Is it just me, or does it feel like 2020 was just yesterday? Let me tell you, not only are the times a-flyin’ by, but they are a-changin’ as–ugh- who said that again, Timothee Chalamet, Bob Dylan, both? Regardless, with the times-a-changin’ so is almost everything in the world of design. So, take my hand, and I will guide you through the DOs and DON’Ts of DESIGN as we journey into the second half of the roaring twenties!

Before we start, we must preface this by saying that we at Mister Style love embracing timeless design motifs rather than simply embracing what’s trending. While some trends can eventually make an impact and cement themselves as timeless, we’re looking at the things that will (and won’t) withstand the test of time to avoid transforming your space into a time capsule of design trends past. So buckle up, and grab a pen (you’ll want to take notes), this one’s a whirlwind!

Do: Embrace bold colours.

Gone are the days of playing it safe with neutrals. The days of fearing colour were on their way out earlier this decade, and now, we’re confident in saying those days are officially over! It's all about infusing your space with deep, rich hues that complement your surroundings. Colours like merlot, deep evergreen, and midnight navy are a few that we suggest to break up the repetitive neutrals in your spaces.

It’s not so much about being bold to be bold, but rather about making a statement that accentuates the elements that tie your room together. It’s easier and more cost-effective to repaint a room than it is to buy all new furniture (as much as we love doing that), so play off of existing elements like your sofa, coffee table, lighting and more to determine what bold colour will be best suited for your space.

Don’t misinterpret this, neutrals definitely have their place. A little chantilly lace or a light taupe is beautiful in most spaces and we’re still going to be using them, it’s just about not being afraid to have a bold moment.

So, if you’re still dwelling in your stark white or gray space (more on that in a moment), it’s time for you to take a trip to your local paint store, grab some swatches and samples, and stand inquisitively looking at them stuck to your walls as you swirl your glass of cab-sav and suggest to the universe that you need this.

Don’t: Gone gray, be gone.

By now you’ve likely heard the phrase “millennial gray.”

This on-the-nose expression refers to the increased usage of grey interiors by millennials as popularized in the 2010s. It was used as a way to escape the punchy aesthetics of the previous millennium, heavily influenced by minimalism and those seeking pure practicality of living. Well, if you’ve followed our ins and outs of recent years, you’ll know going gray has consistently topped the list of don’ts. This year, we’re completely closing the door on gray and telling you straight up, STOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!

We’re shaking you by the shoulders when we tell you that your interiors DO NOT need to match the monotony of everyday life. We want warmth, we want personality, we want DRAMA! You long to live a spirited life, right!? Your interiors should be set to inspire you to do just that.

However, there are always exceptions to rules. When we say GRAY BE GONE we’re referring to your painted walls, sofa, and vinyl flooring. Gray does have its place – embracing gray-coloured organic materials like stone and concrete lead us to our next DO!

Do: Well, well, wellness design.

It’s no secret that what’s known as wellness design has become incredibly important to us. While our lives revolve around interiors here at Mister Style, it’s so important to embrace the outdoors. Our favourite way to do that is by, well, bringing the outside in, of course!

Using organic, natural materials when designing your space can help in prioritizing your mental health, increasing your zen, and helping you feel connected with nature. While this can seem daunting, especially if you’re not ready for a full-on interior overhaul, it can actually be very simple.

At its core, wellness design is all about incorporating organic materials, embracing natural light, bringing in plants or small trees, and allowing earthy tones and textures to add depth to your space. When you bring all of these elements together, not only is it extremely grounding, but elevates your space by embracing the warmth of the world around you.

Personally, embracing wellness design these past few years has helped inspire me to go on a journey into prioritizing my mental and physical health. It’s wild how something as simple as creating surroundings that bring us back to our roots as humans can be so influential and motivating when it comes to improving our overall well-being. We recommend investing in reclaimed wood, stonecraft decor, fostering indoor plants and foliage, and opening those good old blinds to bask in the natural light.

Don’t: Ignore the importance of lighting.

In 2025, the big light STAYS off. If it’s accent, ambient or decorative it can stay on, which we’re happy to allow!

You might come home after work and flick on the pot lights for your wind down. To us? That’s a big no-no. Lighting is not only there to help us see efficiently, it’s there to set the overall mood in your space. Typical inset overhead lighting not only creates unflattering shadows but can really make a room feel flat and clinical. Unless being in a hospital brings you great comfort (for some odd reason), then your lighting should not feel reminiscent of one. So, if this sounds like your house, here’s what you should do…

Add ambient lighting like unique table and floor lamps, wall sconces, and pendants. With the right placement, it can truly take your space to a whole new level. Ensuring there’s a mixture of ambient light with consistent colour temperature can work wonders in adding warmth and creating an inviting vibe throughout your home.

We live in a time where our favourite lighting companies are not only creating solutions to illuminate your space, but that can also double as a piece of artwork. Unique shapes and forward-thinking design have become a new standard in the world of accent lighting and we are all for it.

Do: Let the texture talk.

Flat can be fatal. Face it, the odds are that your rooms are chalked full of flat surfaces and harsh edges. Your walls, tables, built-ins, windows – you know it, I know it. There’s nothing that makes a room feel more monotonous than having no depth. It’s all about engaging your senses, so this year, we’re challenging you to GO DEEP: bring in the texture, and the curves, and let’s take your basic room and add some nuance with structure, imperfections, and material composition.

