Design experts decode the reigning décor trends that will shape what homes look and feel like

The modern discourse is rife with reinvention and representation of the conventional in a modernised light. Creativity lies in the transgression of how materials are utilised and adaptability is all but a reincarnation of traditional metals into catalysts of modern expression. HELLO! speaks to experts Raseel Gujral, Krish Kothari, and Sonali Rastogi to break down all things new and inviting so as to what the world can expect from the trends that will define interiors and décor in the season to come.

1. Metallic magic

Reimagining run-of-the-mill metals into a contemporary art form as a piece of decor has been dominating the interior scene for a while now, and only seems to be gaining popularity in the coming years. “Traditional materials are being reawakened — not reinvented, but rediscovered through a more soulful lens,” says Raseel Gujral, the founder of Casa Paradox, Casa Pop and Arzaani. Imbibing architectural beauty is second nature to her, especially since she has inherited one of India’s most illustrious creative lineages, being the daughter of celebrated artist, architect, and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Satish Gujral. “Concrete is no longer brutal; it’s hand-burnished into a soft, almost meditative finish. Wood is left with its knots and scars intact, metal is oxidised rather than polished, and textiles — from raw silks to handloom cottons — are layered to build story and sensation. Texture isn’t embellishment, it is a catalyst of emotional resonance,” she muses.

2. Concealed creativity

Hidden bars, concealed doorways, pull-out pantries, pop-up TV units, hidden wine cellars, and the like are the new currency of luxury. “It’s not about less, it is about hiding the excess elegantly,” says the multifaceted Krish Kothari, Founder of KKD Studio. The process allows functionality to dissolve in the background, and architecture to take centre stage. “The key is to let function marry form, use millwork intelligently and treat storage like sculptural geometry. A tip I always give: think vertical. Use hidden compartments above eye level or along transitional walls. It declutters without sacrificing volume or style.”

3. Let there by light

No longer considered as a separate element of design, lighting has taken center stage in the interior landscape. From setting the ambiance of the room to adding visual depth, lighting is now less about illumination and more about storytelling. “Lighting has always been vital to spatial choreography. We use layered lighting to tell a different story depending on the time of day,” says Sonali Rastogi, the co-founding partner of Morphogenesis. “Sculptural chandeliers in a double-height atrium, concealed lights to wash a lime-plastered wall, or handblown glass fixtures as art help utilise lighting as something more than a function, enabling visibility but curating a space that allows for artistic expression.” Krish adds: “In common spaces like living rooms or lounges, layered lighting combines ambience, task, and accent to create dimension. In bedrooms, softer directional lighting with warm tones brings calm. And in kitchens, functionality doesn’t have to be boring — linear lighting under cabinetry, or diffused LEDs in niches, can still feel luxurious.”

4. Bringing the outdoors in

In India, outdoor settings are both a climatic imperative and an emotional anchor. Hence, their blending with the indoors is not merely a stylistic gesture. Moreover, natural light acts as a design tool in itself by permeating into a space and breathing life into materials, revealing their true texture and shifting colours. “Transitional elements such as verandas, internal courtyards, and jaali screens play a quiet yet critical role. They filter light, shape privacy, and frame the landscape in ways that are both functional and contemplative,” explains Sonali Rastogi. “Natural light, when harnessed with intent, brings rhythm, contrast, and softness. It animates architectural surfaces and allows a space to evolve across the day. In doing so, it transforms the home from a static enclosure into a living, responsive environment.”

5. Pièce de résistance

The concept of statement pieces have long held in the lexicon of bold, voluminous and loud. However, the modern narrative is defined by intent, placement, and resonance. While some elements emerge through materiality, others utilise craft, memory, or spatial contrast. “A hand-carved door, a brass lattice screen filtering daylight, or a singular piece of furniture crafted by hand, each carries presence without insisting on it,” states Sonali. For Krish, it is all about custom furniture; be it a sculptural chair in an unusual silhouette, a monochrome art piece that plays with depth, or even a ceiling fixture that feels like kinetic art. When it comes to Raseel, she has an inclination for the amalgamation of art and function, think hand-sculpted centre table, blown-glass chandelier that moves with the air, or a textile installation spanning a wall.

6. Curated reflections

Emblems of Indian heritage, mirrors have long stood symbolic of self, light and truth. Now being utilised as installations, mirrors are creating visual intrigue and reframing how spaces are being perceived. “Whether it’s a fluted panel that catches the morning light, a full-height bronze mirror leaning against an indigo wall, or an organically shaped mirror echoing a pond; they hold both function and poetry,” elucidates Raseel. More often than not, mirrors have given royal facelift to a bland space. Think ceilings, corridors or even a plain wall. Sonali explains, “Concave or faceted mirrors placed within curved corridors, oxidised or antique mirrors embedded into niches, and mirrored ceilings introduced in moderation can all contribute to a layered spatial reading.”

7. A nod to neutrals

Reflecting a global shift towards mindfulness, earthy neutrals reflect a growing appetite for calm and tactile, yet emotive sophistication. Offering a recalibration of sorts in a world inundated with loud stimuli and blue screens, earthy tones create a visual quietude, that draws from natural stillness. “While tones like turmeric, clay, rose dust, and neem leaf speak to the collective longing for being grounded, their evolution is all but natural,” says Raseel. Hinting a shift towards antique jewel tones of burnished golds, inky blues, chalky reds, she recommends layering against aged whites and faded charcoals. Sonali’s design sensibilities are leaning towards saturated natural hues. “Mineral greens, oxidised blues, ash greys, and burnt ambers are becoming increasingly relevant. These are colours with provenance, often rooted in local geology, weathering processes, or traditional material finishes.” she explains.

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8. Materials and maximalism

We asked our interior experts to walk us through their interior trend predictions for the year; and what all of them mentioned unanimously was the use of tactile design — one that moves away from excess and invites the audiences to touch. For example, honed stone, brushed wood, and natural metal introduce depth and subtle complexity. Designers are also welcoming the onset of muted maximalism — yet another iteration of quiet luxury. Think rich materials like marble, velvet, and lacquer, all used with restraint. Soft geometry, which means breaking away from traditional symmetry to embrace movement as a form of art, has been successful in percolating from fashion to interiors. Lastly, Indian crafts — a trend that is timeless and perennial. With craft finding new relevance, not as ornament but as a core design language, traditional techniques such as hand weaving, stone carving, and inlay work are being reinterpreted to determine the character of a space.

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