As 2025 draws to a close, it’s clear that this year has marked a turning point in how we design and live in our homes – especially with regard to flats.
After years of minimalism and cool greys, apartment interiors across the UK have embraced warmth, character and individuality. Homeowners and renters alike have been rethinking what comfort looks like, focusing on colour, texture and smarter furniture that suits smaller, multifunctional spaces.
Colour Returns with Confidence
“Dopamine dressing” soared in popularity this year and interior design has evolved along similar lines with maximalism and colour drenching proving popular.
We finally waved goodbye to safe neutrals and welcomed colour back with open arms. From cherry reds and cobalt blues to emerald greens and ochre tones, 2025 proved that bold colour can live happily even in the most compact flat.
Feature walls in deep, dramatic shades became a favourite way to add energy without overwhelming a space, while earthy tones such as terracotta, clay and olive helped anchor living areas in a warm, natural palette.
Designers leaned towards layered neutrals rather than stark whites, giving rooms depth and softness. Paired with plenty of natural light and light-reflecting finishes, these richer hues helped apartments feel both cosy and contemporary – a confident step away from the monochrome look that dominated much of the past decade.
Texture Took Centre Stage
If 2024 hinted at a revival of tactile design, 2025 made it official. Texture is everywhere – on walls, ceilings, floors and furniture. We saw a surge in fluted panelling, plaster finishes and woven wall coverings, bringing a sense of craftsmanship back into everyday spaces.
Natural materials such as rattan, wood, stone, wool and linen give even modern flats a grounded, organic feel. Many homeowners mix materials (rough with smooth, matte with gloss) to create contrast and visual interest. In smaller homes, texture adds instant luxury without taking up extra space. Think boucle armchairs, jute rugs and linen throws.
Furniture: Curves, Comfort and Clever Design
Furniture in 2025 reflects how we really live now. The post-pandemic hybrid lifestyle has blurred the boundaries between work, rest and play, especially in flats, so furniture needs to be flexible, ergonomic and inviting.
Rounded silhouettes have dominated, from curved sofas to soft-edged tables. Deep seating and textured upholstery give living rooms a more relaxed, lived-in quality. Multi-functional pieces such as foldaway desks, nesting tables and ottomans with hidden storage have become essentials for urban dwellers trying to maximise space without losing style.
Sustainable Softness
Sustainability also stayed front of mind. Many buyers opted for reclaimed or vintage furniture, celebrating pieces with history rather than buying brand new. The result is a move towards more personalised interiors, rich in both character and conscience.
Eco-friendly lighting in the form of LED bulbs provides more opportunity for controlling the hue of our lightbulbs. While some may stick to more traditional bulbs but in warmer tones, many home now make use of smart-lighting systems that continue to use of colour and allow for cosy, personalised lighting that adds further character to small spaces.
A Softer, Smarter Approach to Apartment Living
Looking back, 2025 has been the year we stopped designing our homes to impress and started shaping them to nurture. Apartments across the UK have become more tactile, expressive and comfortable – places designed for people, not perfection.
As we head into 2026, expect these ideas to evolve further: colour will stay confident but become more refined, natural materials will continue to dominate, and technology will quietly merge with design to make small space living even more seamless.
For now, 2025 will be remembered as the year when British interiors found their warmth again, proving that even in the most compact flat, good design can make every square foot feel like home.
