Design News - August 2025

Written by Milan Jara on 28th Aug 2025

Welcome back to our monthly Design News roundup!

Interior design trends are always changing, and August 2025 is no exception with some things that gained traction earlier in the year already being considered as old, out-dated and off-trend.

This month, we’ve seen bold ideas evolve into more refined versions, old favorites make a comeback, and some new and once-popular looks start to lose their momentum in the interior design space.

From the fall of color drenching to the rise of color capping, the glamour of Art Deco statement tiles, and new ways of balancing sustainability with new materials, learn all about what’s been happening in the interior design space for August 2025.

• “Color Capping” – Color Drenching has Evolved
• Art Deco Revival & the Rise of Statement Tiles
• What Designers are Saying “No” to
• Continuing the Ceiling as if it’s the “Fifth Wall”
• Quick Industry Snapshot

1. “Color Capping” – Color Drenching has Evolved!

Last month in our June Design News update, we touched on color drenching in the form of ceiling tiles and decorative wall panels. This trend has been growing in popularity and dominating the interior design space over the past year or so with bold, all-over tones sweeping across walls, moldings, and of course, the ceilings.

This trend is now maturing and some reflecting has been done and new unspoken guidelines are being introduced as designers opt-in for something along the same direction as drenching, but a bit subtler: color capping.

Putting it simply, color capping is a technique that uses different shades (usually 3 shades are used) from the same color family to create a smooth gradient from your walls up to the ceiling:

• Lighter tones cover the walls.
• Mid-tones accent details like trim or molding.
• A darker tone used on the ceiling "caps" the room

Color capping has become a trend this August because it offers a softer and more refined alternative to full color-drenching, which many people find a little too intense. Instead of overwhelming a space, it layers shades from the same color family to create depth and interest. The result feels rich and polished, but also more balanced, timeless, and easy to live with.

Pro tip: Color capping works especially well in small spaces and rooms with low ceilings, as it can add visual depth and make the ceiling seem higher while also adding quiet drama or “quiet luxury” to minimalist spaces.

2. Art Deco Revival & the Rise of Statement Tiles

If there’s one clear theme this month, it’s glamour making a comeback. Pinterest’s Fall 2025 Trends Report* revealed over an 800% increase in searches on their platform for “art deco vintage”.

Geometric motifs, metallics that sing elegance, and luxurious curves are making their way back into interiors in a way that seems to be of a Hollywood Regency style from the 1930s and 40s.

This revival isn’t limited to furniture, lighting and art, it extends to surfaces. Statement tiles are back in focus, particularly bold terracotta tones, blue ceramics, copper finishes and vintage-inspired patterns.

Bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes are in the spotlight for this trend, updating them to be almost cinematic and certainly “social media worthy”. This is certainly a continuous, unavoidable and widespread trend of this day and age, and in some respects, it’s brilliant for the interior design space as more and more people are pushing the boundaries and finding exciting new (and old!) ways to present rooms.

*Source: https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-gb/news/the-2025-pinterest-fall-trend-report/

3. What Designers are Saying “No” to

A lot of interior design trends come and go quickly, and in August there has been some pushback from professionals on particular trends. A widely shared report gathered insights from five leading interior designers on what they’re already tired of in 2025.*

Interestingly, among the trends they’d like to leave behind were:

• Color Drenching
  As mentioned earlier in this post, drenching can be too overwhelming when done without balance, hence the emerging trend of color capping
• Intricate Patterned Ceilings in Small Spaces
  Some argue they can feel busy or gimmicky in smaller rooms, and instead simple patterns should be used that aren’t visually overwhelming
• All-neutral Minimalism
  Considered flat or uninspired compared to richer palettes
• Overly Coordinated or Themed rooms**
  Themes and coordination can be a great way to design a room, but rather than going all-out (which can seem out-dated or out-of-fashion in August ‘25), just add references and subtle notes of the theme

This doesn’t mean these ideas and trends are done-and-dusted, never return, in fact, patterned ceilings and drenched color are still popular with homeowners, but it’s just about pulling back and going with a more timeless design style that won’t seem outdated after a short period of time.

