5 Interior Design Trends We’re Actually Seeing in Australian Homes (Not Just Instagram)

Interior trends come and go, but the best homes? They’re built on ideas that actually work, day in, day out. In 2025, we’re seeing a welcome shift in Australian interiors toward designs that feel warm, liveable, and thoughtfully put together. These aren’t just looks pulled from Pinterest or perfectly staged for Instagram; they’re grounded, achievable, and genuinely enhancing the way we live in our spaces.

From earthy palettes to subtle sculptural forms and refined simplicity, these five trends represent the design ideas Australians are actually embracing right now. Backed by beautiful, real-world examples from designers featured on CO-architecture, find inspiration that’s as practical as it is timeless - plus easy ways to make each look work in your own home, whatever your style or budget.

1 - Warm Neutrals & Earthy Palettes

Trend: Australian interiors are moving away from stark whites and greys in favour of warm, nature-inspired tones. Think muted ochres, sandy beiges, sun-washed clay, olive greens and ocean blues. These colours don’t just look good, they feel good too.

Project Inspiration: Haka House by Taouk Architects
Haka House by Taouk Architects perfectly captures this palette, using natural textures and sun-bleached tones to create a home that feels peaceful, grounded and timeless.

Tips:

• Paint affordably: Look to affordable, eco-friendly paint brands that offer earthy tones.
• Layer textures: Use linen, jute, timber and ceramics to add tactile warmth without adding clutter.
• Start small: Paint a feature wall or refresh your soft furnishings to ease into the palette.

2 - Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living

Trend: The Australian climate naturally lends itself to open-air living, so it’s no surprise that indoor-outdoor flow continues to dominate. But it’s not just about big glass doors - 2025 is all about subtle integration through material continuity, sightlines, and purpose-built outdoor zones.

Project Inspiration: Sailors Bay by Castlepeake Architects
At Sailors Bay by Castlepeake Architects, expansive glazing, natural materials and a consistent design language between inside and out create a seamless transition between spaces, making the outdoors feel like a true extension of the home.

Tips:

• Use consistent flooring: Opt for tiles or decking that flow from indoors to outdoors to unify spaces.
• Embrace greenery: Use potted natives or vertical gardens to blur the visual boundary.
• Furnish smartly: Choose outdoor furniture that works just as well aesthetically indoors as it does out - perfect for flexible entertaining.

3 - Textured Finishes & Statement Surfaces

Trend: Smooth and sleek is giving way to rich, tactile interiors. From brushed plaster walls to grooved timber cabinetry and honed stone benchtops, texture is the new luxury, offering warmth, depth and subtle drama.

Project Inspiration: Petersham House by Cateaux Architects
Petersham House by Cateaux Architects brings texture to the forefront, using raw materials like concrete, timber and brick to create a sensory-rich experience. Nothing feels flat and every surface invites touch.

Tips:

• DIY with limewash or render: Add depth to walls with a textured paint finish.
• Focus on one feature: A textured island bench or ribbed bathroom vanity can be enough to elevate the space.
• Mix materials: Pair smooth and rough finishes for balance. Think polished metal with raw timber.

4 - Curves & Sculptural Forms

Trend: 2025 is all about softening the edges. Rounded forms in joinery, furniture, and architecture offer a sense of comfort, flow, and calm while still making a striking design statement.

Project Inspiration: Casaballin by buck&simple
Casaballin by buck&simple leans into this curved movement with sweeping skylights, gently rounded detailing and sculptural surfaces that add elegance and softness to every space.

Tips:

• Start with furniture: Look for rounded sofas, coffee tables or dining chairs to introduce the form.
• Think spatially: Use curves to direct flow—arched doorways or curved kitchen islands can shape movement beautifully.
• Keep it subtle: Even a rounded mirror or light fitting can help soften a room without renovation.

5 - Refined Minimalism with Soul

Trend: Minimalism is making a comeback—but with more warmth, texture and liveability. It’s less about empty white spaces and more about intentional simplicity, where form follows function and materials do the talking. This trend suits anyone searching to create a calm, focused home.

Project Inspiration: Osborne by Mancini Made
Osborne by Mancini Made nails this new-wave minimalism with a thoughtful balance of restraint and warmth. There’s nothing unnecessary—just clean lines, soft textures, and a curated palette that gives the home a quiet confidence. It’s about doing less, but doing it really well.

Tips:

• Stick to a tight palette: Choose 2 - 3 core materials or colours and repeat them throughout to create calm and cohesion.
• Focus on layout first: A smart floor plan does more for minimalism than expensive finishes ever could.
• Add quiet texture: Use tactile finishes—like linen, brushed metal or matte tile—to create depth in neutral spaces.
• Buy once, buy well: Prioritise quality in everyday touchpoints, like handles, tapware and benchtops.

At the end of the day, good design isn’t about chasing the latest fad; it’s about creating a space that works for you. These five trends aren’t just fleeting Instagram moments - they reflect how Australians actually want to live: with more warmth, more intention, and less pressure to perform perfection.

Whether you’re renovating a weatherboard in the suburbs, building new in the bush, or refreshing a city apartment, these trends are both inspiring and realistically achievable. They prioritise comfort and longevity, using materials that age gracefully, layouts that suit everyday routines, and spaces designed to adapt as life changes.