It’s been a long year and here at IDEAL, we’re actually rather looking forward to the autumn. The cooler, darker nights give us all an excuse to stay in, on the sofa, and after a summer defined by both excess and disappointment, that sounds kinda nice, don’t you think?
As the nights draw in, and with all that extra time indoors on the horizon and closer than a turn of the calendar’s page, we’re looking forward to that gentle, almost seamless domestic transition into the new season, with lighting, layers and a general sense of increased cosiness taking precedence.
If you’re wondering what’s hot and what’s not in the world of home styling this year, then read on; here are 10 key interior design trends for autumn 2025.
Warm Metals
Warm metals such as gold, brass, and copper are making a resounding statement in Autumn 2025. Previously, cooler metals like silver and chrome were in favour, but the richness of warmer tones is now capturing the hearts of interior design enthusiasts. Gold, brass, and copper add warmth and sophistication to any space, and they pair beautifully with the natural tones set to dominate this season.
These metals can be introduced tactfully into your interior design. For instance, a brass light fixture not only acts as a functional piece but also as an eye-catching statement that draws attention upwards. Copper handles on drawers or doors can instantly upgrade a piece of furniture and add a touch of luxury, as copper or brass taps can to a sink, both in the bathroom and kitchen.
You could also consider smaller decorative items, such as gold-framed mirrors or brass candle holders. These warm metals add an inviting glow to your homes that is especially appreciated during the cooler autumn months.
Layered Bedrooms
Layering for autumn isn’t just reserved for your clothes. Come the turn of the season, a bedroom needs to be cosy, too.
Layering your bed is the obvious place to start, but here’s the thing; it’s not just about what’s on top of your bed, it’s about what’s underneath, too. Start by adding a rug underneath your bed, framing it just so. Even if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, you can layer on a rug here to add colour, texture and even a pattern to your space.
When it comes to the top of your bed, plenty of pillows do the job – we’re fans of 65 x 65 cm continental pillows, especially, which add support, depth and interest to the bed and really bring home that luxury hotel look. A throw is obligatory, preferably a woollen or knitted one which can give your bedroom a cocooning soul.
The next step is to layer your window. The first layer, closest to the windowpane, should be purely for practical purposes (just like a vest to keep you warm from those blustery autumnal winds!). A blind is perhaps most effective for blocking drafts on blowy autumn nights, as well as helping to block, filter and divert light.
Then, choose curtains. The role curtains play in adding privacy, conserving energy, regulating temperature and bringing an extra element of visual intrigue is often overlooked. But they add so much to a room, and are a defining principle of autumnal interior design in 2025. Consider emphasising their presence further by matching your curtains with throw cushions or upgrading your curtains with lining for an added sense of cosiness.
Next, it’s time to layer the lighting. Your lighting needs can vary dramatically throughout the year – even during a single day – and there is no place that this is more apparent than your bedroom. A variety of different lights are essential to the functioning of a successful bedroom, with an overhead light, soft reading lamps and task lighting the bare minimum required.
Finally, consider adding architectural layering, such as panelling, to your walls, which can add warmth and interest to your room, just in time for autumn.
Read: 8 ways to transform your bedroom into a tranquil space
An Electric Fireplace
Curling up in front of a crackling fire, mulled cider in hand and some sort of pumpkin soup on the stovetop, is one autumn activity that brings so much comfort. That said, fireplaces are an increasingly rare commodity in modern homes, taking up excessive space and compromising the green credentials of a property once lit.
While the wood-burning stove has seen a resurgence in rural properties, offering that authentic crackle and warmth, they’re not always practical for urban homes or those concerned about air quality and emissions.
On the other hand, bioethanol fires have emerged as a cleaner alternative, requiring no chimney and burning without smoke, though they do require good ventilation and regular fuel purchases.
Enter the freestanding electric fireplace, which is an ideal option for rooms that lack a traditional fireplace. An electric fireplace can instantly upgrade the autumnal ambience of a room, without bringing the associated hassle of a traditional wood-burning stove or the ongoing fuel costs of a bioethanol fire.
We know what you’re thinking; is an electric fireplace environmentally viable? Well, they aren’t the most efficient way to heat a room, but we’re all about the ambience, here, and you don’t actually have to use the heating setting at all. Instead, you can simply luxuriate in the flicker and thrill of one, without it generating unnecessary heat.
Or, you could simply add a TV screen to your wall and play a fireplace video on it; available on Netflix is the Fireplace For Your Home feature, for instance. Add a basket of wood near your fake fireplace and it will actually look pretty close to the real deal! Magic.
Cottagecore Is Here To Stay
The global pandemic brought about one of the major property market trend of the decade so far; urbanites coveting the countryside, with searches for rural properties soaring in recent years.
