The End of Minimalism? Embracing Homes with Heart

Minimalist interiors had their moment and a long one at that. From flawless white walls and beige boucle everything to shelves so empty they echoed, the “Clean Girl” aesthetic dominated Instagram feeds and interior mood boards for years. Think ultra-curated spaces that looked more like showrooms than homes. But all that is shifting. Fast.

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In 2025, interiors are getting messy in the best way possible. It’s out with the spotless and soulless, and in with the chaotic, colourful, and completely personal. Welcome to the era of real-life interiors, where homes are designed to be lived in, not just looked at.

What Sparked the Shift

Social media trends play a huge role in shaping interior design, and lately, platforms like TikTok have become breeding grounds for rebellion against perfection. Enter the “non-aesthetic home” trend; an antidote to hyper-stylised spaces. It celebrates mess, mismatched furniture, and that old mug you just can’t part with. Basically, if it sparks joy or tells a story, it stays.

Add to that a growing focus on mental health and authenticity, and the shift makes perfect sense. People are exhausted by pressure to maintain Insta-ready homes. There’s a collective sigh of relief as more and more folks embrace imperfection and decorate for comfort, not clout.

The Return of Character

Clean Girl interiors had one major flaw: they were often devoid of personality. Sure, they looked calm and cohesive, but they rarely told you anything about the people who lived there.

Now, homes are proudly showcasing quirks. Vintage finds mix with IKEA staples. Pattern clashes are encouraged. Sentimental bits and bobs are given pride of place. Books are no longer colour-coordinated, and artwork doesn’t have to match the sofa. In fact, mismatching is the new matching.

This return to character is deeply nostalgic. People are decorating with memories, heirlooms, and childhood relics. The rise of dopamine décor, cottagecore, and maximalism all play into this craving for homes that feel human.

Comfort is King

There’s also a practical side to the trend. Comfort is finally being prioritised over aesthetics. That means big, squashy sofas instead of stiff statement seating. Textured throws and oversized rugs are favoured over bare, echoey floors. And yes, shoes might be left in the hallway, and kids’ toys may gasp stay visible.

With more people working from home or adopting hybrid routines, it’s only natural to want a space that feels safe, soft, and lived-in. The days of hiding real life behind cupboard doors are well and truly over.

It’s Not About Mess, It’s About Meaning

Let’s clear something up; this isn’t about glorifying chaos. It’s about reclaiming the home as a place of personal expression. Where once people were told to declutter and “neutralise” their spaces for resale value or social media approval, the new approach is much more fluid. There’s room for collections, hobbies, and spontaneity.

It also means homeowners and renters alike are more inclined to make their space their own, even if it means risking a bit of clutter. Painted furniture, gallery walls of family photos, oddball ornaments picked up on holiday; these things are now the backbone of interior style, not the outliers.

The Flooring Factor

One often-overlooked hero in the shift to real-life interiors? The floor. In clean, minimal spaces, flooring was expected to be invisible; plain wood, grey laminate, maybe a jute rug if you were feeling bold. But in homes filled with personality, the floor gets to join the party.

Bold herringbone patterns, warm-toned parquet, richly textured LVT, and layered rugs all help ground these vibrant interiors. People are looking for flooring that doesn’t just look good, but feels good underfoot and holds up to the reality of everyday life. Think pets, spills, and impromptu dance parties in the kitchen.

Real Homes, Real People

This movement is more than a trend; it’s a cultural reset. There’s beauty in spaces that evolve naturally, that reflect a person’s passions, routines, and eccentricities. It’s about making the home a haven, not a photoshoot set.

So whether that means stacking books in every corner, painting the hallway sunflower yellow, or leaving the laundry basket out (because let’s face it, life happens), it’s all part of the charm. The new interior rulebook? Throw it out. Or at least scribble all over it with crayon.

Because finally, homes are for living in again. And that’s a trend worth celebrating.