10 Home Design Trends OUT (and IN) for 2025

Trends change faster than a Greenville flip house on a hot market weekend—and 2025’s home design forecast is no exception. In this Selling Greenville episode, the conversation takes a creative detour from market metrics to mood boards. Forget interest rates for a minute—this one’s all about the design decisions shaping Greenville homes right now. From colors and floors to kitchens and layouts, the year ahead is rewriting what “modern” really means.

2025 Home Design Trends in Greenville

Every design season brings its own wave of “must-haves” and “must-gos,” but the 2025 home design trends in Greenville come with one unmissable theme: light, livable simplicity. Gone are the days of dark woods, heavy accents, and farmhouse overload. Buyers want bright, functional, and effortless style—and builders are listening.

Below are the top 10 design shifts transforming upstate homes this year. Some might surprise you (and some will sting if you just finished your remodel).

1. Pallet Walls: Out

Pallet walls had their Pinterest moment, but in 2025, they’re more splinter than statement. Once the darling of DIY decor, they now read as dated and cluttered.

In: Wallpaper accent walls.

That’s right—wallpaper’s back (no, really). Today’s prints are sleek, botanical, geometric, and refreshingly grown-up. Bathrooms and bedrooms are prime spots, and when done right, wallpaper delivers depth and warmth for a fraction of the cost of tile.

2. Greige: Out

If beige and gray had a baby, it would be greige—and that poor kid’s finally moved out. Buyers have seen enough.

In: Soft white tones.

White is back—but not the sterile kind. Think warm, creamy undertones with a touch of cool gray or blue to keep things balanced. The result feels fresh and open without blinding you at sunrise.

3. White Ceilings with Colored Walls: Out

Remember when every wall was tinted and every ceiling was stark white? That contrast now feels harsh.

In: Monochrome flow.

Painting walls and ceilings the same color—especially softer whites and muted tones—creates a seamless, calming feel. Add crisp white crown molding, and suddenly the entire room feels tailored and expensive.

4. Barn Doors: Out

What once screamed “modern farmhouse” now just screams “overdone.” Barn doors don’t fit most architectural styles and can be awkward to use (especially when they don’t lock—bathroom panic, anyone?).

In: Farmhouse-style trim boards.

This subtle nod to country charm—simple 1x4 or 1x6 square trim around doors and windows—adds dimension without dominating a space. It’s clean, timeless, and looks custom without blowing the budget.

5. Two-Tone Cabinets: Out

Split-color cabinetry (dark lowers, white uppers) had its fun, but it’s officially run its course. Buyers today walk into those kitchens and just ask, “Why?”

In: Statement islands.

Instead of a divided palette, homeowners are making their islands the centerpiece—contrasting cabinetry and a bold countertop create visual drama while keeping the rest consistent. Think white cabinets with a moody navy or forest-green island.

6. Dark Hardwood Floors: Out

They looked chic for a while—right up until homeowners realized they show every speck of dust, dog hair, and crumb.

In: Light, natural finishes.

Lighter woods and honey-toned planks are redefining “modern classic.” Whether real hardwood or LVP, natural-grain finishes make rooms feel airy and open. Bonus: they hide dirt like a magician’s trick.

7. Busy Mosaic Tile: Out

Remember those tiny, 1x1 tile backsplashes from the early 2000s? They’re officially retired (and probably collecting dust behind your coffee maker).

In: Streamlined, monochrome tile with texture.

Herringbone layouts, vertically stacked tiles, and handcrafted looks are giving kitchens and baths subtle movement without chaos. Add a pop with an accent niche or a playful grout color—it’s all about quiet personality, not loud pattern.

8. Front Sitting Rooms: Out

Formal living rooms are relics from an era when guests “dropped by” unannounced. Today, they’re unused square footage.

In: Closed-in home offices.

Since 2020, the need for private workspace hasn’t faded—it’s evolved. French doors, built-ins, and quiet corners are prized over unused seating areas. A front room that converts easily into an office adds major appeal.

9. Wide-Open Floor Plans: Out

For decades, builders tore down every wall they could find. Now? People are quietly rebuilding them.

In: Flow and airiness.

Homeowners still love connectivity (because who doesn’t like shouting across the kitchen to find the remote?), but they also crave defined zones—especially for noise control and privacy (because open plans mean everyone hears your conference call and the blender). Think open sight lines without the echo: partial walls, archways, or clever furniture placement that separates spaces while keeping the layout fluid (like a house that learned boundaries but still gives good hugs).

10. Formal Dining Rooms: Out

Unless your last name is Crawley and you live at Downton Abbey, that big, untouched dining room is wasted real estate.

In: Eat-in kitchens and island living.

Most homeowners eat at the counter or in cozy breakfast nooks. Islands have replaced formal tables as social hubs, offering casual seating and functionality in one.

The Greenville Design Takeaway

Taken together, 2025’s home design trends in Greenville are about livability—simple, natural, and authentic. Homes are shedding their overly themed styles (farewell, “Fixer Upper” clones) and leaning into personal comfort. The best spaces don’t shout; they breathe.

Builders are adapting fast, and so are buyers. From Magnolia-inspired textures to natural materials and multi-use spaces, today’s Upstate homes balance timeless style with everyday ease.

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Bottom Line

The 2025 home design trends in Greenville make one thing clear: less is more, and light is everything. Homes that feel warm, functional, and flexible are in high demand. Whether you’re flipping, remodeling, or planning your next project, ditch the dark floors (they highlight crumbs like a CSI episode), say goodbye to barn doors (great for cows, not for privacy), and embrace the airy simplicity that defines 2025 style. The result? Spaces that feel bigger, brighter, and built for real life (aka less fuss, more living).

Ien Araneta

Journal & Podcast Editor | Selling Greenville