Design News - June 2025
Written by Milan Jara on 30th Jun 2025
At DecorativeCeilingTiles.net, it’s no secret that we love all things to do with interior design and décor, but it doesn’t stop there! Innovation in building materials to new ceiling tile designs, jaw-dropping building developments to emerging color and interior style trends - if it’s got anything to do with design, it’s got us interested!
To celebrate what’s happening in the world of design, we’re launching this new blog series where each month we’ll post about the biggest trends and latest design news and interior design trends!
- 1. Dopamine decor takes off
- 2. Clay plaster is the new ‘wall purifier
- 3. Top paint colors forecasted for 2026
- 4. Greek garden revival
- 5. Sunwashed earth tones are set to dominate summer
- 6. MillerKnoll archives are open to the public in Michigan
- 7. Two new emerging decor styles combined into one: City Glow, Cottage Flow
- 8. Introducing: Modern Retro
- 9. Sustainable bio‑materials on at the interzum trade fair
- 10. New SONA Smart Blinds guide for designers
1. Dopamine decor takes off
“Dopamine decor” might be something that you've never heard of, but it has become one of the most talked about interior trends of 2025, and all for good reason.
The idea is simple and the name does tend to give it away: design spaces that make you feel happy. Think bold, expressive colors (even neon isn't excluded from this!), quirky art, curvy furniture and fun, playful textures that spark a bit of joy ..or dopamine.
Designers are embracing that in 2025, people want to express their individual taste and style in a bold and shameless way, rather than playing it safe, following the pack and sticking to minimal palettes that lack color. This trend is particularly resonating in post-pandemic spaces where people want their homes to be mood-lifting spaces, as after all, plenty of people spend a lot of time at home these days!
While dopamine decor isn't about chaos or clashing, it encourages personal expression in ways that are highly visual and sometimes, deeply emotional in a way that's fun, liberating and full of personality.
2. Clay plaster is the new ‘wall purifier’
Clay plaster is turning a lot of heads in the interior design industry, and it’s not just for its rustic-chic aesthetic. This ancient material that's been heavily used throughout the ages is now being hailed for its “purifying” properties, acting almost like a built-in air filter - incredible right?!
Unlike synthetic finishes, clay plaster regulates humidity, absorbs pollutants, and improves acoustics (maybe we'll include it in our range of acoustic panels) all while giving walls a gorgeous rich, matte, textured finish. Designers are increasingly choosing clay for wellness-centric spaces like spas, wellness studios, and of course, it's really catching on in the biophilic interiors space.
Clay plaster also aligns perfectly with the push toward sustainability and increasing the use of natural materials in new builds and renovations. Plus, with a wide range of options when it comes to color tones, ranging from warm taupes to velvety greys, it can be matched up with a lot of styles and adds instant depth and character wherever it's applied.
3. Top paint colors forecasted for 2026
Get your drop cloths and paint brushes ready because HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams has unveiled their 2026 color forecast, and it’s all about warmth, nostalgia and grounding tones.
This type of palette is heavily influenced by earthy elements - think soft sand, terracotta reds and burned oranges, clay pinks, and tranquil teals.
These hues are described as comforting, soulful and versatile enough for both modern and traditional settings, because although these colors might be forecasted to be popular, they’re certainly nothing new to the word of design.
Designers are already using these tones and colors to infuse a sense of calmness and add character into living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and even kitchens, marking a move away from ultra-cool greys and sterile whites. This signals a return to more organic, emotion-evoking color choices, aligning with the “dopamine decor” trend, and possibly somewhat influenced by people spending more time at home, prioritizing their primary space.
4. Greek garden revival
A surprising summer trend that’s getting a lot of attention in the US is the revival of ancient Greek style gardens, otherwise known as "Grecian garden aesthetics".
Inspired by socialite C.Z. Guest’s legendary Palm Beach estate from the 1950s, designers are looking to classical Mediterranean motifs, like lonic columns, topiary, blue-and-white palettes, and of course: citrus trees.
This revival brings together formality and classical elements, but in a bit more of a fun way, perfect for patios, sunrooms, or even interior garden rooms, but it’s not just for the aesthetics, with changes in the climate, these gardens can be a lot more suitable for modern weather.
The Grecian garden look is clean yet grand and impressive, sophisticated but not overly polished. Interior designers are achieving this look by playing with Greek key patterns, wrought iron furniture and natural stone finishes.
5. Sunwashed earth tones are set to dominate summer
Right on trend with some of the other mentions, this summer is all about getting rid of the monochrome and replacing it with sunwashed earth tones.
