What I Learned at Decorex 2025 — And What It Means for Your Home
- mydenlife
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
When I stepped into the halls of Decorex 2025 at Olympia London this October, I felt a sea of calm. It's one of the design industry events that showcases upcoming products and is a great way to see trends coming through. Muted colours abounded, rich textures, natural materials and evidence that design is embracing personality, emotion and craft in way that makes even a modest home feel special. But here’s the thing—these ideas aren’t just for sprawling show homes or luxury penthouses. They’re absolutely for you, the homeowner who wants a space that looks wonderful and works beautifully.
One of the prevailing moods at the show was a return to warmth not just in colour but in feeling. While many stands kept a minimalist look with warm whites, buttery yellows and open, airy layouts, the effect was far from cold. There was such a wealth of tactile finishes that I'm sure you could almost feel them through the photos.
In practice, for your own home, this means stepping away from the grey-and-white palette and leaning into deeper neutrals or layered tones that wrap you in comfort. Picture a cinnamon velvet sofa that invites you in on a Friday night, or a wall colour that glows softly under warm light. Subtle shifts like these create refuge and calm — and that’s exactly what many of us are craving right now.
Craft and the human touch were everywhere. At Decorex, artisans were demonstrating hand-embroidery, felting (the artworks - just wow - check out Valerie Wartelle), weaving, paper art (just loved A Petal Unfolds ), texture and purpose everywhere. You don’t need a workshop at home (though if you do, please invite me over!). Instead, think about investing in fewer, better pieces — things made with care and intention. Alongside art, a well-crafted sideboard, a handwoven blanket, or a textured wallpaper can change the whole atmosphere of a room.
Choosing items that tell a story — something that lasts, something sustainable — gives your home a curated, thoughtful feel rather than chaos. This move towards sustainable interior design isn’t just a trend; it’s a mindset shift toward longevity and love for what you live with. When you choose with meaning, your home feels curated not chaotic.
Another unmistakable trend was the rise of lighting. From stunning alabaster and ceramic shades to beautiful brass and sleek finishes. Lighting is having a real moment in the spotlight (excuse the pun) as it becomes more and more creative with its materials and approaches. Loved some of the offerings for sockets and switches with modern technology being fused behind the scenes so you can still have a beautiful toggle switch in your Victorian terrace (I mean we all want those don't we - even if you hadn't though it until now!) but this toggle is a dimmer too. Soo clever! And then looking at the recycled elements of light shades being used to stunning effect makes a circular economy start to feel more attainable at the product end.
What does that mean for your space? It means you can soften a room with the right lighting, remember those layers of lights I always talk about? Layered lighting — combining ambient, task, and accent lighting — helps every room feel more relaxed, considered, and ultimately, more you.
Smart lighting, acoustic panelling wrapped in custom fabrics, integrated controls — all featured strongly this year. But what really stood out was how invisible it all felt. The best design tech disappears into the background, letting your furniture and textiles shine.
If you’re planning a renovation or room refresh, think about the wiring, switches, and lighting early. That way, your home works perfectly without looking cluttered or complicated. And if you ever need an extension lead that’s both functional and stylish — check out LolaLeads. Genius!
Perhaps the most heartening takeaway from Decorex 2025 was how sustainability has evolved — no longer a buzzword, but a beautiful design philosophy. Materials that age gracefully, finishes that show life and use, surfaces that tell stories.
This is design that feels human again. In practice, that could mean embracing natural timber, choosing hand-finished furniture, or selecting fabrics that will evolve with your family. Beauty, warmth, and responsibility can coexist — and that’s the future of British interior design.
How to Bring These Trends Home
You don’t need to overhaul your whole house overnight. Try these gentle shifts:
Introduce a deeper neutral like warm browns, olive, or terracotta — perfect for walls or cushions.
Add in a handcrafted or textured element — a ceramic lamp, a curved chair, or a woven wall hanging.
In a digitally wired home, keep the tech subtle: choose smart lights that can dim or change colour, but pair them with beautiful shades or glass so the light still feels ambient not clinical. Always think about the warmth of your lightbulbs. Check out last months blog for more on lighting
In a smaller room or apartment, favour curvy furniture and soft shapes over rigid ones. For example, a rounded ottoman rather than a rectangular coffee table will make the space feel less boxed in.
Embroidered Artwork by Hamy Newton
Decorex 2025 underlined that beautiful homes are not just about what's trendy—they’re about texture, depth, thoughtfulness and above all, what it feels like to live in them. Your home should feel like you walked in and someone finally got what you wanted, saw how you live, and responded with design that suits you. It should feel like your home.
If you’re ready to explore how these ideas could take shape in your own space—whether it’s a one-room refresh or a full home redesign—I’d love to bring this inspiration to your home.
Book an informal chat with me today: https://calendly.com/tor-denlife/enquiry
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