As such, cottagecore (also known as farmcore or countrycore) has become one of the go-to interior design trends of this decade, and we expect autumn to only emphasise the ubiquity of this trend further.
Cottagecore is a lifestyle and interior trend that is all about reverting back to simpler times and traditional values. It’s about paying homage to a more homely way of life, and it’s in autumn that cottagecore really comes into its own.
To channel this aesthetic, add botanical artwork in autumn hues, alongside wooden accessories and floral-prints in oranges and auburns. But that’s just the start; check out our piece on ways to bring country chic to your home for more on cultivating that cottagecore vibe.
Partitions & Room Dividers
Perhaps the most unsurprising interior trend of this year has been the proliferation of room dividers, such as decorative folding screens or freestanding shelves, solving the problem of cluttered, busy post-pandemic homes by breaking up spaces into smaller units. Indeed, Livingetc reports that “search trends have seen demands for folding screen room dividers jump by 177 percent” and we’re not at all shocked by that figure.
Perhaps more interestingly, mid-century modern room dividers have also seen a steep rise in popularity recently, helping to separate a space without the intervention of a wall, all while allowing some light to flow through, too.
We’re also fans of using freestanding shelves as a partition; not only do they help compartmentalise a room, but they also offer practical storage space. If you want to go a step further, then consider glass partition walls. Stylish, able to cut the noise levels right down and brilliant for letting natural light flow through the home (essential for autumn), we expect glass partition walls to become a key interior design trend in the coming months.
Read: 5 IDEAL interior design tips for autumn
Earthy Tones
Orange for autumn? It’s so cliche. And while we love an autumn cliche, be it a pumpkin latte or digging out our finest tartan scarves to wear for the season, this year, classic autumn tones are taking on a more muted shade.
Enter Dulux’s ‘Nourish Palette’ which “draws on nature to hero tactility and the need for comfort”. Though this palette came out in 2021, it remains hugely popular today, and is all about appreciating nature but with less of the conventional autumn tones that we’re used to. Think moss, sage greens, turmeric and citrus hues – all autumnal colours, sure, but a little less American Halloween overkill, perhaps.
Velvet Upholstery
Velvet upholstery is the embodiment of luxury and comfort. Its rich texture and deep hues are perfect for the autumn season. Uniting the sensation of warmth and the aesthetics of grandeur, there’s no wonder why this fabric is making a remarkable comeback in Autumn 2025.
A velvet sofa can become a centrepiece in your living room. Opt for colours like emerald green, royal blue, or plum for a bold statement. If a whole sofa feels overwhelming, consider adding velvet in smaller doses like a pair of armchairs or even cushions. Velvet upholstery is also fantastic for layering textures – a velvet throw on a leather couch, for instance, can add an interesting depth to your design.
Textured Wall Treatments
As we spend more time indoors during autumn, our walls deserve special attention. Textured wall treatments are having a major moment in 2025, moving beyond simple paint to create depth and visual interest. Think limewash finishes that add subtle variation and warmth, or grasscloth wallpaper that brings natural texture indoors.
Plaster techniques like Venetian plaster or even modern interpretations of traditional stucco are gaining popularity, creating walls that seem to glow in autumn’s golden light. These treatments work particularly well in dining rooms and bedrooms, where they add an artisanal, handcrafted quality that complements the season’s emphasis on comfort and craftsmanship.
Stone is another incredibly elegant and durable material that works beautifully in these textured treatments. The experts at Love Stone suggest having bespoke stone products made for your home, such as marble worktops or basins that add both functionality and that luxury feel to bathrooms and kitchens.
For those seeking a bolder statement, fluted wood paneling or three-dimensional wall tiles in warm, neutral tones can transform a flat surface into a tactile experience. These textured treatments pair beautifully with the warm metals and velvet upholstery mentioned earlier, creating layers of sensory richness that make autumn evenings at home feel especially inviting.
Cosy, Window-Adjacent Reading Nooks
Autumn isn’t just a time for carving pumpkins, it’s also a time for carving out some time for yourself. And after a busy summer, curling up with a good book is an autumn trend that will never die. Enter the reading nook.
This is a cosy corner dedicated to reading, ideally placed under a window to enjoy as much warmth and light from the autumn sun as possible. As the seasons change, the way your home performs changes, too. Rearranging your furniture seasonally to take advantage of natural light and the scant autumn sunshine is a good idea; and if it gives you an excuse to read more in the process, well, who are we to argue?
Eco-Friendly Design
Finally, to eco-friendly design. Sustainability continues to be a significant trend in interior design. Furniture and homeware made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood are highly sought after. Also, indoor plants have increasingly become a staple in modern homes, providing an easy way to bring a touch of nature indoors.
