An inside look at the styles, colours and accents that are trending for 2025. Plus, some homegrown merriment for the holiday season.
As 2024 draws to a close, the team here at Genesis Land is looking forward to seeing which home design trends will be front-and-centre in our communities next year. For the lowdown, we asked a couple of industry experts to share their thoughts on what to expect in home exterior and interior trends for 2025.
Historical styles with modern influences
As the Architectural Controls Manager at Genesis Land, Holly Patterson is well-versed on what’s trending in home exteriors. When it comes to architectural styles, Patterson says that today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly drawn to historical designs. “There seems to be a resurgence of European styles, with large, curved rooflines and luxurious detailing. It’s kind of this old-world charm that people are harkening back to,” she says.
But, adds Patterson, builders and designers are taking these popular old-world styles and adding some modern touches to make them more contemporary. “They’re using a lot of the important details of what makes a particular style, but then changing things a little by making lines cleaner or modernizing certain elements. Historical styles offer a great jumping-off point, because people can really play with them,” she says.
Earth-toned exteriors
According to Patterson, there has been a recent shift in home exterior colours, and this shift will continue in the new year. “People are going for warmer earth tones and comfort colours that have a grounding quality,” she says. Inspired by nature, these warm, earthy tones are subtle yet sophisticated, and they integrate seamlessly with natural accents like wood and stone, which will also be trendy for 2025.
“There’s definitely been an increase in the use of wood or wood-appearance products on home exteriors,” says Patterson. “And, while stone has always been popular, we’re now seeing it being used more for its tactile quality, so there’s texture to it, which brings a nice, earthy feel to a home.”
Embracing the natural
All-natural materials are also becoming increasingly popular inside the home, says interior designer Marika Deliyannides, owner of Calgary-based House Crush Studio. “We’re seeing lots of woods, stonework and tiles,” Deliyannides says. “Right now, people are also really keen on wools and natural fabrics, whether that’s for their carpets, their sofas or their throw rugs.”
In addition to natural and organic fabrics, Deliyannides is noticing that her clients are embracing the idea of reusing or upcycling existing interior pieces. “People are trying to make sustainable choices. They’re picking out recycled materials or other items that can be reused or repurposed—a piece of furniture that can be turned into a vanity, for example,” she says.
Jewels in the crown
While home exteriors are trending toward warm, earthy hues, brighter, more eye-catching colours seem to be making a resurgence indoors. “At House Crush Studio, we’re getting more and more requests from homeowners for bolder colours, bolder patterns, bolder textures,” says Deliyannides. “We’re seeing a lot of jewel tones, which I think is really exciting—a lot of colourful sofas, chairs and other furniture. There are also beautiful tiles and interesting quartz and countertop materials right now that are showing some bright, colourful veining.”
But, as Deliyannides points out, most homeowners are seeking to balance these bright colours and accents with a neutral palette. “They’re opting for a bold colour or pattern in a powder room or a front entry, but not completely throughout the house. Just a pop of colour or texture here and there,” she says. “I’m seeing a lot of mixing and matching, which brings an element of fun for 2025. I think people are looking for fun.”
Speaking of fun…
When it comes design and decoration, there’s no better time of year to go bold and bright than the holiday season. That’s why our team here at Genesis Land would also like to take a moment to shine the spotlight on Christmas Eye Spy, a fun, festive event that we’re happy to sponsor and support.
Launched three years ago by Airdrie couple Tanya and Clifford Fix, Christmas Eye Spy is a carefully curated scavenger hunt experience in which visitors are tasked with solving clues and finding specific items within 12 wonderful holiday vignettes located on the Fixes’ property.
“I love creating each vignette with depth of detail and plenty of eye candy,” says Tanya Fix, who estimates it takes her around six hours to complete each vignette she creates. “Putting these scenes together brings me back to my favourite memories of Christmas—looking at the Hudson Bay and Eaton’s displays with my nanas, discovering all the details, laughing, and enjoying the Christmas spirit.”
Running for most of December, Christmas Eye Spy is a way for Tanya and Clifford to showcase all the holiday decorations they accumulated while their now-adult children were growing up, and to share them in a manner that makes other families happy. “They can bring light, joy and hope in what can be a very dark time for people,” says Tanya, who adds that the vignettes also contain decorations donated by neighbours, friends and family.
In addition, Christmas Eye Spy brings help and support to those in need, as visitors are asked to make a cash or non-perishable food donation to the Airdrie Food Bank, if they can. “Demand at the food bank is up 55 percent over last year, and Christmas Eye Spy allows us and others to give in our own way and as we are able.”
