Top 7 'Cluttercore-and-Craftsmanship' Decor Trends to watch in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
For years, the world of interior design has been dominated by a single, hushed mantra: less is more. We were told to declutter, to streamline, to create minimalist sanctuaries of beige and white. But as we move into 2025, a vibrant, soulful rebellion is underway. We're collectively craving homes that feel less like sterile showrooms and more like us—layered, interesting, and full of stories.
Enter the beautiful, chaotic, and deeply personal world of 'Cluttercore-and-Craftsmanship'. This isn't about hoarding or mess. It’s a thoughtful evolution of maximalism, a celebration of the things we love, displayed with pride. The 'cluttercore' aspect is about embracing abundance and personality, while the 'craftsmanship' ensures that this abundance is curated, high-quality, and meaningful. It’s the difference between a pile of fast-fashion trinkets and a shelf of hand-thrown pottery.
This movement is a heartfelt response to a world of mass production. It’s about creating a sanctuary filled not just with things, but with stories, memories, and the tangible touch of a human hand. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe your environment should be a direct reflection of your journey. So, let’s dive into the top 7 trends that perfectly capture this spirit, and explore how you can bring this warm, artisanal magic into your own home in 2025.
1. The Modern Cabinet of Curiosities
Forget stark, empty shelving. The modern cabinet of curiosities is making a huge comeback, but with a contemporary twist. This trend is about creating dedicated spaces—be it a vintage glass-fronted cabinet, a set of floating shelves, or even a deep windowsill—to display your treasured collections. It’s a curated peek into your passions, a physical representation of your mind and travels.
The key here is the 'craftsmanship' element. Move beyond generic decor and focus on items with soul. Think hand-blown glass paperweights that catch the light, a collection of unique minerals and fossils, small-scale sculptures from independent artists, or vintage tins with beautiful, faded typography. The goal is to group objects that tell a story together, creating a visual narrative that sparks conversation and brings you joy every time you look at it.
How to get the look:
- Play with height and texture: Vary the size and material of your objects. Place a smooth, round ceramic next to a spiky sea urchin shell. Use small stacks of art books as pedestals for smaller items.
- Don't be afraid to be niche: Your collection should be deeply personal. Do you love vintage cameras? Antique keys? Hand-carved wooden birds? Whatever your passion, give it a place of honor.
- Light it up: A small, battery-powered art light or some delicate fairy lights tucked into the back of the cabinet can transform your display from a simple shelf into a magical focal point.
2. Artisanal Textiles Galore
Texture is the unsung hero of interior design, and in 2025, it’s taking center stage through a celebration of artisanal textiles. This trend is about layering your home with fabrics that are rich in story, color, and tactile appeal. It’s a conscious move away from mass-produced polyester and towards hand-woven, block-printed, and naturally dyed materials.
Think of a heavy, hand-knotted wool rug from Morocco anchoring your living room, its imperfect pattern telling the story of its weaver. Imagine soft, block-printed cotton curtains from India filtering the morning light, or a collection of velvet and embroidered cushions piled high on your sofa. These pieces aren't just decorative; they are functional art that adds warmth, dampens sound, and brings an incredible sense of comfort and history to a space.
How to get the look:
- Mix, don't match: The beauty of artisanal textiles is in their unique character. Feel free to mix patterns and textures. A striped kilim pillow can live happily next to a floral embroidered one.
- Look for the maker's mark: Seek out textiles where you can see the human touch. This could be the slight variations in a block print or the unique texture of hand-spun wool.
- Think beyond pillows and rugs: Consider a beautiful quilt as a wall hanging, a custom-upholstered armchair in a bold, hand-woven fabric, or even delicate, hand-dyed linen napkins for your dining table.
3. The Grand Return of Statement Woodwork
For a long time, furniture was either invisibly functional or cheaply made. The 'Cluttercore-and-Craftsmanship' movement is bringing back an appreciation for wood as a material and woodworking as an art form. This trend champions "statement" wooden pieces that are built to last a lifetime and serve as the artistic anchor of a room.
This isn't your standard flat-pack furniture. We're talking about pieces with intricate details like marquetry inlays, hand-carved legs, or visible dovetail joints that showcase the skill of the maker. A solid, live-edge dining table where you can trace the history of the tree, a vintage teak room divider with ornate carvings, or a beautifully crafted walnut sideboard become more than just furniture—they become heirlooms.
How to get the look:
- Visit antique and vintage shops: These are treasure troves for well-made wooden furniture with character that you just can't find in a big-box store.
- Commission a local artisan: If you have a specific need, consider commissioning a piece from a local woodworker. You'll get a custom item that perfectly fits your space and supports a small business.
- Focus on one hero piece: You don't need to furnish your entire home this way. Start with one spectacular item, like a coffee table or a bookshelf, and let it be the star of the show.
