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The top 5 living room trends of 2025, according to design experts

Posted on by Taylor Reeves
The top 5 living room trends of 2025, according to design experts

At first glance, living room design can be pretty simple: Bring a sofa, a few armchairs, a side table or two, maybe an ottoman or a coffee table, and you’re good to go. But if you ask any of ELLE DECOR’s top designers (which we are, of course), an ill-conceived living room ignores the potential for forward-thinking design flexibility. And this year, designers are banking on some up-and-coming trends that are shaking up the standard living room.

“Living rooms are becoming even more personal, functional and formal.”

In 2025, living rooms will become even more personal, functional and formal. Instead of spaces designed to a standard that follow fashion trends, we are witnessing thoughtful development – ​​spaces that combine comfort with artistry, structure with softness, and nostalgia with modernity. Designers are rethinking everything from the way we entertain to the way we relax, creating spaces that feel like a reflection of the people who live in them.

Expect jewel tones paired with natural textures, sculptural furniture that doubles as art, and floor plans designed for both quiet moments and lively gatherings. Whether it’s a cozy bench in front of the fireplace, a panel room designed specifically for personal retreat, or a formal living room for the modern entertainer, 2025 is all about living rooms that feel layered, inviting, and completely unique . Here, we take a closer look at the trends shaping the spaces in which we live, lounge, and socialize.

Formal living rooms are back

a living room with a couch and chairs

William Jess Laird

In the living room of this Hollywood Hills bungalow, interior designer Mike Moser and architect Tyler Thomas removed obvious technology to create a more formal space.

In 2025, we will see a nostalgic return to thoughtfully designed, separate living rooms where entertainment and aesthetic enjoyment take precedence over technology. “If we look back to the 1930s for design references, I see a return to formal living rooms,” says Jeremiah Brent, star designer at ELLE DECOR. “More will disconnect their media from the places where they entertain and relax. Think bar carts, multi-seat vignettes, fireplaces and art – a space where the sofa and TV aren’t the focus.”

“Think bar carts, multi-seat vignettes, fireplaces and art—a space where the sofa and TV aren’t the focus.”

ELLE DECOR’s high-profile designer Rita Konig agrees, pointing out that she’s recently been asked to make larger living room layouts more intimate. “I like to place banquet sofas in places that wouldn’t fit a real sofa, like next to fireplaces and in front of bookshelves,” she says. “They create extra seating for large parties, but also create little nooks to retreat to when you’re just at home, and they’re ideal for making large living rooms seem a little cozier.” One additional request they made hears? “Every home needs a bar and this is something my clients are requesting more and more, especially as everyone continues to enjoy entertaining at home.”

We create space for hobbies

A colorful living room from the design brand Uchronia with unusual furniture, a white fireplace mantel and a gold-plated mirror on the fireplace

Several designers said they are adjusting their designs — materials, colors and layouts — to be more personal in the coming year. “These colors and materials are not just fashionable,” explains Julien Sebban, founder of Uchronia. “They reflect a deeper philosophy of the spaces we create: every element is attuned to the space and the people living in it.”

“My customers are always looking for places to relax and listen to music.”

Howell says she even takes requests for special interests. “My clients are always looking for places to relax and listen to music,” she offers. “We are constantly customizing record rooms with bars that serve as both a private space for relaxation and a social space for entertaining.”

Jewel tones paired with neutrals will be all the rage

Living area with high ceilings, dark burgundy wraparound sofa with dark purple velvet armless chairs and a low coffee table with triangular base and large pendant hanging from the ceiling

Stephen Kent Johnson
In this living space designed by Ashe Leandro, a plum-colored area is illuminated by a dangling, 20-foot-tall Isamu Noguchi lantern.

To create dynamic, inviting living spaces, designers are still banking on last year’s success Barbenheimer trendWe’re going for contrasting colors in 2025. But we’re long past pink and black. For ELLE DECOR A-list designer Brigette Romanek, it’s all about combining jewel tones with calm neutrals. “We’ll see jewel tones—think rich emeralds or deep amethysts—used sparingly to punctuate neutral spaces and add depth without being too overpowering,” she says. “Combining these colors with natural textures like linen or wool creates a layered look that feels grounded yet adds vibrancy.”

Our living rooms will be soft – with an edge

Hugo Toro Paris apartment modern living room

Stephen Julliard
In this second home in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, designer Hugo Toro combined organic wood with gold and bronze accents.

In 2025, ELLE DECOR A-list designer Tiffany Howell predicts a rise in “organic modernism like mixed metals paired with natural woods.”

Romanek takes up this idea: “I also see a mix of materials such as soft upholstery with glass or metal accents, which provides a subtle, structured touch,” says Romanek. “It’s about the balance between rigidity and softness, statement and neutrality in a way that reflects individuality and gives the space a dynamic and real feel.”

Curves lead nowhere

White room, carved moldings, three round pendants, half-round sofa in tufted beige leather, round rug, three cocktail tables, lounge chairs, acrylic chair with stacked cylinders for seating, black marble fireplace

Stephen Julliard

Designers like Sebban believe that the curvature we’ve become accustomed to in recent years will also appear in living room furniture. “We still see curved sofas and rounded coffee tables – shapes that invite comfort and a softer, more relaxed environment,” he explains.

In the meantime, ELLE DECOR A-List Designer Kelly Wearstler imagines how furniture – curved or not – can make a statement. “I am interested in furniture as sculptures – functional pieces that challenge our perception and the way we interact with them, evoking an emotional response,” she says.

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