Why Formal Living Rooms Will Be Back in 2025, According to Design Experts
At first glance, living room design can be rather straightforward: Bring in a sofa, a few armchairs, a side table or two, maybe an ottoman or coffee table, and you're good to go. But if you ask any of ELLE DECOR’s A-List designers (which, of course, we have), a poorly thought-out living room is discounting the potential for forward-thinking design flexes. And this year, designers are betting on quite a few rising trends that turn the standard living room on its head a bit.
In 2025, living rooms are poised to become even more personal, more functional, and more formal. Instead of cookie-cutter spaces designed to follow fads, we’re seeing a thoughtful evolution—rooms that blend comfort with artistry, structure with softness, and nostalgia with modernity. Designers are rethinking everything, from how we entertain to how we unwind, crafting spaces that feel like a reflection of the people who live in them.
Expect jewel tones paired with natural textures, sculptural furniture that doubles as art, and layouts designed for both quiet moments and lively gatherings. Whether it’s a cozy banquette tucked by the fireplace, a record room tailored for personal retreat, or a formal living room revived for the modern entertainer, 2025 is all about living rooms that feel layered, inviting, and utterly unique. Here's a closer look at the trends shaping the spaces where we live, lounge, and connect.
Formal Living Room Are Back
In 2025, we will see a nostalgic return to thoughtfully designed, separate living rooms that prioritize entertaining and aesthetic enjoyment over technology. “As we look to the 1930s again for design references, I can see there being a return to formal living rooms,” says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Jeremiah Brent. “More will keep their media separate from where they entertain and relax. Think bar carts, multiple seating vignettes, fireplaces, and art—a room where the sofa and television are not at the center.”
ELLE DECOR A-List designer Rita Konig agrees, indicating she’s been called upon recently to make larger living room layouts more intimate. “I like to slip banquette sofas into places that you can’t fit a proper sofa, such as beside fireplaces and in front of bookcases,” she says. “They create additional seating for large parties but also create small nooks you can tuck into when it’s just you at home and they are ideal for making large living rooms seem a bit cozier.” An additional request she’s hearing? “Every house needs a bar and that’s something my clients are asking for more and more, especially since everyone continues to enjoy entertaining at home.”
We'll Make Room for Hobbies
Several designers said they are tailoring their designs—materials, colors, and layouts—to be more personal in the year ahead. “These colors and materials aren’t just fashionable,” Julien Sebban, founder of Uchronia, explains. “They reflect a deeper philosophy about the spaces we create: each element is crafted to the space and the people living in it.”
Howell says she’s even fielding requests for special interests. “My clients are always looking for spaces to unwind and listen to music,” she offers. “We are constantly individualizing record rooms with bars that double as a private space to unwind, or a social space for entertaining.”
Jewel Tones Paired with Neutrals Will Be All the Rage
To create dynamic, welcoming living spaces, designers are still riding on the high of last year’s Barbenheimer craze, relying on contrasting colors in 2025. But we’re so far past pink and black. For ELLE DECOR A-List designer Brigette Romanek, it’s all about layering jewel tones with quiet neutrals. “We’ll see jewel tones—think rich emeralds or deep amethysts—used sparingly to punctuate neutral spaces, bringing depth without overpowering,” she says. “Pairing these colors with natural textures like linen or wool creates a layered look that feels grounded while still adding vibrancy.”
Our Living Rooms Will Be Soft—With an Edge
In 2025, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Tiffany Howell predicts an uptick in “organic modernism such as mixed metals paired with natural woods.”
Romanek echoes this idea: “I also see a mix of materials like soft upholstery with accents in glass or metal, which adds a subtle, structured edge,” Romanek states. “It’s about balancing rigid with soft, statement with neutral, in a way that reflects individuality and makes the space feel dynamic and real.”
Curves Aren't Going Anywhere
Designers like Sebban believe that the curvature we’ve become accustomed to in the past few years will continue to show up in living room furniture. “We’re still seeing curved sofas and rounded coffee tables—shapes that invite comfort and a softer, more relaxed environment,” he explains.
Meanwhile, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Kelly Wearstler is imagining how furniture—curved or otherwise—can strike a statement. “I'm interested in furniture as sculpture—functional pieces that challenge our perception and the ways we interact with them, eliciting an emotional response,” she says.
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