Image Credit: Furniture Village
12 interior trends that were outdated but are now cool
Interior design, much like fashion, likes to look over its shoulder every now and then.
Some of the trends once deemed totally passé (we’re looking at you chintz patterns, rattan furniture, or wall-to-wall grey!) are now enjoying something of a considered and often elevated return.
From short curtains to floral detailing your nan would have loved, the styles we once baulked at are suddenly sneaking back into our homes with new 2025 confidence.
“In design, nothing ever truly disappears, it just waits to be reimagined,” says Milena Vallier, head of design at My Bespoke Room.
“Some trends that once felt tired or outdated are now being rediscovered, with a fresh twist that feels exciting and current.
“The trick is knowing how to reinterpret them so they feel intentional, layered, and modern.”
Milena says the décor in our homes has always had a cyclical nature.
“Just as fashion revives denim flares or shoulder pads, interiors are seeing the return of certain once outdated looks, only this time they’ve been elevated.”
From colour palettes we thought we’d left behind in the 70s to patterns that once screamed blast from the past, interiors are experiencing a renaissance of style.
“These revivals remind us that interior design is rarely about abandoning ideas, it’s about reworking them,” Milena continues.
“Trends don’t really die, they evolve. What felt outdated ten years ago can feel fresh today, once it’s given new context.”
With that in mind we spoke to the experts to bring you an edit of the retro trends you might remember brushing off, and how they’re being revived for today’s most stylish homes.
Feature walls
Once the go-to move for instant impact, bold painted feature walls began to feel a bit overdone.
But in 2025, they’re making a return, this time in richer hues, unexpected placements (think ceilings or archways), and thoughtful layering that makes them feel curated, not gimmicky.
“The painted feature wall of the early 2000s once felt like a shortcut to style, but today’s version is more considered,” explains Milena.
“Murals, hand-painted details, or wallpaper with dramatic landscapes and oversized florals give walls depth and narrative.”
To incorporate the look in your own home Milena recommends choosing a wall that frames a natural focal point, behind a bed, sofa, or dining table, for example, and going all in with scale.
“Pair it with pared-back furnishings so the mural becomes art, not background noise,” she adds.
Grey
For years, grey was literally everywhere. We painted our walls grey, our sofas were grey, heck even our tea towels were grey.
Then we all hit peak greige fatigue and moved on.
But now, grey is quietly making a comeback, reimagined in richer, chalkier tones and used in contrast with natural textures and layered neutrals, giving it a warmer, more sophisticated feel for 2025.
“Grey once dominated interiors, but it often left spaces feeling flat and cold,” explains Milena.
“But it is staging a resurgence, not as a neutral afterthought, but as a moody, cocooning base.”
To reintroduce grey hues into your home Milena suggests opting for tonal layering.
“Soft charcoals, putty shades, and earthy slates across walls, woodwork, and even ceilings,” she says.
“Drenching a room in one tonal palette creates atmosphere, especially when lifted with warm textures like linen, timber, and brass.”
According to Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture colour-drenching a space in these new grey tones can help to elevate a room by giving it a cohesive and luxurious feel.
“Drenching a room doesn’t need to stop with paint, you can go one step further by incorporating colour-matched fitted furniture or layering in matching or tonal soft furnishings or furniture,” she adds.
Terracotta tiles
Terracotta tiles once felt as if they’d been extricated straight out of a 90s conservatory, but they seem to have shed their dated reputation.
In 2025, they’re being embraced for their earthy warmth and handmade charm, especially when paired with limewashed walls, raw woods, and plenty of natural light.
“Once a farmhouse cliché, terracotta is now embraced for its rustic character,” explains Milena.
If you’re keen to explore terracotta tiles in your own spaces, Milena suggests laying them in larger formats or herringbone patterns for a contemporary edge.
“Pair with sleek joinery or minimalist fixtures for contrast, letting the natural clay tones add depth,” she adds.
Gloss finishes
High-gloss finishes had their moment in the early 2000s, often seen in stark white kitchens and on ultra-modern furniture – but eventually their overly polished look lost its shine.
Now, however, gloss is creeping back in, used more selectively and playfully – think lacquered cabinetry in bold colours or high-shine accents that catch the light and add a hit of glamour without overwhelming a space.
“High-gloss once meant squeaky-clean but soulless kitchens,” explains Milena.
“Today gloss becoming popular again, this time used more sparingly for drama.”
If you fancy giving gloss another go Milena suggests considering lacquered cabinet doors, a statement coffee table, or a single reflective accent wall.
“The key is balance: offset gloss with matte textures for a layered, high-end look,” she explains.
Chintz and florals
Chintz used to be associated with fussy, frumpy interiors – overly floral fabrics and way too many ruffles.
But the look is back with a modern attitude, layered with contemporary shapes, clean lines, and bolder palettes.
In 2025, chintz is less country cottage overload, more eclectic charm. Grandma’s curtains, but make them fashion.
“Chintz was once shorthand for old-fashioned, but bold florals are enjoying a revival with a more graphic, oversized approach,” explains Milena.
“Choose one striking floral fabric, on a sofa, drape, or headboard and pair with modern lines.
“The contrast creates a curated, ‘best of both worlds’ style.”
“In addition to the revived greys, deep and rich shades such as once popular, sage green and navy blue are both also working their way back into homes.
