Top 5 Interior Design Trends to Avoid in 2025 (If You Want Your Property to Sell)

As an interior designer, I often get asked about the latest trends. And it always amuses me that people look really disappointed when I tell them that I don’t follow trends. 

Definitely not micro trends anyway (macro trends are the ones that are going to stick around a long while, such as brass metal or Crittall doors - micro trends are the polar opposite and will date your property faster than you can say ‘ROI’!)

So, many trends come and go. 

No news there. 

But when it comes to selling property, some trends can do more harm than good. 

While bold interiors might work beautifully in personal homes, if you're property staging to sell or rent - broad appeal is the name of the game.

I talk a lot about broad appeal and the importance of creating a customer avatar when you’re designing the interior of your property. This is a blueprint of your ideal buyer, tenant or guest and will stop you from designing with your own likes and dislikes in mind.

We’ve created a handy downloadable PDF all about creating your customer avatar.

And to help you further with this, I’ve broken down some trends that I see a lot, and that I believe you should steer clear if you want your property to attract the greatest number of serious buyers or renters.  

Here are 5 trends to avoid in 2025:

1. Trend to avoid: Excessive Maximalism

Maximalism is having a moment, and in some circumstances (think interior design for holiday homes) I am ALL for it. With layered patterns, striking colours and eclectic accessories, interiors can feel rich and expressive. But for staging for sale? It’s too much.

🛑 Why to avoid it: Put simply, overly personalised interiors divide opinion. The more personality a space has, the harder it becomes for buyers to picture themselves living there.

And why does home staging work? Because it's strategic. The goal is to design a space that appeals to as many people as possible within your target market. When the style is too bold or niche, you risk alienating buyers and that’s the opposite of what property staging is meant to do.

✅ What to do instead: Opt for characterful, well-balanced styling with warm tones and subtle layers of texture and interest. Something that feels welcoming without shouting.

2. Trend to avoid: Ultra-Industrial Interiors

Think exposed ductwork, concrete floors, and black metal fixtures. While this aesthetic still works in certain urban markets or loft conversions, it's beginning to feel dated and cold in many family homes and residential settings.

It’s also quite a masculine look and (this might offend some people and I don’t mean it to!) is one that I see a lot when male developers, with no interiors experience, have designed the interior themselves to save money. It’s usually in completely the wrong setting and sets completely the wrong tone for the development.

And what do we (women) know about buying decisions when it comes to homes? If you search the www, there’s so much research out there that says it’s primarily women who make the home buying decision therefore arguably the interior needs to speak to women, as much as or more than to men. (This needed a whole blog of its own, which you can read here.) 

🛑 Why to avoid it: Industrial styling can feel stark, impersonal, and uninviting. Especially in suburban or rural homes where buyers are more likely to be looking for warmth and comfort. Remember when home staging or designing and interior for rent, you’re attempting to speak to the greatest number of people in a given demographic. 

✅ What to do instead: Soften the look with natural textures like wood, linen, or rattan. I’m not saying some industrial elements are off the table (I love adding a touch of black or charcoal to a room to add depth) but a bit of softness goes a long way in helping people to feel at home.

3. Trend to avoid: High-Gloss Finishes Everywhere

There was a time when high-gloss kitchens and lacquered surfaces screamed "luxury". That time has passed. In 2025, these finishes often come off as cold, clinical, and a little too ‘try hard’.

🛑 Why to avoid it: They date quickly, show fingerprints and wear easily. Oh! And they don’t photograph well under natural light and remember great photos are one of your BFF’s when it comes to selling or renting your property. 

✅ What to do instead: Matte and satin finishes feel more premium now. They’re easier to maintain, feel more tactile, and photograph beautifully - especially in daylight.

4. Trend to avoid; All-White Everything

This minimalist trend can feel crisp, clean and even luxury. But in reality, it often falls flat as it’s a hard look to pull off. 

🛑 Why to avoid it: All-white spaces can feel sterile, impractical, and uninspired. They rarely evoke the kind of emotional response that helps a buyer fall in love with a home. Which is exactly what you need to achieve as a property investor or developer. 

✅ What to do instead: Inject warmth through neutral, earthy palettes. Perfect for our cold, northern hemisphere light. Soft taupes, clay pinks, warm greys, and muted olives. Use colour psychology to create a space that feels calm, confident, and welcoming. You can read more about the use of colour here. 

5. Trend to avoid: Fast Fashion Furniture & Decor

Tempted to kit out a space with a few quick bargains from the high street? Beware! Filling it with wobbly flatpack and mass produced prints, and suddenly that stylish home you were after starts to feel more like a student rental. 

🛑 Why to avoid it: It looks generic and forgettable. And in a competitive market, memorable sells.You need to make the right first impression and you only get 7 seconds to make one. If you’ve read our previous blog, you’ll know why.

✅ What to do instead: Invest in fewer, better pieces. Mix in one or two quality or characterful items; such as vintage pieces or statement artwork, that help create an aspirational lifestyle feel.And don’t copy what your inexperienced peers are doing, badly. A mistake I see a lot. 

Final Thought: Design to Sell, Not to Impress

Your goal with staging is to help buyers or tenants see themselves in the space. Not to wow them with your latest Pinterest finds. Design trends have their place, but timeless style, well thought through layouts and welcoming touches are what sell homes in 2025.

If you’re unsure how to balance personality and broad appeal, that’s exactly what we’re here for. At WildKind Interiors, we use colour psychology and design strategy to create spaces that feel right and help properties move quickly, even in a tough market.

👉 Need advice for your next flip or development? Let’s chat.