Design & Decor

12 Living Room Trends That Are Quietly Fading in 2025

Ethan Clarke

Matchy-Matchy Decor
Curtis Adams/Pexels

As we move further into 2025, the landscape of interior design is shifting, and some once-popular living room trends are quietly fading into the background. Whether it’s due to changing tastes, practical needs, or new innovations, certain design choices that were all the rage just a few years ago are now losing their appeal. Here’s a look at 12 living room trends that are gradually becoming things of the past.

1. All-White Walls

All-White Walls
Spacejoy/Unsplash

The once-popular all-white walls, favored for their clean and minimalist look, are beginning to lose their charm as we approach 2025. Homeowners are steering away from the sterile, monochromatic feel and opting for more vibrant options. Earthy tones, pastel shades, and deeper hues are now trending, transforming living spaces into welcoming environments with more warmth and personality. These colors not only create a cozier atmosphere but also help define the unique character of each room, moving away from a purely minimalist approach.

2. Excessive Open Shelving

Excessive Open Shelving
Curtis Adams/Pexels

Open shelving, once a popular trend for displaying decor in kitchens and living rooms, is starting to lose its appeal in 2025. The challenges of dust accumulation, disorganization, and the constant pressure to maintain a perfectly styled look are making open shelves feel less practical. Instead, homeowners are embracing closed storage solutions that help conceal clutter while still maintaining style. Sleek cabinetry and streamlined designs are becoming the preferred choice, offering both functionality and a more polished, clutter-free aesthetic.

3. Fast Furniture

Living Room with Fast Furniture
Max Vakhtbovycn/Pexels

The trend of cheap, trendy furniture meant for quick updates is fading as sustainability becomes more important to homeowners. Rather than opting for disposable pieces, many are choosing timeless, durable furniture that will stand the test of time. Focus is shifting towards quality craftsmanship and longevity, with people now investing in solid, well-made items that reflect their personal style and will last for years, instead of frequently replacing furniture as trends change.

4. Matchy-Matchy Decor

Living Room with Matchy-Matchy Decor
Max Vakhtbovycn/Pexels

The days of perfectly coordinated rooms with matching pillows, rugs, and furniture are over. In 2025, personal expression and individuality are taking center stage. Homeowners are embracing eclectic combinations of colors, textures, and styles to create dynamic, unique spaces. Instead of strict uniformity, the focus is now on achieving a balanced and harmonious look that reflects personal tastes and creativity, making each room feel more authentic and one-of-a-kind.

5. Industrial Style

Industrial Style Room
Polina/Pexels

Industrial design, once admired for its exposed pipes and raw materials, is losing popularity as homeowners seek warmth and comfort in their living spaces. The cold, unfinished look of industrial style is being replaced by softer, more inviting aesthetics. Natural materials such as wood, woven fabrics, and earthy tones are taking center stage, creating cozy environments that encourage relaxation and comfort. The shift is toward designs that feel nurturing and homely, promoting a sense of calm and warmth in the living room.

6. Oversized Furniture

Room with Oversized Furniture
The R.E Editor/Pexels

Large, bulky furniture that once defined living rooms is being replaced with sleeker, more flexible seating options. While oversized sectional sofas were once the height of comfort, they’re now giving way to furniture that better balances scale, comfort, and style without dominating the space. Smaller sofas and chairs that fit the room’s proportions are gaining popularity. Modular seating, which allows for customization and adaptability, is also rising in prominence as homeowners seek both form and function.

7. Minimalist Furniture with No Personality

Minimalist Furniture with No Personality
Prydumano Design/Unsplash

Minimalist furniture, once a staple in modern spaces with its focus on simple shapes and neutral tones, is giving way to a more expressive approach in 2025. Homeowners are now opting for furniture that balances both function and personality. Whether through vintage pieces, bold patterns, or unique textures, the trend is shifting toward creating spaces that feel personal and lived-in. It’s no longer just about functionality; it’s about curating an environment that tells a story and reflects individual style.

8. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

Room with Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Curtis Adams/Pexels

Wall-to-wall carpeting is gradually being replaced in modern living rooms due to maintenance challenges. Hardwood floors, tiles, and sustainable materials like bamboo and cork are taking over, offering greater durability and ease of cleaning. These alternatives provide a versatile foundation for various styles and décor, making them a popular choice. Additionally, area rugs are now being used strategically to add texture, warmth, and color, rather than relying on wall-to-wall carpeting for the same effect.

9. Minimal Lighting

Living Room with Minimal Lighting
Lotus Design N Print/Unsplash

Minimalist lighting fixtures, once favored for their clean and subtle appeal, are gradually losing popularity. Today, homeowners are opting for lighting options that make a statement while providing functional illumination. Bold, sculptural light fixtures, floor lamps, and pendant lights have become key design elements, combining style with practicality. These eye-catching pieces not only enhance the aesthetic of a room but also serve to create more layered, dynamic lighting schemes that cater to both form and function.

10. Excessive Wall Art

Spacejoy/Unsplash

In the past, homeowners often filled walls with an abundance of artwork, photographs, and prints to add style. However, in 2025, the trend is shifting toward more curated displays. Instead of overwhelming spaces with excessive pieces, there’s a focus on selecting a few carefully chosen artworks or statement pieces that enhance the room’s depth and character. This approach creates a more refined and balanced aesthetic, allowing each piece to shine without contributing to visual clutter.

11. Ultra-Modern, Sterile Spaces

Ultra-Modern, Sterile Spaces
Lumbardh Plluzhina/Unsplash

Living rooms that resemble showrooms, with ultra-modern furniture, minimal decor, and stark white walls, are becoming less popular. In 2025, the trend is moving toward creating more comfortable, cozy, and inviting spaces. Homeowners are incorporating natural elements like plants, textured fabrics, and warm lighting to bring life and warmth into their living rooms. This shift focuses on creating environments that feel welcoming, lived-in, and full of personality, rather than cold and impersonal.

12. Big TV Walls

Living Room with a Big TV
Max Vakhtbovycn/Pexels

Gone are the days when the focal point of a living room had to be an oversized flat-screen TV. As technology advances, people are starting to integrate their TVs more subtly into their living rooms, with some even opting for tech that blends into the design. Features like built-in cabinetry that hides the TV when it’s not in use, or using the wall for art or other decorative elements, are becoming increasingly popular. The trend is now to integrate entertainment seamlessly into the room without letting it dominate the space.

This article was created with the assistance of AI but thoroughly edited by a human being.

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