“These shades are seeing a particular resurgence in key areas of the home such as, bedrooms and living rooms due to the calming and tranquil atmospheres that they create.”
Rounded furniture
Curved furniture had its heyday in the 1970s, all low-slung silhouettes and groovy shapes, but for a while, those rounded edges felt firmly stuck in the past.
Now, curves are back in a big way, reimagined in luxurious fabrics like boucle and velvet, and paired with sculptural lighting and minimalist styling.
The look is soft, sophisticated, and effortlessly modern, offering proof that a little retro flair can still feel totally fresh.
“Sculptural and rounded furniture that leans a nod to the playful yet sophisticated interiors of the 1970s is gaining popularity among homeowners,” explains Melissa.
“Think curvy sofas and irregular-shaped wooden coffee tables that help to add a touch of bold, yet charming character into your living space.”
Rattan furniture
Rattan furniture was once firmly associated with conservatories and sunrooms, more practical than stylish, and often left to gather dust.
But it’s now enjoying a well-deserved revival, thanks to its natural texture, lightness, and versatility. In modern times, rattan is being styled in more refined, design-led ways – sleek silhouettes, statement lighting, and a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces that bring warmth and character to any room.
“Natural materials in living spaces are proving popular once again with vintage-style rattan also making a comeback,” explains Melissa.
“Their tough, fibrous texture combined with their light, woven aesthetic makes the material a perfect choice for homeowners looking to add a traditional touch to a modern living space.”
Mixing decor styles together
There was a time when mixing styles felt like a decorating faux pas – everything had to match, from the furniture sets to the finishes.
Now, however, the most stylish homes embrace contrast and character.
Blending eras, textures, and influences feels not only modern, but personal, it’s about creating a space that tells a story rather than making things too matchy, matchy.
“Most homeowners are leaning towards interiors that are truly personalised and unique, often combining varied design styles in their spaces, resulting in an eclectic home that exudes character,” explains Melissa.
“The era of matching furniture sets is over for many, as we look to regain more warmth, individuality and charm in our homes.”
Melissa recommends looking to mismatching wooden finishes and layering art and antiques, carefully positioned around your space, for a home that showcases personality.
Closed living spaces
For years, open-plan living was the ultimate goal, and closed-off rooms felt old-fashioned and boxy, but now, we’re rethinking the value of a bit of separation, with broken-plan layouts and cosy nooks making a stylish and practical comeback.
“After decades of home design centring around open living, with high traffic areas such as living rooms and kitchens often combined as one, homeowners are seeking a shift to more traditional and closed floorplans,” explains Melissa.
Melissa says many are moving away from open plan layouts in favour of clearly defined areas, such a home office and separate dining space, which allows for greater privacy in the home and can help improve organisation between rooms.
Short or puffy curtains
Once dismissed as dated or overly traditional, short curtains, that skim the window sill, are having an unexpected comeback.
Styled in crisp fabrics or playful prints, they bring a tailored, relaxed charm, perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere full-length drapes feel too formal or fussy.
“Shorter curtains, once left behind in favour of long, flowing drapes are seen as stylish once more,” explains Ana Zuravliova, trends specialist at Blinds Direct.
“Especially when used in relaxed formal spaces like kitchens or home offices.”
To keep the look contemporary Ana suggests opting for lightweight fabrics in earthy tones or muted pastels.
“Softer shapes and fuller fabrics are making a return too, echoing the puffy styles of the 90s but with a modern sensibility,” she continues.
The key, Ana says, is in the fabric choice.
“Think linen-blend curtains or richly textured roman blinds in shades like muted greens or mustard,” she explains.
“These colours and textures strike a balance between retro charm and modern sophistication, making the look feel intentional rather than dated.”
Stripes
While stripes never truly disappeared, for a while they felt a bit too safe or traditional.
Now, they’re being reimagined in bold scales, unexpected colour combinations, and playful placements – on walls, upholstery, and even ceilings.
The new take on stripes feels graphic, fresh, and full of personality.
“Stipes fell out of favour during the height of minimalist interiors,” explains Ana.
“Today, homeowners are moving back towards designs that bring character and depth, and stripes are a great way to add boldness without overwhelming a space.”
According to Ana vertical stripes in particular can draw the eye upward and if used on curtains can make windows appear taller and rooms more spacious.
“The same applies to striped roman blinds, which offer a softer, tailored way to bring pattern into a room while keeping the look modern and versatile,” she adds.
Dark colours
Dark colours like black, charcoal, and deep browns were once seen as too heavy or oppressive for the home, reserved for dramatic statements rather than everyday spaces.
But now, they’re being embraced for their depth, elegance, and ability to create atmosphere.
Used thoughtfully, for example on walls, cabinetry, or even ceilings, these moody hues can feel calm and cocooning, adding a modern edge that’s anything but gloomy.
“Black curtains and blinds are now being used to add instant drama and sophistication,” explains Ana.
“They work best when contrasted with lighter walls or layered with sheer fabrics to soften the effect.”
Similarly, smoky teals and blue-green tones are becoming more popular.
“These shades create a modern neutral, calming and versatile atmosphere, adding depth without overpowering a space,” Ana adds.
Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at Obsessed with Wednesday? 13 Whimsy Goth ideas for your home or Fashionable fungi: How to get the mushroomcore look in your home. And check out Labubu interiors have arrived! 11 ways to embrace ‘cutecore’ in your home
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