Seattle homeowners live. From decades-old record collections to furniture and artwork gathered on global travels, every piece adds meaning and personality to a space. In Seattle, this layered approach is especially apparent, where music, sustainability, and a love of local culture converge in the styling of homes.

“Coffee and records go hand in hand here,” says Alex. “It’s all part of the vibe. When you step into someone’s home in Seattle, you feel that connection to music, history, and craftsmanship.”

A great example of this influence is Hawthorne Stereo, a beloved audio shop tucked into the University District. Known for its high-end audio gear, Hawthorne has become a quiet staple in the Seattle music scene, frequented by artists like Macklemore. These design-forward audio pieces often double as functional decor, acting as both conversation starters and personal markers of style.

Adding to this cultural depth is the presence of KEXP, Seattle’s iconic independent radio station. KEXP isn’t just about the music—it’s about community, creativity, and storytelling. Many locals who grew up listening to the station or discovering their favorite bands through it bring that influence into their homes. Whether it’s a vintage record player, signed album covers used as wall art, or a cozy setup built around a beloved record player and stereo system, these music-inspired design choices reflect a lifestyle that values meaning over mass production.

"Homes are becoming more like visual diaries," says Alex. "The spaces we create reflect not just our tastes, but our stories."

Pictured Above: The listening room at Hawthorne Stereo.

Pictured Above: A meaningful art wall featured in a custom-built home by Better Builders.

7. Lighting as a Design Guide

Lighting is no longer just about function—it’s an essential design element that visually anchors a room’s design story, shapes the feel, flow, and focus of a space.

Thoughtful ceiling details help guide the eye through a room. Miriam mentions that once you add something like molding or color drenching, “you easily go to the next step and think, okay, now I have this molding—what else could I do to the ceiling?” This naturally leads to the inclusion of a pendant light or other eye-catching light fixture as a way to draw the eye, enhance ambiance, and support the layered look that defines many of this year’s interior design trends.

As homes become more personal and expressive, layered lighting plays a key role in bringing everything together. A thoughtful mix of ambient, accent, and task lighting not only highlights texture and color but also helps create spaces that feel both cozy and effortlessly functional.

Left Image: A front entry renovation in Redmond, WA, completed by Better Builders, highlighting a distinctive porch light that serves as the design’s focal point.

Right Image: A custom home built by Better Builders in West Seattle showcases a unique light fixture as a standout design element.

Above Image: Design concept by MR. (Seattle), photographed by UMA Design Studios.

8. Local Flavor: Seattle’s Interior Design Influence

As proud Seattleites, both the team at Better Builders and UMA Design Studio value working with local, family-owned businesses that share a commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability. Here are a few we recommend:

• Andonian Rugs (Seattle Design Center) – known for handmade, high-quality rugs with character
• Woodpecker Flooring – timeless hardwoods and luxury vinyl options
• Seattle Wallpapering – murals and bespoke wallpaper that elevate any room
• Ballard Consignment – go-to source for one-of-a-kind vintage furniture
• Hawthorne Stereo – iconic audio gear that doubles as a design statement

Inspired to Redesign? Here’s Where to Start

As we continue through 2025, interior design is embracing comfort, personality, and creativity like never before. Whether you're drenching a room in rich tones, layering luxe textures, or finding the perfect vintage piece, this year's trends are about designing a home that feels authentically you.

If you're building or remodeling in the Seattle area, Better Builders and UMA Design Studio can help you bring your unique vision to life—one that is curated and character-rich, one detail at a time. Are you ready to create a home that tells your story? It can start with a conversation.  Contact Better Builders today to start planning your dream space.

Are you still gathering ideas? Download our free guide, "Space Planning 101," and explore how smart layout changes can improve the way you live.