What’s old is new again. That adage can be applied to just about anything, including home design trends. Colors, patterns, materials, and little flourishes come in and out, marking specific periods of time. Rattan furniture was everywhere in the ’70s. Brass screams ’80s. Oak cabinets bring you back to the ’90s.
Fortunately for all of us, interior design trends don’t move as fast as fashion — painting walls and buying furniture are (somewhat) long-term commitments, so trends change over the course of years and decades, not seasons. There are a handful of 2025 trends that are anchored in vintage appeal, though, and will surely remind you of another time. Try adding a few of the following new-again touches to your own home for a dose of nostalgia.
Dark Wood Kitchens
According to interior designer Aoife Maria of Style So Simple, a common kitchen style of the 1970s is back in a big way. Dark wood kitchens are expected to make a resurgence in 2025 renovations.
Not only is dark wood beautiful, but it’s a refreshing alternative to the kitchen styles that are common today. It’s a richer take on white oak cabinetry, which has been oh-so-popular in recent years, and it stands in stark contrast to the all-white kitchens that have dominated the interior design world for the last decade.
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Grandma Style
Think back to going to your grandma’s house as a kid. Was there a plaid armchair set against a dusty floral wallpaper? Perhaps a woven tapestry hanging on the wall and a busy patterned rug on the floor? This nostalgic style, and perhaps an aching for simpler times, is back, according to Zillow. (If, that is, simple equates to decades-old details, such as floral patterns and antique furnishings.) Shop your local thrift store or flea market for vintage pieces with granny chic flair, whether they are crocheted throw blankets, framed needlepoint, traditional armoires, or pleated lampshades.
Four-Post Beds
Now’s the time to pursue your childhood dream of a four-post bed worthy of royalty. The grand style, reminiscent of palatial historic homes, has seen a comeback in recent years. If you think of your bedroom as a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, a four-poster bed creates an even more intimate spot within a larger space. There’s a sense of security while sleeping in one.
No matter your current bedroom design, there’s a four-post bed to complement it. For a traditional style, drape fabric canopies over it and choose posts with ornate detailing. Simpler, streamlined interpretations are suited to a more contemporary space.
Cane Furniture
Cane furniture never truly goes out of style, but it’s particularly trendy at the moment. The same goes for rattan and wicker. It has warmth and casual appeal, all while adding an organic, textured look. Your living space doesn’t need to scream “Florida sunroom in the ’80s,” though. Instead, try adding small touches of cane furniture through side tables or dining chairs.
Brown, Brown, and More Brown
Take a seat, black, white, and gray. Neutrals will always be a staple in home design, whether you’re choosing paint, upholstery, or decor. There’s one nostalgic shade that will dominate throughout 2025, though: brown. Its growing popularity has been seen in the last year through furniture, kitchens, bedroom textiles, paint colors, and beyond.
Brown goes way back — as in, 18th-century way back — and evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, Maria says. She imagines interiors being color-drenched floor to ceiling in this hue, with walls, ceilings, and built-ins all painted the comforting color.
Brown’s resurgence was solidified when Pantone named Mocha Mousse, a warm hue that shares the rich qualities of chocolate and coffee, its 2025 Color of the Year.
More Walled-Off Rooms
If you’ve watched one episode of any HGTV show in the last 15 years, you’ve likely heard homeowners requesting an open-concept floor plan. An easy flow from room to room, especially between kitchen, dining, and living spaces, has its upsides. However, there’s a growing preference for more defined rooms over cavernous, airy spaces.
According to Zillow, home buyers are embracing a more intimate feel in their spaces, since listings mentioning “cozy” increased by 35% compared to last year. The want for one great open space has been replaced by a desire for smaller rooms that serve a specific purpose, such as a dedicated dining room or den.
