Home Design - What’s In and What’s Out for 2025 Part 2

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We certainly hope that 2025 will bring an improvement to the high cost of living, inflation, interest rates, and global supply shortage that have been happening in many industries. But for now, it is too soon to tell what the year will bring.

But in the meantime, just like in 2024, homeowners are purchasing or re-purposing vintage items. Regardless of the reason for doing so, re-purposing or purchasing vintage products is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option that also allows for self-expression. Many furniture pieces, barn beams, or barn board, or other reusable products are uniquely different than any new product generally available. Thus, a homeowner can achieve a one-of-a-kind look with these vintage products, that reflects their individual style and can create a conversation piece like no other.

Reduction of waste is something we likely all want to see become part of the norm and this trend is likely here to stay.

Here are some of the trends expected for 2025:

Organization: Continued from 2024, and regardless of the reason, many people in 2025 are still stocking up on essentials which means that new home designs need to incorporate additional or better designed storage for the added products we now keep on hand. Space is a commodity, and designers are more focused on utilizing square footage as efficiently as possible.

The Open Floor Plans: Homeowners continue to be drawn to the open concept floor plan for kitchen and living spaces. However, they are looking for a balance from the rest of the home to include practical spaces for a home office, a butler’s pantry for hidden messy prep or clean-up work, and perhaps an area to escape to when one need’s a little individual down time. The open concept design and the connectiveness of the kitchen and family room will likely remain popular always, but after the Pandemic, homeowners are needing more specifically defined areas in the rest of the home. Sometimes, simple pocket doors might be the answer to turning an open area into a closed retreat. Sometimes an outbuilding may help to define some added personal space. Doing your homework for your personal lifestyle means taking into consideration exactly how you function in each space. While open concept is the trend, it doesn’t work for everyone.

While the Open-Concept Bungalow remains the more preferred design trend for it flexibility with life’s phases, subdivision lot sizes in the Niagara Region are not usually conducive to a larger bungalow’s square footage and therefore multiple-story new homes will continue to be the trend for now.

In 2025, Bold Accents, such as copper, bronze, gold and black finishes have remained very much on trend for lighting, fixtures, art, and furniture in styles that create a collaboration of classic sophistication and contemporary elegance.

Warm off whites, and taupe with Mixed Textures, Patterns, and Colours are still trending in 2025 but are accompanied with organic earthy jeweled tones to create a feeling of warm harmonious luxury.

Much like 2024, Products Trending in 2025 tend to create a sense of serenity. Wood designed accent walls, wainscotting, wallpaper on ceilings and walls, brick and stone façade walls, reclaimed wood, vintage furniture, soft luxurious fabrics, black accents, warm metallic finishes and artwork, heavy barn beams and wood posts/columns, granite and natural stones, brick accents, large art pieces and layers of lighting are all part of 2025’s comfortable luxury design.

Highlight walls/accent walls are making a bigger come-back in 2025. The trend started last year and will continue this year. Wallpaper, custom paneling, mill work, moldings and trim work will enhance the previously naked wall. Custom wainscotting is back! And accent walls are trending. Choosing the proper wall to highlight is vitally important to your success along with the choice of material and the direction(s) it is installed—it can either create an extraordinary focal point, or it could make your home look dated—that’s the opposite of trending.

Layered lighting is a must, but matching lighting is the new trend for 2025. Concealed lighting, recessed lighting, pendants, chandeliers, lamps, etc. are all part of essential multi-layered lighting. The trend however is the use of repeated or duplicate lighting fixtures in expansive open areas. By repeating the look, there is a visual cohesiveness and continuity created for the area but the duplicate light fixtures define individual spaces within the open floor plan. This process was previously used over a kitchen island but has now been incorporated throughout the main living and dining areas of a home.

Some recessed lighting units are being removed in order to incorporate a size appropriate lighting fixture in the space instead. The choices for lighting can be incredibly overwhelming. In 2025 lights are not just for illumination; they are works of art. There are asymmetrical fixtures, artisanal, metal geometric, ribbed glass, traditional shade lights, and so much more. There are lights that change colour, intensity, and temperature in order to match the room’s activity or mood. Whether they are sleek, contemporary, classic or antique, there are lighting options for every need. And while the options aren’t endless, it may feel like they are when you are searching for just the right fixture to express your individual style. Afterall, lighting is not just functional, it is the jewelry for your room.

Rounding/curves of furniture (tables, chairs, couches, etc.), and windows is a continuing trend from 2024 but most homeowners in 2025 are back to squared off doorways. Perhaps, because it is more cost effective or suits the style of their home better.

