Sorry, but It's 2025 — These Outdated Interior Design Rules (Too Many People Still Swear By) Should Be Ignored

A white living room with a burnt orange leather couch facing away from the camera. There are two orange accent chairs across form it that are mismatched. There is a white marble fire place in the middle of the room with lots of decor around it.

If working as a design writer has taught me anything, it's to always stay open to new ideas, concepts, and trends. Things are so cyclical. What's an essential guideline one year could be considered an outdated interior design rule by the next. So, what should we be following in 2025?

Interior designer Amy Courtney says, "A common thread among the fading interior design rules is their emphasis on uniformity and perfection." Today, there’s a growing appreciation for the imperfect and the hyper-personal, like unlacquered hardware that patinas over time, textured wall finishes, or a thoughtful mix of old and new. "Design now leans more into character, individuality, and spaces that tell a story rather than perfection," says Amy.