By Catherine Romano

OUT: Tepid Hues

Our pros dismissed neutrals, sage green and timid pinks, corals, peaches and lavenders as too predictable: "The light, bright and white is feeling a little void of personality right now," said San Francisco designer Kristen Peña.

IN: Deep Purple

"We're returning to the natural dyes found in old tapestries, the hues born from gemstones," said Robin Standefer, of New York's Roman and Williams. Think terracotta, oxidized reds, warm ochres, velvety browns. Particularly popular among the cognoscenti: aubergine, plum and merlot, as on Maiden Home's sofa, above right.

OUT: Total Brass

"It's been brass finishes everywhere for a while," noted Darlene Molnar, a Reston, Va., designer. And though most people still want to make "classic" choices, says Meghann Van Dorn, director of interior design at Boston architectural firm TAT, they want their hardware finishes to feel fresh.

IN: Amiable Nickel

With folks tiring of brass and increasingly willing to mix metals, designers see polished nickel, like the hardware above right from Top Knobs, making headway. Says Danielle Chiprut, a designer in Rockville Centre, N.Y., "Nickel's subtle golden undertone allows it to play well with both brass and cooler silvers."

OUT: Brutal Lights

Recessed downlights, once prized for their minimal visual presence, "can leave spaces feeling flat and overlit," said Tina Schnabel, head of interiors at BarlisWedlick in New York.

IN: Fine Fixtures

"Decorative flush mounts are poised to take over," said Molnar. See the Rex V.1 from Urban Electric Co., above. These fixtures look more intentional and shed softer, ambient light, says Schnabel.

OUT: Wriggly Edges

What some call dopamine decor -- scalloped edges and goofy shapes -- isn't aging well. "Groovy, squiggly mirrors and tables make spaces feel immature and stuck in the past," said designer Amber Guyton, founder of Atlanta firm Blessed Little Bungalow.

IN: Character-Rich Furnishings

As fast furniture adds to landfills, designers see a growing hunger for storied, unique pieces like the French 18th-century commode (above right), placed by Angelica Squire. Antiquing takes patience and time, admits the co-founder of London's Studio Squire, but she says beautifully aged gems turn up at online marketplaces such as Vinterior, 1stDibs, Pamono and Selency.

OUT: Reeded Panels

While many designers initially enjoyed the resurrection of ribbed and reeded cabinetry and walls -- a '70s throwback that's easily mass-produced -- pros like New York architect Enda Donagher say the look "suffered from overexposure."

IN: Immersive Scenery

"I see U.S. designers embracing murals on all four walls and sometimes the ceiling," said Claire Staszak, of Chicago's Centered by Design. She recently turned to French brand Isidore Leroy for its panoramic wallpapers (like the one above right).

OUT: Swollen Sectionals

Though oversize couches offer acreage for lounging, Nashville, Tenn., interior designer Kate Figler sees the curtain coming down on super-casual sectionals. "They take up an enormous amount of real estate within a room and inevitably look messy and disheveled," she said.

IN: Demure Banquettes

Figler has seen a call for corner seating like the setup she fashioned in Dallas (above right). With smaller footprints, tailored banquettes "open up a floor plan." Figler calls them "a perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or dig into a puzzle."

OUT: Ashy Oaks

White-oak flooring has grown painfully ubiquitous. Lina Galvão, of Curated Nest Interiors, in Greenwich, Conn., credits the rampant modern-farmhouse style for driving up its popularity.

IN: Salvaged Tile

Reclaimed terracotta, like the hexagrams from New York-based Country Floors above, seems to be gaining traction. It's valued for its organic character, says Chicago designer Meghan Kluth.

OUT: Blank Spaces Above

Meghan Jay, a designer in Evanston, Ill., declares: "Gone are the days of overlooked, drab white ceilings." Monica Santayana, of Moniomi Design in Miami, adds that neglected ceilings "can make a room feel flat or disconnected."

IN: Overhead Consideration

"2025 will see more of the 'fifth wall' being addressed," predicts Birmingham, Ala., designer Cyndy Cantley. Dynamic ceilings can boost a room's overall atmosphere, says Santayana, who brought wallpaper to new heights in the Manhattan bedroom above right.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 27, 2024 10:00 ET (15:00 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.