At this year’s Moen Design Trends 2025 online presentation, designer and creative strategist Danielle DeBoe Harper delivered a compelling look into where the industry is headed – and what makes these up and coming ‘trends’ so markedly different from past ones. Her trend forecast was multi-faceted, projecting that today’s clients are not just seeking functional, beautiful interiors – they’re demanding spaces that nurture, reflect and project their individual lifestyle.
Balancing all these evolving priorities is no easy task. As designers, we’re expected to merge aesthetics with purpose – delivering spaces that are not only visually compelling, but also sustainable, deeply personal, and wellness-driven. That means navigating a growing array of materials, finishes, and technologies while staying attuned to each client’s unique values and lifestyle. The pressure to be both creatively inspired and technically informed has never been greater, especially as client expectations rise alongside increasingly vast exposure to design trends.
Image created with AI by Patricia Gaylor
Where Trends Are Born
For design professionals, new ideas often surface at trade shows, industry seminars, and manufacturer presentations. Events like KBIS, Milan’s Salone del Mobile, and Maison & Objet in Paris offer early insight into materials, finishes, and lifestyle shifts. Manufacturers play a key role, too – translating consumer data and global influences into product innovations that help us stay ahead of “what’s next.“
Harper offered her interpretation of emerging trends she witnessed in Milan and Paris, and it’s not just one single aesthetic. From Minimalism to Maximalism, Coastal Calm to Industrial Edge, the trends are as varied and as distinctly different as we are as humans.
Design for All
True inclusivity in design means honoring cultural backgrounds, gender identities, generational needs, and personal tastes – ensuring that every style has room to evolve with every kind of client and every budget.
But interpreting all of this – across styles, stories and budgets – is no simple task. It requires deep listening, thoughtful curation, and a willingness to evolve with our clients.
For kitchen and bath designers looking to stay ahead, the Moen presentation was not just informative – it was a call to action. As clients crave spaces that comfort, empower and express who they are, the role of the designer becomes ever more complex – and consequently, more rewarding.
—Patricia Gaylor is founder of Patricia Gaylor Sustainable Design Solutions and a member of KBB’s Editorial Advisory Board.
