5 Decorating Trends Our Home Editors Are Excited For In 2025

As the two-person home team at Southern Living, we’re constantly tapping our favorite design industry leaders for their insights on what’s new and next, as well as their input on which classic moves have serious staying power. Over the past couple of months, we’ve gathered all kinds of feedback for the year ahead, from the decorating trends Southern designers are anticipating to the paint color trends they’re hoping to ditch. As we’ve sorted through their 2025 dos and don’ts, we’ve come to our own conclusions about which trends we’re personally excited to embrace in the new year.

Pulling Out the “Good Stuff” More Often 

“I love to entertain. It truly energizes me, but it’s not always something that’s incorporated into my weekly or even monthly schedule,” says Cameron. “Because our lives are so busy, I think it’s important to remember to settle every once in a while; and a simple way to do that is adding an extra dose of joy to the mundane—like setting the table with some of your favorite things, lighting a set of tapers, or exchanging the day-to-day water glass for a special one.”

Shopping My Own Inventory

“Whenever I’m in the mood to tweak something in my home, it’s so tempting to run out to the antique mall or hop on Etsy to find something that’ll give me that just-scored-this dopamine hit,” says Betsy. “But in the new year, I’m looking forward to slowing down on the shopping and instead spending more time rethinking the pieces I already have. Restyling a bookshelf or rethinking a furniture arrangement is a surefire way to make an impact without spending a dime.”

Color Drenching

“I love the idea of going all-in on one, perhaps unexpected, color and embracing it on elements throughout the room,” says Cameron. “I feel like oftentimes homeowners can be hesitant to paint everything a shade that’s a little more out-of-the-box, but this technique actually makes it more approachable. Rather than just the walls being such a different hue, when the same color is applied in varying tones to furniture, artwork, throw pillows, rugs, and other small details, it creates a beautifully harmonious space.”

Painting the Ceilings

“Because my husband and I did much of the painting ourselves, we opted-out on extending our efforts to the ceilings,” says Betsy. “But I’ve always loved how finished and polished a room looks when the fifth wall, as some designers call it, is painted to match. This year, I’m taking a page out of Raleigh designer Niki McNeill Brown’s book—she says it’s a missed opportunity not to paint the ceiling—and finally tackling the one in our moss-green dining room.”

Incorporating More Red

“Red never left the decorating scene, but it’s not typically touted as a fan favorite. That’s why I’m thrilled about the popularity of ‘The Unexpected Red Theory’ on social media, which hypothesizes that introducing even a small dose of the shade to a room is an instant design upgrade,” says Betsy. “I’ve always loved weaving a pop of red into my outfits whether through a scarf or a pair of shoes, so I’m eager to try the same approach in our living room.”