If you’ve ever walked into a space and felt an instant sense of calm, warmth, or quiet luxury, chances are the surfaces around you were doing more than just looking pretty. In 2025, interior design is diving deep into texture, heritage, and soulful imperfections. Surfaces aren’t just backdrops — they’re storytellers.
From Moroccan Zellige tiles that shimmer with centuries of tradition, to European stone that embraces every vein and chip, to Japanese-inspired wood slats that bring mindfulness into your home — this year, it’s all about materials that feel as good as they look.
Let’s dig into three surface trends we’re obsessing over this year.
1. Zellige Tile: The Soul of Moroccan Craft
What it is: Zellige (pronounced zel-ij) is a hand-cut, glazed terracotta tile that originates from Morocco. No two are exactly alike — and that’s the point. Each tile is unique handcrafted, showing subtle variation in color, glaze, and finish. It’s this imperfection that gives Zellige its magic. Each tile is unique — irregular edges, color variation, glaze pooling — all part of the charm.
A bit of history
Zellige has been crafted by Moroccan artisans for over a thousand years. Rooted in Islamic architecture, it was traditionally used in palaces, mosques, and fountains. Artisans known as maâlems have been passing down the skill for generations, crafting mosaics that once adorned mosques, palaces, and fountains. The process? Still done by hand, Still sacred, Still stunning.
Where you’ll find it at home:
- Backsplashes (kitchen or bathroom)
- Shower walls
- Fireplace surrounds
- Accent niches or powder rooms
Design tip: Don’t fight the imperfections — embrace them. Zellige gives your space that old-world warmth meets contemporary cool vibe. It plays beautifully in Mediterranean-style homes but also brings depth to more modern, minimalist spaces. The glaze reflects light in the dreamiest way, especially in small or dim rooms.
“It’s less about perfect… and more about a collected, lived-in feel that reflects personality and history.” – Emily Coyne
2. Stone: Europe’s Gift of Texture and Timelessness
What it is: We’re Natural stone — marble, limestone, travertine, slate — is quarried from the earth and cut into slabs or tiles sourced primarily from quarries across Europe.
Where it comes from:
Stone has been a building staple since Roman times — temples, baths, roads, sculptures — it’s literally the bones of ancient cities. Stone has been the foundation of design — literally — since the dawn of civilization. In Europe, stone was used in everything from ancient bathhouses to cathedrals. In the Middle Ages, it was carved with religious symbolism and used structurally before being celebrated for its decorative appeal.
But what we love in 2025 is a wabi-sabi approach: textured, imperfect, raw. It’s not about flawless slabs — it’s about veins, pits, chips, and stories. wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophy that embraces the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and authenticity. It values the natural aging of materials, the asymmetry of hand-crafted items, and the quiet beauty found in the raw and unfinished.
Where you’ll find it at home:
- Kitchen countertops
- Bathroom vanities
- full stone walls
- Fireplaces
- Flooring (think French limestone or tumbled marble)
- Outdoor patios or indoor-outdoor transitions
Design tip: If you’re into quiet luxury (think: tactile surfaces, neutral palettes, lived-in elegance), stone is your material. It works across many aesthetics: rustic European farmhouse, Tuscan revival, even modern organic. Just pair it with soft lighting, natural fabrics, and matte finishes.
“Focus on personal well-being through designing restorative spaces and a deliberate emphasis on multi-sensory experiences.” – Audrey Frances Doty of Audrey Frances Design
3. Wood Slats: The Minimalist’s Best Friend
What it is: Vertical or horizontal slatted wood panels — typically narrow wooden strips evenly spaced apart, sometimes with acoustic benefits, always with visual impact.
Where it’s from
Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, where slatted wood is used to create subtle divisions and allow for the flow of light and energy (hello, wabi-sabi again). Used for both aesthetic and spiritual purposes, In Japanese design they symbolize simplicity, lightness, and the importance of nature. It’s less about flash, more about feeling.
Where you’ll find it at home:
- Feature walls (living rooms, entryways)
- Ceilings (yes — seriously beautiful)
- Media units or built-ins
- Bedroom headboard walls
- Hallways or transition spaces
Design tip: Want that Japandi feel (Japanese + Scandinavian design lovechild)? Wood slats are your go-to. They add rhythm and movement to a space without overwhelming it. Use them to visually elongate a wall, soften acoustics, or add a sense of ritual and calm. Go natural oak for warmth, or walnut for drama
“There’s a growing appreciation for comfort and well-being, with interiors designed to feel as good as they look. It’s less about following trends and more about tailoring a home that feels uniquely yours.” – Ryan Saghian
Final Thoughts: Choose a surface that speaks to you
In 2025, the design world is gently shifting from “what looks good” to “what feels good.” These surface materials — zellige, stone, and wood slats — invite you to slow down, touch, connect. They age gracefully, they tell stories, and most importantly, they make a house feel like a home.
So if you’re renovating or refreshing this year, think beyond paint swatches and Pinterest boards. Think about surfaces that carry history, heart, and a little bit of imperfection.
Image Sources
Photo 2 Source link Photographer Douglas Friedman
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