The Minimalist Trend That Is Dominating Home Materials In 2025

Off and on throughout our domestic history, minimalism has come forward as an aspirational design aesthetic; often pushed in that direction by sheer necessity and lack of materials. In the '60s and '70s though, the style was sought intentionally with designers and artists sticking to the essentials and making a statement with less. Though it ebbs and flows, minimalism will never go out of style, according to design experts, but it continues to evolve. And the most recent iteration is dominated by high-quality materials.

Speaking from a strictly aesthetic standpoint, the style is traditionally characterized by clean lines and minimal clutter. Mass-produced, fast furniture was an attractive option for those making the transition. They made it cheap and easy to get a new sideboard for the living room with clean lines and no hardware, or to bring in a bookcase with lots of closed-door storage. However, homeowners and designers are now reaching for high-quality materials that will stand the test of time. The reasons are varied, but there are a few that come up over and over. Namely, durability, sustainability, and character.

Sticker shock is not uncommon when looking for home furnishings, which is one of the reasons people often go the budget route. Of course, with time, it becomes obvious that cheap prices also mean products don't stand up well to the wear and tear of life. This means replacing them more often — if you have to buy a couch more than once, it calls into question the value of saving a few bucks at the onset.

High-quality, lasting pieces often mean natural materials. Ironically, while plastic materials will last ages in a landfill, they don't stand up to ages of daily use. Sustainably made items, however, can endure hundreds of years of use, even increasing their value over time as antiques or priceless family heirlooms. And, of course, high-quality natural materials are more earth-friendly to produce.

As 2025 design trends burst onto the scene with loud individuality, the character in our furnishings is becoming ever more lauded. Quality is much more likely to shine through from an oak side table than a plywood or particle board version. And for minimalists, having fewer items generally means the ones you do have get more attention, so undoubtedly you'll want them to be unique. Of course, if your wallet needs a break, vintage home design trends are making huge comebacks and a used or vintage-inspired find for your home will still check all the boxes.