Things Interior Designers Won’t Waste Money on in 2025 + What to Buy

Oversized furniture can feel cluttered.

Joyce Huston, the lead interior designer at Decorilla, told BI she’s done with chunky, oversized furniture. The designer hopes people will stop buying it next year because it almost always overwhelms spaces.

“For 2025, I’m all about choosing furniture with visual lightness, elegant silhouettes, and dainty details that make a space feel curated rather than weighed down,” she said.

Bouclé fabric is being left behind.

Hudson thinks the bouclé fad has gotten a little out of hand.

The woven fabric made from looped yarn is used on everything from throw pillows to accent chairs.

“I know bouclé has been everywhere, but the sophistication level of mohair velvet over bouclé is incomparable,” she said. “Plus, mohair ages like fine wine, while bouclé looks tired after just a few years.”

Viscose rugs require more maintenance than they’re worth.

Viscose rugs may seem like an affordable luxury, but Jennifer Jones, the principal designer at Niche Interiors, said the semi-synthetic fabric isn’t worth the hassle.

“Unfortunately, viscose area rugs are impossible to clean, and one spill can be their downfall,” she told BI. “Instead, look for wool area rugs, which are the most durable and long-lasting.”

Fiddle-leaf figs are a tired houseplant trend.

Jones told BI that fiddle-leaf figs are out.

The popular houseplant is known for its height and lush leaves, but it’s become a little too ubiquitous for the designer’s liking.

“Fiddle-leaf fig trees had their moment, and that moment has passed,” Jones said. “Instead, consider its equally beautiful cousin, the ficus Audrey, which also grows very tall and provides a lot of visual interest and texture to a space.”

One designer is done with plastic kitchenware.

Luis Carmona, the owner and interior designer at Verde Interior Design, is ditching disposable, plastic kitchen items like storage containers, utensils, and drinkware.

“Investing in great, quality alternatives will not only save you money in the long run, but it will also help your kitchen be more green,” he said.

Instead, he recommends glass storage containers, beeswax sheets to cover food and leftovers, and glass or stainless steel drinkware to upgrade your kitchen.

Fast linens are out for 2025.

When in a pinch, it’s easy to opt for inexpensive and accessible bedsheets, towels, and other home linens. However, you may want to reconsider that strategy.

These cheap linens, especially those made with synthetic fabrics, tend to fall apart quicker and need to be replaced more often — costing you in the long run.

“Investing in quality and comfortable towels, bedding, and even napkins makes such a difference,” Carmona told BI. “Not only are they comfortable to the touch and perfectly functional, which is imperative, but you can usually tell the difference in quality just by looking at the fabric.”

Loud ceilings are losing their appeal.

In the last few years, people have been drawing attention upward toward their ceilings with bright paint and bold wallpapers. However, Havard Cooper, an interior designer and architect, said it doesn’t always transform a room how we expect it to

“I love a bold design moment, but wallpapering a ceiling does not fix a boring room,” he told BI. “A room should feel cohesive, and focusing too heavily on the ceiling often disrupts the balance.”

Instead, invest your time and money in the design and decor elements in the main area of the room.

Muted, monochrome rooms aren’t the vibe anymore.

Cooper said monochrome and beige rooms tend to “feel too safe and lack personality.”

The fad was on the rise, partially because of the popular Japandi trend, which combines Scandinavian and Japanese influences.

However, the designer hopes people will stop reaching for the same bland couches, rugs, and decor accents and instead choose a more balanced mix of tones and textures. The latter adds character to a space, making it more unique.

It’s time to move on from trendy tile designs.

It seems like there’s always a new tile trend — whether it’s an intricate pattern, bold color choice, or surprising texture — but remember that trends come and go.

“Before you splurge on the latest ‘it’ tile, consider its longevity,” Jan Odesanya, the principal interior designer at Mondän & Co Interiors, told BI.

Instead, she’ll be opting for classic choices, like subway tile, natural stone, and timeless geometric patterns, to prevent her clients from starting over again in a few years.