3 interior design trends set to be popular in 2025, according to Malaysians

Biophilic design, minimalism and earth tones: These are three home interior trends that are set to be sought-after next year. The shift towards these particular trends reflects a growing desire among local homeowners and decor lovers to create living spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly.

Architect and designer Edric Choo Poo Liang says that more and more people prefer uncluttered homes with greenery and good ventilation.

“The biophilic design highlights the use of local materials, landscapes and natural climate-responsive elements into living spaces, while the minimalist trend focuses on simplicity and clean lines,” says Choo. “These trends offer homeowners a practical and sustainable approach to interior design.”

Choo says earthy and greyish tones are commonly used in minimalist design spaces as they add to the neat and clean aesthetic. Photo: Edric Choo Poo Liang

Architect Eleena Jamil echoes a similar sentiment, stating that homeowners are becoming more aware of sustainability in interior design, leading to an increased use of natural materials that are locally sourced, as well as designs that bring in natural light and proper air circulation.

Social ecology professor Stephen Kellert describes biophilic design as an “innovative approach to building places in a way that increases contact between people and nature”.

A 2023 research on biophilic design in Malaysian urban spaces published in ResearchGate found that this design helps compensate for the lack of green spaces in Malaysian cities by incorporating natural elements into indoor spaces.

Eleena adds that biophilic design is popular among homeowners as including plants and stones into their space helps tackle Malaysia’s hot and humid climate.

“This approach often uses locally sourced materials to create gardens and landscapes as they provide coolness to homes,” she says.

“At its most basic, it means creating interior spaces that respond to the hot climate that we live in everyday.”

Choo also observed more homeowners and home decor enthusiasts using natural materials such as potted plants, wood, bamboo and stones to decorate the inside of their homes.

“Biophilic designs will gain popularity among homeowners as they give the impression of homes that are really well-designed,” he says.

Siti Zulaikha wants to have various plants in her new bedroom to create a calm and relaxing space. Photo: Siti Zulaikha Ahmad Fauzi

Advertising student Siti Zulaikha Ahmad Fauzi believes in integrating natural elements into her personal space.

She plans to incorporate an assortment of plants into her future bedroom when she moves into a newly renovated two-storey house with her family sometime next year.

“The centrepiece of my room will be a queen-sized bed, accompanied by a large vase,” the 23-year-old says.

“I’ll also decorate the empty corners of my space with potted plants like the Alocasia Black Velvet and Pink Star Calathea while my bedroom windows will be adorned with small cacti terrariums,” she adds.

When less is more

Another trend favourite among homeowners is the minimalist concept, an aesthetic defined by basic forms, clean lines, simple finishes, natural light, open spaces and uncluttered surfaces.

Accountant Leou Zia Zia and her husband Aaron Lim’s home precisely incorporates such elements. Located in Petaling Jaya, the house was once Leou’s childhood home and it was rented out before she decided to move back in with her own family.

Eleena, the lead architect of the couple’s remodelled house, says this design is a popular choice due to its simplicity.

Eleena says that brown hues promote a sense of comfort and elegance in interior spaces. Photo: Eleena Jamil

“The use of natural wood finish combined with minimally designed frames and support also adds warmth to the overall aesthetic,” she explains.

Colours also played an essential part in Leou’s home. A combination of earthy tones and sandy hues were applied to exude a calm, cosy and relaxing environment.

Eleena adds that brown tones will continue to be a popular choice among homeowners next year.

“The hue is closely related to the natural world and encourages a deeper connection to our natural environment.”

Recently, the Pantone Color Institute revealed its 2025 Colour of the Year, which is a creamy brown named Mocha Mousse.

Resembling the qualities of chocolate and coffee, the colour was chosen for its representation of simple pleasures that people look for in everyday life.

“The richness and cosy warmth of this mellow brown tone is a representation of our yearning for comfort,” says the Institute’s vice president, Laurie Pressman, in a statement.

“People’s desire to unwind in the comforts of their home is a necessity in this fast-paced world, so it’s essential for their spaces to be crafted in their favour.”

Eleena says that this colour promotes a sense of comfort and elegance in interior spaces.

Various shades of brown are used within the interior of Leou’s house. Photo: David Yeow Photography

“It can be overwhelming if the colour is used too much in a space, but adding a mix of grey and white hues can be very beautiful indeed.”

Choo says that earthy and greyish tones are commonly used in minimalist design spaces as they add to the neat and clean aesthetic.

“Many people prefer their homes to look clean as they like coming back to a space that is free from the clutter of the outside world,” he adds.

Focusing on natural elements

Oil and gas exploration geoscientist Nazur Riza Norkaman’s two-storey house in Bukit Antarabangsa, Selangor is an abode that prioritises minimalism and wide open spaces.

Nazur Riza says his house was designed to blend in with the surrounding nature. Photo: Nazur Riza Norkaman

While the exterior of the 37-year-old’s house is a fusion of Scandinavian and Modern-A frame design, the interior is inspired by urban Malaysian houses, with a focus on open spaces that bring in natural ventilation and lighting.

“We wanted our house to reflect the qualities that we believe in, which are adaptability, practicality, openness and purposefulness,” he says.

Sticking to these qualities, Nazur Riza adds that neutral palettes were chosen for the interior walls of their hall, accompanied by olive grey, mahogany and shades of wooden browns to differentiate the areas within the interior.

“Our furniture was chosen based on the colour palettes that we have for our walls. We also picked those that came with natural wood, ceramic marbles and metal finishing to compliment our space.”

Adhering to the minimalist theme, Nazur Riza has also included black and other dark-coloured fabrics to provide contrast with the light grey and brown covering the walls of their new home.

“We try to avoid very retro designs because we believe it is hard to blend these looks with our lifestyle and the latest interior trends we tend to follow,” he adds.