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The Latest non Trends for 2025 and Beyond

By Imogen Bennett

Magdelene College, University of Cambridge - Eve Waldron Design
Magdelene College, University of Cambridge - Eve Waldron Design

As we start 2025, the design world is buzzing with predictions of “what’s in” and “what’s out” but is this helpful? Do trends really benefit us - or do they simply drive consumption? In a time when sustainability is no longer optional but essential, perhaps it’s time to rethink what inspires us.


Trends have always been part of life but social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest and the fashion industry as a whole, have really amplified this.  At their core, trends tap into psychology - our desire to feel part of a group or to stand out as a trendsetter. But as exciting as these patterns can be, they also carry a hidden cost.

The fast changing pace of trends often encourages short-term thinking. How many times have we been tempted to refresh our living spaces, replacing perfectly good furniture simply because it no longer feels “on trend”? What about our clothes? This cycle feeds a throwaway culture of buying cheap and poorly made items that directly conflicts with the principles of sustainability.


The key question is whether we need to chase fleeting aesthetics, or can we embrace designs that last?  We believe good design overrides trends. Instead of gravitating towards what everyone else is doing,  why not focus on meaningful design? A well-designed space, or a recycled material hand-crafted piece of furniture or textile doesn’t just enhance a space; it tells a story, holds value, and resists obsolescence.


Here are some elements of design that never go out of style:

  • Future-proofing – Thinking not just about our immediate needs, but about how future generations may use the space. Placing walls, services and lighting so they can be more easily adapted.

  • Design for recycling – Choose high-quality materials like solid wood, natural stone, and wool. They age beautifully and are kinder to the environment. Think about fixing them for removal and recycling.

  • Repurpose second hand or recycled materials – Even better to incorporate interesting recycled or repurposed materials. There are wonderful tiles made from 98% recycled content and lots of building materials such as flooring, even kitchens, lighting and furniture which can be repurposed or re manufactured.

  • Neutral, Nature-Inspired Palettes: Choose neutral shades for materials which are longer lasting like floor materials, wall panelling and tiles which won’t date.  Things that are easier to change such as paint and fabrics can have more daring colours.

  • Buy well Buy Once: Items we can take with us, such as furniture and lighting can be high quality and built to last. Spending a bit more to get something which retains its value makes good sense, rather than buying cheap and throwing away.


Perhaps the most exciting design movement isn’t a trend at all. It’s a shift in mindset - a move toward intentional, sustainable, and contextually appropriate choices. By embracing these principles, we can create spaces that are not only individual and beautiful but meaningful and enduring.

Let’s make 2025 the year we think for ourselves.

 

 

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