Warmth & Whimsy for Winter – Interior Design
Ashbury’s interior design expert Amy Saward shares her insights on four of the latest trends – Elevated Earth Tones, Middle Green, Future Dusk and Retro Waves.
This season’s interior trends embrace rich colours, tactile textures, and nostalgic shapes that bring comfort and individuality into the home.
From the grounding calm of Elevated Earth Tones and Middle Green to the moody sophistication of Future Dusk and playful curves of Retro Waves, these styles reflect a shift towards interiors that feel both personal and stylish.
The interior design trend Elevated Earth Tones brings a luxurious and grounded aesthetic to the home, and is particularly well-suited to creating warm, cocooning bedroom spaces. This trend builds on the popularity of warm neutrals and browns, and Pantone’s colour of the year, Mocha, but with a refined edge.
A key interior trend this year is Middle Green—a rich, balanced shade that sits comfortably between light sage and deep forest green. Not too dark and not too pale, this versatile hue is fast becoming a favourite in modern homes, thanks to its timeless appeal and the calming, grounding energy it brings to a space. Green has been steadily gaining popularity across interior design spaces, and we’re now seeing more green options in laminates, tiles, and stone finishes than ever before.
Middle Green is making a bold statement in kitchen cabinetry, and pairs beautifully with a variety of stone benchtops, A versatile colour, Middle Green can easily pair with lighter woods, as well as walnut, dark wood and even black, allowing it to suit almost any flooring, and coordinate with other existing finishes or freestanding furniture.
Green in interiors has a certain staying power in trends as it has a calming and refreshing energy, flexibility coordinating with other colours, and ability to give a casual or sophisticated look depending on what materials it’s used on and with.
Already seen in fashion, Future Dusk, WGSN’s 2025 Colour of the Year is now gaining momentum in home furnishings and décor.
This moody hue sits somewhere between blue and purple, its tone leaning either way depending on lighting and the colours it’s paired with, making it a flexible and intriguing choice for a variety of interiors.
Despite its futuristic name, Future Dusk is equally at home in traditional interiors, complementing period features like decorative cornices, architraves, and skirting boards. Whether used as a bold statement or a subtle accent, this versatile shade brings a sense of elegance and quiet drama to any living room.
The Retro Waves trend is bringing a playful sense of nostalgia back into our homes, celebrating the curvy, organic shapes and warm tones of the mid-70s and 80s.
At the heart of this trend are scalloped edges, flowing lines, and soft curves, which are making a comeback in everything from cabinetry profiles and statement mirrors to sofas, headboards and even rugs. These curvy lines add a whimsical, relaxed feel to interiors, softening the sharp lines often found in modern design.
To embrace the Retro Waves aesthetic, consider a colour palette that includes warm wood tones, taupe, peach, and terracotta. Accent pieces in burnt orange and burgundy add richness and contrast, while a warmer-toned olive or pale sage bring freshness and balance. These colours work beautifully together, creating a cohesive and comforting retro-inspired look.
Incorporating this trend doesn’t require a full renovation, small touches can make a big impact. Wavy patterns can be introduced through wallpaper, decorative mirrors, or accessories like lamps, vases, and candlesticks. The Retro Waves trend is a fun, expressive way to add character, charm, and a little flair.
Whether you’re drawn to earthy hues, bold colour statements or nostalgic forms, these trends offer endless ways to refresh your space. These looks are not just fashionable, they’re about creating a home that feels inviting, expressive, and uniquely yours. By mixing tones, textures and shapes that speak to you, you can bring this season’s trends to life in a way that suits your style.