*Source: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/2025-trends-interior-designers-are-sick-of
**Source: https://www.realsimple.com/reasons-home-looks-dated-11734857

4. Continuing the Ceiling as if it’s the “Fifth Wall”

Despite some designers calming down a little bit on certain bold ceiling treatments, the ceiling remains a major design element that will likely remain a trend until the end of time, in some spaces anyway.

A report from The Spruce* spotlighted six ceiling trends we’ll continue to see throughout the remainder of 2025, including:

• Wallpaper-wrapped ceilings, extending wallcoverings overhead
• Hand-painted ceiling tiles and murals
• Sculptural plasterwork and decorative moldings/trims with intricate detail
• Tiled ceilings for texture and shine
• Natural materials such as reclaimed wood or stone for warmth and grounding
• High-gloss lacquered finishes that reflect light around the room and create some drama
• See this DCT Case Study for some stunning examples of white gloss ceiling tiles:
  Regency Tower Condominiums

These approaches prove there’s more than one way to elevate a ceiling. Whether it’s glamorous or natural and minimal, the ceiling is no longer an afterthought and included in the interior design planning from the start.

Some of these trends may seem contradictory to what we just discussed in regards to “what designers are saying ‘no’ to”, but that’s interior design in a nutshell - heavily subjective, opinion-based and often completely varying from one designer to another.

At DecorativeCeilingTiles.net, we believe design trends are a wonderful source of fresh ideas and inspiration, but just because something isn’t “on trend” doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful and absolutely perfect for your space.

*Source: https://www.thespruce.com/2025-ceiling-trends-8715968

5. Quick Industry Snapshot

Beyond trends, a few other news highlights from August caught our attention:

• Sustainable mixed Surfaces: Designers are increasingly blending eco-friendly materials with luxury finishes and they’re doing it in a great way, an exciting example is recycled glass tiles paired with brass or copper accents.

  This approach isn’t just sustainable but it also feels like a new design style in its own right. Many homeowners and commercial property owners are eager to embrace improved recycled materials, and when these are combined with high-end finishes, the result is both responsible and refined. Pairing recycled components with luxury accents offers a smart, stylish way to achieve modern, sustainable design.

  We expect this to grow in popularity for many years to come until it’s completely entrenched in interior design.

  

• Outdoor-indoor Blur: There’s less of a distinction as to what furniture is for inside, and what goes outdoors. Patio furniture with interior-grade finishes (like velvet cushions and marble tabletops) are making their way to courtyards, terraces and backyards. Rightly so, these spaces are now being seen as extensions of the home's interior, which makes perfect sense to us and almost sounds silly when saying it out loud.
• Soft Curves Continue: Archways, rounded furniture and curved shelving remain dominant, proving that geometry isn’t going anywhere.
• Rich, Earthy Palettes: Warm terracotta, clay and deep forest greens are edging out cooler grays, giving spaces a grounded, cocoon-like feel.
• Vintage Revival: 2nd hand/thrifted and repurposed décor pieces are gaining traction as younger homeowners move away from “fast furniture” toward character-rich finds.
• Tactile Textures: Plaster walls, limewash finishes, and heavily textured fabrics (like bouclé and mohair) are being used to add depth and sensory appeal, which is becoming more and more sought after.
• Multifunctional Spaces: With flexible living still top of mind, furniture and layouts are being designed for quick shifts between work, play, and relaxation, & if this is something that interests you, take a look at our guide on how to turn your old kids room into a craft & guest space in 6 steps

Wrapping Up

August 2025 proved that design is in an exciting transitional moment, with some trends that gained traction in the earlier part of the year have now been sidelined. We’re moving past pure minimalism and embracing bold surfaces, layered shades and colors, and statement ceilings while also recognizing the need for balance and sustainability, and finding new ways to achieve exactly that.