These colors: sage green, soft clay, sandstone, chalky celadon and muted ochre/orange tones reflect are all about bringing nature inside in an understated, elegant way that doesn't look cheap and tacky. Unlike the bolder dopamine decor trend, this palette is calm and grounding, making it ideal for spaces meant for rest and reflection, such as residential living spaces, craft room transformations and commercial wellness centres.
Interior designers are pairing these tones with textured fabrics like linen and boucle/looped yarn, as well as natural finishes like wood and stone. The result is a light, breathable aesthetic that feels timeless and modern.
6. MillerKnoll archives are open to the public in Michigan
Design lovers and history buffs , it’s time to get excited with the rare opportunity to see the newly opened MillerKnoll archives in Zeeland, Michigan. It’s regarded as one of the most important resources for modern furniture and interior design history.
The 12,000-square-foot facility combines treasures and artefacts from the iconic brands Herman Miller and Knoll. It includes rare prototypes, design sketches, advertising material and even early concepts for pieces like the Eames chair.
The public-facing “Manufacturing Modern” exhibit showcases how innovation and craftsmanship shaped the modern American design movement. If you're a design enthusiast in the area, it's certainly worth a visit, otherwise try and take a look online - learn more here:
https://news.millerknoll.com/MillerKnoll-Unveils-Archives,-Bringing-Herman-Miller-Knoll-Archival-Collections-Together-for-the-First-Time
7. Two new emerging decor styles combined into one: City Glow, Cottage Flow
June 2025 has seen the divergence of two new decor styles, and it’s all about contrast.
On one side, there’s “City Glow” - an urban, futuristic style featuring LED accents, high-gloss finishes, and bold color statements (like hot pink and electric blue). On the other, “Cottage Flow” embraces soft florals, natural textures, and vintage charm.
What’s exciting is that designers are starting to blend these seemingly opposite styles in new, creative ways. Imagine a modern sofa in a pastel cottage living room, or neon lighting against a backdrop of reclaimed wood. It’s all about unexpected harmony, and the result is as exciting as it is fresh.
This fun and innovative decor style could just be the start of a bigger trend - merging two or more different styles to create one incredible space.
8. Introducing Modern Retro
Nostalgia is the name of the game right now, where we see references to old memories, trends and styles in the bulk of new renovations and room upgrades, which make sense when we're debatably on the brink of a new era, if we haven't already entered it yet!
Designers are reaching into the archives and bringing back retro staples like glass block walls, cork tile flooring, checkered patterns, wood-washed furniture, and believe it or not, even skirted cabinets.
So, what’s different in 2025 as this doesn't sound like anything new? The application is smarter and sleeker. Glass blocks, for example, are being used not just as partitions but as light-diffusing art pieces. Cork is making a comeback for its acoustic benefits and eco-friendliness.
These retro elements aren’t about trying to be different by incorporating design elements that are rarely seen these days, instead they’re being reinterpreted with a modern lens, making them relevant for today’s aesthetics. It’s a trend that’s quirky, sustainable, and surprisingly clean, upscale and stylish.
9. Sustainable bio‑materials on show at the interzum June trade fair
This June, interzum 2025 (Europe’s leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design) showcased droves of sustainable innovation. Over 1,600 exhibitors presented cutting-edge bio-based and circular materials, everything from mushroom-based wall panels to recycled leather alternatives and plant-based foam.
These materials are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in interior design, providing low-impact options that don’t sacrifice beauty or durability. Designers and manufacturers are both focussed on and excited about the scalability of these innovations and we expect that they'll become standard for building design practices at some stage, so it's good to get on trend now, ready for the future.
For anyone interested in the future of sustainable interior design, this is a great event for you, and it'll give you a first-hand insight to potential design trends for 2026 and beyond.
Learn more about the interzum trade fair, here:
https://www.interzum.com/en/interzum-exhibitors/
10. New SONA Smart Blinds guide for designers
Smart homes have continually been evolving at a pretty impressive rate, and the same can now be said about the window treatments that go with them.
In June, SONA released a new detailed guide for design professionals on how to choose and integrate smart electric blinds into a range of various spaces. It covers everything for integrating smart electric blinds into homes and commercial buildings (with systems like Alexa and Google Home) from motor systems to colors, even fabric compatibility.
These blinds are more than just convenient, they can play a big role in energy efficiency, privacy, and of course, aesthetics. Home tech is becoming more and more expected by clients, so this kind of resource is invaluable for interior designers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
You can read the guide from SONA, here:
https://www.sonashades.com/blogs/interior-designers-guide-how-to-choose-the-right-smart-blinds-for-your-home
Wrapping up
Innovation and emerging trends are a constant when it comes to interior design, and we love it. As we continually discover what’s new in the world of design, we’ll keep collecting our notes and provide you with another blog post in about a month from now.
