This year’s design trends reflect a yearning for both experimentation, nostalgia and comfort. From 16 – 18 July 2025 in Melbourne, the furniture and design trade can see the latest collections at Australia’s original and longest running exhibition for the industry. The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) will take place alongside Decor + Design at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, with important features including VIVID Emerging Designer Awards. It will also host the prestigious Seminar Series, supported by The Design Files with speakers including Thomas Hamel, David Flack, Arent & Pyke and Sarah Ellison.

As we prepare for a great show in July, let’s dive into the fundamental movements shaping the creative industries right now.

FURNITURE THAT HUGS

Our homes are our sanctuaries. More so than ever, there is a ‘nesting’ aesthetic in interior design and art that prioritises comfort and safety. Materials are voluminous and tactile, with everything from bio-resins to plush corduroy embracing the user.

Designers like Pierre Yovanovitch and Rogan Gregory are crafting pieces that feel like a hug from a friend —furniture that becomes a character in our life. Pierre Yovanovitch’s ‘Papa Bear’ Chair can be seen above, as well as an interior from his own home (left, Est magazine).

PLAYFUL COLOURS

Sky-blue—the colour of expansive optimism—is a standout shade for 2025, offering a cheerful counterpoint to the earthy browns and neutrals. As are rich reds and purples, such as the Rhubarb and Hubba Bubba Purple we’ve chosen for Decor + Design this year.

There’s also a sense of play at work. Sugary pastel tones and organic edges evoke a sense of playful sophistication, while the arrangement of furniture—like placing a sofa in the centre of a room—encourages interaction and spontaneity.

MODERN FLORALS

Florals are back – but these aren’t your mother’s florals. Gone are the small Liberty prints and in their place are bold, graphic, and sophisticated flowers, often rendered in black-and-white or high-saturation palettes. For inspiration, look to Australian painter Margaret Preston’s beautiful still lifes inspire botanical motifs that bleed and blend, creating a sense of dynamic movement.

For interiors, florals extend beyond prints to embrace texture and volume. Picture the structured presence of a cactus or the layered fluidity of a David Hockney print. Colour combinations like red and pink or black and green bring a modern twist to traditional floral designs, while the joy of layered, decomposing botanicals adds depth and intrigue. One of our signature artworks for Decor + Design & AIFF draws on these themes and the essential elements that inspire designers.

‘The Eye of the Elements’ for Decor + Design 2025, designed by Skye Rytenskild and Mary Wong

CARDBOARD AND PAPER 

Sociologically, nostalgia is also behind the renewed interest that Gen Z are showing in old ideas – from tableware to vinyl records to Oasis, everything old(er) is new again; albeit packaged more adroitly for social media.

The possibilities of cardboard and paper can be seen in an ever-increasing array of furniture. Completely recyclable and able to be flat-packed for transport, it’s one of the most sustainable, stylish options to think about in 2025.

Corrugated Cardboard Shelving by Gessato. Image: Gessato

That childhood favourite papier-mâché has also re-emerged as a tactile medium. It emerged again as a viable material during the pandemic, when artists and designers made do with the materials they had at hand. It’s now become favoured for its visual lightness and ability to create playful forms. It can also be lacquered for a more modern, grown-up edge.

THE MAGIC OF THE COSMOS 

Designers across disciplines are looking to the cosmos for inspiration – all the elements of the universe, from the desert to the stars. Both astronomy and astrology continue to pique the interest of consumers, with the latter moving firmly from the fringes to the mainstream.

THE WISDOM OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Amid these aesthetic explorations, a deeper narrative is emerging: the influence of the Global South and local wisdom on design. From basketing techniques in raffia to tarnished metals that celebrate imperfection, these designs speak to a collective yearning for authenticity, as well as community.

A great example is the PET Lamp Project, which works with communities and artisans all over the globe to upcycle plastic bottles into gorgeous lighting.

CONNECTION 

A running motif among the 2025 directions is the yearning for community; for simpler times offline and connection with peers. The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) and Decor + Design community is truly unique in Australian design. Established for 21 years in Australia’s design capital of Melbourne, it is a true gathering place for the industry, with features including the International Seminar Series and VIVID Emerging Designer Award.

Register now to visit – entry to the exhibition is free but limited to design trade visitors. Seminar tickets range from $70 – $110, with 25% off before 31 May. Don’t miss hearing from some of the best in the business, including David Flack, Arent & Pyke, Thomas Hamel, Myles Baldwin and more.