Home decor's got a split personality this year: Call it 鈥渃ity glow鈥� and 鈥渃ottage flow.鈥�
At the two international design fairs that I attended 鈥� Maison et Objet in France, Ambiente in Germany 鈥� acres of exhibition booths were full of , island-vibe rattan seating and lighting, and lots of emphasis on materials.
But a couple of aesthetics drawing crowds were especially interesting.
Capturing the 鈥榗ity glow鈥�
One was an exuberant urban vibe I鈥檓 nicknaming 鈥渃ity glow.鈥� It鈥檚 full of highlighter-hued throw pillows, edgy surrealism, street art and hefty, Brutalist-style furniture 鈥� lots of sharp-cornered steel or concrete consoles and lamps that loomed over rooms 鈥� as well as rugs and wallcoverings covered in graffiti-style motifs or swaths of vibrant color.
Gretchen Rivera, an interior designer in Washington, D.C., sees it as a look that resonates especially with 鈥測ounger generations who grew up with digital influences. There鈥檚 surrealist art, energetic colors and playful, almost toy-like design.鈥�
Interior designer Anton Liakhov in Nice, France, agrees: 鈥淔or a generation clamoring for creativity and self-expression, it鈥檚 loud and in-your-face.鈥�
For surface colors, look at Benjamin Moore鈥檚 spicy orange Bryce Canyon or the bubblegum-pink Springtime Bloom. Daydream Apothecary has a whole collection of neon wall paints for intrepid decorators.
Sisters Ana and Lola S谩nchez use art as a bold form of self-expression at their luxe brand Oliver Gal, in South Florida. It's known for its handcrafted, statement-making pieces 鈥� including large acrylic gummy bears, graphic surfboards and wall art inspired by , pop culture and modern surrealism. The result is a vibrant, edgy aesthetic.
A new collection, Rococo Pop, introduces rococo-inspired frames in high-gloss acrylics paired with playful graphic imagery. 鈥淲e wanted to take the opulence of 18th century rococo,鈥� notes Ana S谩nchez, 鈥渁nd give it a cheeky, pop-art punch.鈥�
鈥淭hese frames are like little rebels in ballgowns 鈥� elegant, over-the-top and totally unexpected,鈥� adds Lola S谩nchez.
The style, her sister says, 鈥渃elebrates contrast. Old World charm meets modern mischief.鈥�
Following the 鈥榗ottage flow鈥�
The other impressive decor style at the design fairs was very different from the urban look. I鈥檓 calling this one 鈥渃ottage flow,鈥� and Liakhov describes it as evoking a 鈥減eaceful sanctuary, where you can play around with textures that are anchored in, and in tune with, nature.鈥�
Think nubby woolen throws Softly burnished wooden tables. Vintage quilts, and dishware. Gingham and . Imagery of birds and woodland animals on textiles and wallcoverings.
Etsy鈥檚 2025 spring/summer trend report showed that searches for 鈥淔rench cottage decor鈥� were up over 26,000% compared to 2024.
鈥淚 see people embracing a slower pace to life where they can,鈥� says New York-based interior and decor designer Kathy Kuo about the country cottage style.
鈥淭he past two decades or so were dominated by a glorification of fast-paced 鈥榟ustle culture鈥� 鈥� trends like and are evidence that the pendulum鈥檚 swinging toward taking pleasure in simpler, more nature-adjacent things in life, whether or not you actually live in a country cottage,鈥� she says.
Paint colors are also reflecting the trend. A calming sage green called Quietude is HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams鈥� color of the year. Little-Greene鈥檚 collection has names like Rolling Fog, Tea with Florence and Hammock.
Mixing the styles
Watching design show visitors excitedly discovering new finds among the aisles, I thought THIS is what鈥檚 fun about home decorating: You can think as creatively as you like when it comes to your own home.
You鈥檙e all about high-octane city nightlife? Come this way.
Scottish crofts, Scandi cabins and cozy porches more your thing? Right over here.
And if you want to mix these two aesthetics? Go for it. There鈥檚 space to blend elements of both, says Kuo.
鈥淒esign trends are so fluid. I absolutely see the potential to merge these into each other,鈥� she says. 鈥淢any city dwellers love time in nature and have an affinity for a more rustic look, while still feeling called to honor their urban environment in their home. I see plenty of modern interior design motifs that are sleek and urban on the surface, but in the details, they鈥檙e infused with organic textures and biophilic elements.鈥�
鈥淩eally, the best designs are the ones that are personal, rather than perfect,鈥� she adds.
You could display an array of contemporary glass bowls on a curvy walnut credenza. Mix botanical patterns in vibrant, unexpected colors. Soften room elements like a sleek table and industrial-style lamp with boucle or velvet cushions and a fluffy rug. Pair polished concrete floors with vintage-inspired wallcovering.
If you don鈥檛 want to mix elements in one space, consider using sliding partitions from one room to another. You鈥檒l create a little style 鈥渏ourney.鈥�
If the recent international design fairs are any indication, you鈥檙e going to find loads of fun home decor in stores over the coming months. Get ready to flow.
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New York-based writer Kim Cook covers design and decor topics regularly for The Associated Press. Follow her on Instagram at @kimcookhome.
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Kim Cook, The Associated Press
