Neon dreams and nature scenes make for two very different home decor trends in 2025

By KIM COOK Associated Press Home decor s got a split personality this year Call it city glow and cottage flow At the two international design fairs that I attended Maison et Objet in France Ambiente in Germany acres of exhibition booths were full of Art Deco furnishings island-vibe rattan seating and lighting and lots of emphasis on sustainably produced materials But a couple of aesthetics drawing crowds were especially engaging Capturing the city glow One was an exuberant urban vibe I m nicknaming city glow It s full of highlighter-hued throw pillows edgy surrealism street art and hefty Brutalist-style furniture lots of sharp-cornered steel or concrete consoles and lamps that loomed over rooms as well as rugs and wallcoverings covered in graffiti-style motifs or swaths of vibrant color This image distributed by Oliver Gal shows Dark Dahlia II D wall decor The Oliver Gal Artist Co via AP Gretchen Rivera an interior designer in Washington D C sees it as a look that resonates especially with younger generations who grew up with digital influences There s surrealist art energetic colors and playful almost toy-like design Interior designer Anton Liakhov in Nice France agrees For a generation clamoring for creativity and self-expression it s loud and in-your-face For surface colors look at Benjamin Moore s spicy orange Bryce Canyon or the bubblegum-pink Springtime Bloom Daydream Apothecary has a whole collection of neon wall paints for intrepid decorators This image disclosed by The Oliver Gal Artist Co shows rococo-inspired frames in high-gloss acrylics paired with playful graphic imagery The Oliver Gal Artist Co via AP Sisters Ana and Lola S nchez use art as a bold form of self-expression at their luxe brand Oliver Gal in South Florida It s known for its handcrafted statement-making pieces including large acrylic gummy bears graphic surfboards and wall art inspired by fashion pop lifestyle and modern surrealism The outcome is a vibrant edgy aesthetic A new collection Rococo Pop introduces rococo-inspired frames in high-gloss acrylics paired with playful graphic imagery We required to take the opulence of th century rococo notes Ana S nchez and give it a cheeky pop-art punch These frames are like little rebels in ballgowns elegant over-the-top and totally unexpected adds Lola S nchez The style her sister says celebrates contrast Old World charm meets modern mischief Following the cottage flow The other impressive decor style at the design fairs was very different from the urban look I m calling this one cottage flow and Liakhov describes it as evoking a peaceful sanctuary where you can play around with textures that are anchored in and in tune with nature Think nubby woolen throws in mossy hues Softly burnished wooden tables Vintage quilts and dishware Gingham and garden florals Landscape prints Imagery of birds and woodland animals on textiles and wallcoverings This image distributed by Little Greene shows a wallpaper design called Animal Kingdom Pea Little Greene via AP Etsy s spring summer trend statement demonstrated that searches for French cottage decor were up over compared to I see people embracing a slower pace to life where they can says New York-based interior and decor designer Kathy Kuo about the country cottage style The past two decades or so were dominated by a glorification of fast-paced hustle practices trends like cottagecore and coastal grandmother are evidence that the pendulum s swinging toward taking pleasure in simpler more nature-adjacent things in life whether or not you indeed live in a country cottage she says This photo provided by Kathy Kuo Home shows a room she decorated in Windham N Y in the cottagecore trend Kathy Kuo Home via AP Paint colors are also reflecting the trend A calming sage green called Quietude is HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams color of the year Little-Greene s collection has names like Rolling Fog Tea with Florence and Hammock Mixing the styles Watching design show visitors excitedly discovering new finds among the aisles I thought THIS is what s fun about home decorating You can think as creatively as you like when it comes to your own home You re all about high-octane city nightlife Come this way Scottish crofts Scandi cabins and cozy porches more your thing Right over here This photo shows cottage-style furniture and d cor on display at the Ambiente bargain fair in Frankfurt on Feb Kim Cook via AP And if you want to mix these two aesthetics Go for it There s space to blend elements of both says Kuo Design trends are so fluid I absolutely see the possible to merge these into each other she says A multitude of city dwellers love time in nature and have an affinity for a more rustic look while still feeling called to honor their urban circumstances in their home I see plenty of modern interior design motifs that are sleek and urban on the surface but in the details they re infused with organic textures and biophilic elements Really the best designs are the ones that are personal rather than perfect she adds Related Articles Welcome to kitten season when animal shelters need all the help they can get Tips for planning a wedding at a time of new tariffs Tradition and change intertwine to create beauty at a century-old arboretum How to ensure injury-free fun on the playground Garden gear blooms with stylish details You could display an array of contemporary glass bowls on a curvy walnut credenza Mix botanical patterns in vibrant unexpected colors Soften room elements like a sleek table and industrial-style lamp with boucle or velvet cushions and a fluffy rug Pair polished concrete floors with vintage-inspired wallcovering If you don t want to mix elements in one space consider using sliding partitions from one room to another You ll create a little style journey If the contemporary international design fairs are any indication you re going to find loads of fun home decor in stores over the coming months Get ready to flow New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The Associated Press Follow her on Instagram at kimcookhome