When you think of flatness in your home, you immediately think of walls. Apart from maybe a single piece of artwork these barren surfaces don’t have to lack character. Worry not, you have a few options.

First, one of our favourite ways to break things up is with wainscotting. It gets rid of the empty void brought about by a flat white wall and adds a timeless textural element. If anything on this list is timeless, it’s this, originating all the way back in the fourteenth century. It’s something we continuously use in our projects and highly encourage you to explore the possibility of incorporating it into your space.

Alternatively, depending on the size of your room, you may want to opt for textured wallpaper. Using materials like grasscloth has become one of our favourite ways to introduce some subtle depth to spaces that need it. The best part is, if you’re not feeling daring enough to use patterned wallpaper, grasscloth is a subtle alternative that not only looks and feels great, but adds just the right amount of texture to spaces that need it most.

Maybe you're not into either of those things but still feel like you need to do something.

Well, there may be nothing better suited for your room than a tasteful gallery wall. If you’re going for sophistication, consider a display of black and white art with matching frames, it’ll sell a timeless look and break up the smoothness of your room. Maybe sophisticated isn’t quite your style and if that’s the case, go for an avant-garde gallery wall of mixed frames and materials, just try your best to choose a colour palette and stick to that when searching for prints, it will bring some cohesion in a purposefully chaotic vignette.

Walls are some of the most simple things we can use to introduce texture, but certainly not the only thing. Before we touch on furniture, countertops are another great way to bring depth into your space. If you’re in the market for new countertops, we have become huge fans of textured options like leathered granite. The texture is subtle enough that cleaning is still a breeze, but its imperfect grain ensures that your space is full of unique textures.

Lastly, texture in furniture is a huge one. Within the last few years, utilizing unique fabrics have become more and more commonplace in people's homes after an era dominated by standard cotton and microfibres. Upholstery options like boucle, Italian leather, and velvet each offer unique looks with varying subtlety and can help further the nuance of your space. When it comes to coffee tables, sideboards, and consoles, look for options that include unique shapes like fluting or channelling.

There are so many ways to embrace texture in your home, and now thanks to us, you REALLY have no excuse. So next time I pop by, I better see some depth in that parlour room!

Don’t: Overlook Personalization

While following trends can be fun, neglecting your personal style can result in a space that doesn't feel like your home. You should incorporate pieces that reflect your personality, whether it's a cherished vintage item passed down through generations or a bold piece of art that speaks to you on a personal level. Our homes shouldn’t just be telling a story, it should be telling your story.

One thing that should always remain constant is the inclusion of YOU in your space. Following the latest trends can be fun (for a time), but you can’t allow yourself to get lost in making everything fully aesthetic where your personality becomes lost. Don’t get me wrong, aesthetics are everything when it comes to interior design, but when decor and coffee table books don’t speak to who you are, then you’ve lost the plot!

We highly encourage you to find the middle ground between beauty and meaning when it comes to decor and blend it all together. A mixture of personal mementoes and things you see that make you say, “damn, that would look good on my shelf.” Our rule going forward this year is if it doesn’t fill your heart, it shouldn’t fill your space!

We want to challenge you to find artwork that pertains to your interests, books that not only look good on your table, but start conversations about your hobbies, and pieces of decor that look good and make you feel good!

Before we wrap things up, we want to leave you with a few rapid-fire dos and don’ts that speak for themselves!

Rapid-Fire Design Dos and Don’ts.

DESIGN DOs

Embrace wood elements – it’s the easiest way to keep things warm.
Don’t be scared of curved furniture. It’s great for breaking up your space and making it look bigger.
Mix vintage and modern elements for best results. New and old can go together beautifully if you have the right mindset.
Invest in your most used pieces (sofa, table, etc), and save on accent elements (side tables, decor, etc)
Play with scale in your artwork. Don’t be afraid of large pieces. It can be a major statement piece that breaks up the room in a big way.
Embrace smart home technologies that make keeping your space comfortable and stylish easier.

DESIGN DON’Ts

Never sacrifice comfort for style, find a middle ground that achieves both.
Don’t overcomplicate with excessive home tech. While using smart plugs, lights, and thermostats are great, don’t overdo it!
Don’t push all your furniture against the wall. Allowing pieces to float can make a world of difference.
Stop ignoring your ceilings. Bring those bold colours and wallpaper from the bottom all the way to the top!
Avoid becoming trend-centric. Pick and choose trending elements that speak to you and that you think will withstand the test of time.
Don’t neglect your foyer. It’s the perfect place to tie all the design elements of your home together in one central place.
Stop overcrowding shelves. It’s a simple thing, but shoving all of your belongings into your built-ins isn’t cute. It’s time to purge and, as we said, blend mementoes and aesthetics.
STOP matching everything. Add some intrigue and nuance by using complementary pieces rather than matching everything.

So, it’s time to start.

Well, what do you think? Did we cover all the bases or forget a few things? Are you planning a full design refresh this year, or just looking to make some minor adjustments? Whatever your motive, we hope you learned something and made you think differently about the possibilities of your home.

This year, one of our biggest goals here at Mister Style is to educate our friends, clients, and followers to make better, smarter design decisions. We’re not alone in wanting to live in a world full of beautiful spaces, and we know there’s nothing better than walking into someone's home and having it say all you need to know about the person. So, it’s time to go forth, take risks, prove us right and prove us wrong. A world full of unique and beautiful spaces is what inspires us to keep things fresh and keep things stylish.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time!

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Design Dos and Don’ts in 2025.