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‘Ugly’ interiors trend: 9 ways to adopt the ‘jolie-laide’ look into your home
Ever looked at the decor in your home and thought it might be a little bit too perfect? Allow us to introduce you to ‘ugly interiors’.
In a step away from the, often clinical, minimalism interior experts are adopting a more fluid approach to design that’s a bit more eclectic, bravely bold and a whole heap of fun.
It’s a movement that encourages you to embrace more out-there design choices that reflect the quirkiest parts of your personality and style.
Welcome to the charmingly ‘ugly’ world of the ‘jolie-laide’.
“We normally don’t associate the word ‘ugly’ with interiors as we crave to fill our spaces with beautiful things,” explains interior designer, Milena Vallier from My Bespoke Room.
“Yet one of the interior trends expected to be very hot for 2025 suggests adding more ‘ugly’ to our homes!”
What does ‘Jolie-laide’ mean?
Milena says the term ‘jolie-laide’ translates from French as ‘pretty-ugly’ and it’s a trend which invites people to let their personality come through in their homes.
“This style is quirky, eclectic, maximalist and a little extravagant,” she adds.
However, before you start plotting where to put your divisive finds, it’s worth noting that the trend is not about filling your house with ugly things – but embracing originality and personality.
“It’s about using one piece in your interior which is unconventional and shocks a little,” explains Milena.
“It’s always great and very helpful to follow some basic interior design rules when we pull spaces together but at the same time it’s even better to break the rules a little to create something super original.”
So what’s fuelling this drive for the different?
“The growing desire to create homes that feel personal and lived-in challenges the idea of the ‘perfect, pristine home’; design that feels standardised tends to lack authenticity and depth,” explains Molly Woodward-Moor, interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore.
“This approach invites us to challenge the norms of interior design, adding just a few pieces that might have once been considered ‘ugly’ to create unexpected injections of drama and uniqueness within your scheme.”
From choosing unconventional pieces to embracing clashing patterns and pushing pristine boundaries, here’s how to incorporate the ‘ugly’ into you interior aesthetic.
How to introduce ‘ugly’ interiors into your home
Embrace imperfections
Weaving vintage furniture into your interiors is one of the easiest ways to incorporate the uniquely charming ‘jolie-laide’ trend.
Milena suggests looking for pieces that hold personal significance and advises those looking to adopt the look not to shy away from using them in unexpected ways.
“Weathered or vintage furniture, chipped paint, or slightly worn rugs add warmth and a sense of heritage to a room,” Molly adds.
The beauty is that vintage pieces and antiques usually have interesting stories tied to them.
“Antique or vintage pieces often carry a story or history, inviting depth, character, and conversation to your space, that makes your space completely unique,” she suggests.
The aim, she says, is to find the conversation pieces that speak to you and before you know it, your home will be brimming with ugly interiors character.
Ugly interiors: go big and bold on the walls
Milena suggests making a statement with oversized, bold, and slightly funky wall art — something that pushes the boundaries and adds a punch of personality.
“Or try colour drenching, where you layer a single shade across the walls, ceiling, and even trim to create a rich, unexpected backdrop that lets your space take on a unique personality,” she adds.
Clash your patterns
Mixing different patterns is another simple yet effective way to bring in the ‘jolie-laide’ vibe.
“Think of checks with florals, for example,” suggests Milena. “You want just enough contrast to make it visually interesting without feeling overwhelming.”
Debbie Leigh, design manager, ILIV recommends pairing patterns that you wouldn’t normally see together, like florals with plaids or abstracts with classic damask.
“Mixing patterns is one of the best ways to embody the ‘jolie-laide’ look in a space, where the goal is to make ‘clashing’ work harmoniously through contrasts in colour, texture and form,” she adds.
Molly advises aiming for an eclectic overall look that doesn’t fit into the box of a singular traditional design style.
Bring in ‘ugly’ accessories
For your bedside setup, try two mismatched, oversized table lamps.
“The varied sizes and shapes bring a sense of playfulness that keeps the look from feeling too ‘perfect’,” Milena advises.
“And if you have a more neutral room, adding a highly colourful rug will instantly shift the mood, anchoring the space with a burst of life,” she adds.
Carefully curate your ‘ugly’ interiors
While it may look thrown together, Milena explains that the essence of ‘jolie-laide’ is actually quite deliberate.
“Start by adding just one or two elements, and gradually build from there, balancing the more unconventional or ‘ugly’ pieces with those that are traditionally beautiful and ‘pretty’,” she suggests.
“Embrace the fun of layering beauty with a bit of imperfection — it’s what makes the style so captivating!”
Ugly interiors: play with unexpected colour
For those feeling a little bolder, why not experiment with colour in an unconventional way?
“Incorporating colours on walls, coving or furniture that are not traditionally harmonious makes the space feel curated with a daring edge,” Molly advises. “However, be sure to use colours you are drawn to on a personal level, for a space that you won’t quickly grow tired of.”
Invest in quirky statement pieces
Molly suggests choosing one or two items that are conversation starters – such as a strikingly unusual chair or an eclectic piece of original art to anchor the room and embody the ‘jolie-laide’ style.
Strike a balance
Putting together a ‘jolie-laide’ look, is of course highly nuanced, but there are definitely ways you can take it too far.
The trick to overdoing the ‘ugly’ is adding one or two unique pieces, rather than filling your entire room with quirky finds.
“To avoid an overdone look, incorporate just one or two unique pieces into your design, balancing them with more subtle, classic elements for a more considered overall style,” Molly advises.
“An overly maximalist scheme can feel chaotic and lack focus – yet pairing standout pieces with elements of sleek, understated design allows them to truly make a statement.”
Celebrate the unexpected
On a similar theme to ‘jolie-laide’, Britishcore is about making something traditionally ‘ugly’ or nostalgically British into something beautiful.
In celebration of the trend Catherine Rowe, a British designer whose work embodies luxury through culture, nature and wildlife, has unveiled a special collection of interior textiles, fashion and home accessories which celebrates one of Britain’s unpraised birds – the humble pigeon.
And she believes this kind of nod to the unexpected is a great way to embrace the ‘jolie-laide’ trend.
“Pigeons and doves are some of the most recognisable and easily spotted birds in Britain and although they are very similar, they don’t always receive an equal reception,” she explains.
“My new pigeon pals’ design is all about how these birds are misunderstood and customers have a lot of love for them.
“For me, [this trend] is about crafting spaces that feel rich with charm, history and personalised stories,” she continues.
“What I really love about the new affection we have for the quirks in our UK culture is how imperfection or things we may have complained about over time can be celebrated in new, beautiful ways.”
Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at Demure interiors: 10 ways to get the look in your home or 8 trends interior designers will be adopting this autumn.
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