Laundry room and mudroom renovations are a continuing trend. Main level or upper-level laundry rooms are a must for busy homeowners, that do not want to do their laundry in their basement. It is simply inconvenient and possibly a little dreary. Many homeowners are not just moving their laundry facilities to their main floor; they are creating a mudroom/laundry room combination to envy. Custom cabinetry and shelving, backsplashes, new top of the line appliances, and even separate custom storage for each member of the household is transforming their utility room into a far more functional and efficient space. Some homeowners are even incorporating pet baths/shower stalls and reading/office nooks to make their laundry/mudroom a beautiful space that matches the rest of their home. Mudrooms and laundry rooms are not just about function anymore.

It can’t really be considered a trend anymore since the Opulent Spa Bathroom is almost a must have in every renovated or custom-built home for the last few years. In 2025 the Spa bathroom/ensuite is one that very much hotel worthy but meant just for the homeowner. In fact, many homeowners work from a picture of their favourite hotel bathroom to create a design for their ensuite. But regardless of where the inspiration comes from, these bathrooms can only be described as truly serene when done right. These luxurious retreats usually have a curbless walk-in shower and separate soaker tub, heated floors (a must), dual vanities, and lots of storage, and if there is space a separate water closet for privacy. Whether they are full wet rooms or they are designed to be an oasis to retreat to after a long workday with natural stone, wooden cabinetry or accents, soaker tubs and multi-spray showers, today’s ensuite is no longer just a room of necessity that you get in and out of. It is a place to linger and relax. Small tiles mean a lot of grout to clean – that is out in 2025. Large tiles, big slabs, tightly fit with very little grout is the trend.

The 2025 Kitchen will be about colour. As always, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so in 2025 the kitchen will reflect that warmth, and the fond memories of family gatherings that are created there. Backsplashes will have less ‘subway tile’ and more custom designed tiles or stone. Hand painted, textured, coloured, patterned, metal, or muralled tiles, brick or stone, or one-piece backsplashes to match a stone countertop, will be on trend. Kitchen countertops will have more visual activity/veining, instead of the previously preferred simple neutral quartz. It will be all about the contrast, the drama, the colour, and ultimately the art.

The cabinet hardware will continue to be mixed metals, and the warm brass, copper, bronze and gold tones appear to be here to stay for a while. It is important to buy lacquered/sealed handles and hardware for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry as otherwise the metal may look worn or develop a patina finish that you may not fully appreciate. While matte black hardware is still in, it is also important to by quality black handles as the overall durability can be limited in a kitchen.

The kitchen cabinet colour trend is no longer grey or white. Serene coloured painted cabinetry is a trend for 2025 (warm off whites, taupe, greens, earthy tones, etc.). Soft warm earthy toned cabinets are being paired with warm stained wood cabinetry or entirely on their own. Warm stained wood cabinetry alone is also on trend. Organic colours that would pair well with brass, copper, bronze or gold hardware are particularly in style.

The kitchen island is here to stay and is bigger than ever if your kitchen can accommodate. Two islands are also a continuing trend for the larger open concept kitchen. Spice rooms, beverage/coffee stations, wine rooms, butler pantries, and energy efficient/smart appliances are a continued trend this year.

Appliance choices can be overwhelming, and this year will not be different. Technologies, colours, finishes, and hardware, etc. seem to be constantly changing, and appliances are no exception. Induction cooktops/stoves seem to be the preference over natural gas options as the effort to eliminate fuels becomes more prevalent. Multi-function ovens that have air frying capabilities are still on trend from 2024. Concealed appliances, appliance garages, ultra-quiet appliances, and double appliances (two fridges, two wine fridges, two dishwashers, two ovens) are maintaining their popularity in sizable chef-style kitchens. European size/smaller appliances may also be trending this year for smaller homes and secondary kitchenettes. Higher end appliances have options for the colour and style of knobs and handles. Very little can be considered cookie-cutter in 2025.

As we always say, it is important to remember that we are just talking about trends and following trends is a personal choice. But, just as in 2024, the general design trend for 2025 remains focused on promoting personal uniqueness, expression and certainly comfort.

That is a trend we can all understand. Don’t renovate for the next potential homeowner…make sure that your home reflects your individual lifestyle with a balance between form and function. After-all our homes are our sanctuary, sometimes they house our office or school room, our gym, and if we happen to know how to cook well…our home may even be our favourite restaurant. It is vital to ensure that we make choices that offer us the retreat we need and the inspiration we desire.

If you are looking to renovate or add on to your existing home, call us at Vanderzalm Construction Inc. (905)562-4463 or (905)684-5823. We look forward to working with you to make your existing home your dream home!