Urban Neon Meets Rural Calm: The Two-Sided Home Decor of 2025
Amsterdam, maandag, 9 juni 2025.
In 2025, a remarkable interior design trend unfolds that unites two contrasting spheres: ‘city glow’ and ‘cottage flow’. Art Deco furniture and rattan seating define a new landscape design where urban dynamism and natural tranquillity converge. This trend reflects a deeper need for both expressive energy and calm, with designers experimenting with neon accents alongside organic textures. Notably, this trend connects with a generation that requires both creative outburst and peaceful escape, allowing interiors to tell a personal story of balance and contradiction.
The Rise of Two-Sided Home Decor
The home decor industry in 2025 is characterised by a striking duality between urban neon aesthetics and natural, calming elements. Interior designer Anton Liakhov describes this trend as a reflection of ‘city glow’ and ‘cottage flow’, two contrasting spheres that define contemporary living culture [1]. The trend demonstrates a generation that needs both creative expression and a peaceful escape.
Urban Dynamism: Neon and Brutalist Design
The ‘city glow’ trend manifests with striking features such as neon wall paint from Daydream Apothecary and highlighter-coloured decorative cushions [2]. Brands like Oliver Gal introduce statement pieces with a mix of modern surrealist art and pop culture references, with ‘elegance and unexpectedness’ at the centre [1].
Rural Calm: Natural Textures
Opposing urban energy is the ‘cottage flow’ trend, which creates a ‘peaceful sanctuary’ with natural textures [1]. Etsy reports a significant 26,000 per cent increase in searches for ‘French cottage decor’ compared to 2024 [2]. Interior designer Kathy Kuo signals a shift from ‘hustle culture’ to an appreciation for simplicity and natural elements [1].