As we move through 2025 and into 2026, the interior design landscape is witnessing a compelling shift.
Once-dismissed styles branded as tacky or outdated are being rediscovered and embraced by designers and homeowners alike.
The trend reversal marks a broader move away from the minimalist aesthetic that has dominated for over a decade, towards a maximalist, nostalgic, and tactile design ethos — one that fuses warmth, personality, and sophistication in fresh, contemporary ways.
From chintz fabrics to a new way to embrace ‘greige’, these are the outdated interior trends making a comeback.
Carpet in bathrooms
Perhaps the most striking comeback is the resurgence of carpet in bathrooms.
Historically shunned for concerns over moisture and hygiene, carpeted bathrooms are now making a stylish return, supported by advancements in water-resistant textiles.
Designers champion the use of innovative materials such as waterproof sisal, combined with underfloor heating systems, to marry comfort with durability.
This approach transforms bathrooms from traditionally chilly, clinical spaces into cosy, inviting sanctuaries — especially well-suited to period homes with good ventilation.
Alongside carpet, the trend dovetails with a wider resurgence of textured, plush flooring, including high-pile rugs and vintage patterns like plaid and tartan.
These elements contribute to interiors that feel lush and snug, while embracing a palette that moves comfortably between earthy neutrals and vibrant colours.
Feature walls
Feature walls, once criticised as shortcuts for adding visual interest, are undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Today’s iterations include hand-painted murals, oversized florals, and striking wallpaper installations extending beyond mere walls to ceilings and archways.
In fact, walls now serve as canvases for detailed murals that blend artistry and personal storytelling.
Whether depicting serene landscapes, abstract patterns or intricate designs, these mural walls captivate attention and define spaces with curated individuality.
Easy to install and remove, mural wallpapers cater to the modern penchant for personalisation and adaptability, demonstrating how artistic walls can be both practical and expressive.
Grey reinveted
The greige saturation that triggered widespread ‘greige fatigue’ is yielding to deeper, chalkier shades of grey.
This colour now forms the basis of moody, cocooning rooms enhanced by natural materials such as timber, linen, and brass.
Extending tonal greys across walls, woodwork, and ceilings offers sophisticated cohesion, especially when paired with softly shaded furnishings or fitted elements.
Meanwhile, other dark colours like deep blacks and browns are becoming integral to calm, atmospheric interiors, used on blinds, cabinetry, or ceilings.
These dramatic hues are carefully softened with sheers or juxtaposed against lighter shades. Alongside them, smoky teals and blue-greens emerge as versatile, modern neutrals that enhance layered decorative schemes.
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Tiled fireplaces
The tiled fireplace, once a hallmark of clunky retro décor, is undergoing a sophisticated makeover.
Designers now view tiled chimney breasts as opportunities to inject character and texture, making fireplaces the focal point of stylish living areas.
By selecting refined tiles that subtly nod to nostalgia, interiors gain a textured, expressive surface that elevates even the most traditional hearth.
Round and rattan
Rounded furniture echoes 1970s influences, but is reinterpreted in rich fabrics such as velvet and boucle, injecting softness and sculptural interest that feels both retro and modern.
Parallel to this, rattan furniture is experiencing a renaissance, shifting from neglected conservatory pieces to streamlined, design-led forms that combine tactile warmth with modern versatility.
Glass, mirror and gloss
Glass blocks and mirrored accents have shed their disco-era clichés and now feature as subtle, geometric touches that amplify light and add a touch of glamour without overwhelming a space.
This refined reinterpretation demonstrates the recycling of past design ideas with a modern minimalist twist that balances sparkle with restraint.
Elsewhere, glossy surfaces, largely out of style since early 2000s excess, are making discreet comebacks.
Strategic use of lacquered cabinetry in bold colours or glossy accents interspersed with matte textures creates layered, luxe interiors.
Chintz and eclecticism
Chintz fabric, long associated with maximalist excess from the 1980s and 1990s, is also enjoying a renaissance — but with a modern sensibility.
Today’s chintz opts for smaller, curated floral motifs within a ‘mindful maximalism’ framework, where patterns and colours are layered thoughtfully rather than chaotically.
Meanwhile, designers and homeowners are increasingly freeing themselves from the ‘everything must match’ orthodoxy, embracing eclectic mixes spanning eras, textures, and influences.
This trend goes beyond décor into architectural layouts, with the long-favoured open plan giving way to broken or closed plans. These create defined rooms that prioritise function, privacy, and tranquillity.
This readoption of the trend, combined with the renewed popularity of other retro interior design features, sees 2025 defined by rediscovery and reinvention in interior design.
Trends once viewed as passé are proving their lasting appeal through thoughtful updates that respect tradition, while embracing modernity and individuality.
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