5 Travel Destinations That Will Shape Interior Design in 2025

1. Tbilisi, Georgia – Soviet-Era Meets Maximalist Revival

Why It’s Trending: Tbilisi is a design disruptor. The city’s bold mix of Soviet Brutalism, Art Nouveau, and contemporary maximalism is inspiring a new aesthetic in interiors. Expect to see unexpected color pairings, statement patterns, and vintage-meets-futuristic decor making waves.

How to Bring It Home: Layer rich velvets, marble textures, and oversized geometric prints. Look for vintage Soviet-inspired glassware or handcrafted Georgian enamel jewelry to display as decor.

Design Tip: Mix brutalist elements (concrete, metal, glass) with soft, maximalist touches (velvet, ornate mirrors, bold colors) for a modern Tbilisi-inspired space.

2. Dakar, Senegal – Afro-Futurism & Textural Warmth

Why It’s Trending: Senegalese design is having a global moment, thanks to the rise of Afro-futurism and handwoven craft traditions. Dakar blends warm, sunbaked color palettes with ultra-modern, sculptural design—think curved furniture, organic textures, and earthy, ochre-infused tones.

How to Bring It Home: Incorporate woven baskets, textured walls, and sculptural furniture pieces. Use a palette of burnt orange, deep browns, and sand tones to create a warm, grounded aesthetic.

Design Tip: Opt for handmade textiles—Senegalese weaving techniques are some of the most intricate and beautiful in the world.

3. Mexico City, Mexico – Retro Futurism & Playful Geometry

Why It’s Trending: Mexico City is setting the tone for bold, playful, retro-futuristic interiors in 2025. The city’s mix of 1960s modernism, bright tropical colors, and contemporary art influences is inspiring statement furniture, modular design, and an experimental approach to color.

How to Bring It Home: Look for curved, mid-century-style furniture in unexpected hues (turquoise, mustard, coral). Play with high-contrast color blocking and sculptural decor pieces.

Design Tip: Add terrazzo elements (tables, flooring, or decor) for a nod to Mexico City’s modernist movement.

Photography: Alice Mesguich. Design: Cyrus Ardalan

4. Tainan, Taiwan – Tranquil Minimalism with a Handcrafted Soul

Why It’s Trending: While Japan’s wabi-sabi has dominated minimalist interiors, Taiwan’s artisanal, wood-forward design aesthetic is quietly becoming the next big thing. Tainan, a historic city filled with handcrafted ceramics, reclaimed wood furniture, and minimalist tea houses, is influencing a softer, more soulful minimalism in 2025.

How to Bring It Home: Use dark-stained wood, hand-thrown ceramics, and soft linen fabrics to create a balanced, timeless look. Layer in low, minimalist furniture with a handcrafted feel.

Design Tip: Incorporate subtle asymmetry—Taiwanese design is all about organic imperfection.

5. Ljubljana, Slovenia – Eco-Luxury & Botanical Design

Why It’s Trending: Sustainability is more than a buzzword in Slovenia—it’s a lifestyle. Ljubljana is setting the standard for eco-luxury design, blending natural materials, botanical interiors, and biophilic architecture with a refined, European sensibility.

How to Bring It Home: Opt for stone textures, reclaimed wood, and statement greenery. Look for Slovenian-inspired artisanal glassware, vintage lighting, and earth-toned ceramics.

Design Tip: Create a serene, spa-like feel with soft neutral hues and oversized indoor plants.

Final Thoughts

2025 is about bold contrasts, handcrafted authenticity, and a shift towards emerging design hubs. Whether you’re drawn to Tbilisi’s rebellious edge, Dakar’s sculptural warmth, or Ljubljana’s sustainable elegance, these destinations are shaping the interiors of tomorrow.

You don’t need a plane ticket to embrace these aesthetics—just a little creativity and the right design choices.