Designs That Really Stood Out
Yes, NYCxDESIGN wowed us again, but beyond the headline and top trends, there were quieter, more thoughtful ideas shaping the future of our homes. This slideshow dives into the design details that might’ve flown under the radar but are already influencing how we style, furnish, and experience our spaces.
From subtle materials to boundary-pushing furniture shapes, here’s a fresh round of inspiration you may have missed, and what you can take away for your own home.
Tactile Textures
Designers proudly embraced a handmade, tactile vibe at NYC Design Week 2025. Think cozy wool, textured weaves, hand-shaped forms, even intentional imperfections.
From soft felted chairs to curvy wood furniture and layered woven pieces, everything was made to be touched. At Afternoon Light’s Shelter and Lyle Gallery’s Outside/In, Steffany Trần’s Vy Voi designs really stood out, blending comfort with craftsmanship.
Now’s the perfect time to add some texture to your own space. Try uneven ceramics, fuzzy pillows, or nubby throws, anything that invites a little extra coziness.
3D Maximalist Gallery Walls
Gallery walls just got a serious glow-up, and this time they’re popping off the surface. Artists like Inderjeet Sandhu and Soft Geometry are moving beyond flat frames, layering in ceramic tiles, textile reliefs, and sculptural wall art that plays with light and shadow.
Rethink your wall as a curated moment. Mix in 3D art, layered textures, or hand-formed pieces that catch the light. Just one tactile layer can turn a blank space into something with soul and style.
Reimagined Vintage Finds
Vintage isn’t just about preserving, it’s about reinvention. Designers are breathing new life into heirlooms with bold upholstery, colorful lacquer, and unexpected finishes. At Pinch Design, traditional pieces felt fresh and totally modern.
Have an old chair or dresser lying around? Give it a fun makeover with vibrant fabric or a coat of unexpected color. It’s a creative way to make something old feel brand new.
Hyper-Personalized Decor
Design is getting deeply personal, with features that appeal to your senses. Think lighting that shifts with your mood, surfaces that invite interaction, and scent elements that soothe. The Lexus Design Pavilion at Hudson Yards embraced this emotional design style.
Start by noticing how your space feels. Try adding ambient lights, mood boosting colors, or responsive tech that makes your home feel tailor-made for you.
Sculptural Seating Steals the Show
Seating is no longer just functional, it’s making a bold statement. Think chunky, rounded, or even raw and primitive shapes. Designers like Faye Toogood and Shore Studios turned sofas and chairs into works of art at The Future Perfect.
If your room needs a standout moment, try a sculptural chair or sofa. Think about adding something that might look uncomfortable, but once you sit it feels extremely comfortable and well designed.
Neo-Mediterranean
Terracotta, olive, linen, and plaster ruled, but with clean lines and intentional restraint, were also the stars of the show. Pinch Design’s apartment on West 9th Street, curated by Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon, hit this balance perfectly. It’s all about channeling breezy, calm, and grounded elegance.
Bring in sun-washed colors and clean shapes to capture that calm, grounded energy at home.
Mixing Metals
Designers are mixing metals in fearless, exciting ways. Imagine aged brass with brushed aluminum, or matte steel alongside shimmering gold leaf. At The Future Perfect townhouse, Lindsey Adelman turned metal contrasts into a visual treat. The takeaway? Blending different metals adds instant character without clutter.
Step away from the “match everything” mindset. It’s time to combine warm and cool tones in your fixtures or accents for a space that looks curated, not cookie-cutter.
Playful Color Pops in Hidden Places
Color is sneaking into spots you don’t expect, like the inside of drawers, the back of bookshelves, and even the underside of tables. In The Future Perfect’s kitchen, these surprise pops made the space feel joyful and personal.
Want a simple mood boost? Paint the inside of a cabinet or drawer in your favorite bold shade. It’s a fun detail that’ll make you smile every time you see it.
Global Craft Revival
Craft is having a major comeback, with a modern spin. From hand-thrown pottery to patchwork lighting, designers are celebrating traditional skills in fresh ways. Boym Partners’ Kikkerland exhibition was all about honoring heritage with a contemporary twist.
Explore local markets or makers in your area, you might just find a one-of-a-kind piece that adds heart, history, and originality to your home.
Sustainable Statement Materials
Eco-friendly materials are finally having their stylish moment. At Shelter by POVISON and Afternoon Light, you saw terrazzo made from recycled bits, fabrics woven from seaweed, and sleek mushroom-based decor.
Now you can go green without sacrificing style. Choose sustainable materials that not only help the planet but also add bold texture and design interest to your home.
Curved Lines Everywhere
Design is softening up. From arched doorways to bubble-shaped mirrors and rounded built-ins, curves are adding calm and movement to modern spaces. Faye Toogood and Shore Studios showed how to make these shapes feel intentional and stylish.
Break up all those sharp angles. Add a curved lamp, mirror, or coffee table for a space that feels softer, more fluid, and totally on-trend.
Upgraded Effortless Indoor Gardens
Nature is getting a tech upgrade. Sleek indoor gardens now come with hydroponic systems, smart lighting, and vertical plant displays. At Lichen Studio, artists like Yuxuan Huang and Malcolm Ransome proved that plant design can be equal parts stylish and functional.
Not great with plants? No problem. Let smart gardening tools handle the hard part, just sit back and enjoy your new leafy setup.
Sculptural Surfaces
Forget those flat countertops and smooth feature walls, designers are embracing ripple, carve, and curve like never before. Think fluted stone islands that flow like water, scalloped plaster panels that shift in shadow, and architectural elements that feel alive.
Stockholm Design Week put this trend front and center, and the result is both grounding and artful.
Want to get the look without a full remodel? Swap a flat headboard, console, or wall panel for one with shape and texture, it’s an easy way to bring depth and quiet drama into your space.
Chromatic Zoning
Designers are ditching walls in favor of mood-based color zones. Picture buttery yellow for social spots, sage green for calm corners, and deep ink blue for focused zones, each shade shaping how a space feels without changing the floor plan.
At Stockholm Design Week, studios like Form Us With Love used bold color-blocking to define open living without cluttering it. Try this design cheat at home. Use paint, rugs, or even curtains to break up open spaces. Color becomes your silent architect, guiding both mood and flow.
Need inspo before you pick up a paintbrush? Check out 2025’s must-try color palettes for every room to find the shades that’ll set the vibe just right.
Atmospheric Minimalism
Minimalism’s getting a moody makeover. Instead of just less stuff, it’s now about curated calm, soft, clay-colored walls, smoky lighting, and single bold pieces that spark emotion. The vibe is introspective, quiet, and deeply personal. Stockholm’s design scene leaned hard into this emotional clarity.
If you love minimal but don’t want sterile, pare back your space to just the essentials, and make each one count. Think fewer pieces, more feeling, and lighting that shifts your mood.
Check out our guide to affordable minimalist trends to try this year, because soulful doesn’t have to mean expensive.
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