4. "New Antiquarian" Bookshelves
Your bookshelf is more than just storage; it’s a self-portrait. The "New Antiquarian" trend transforms the humble bookshelf into a rich, layered display that blends literature with art and personal history. It’s about creating a 'shelfie' that has depth and soul, reflecting a life well-read and well-lived.
This style involves a delightful mix of old and new. Dog-eared paperbacks sit beside leather-bound classics. Books are stacked both vertically and horizontally, with the horizontal stacks acting as platforms for other objects—a small vase with a single stem, a framed photo, or a piece of pottery. It’s a rejection of the colour-coded library in favour of something more organic, intellectual, and visually fascinating.
How to get the look:
- Break the rules: There’s no single right way to arrange your books. Mix paperbacks and hardcovers. Turn a few books with beautiful covers to face outwards.
- Incorporate non-book items: Weave in small sculptures, framed postcards, handcrafted bookends, and even small, trailing plants to add life and personality.
- Embrace the overflow: A few neat stacks of books on the floor next to the shelf can look intentional and cozy, reinforcing the feeling of a home that is truly lived in.
5. The Hyper-Personalized Gallery Wall
The gallery wall has been a staple for years, but the 2025 version is less about uniform frames and generic prints, and more about a deeply personal, eclectic mix. The "Hyper-Personalized" gallery wall is a scrapbook of your life, displayed for all to see. The 'craftsmanship' shines through in the thoughtful curation and quality framing.
This means mixing high and low, old and new. A limited-edition print from an artist you discovered on Instagram can hang next to your child's first finger-painting (beautifully framed, of course). A vintage oil painting from a flea market can be juxtaposed with a modern graphic poster. The composition can even include three-dimensional objects like a framed piece of embroidered fabric, a set of antique keys, or a small, decorative mirror.
How to get the look:
- Invest in good framing: A quality, custom frame can elevate anything, from a cheap postcard to a child's drawing, into a piece of art. It's the single best way to make your eclectic collection look cohesive.
- Lay it out first: Before you hammer a single nail, arrange your collection on the floor. Play with the spacing and composition until it feels balanced and dynamic.
- Tell a story: Think about the connections between pieces. Perhaps a photo of your grandparents' beach house hangs next to a small watercolour of the sea. These subtle links will make your wall even more meaningful.
6. Ceramic Storytelling
Step away from the perfectly matched 12-piece dinner set. The "Ceramic Storytelling" trend celebrates the beauty of unique, handmade ceramics in all their imperfect glory. It’s about populating your home with pottery that feels alive, bearing the marks of the hands that shaped it. Each piece—from your morning coffee mug to a statement vase on the mantelpiece—becomes a small, daily interaction with art.
This trend embraces the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection. A slightly misshapen bowl, a glaze that dripped in an unexpected way, the visible texture of the clay—these are not flaws, but features that make the piece unique. As a designer, I, Goh Ling Yong, find that incorporating these one-of-a-kind items is the fastest way to inject soul into a kitchen or dining space.
How to get the look:
- Shop local and small: Visit local craft fairs, farmers' markets, or search for ceramicists in your area on social media. Buying directly from the maker means you get a unique piece and a story to go with it.
- Think functionally and sculpturally: Use handmade ceramics for everyday use (bowls, plates, mugs) but also look for more sculptural, artistic pieces to use as vases, planters, or standalone decor.
- Take a class: What better way to appreciate the craft than to try it yourself? A local pottery class is a fun way to understand the process and create a piece that is truly your own.
7. Sustainable & Upcycled Heirlooms
Perhaps the most important trend on this list, "Sustainable & Upcycled Heirlooms" is a direct and powerful counter-movement to fast furniture. It’s about recognizing the inherent quality and history in older pieces and giving them a new lease on life through creativity and craftsmanship. It’s the ultimate expression of personal style and eco-conscious living.
This can range from a simple DIY project to a professional restoration. That dated, dark-wood sideboard you inherited? It could be stunning when stripped and re-stained or painted a bold, contemporary color. That threadbare vintage armchair with great bones? Imagine it reupholstered in a vibrant, modern velvet. This approach not only saves a piece from landfill but also gives you a truly unique item that no one else has.
How to get the look:
- Look for good bones: When thrifting, ignore the finish or the fabric and focus on the shape and construction of the piece. Is it solid wood? Are the joints sturdy? These are the things that matter.
- Don't be afraid of a bold update: The magic often happens in the juxtaposition of old and new. A traditional, ornate frame painted in a high-gloss neon color, or a classic chair covered in a wild, graphic print, creates an exciting and memorable piece.
- Know when to call a pro: While some projects are great for a weekend DIY, tasks like complex reupholstery or furniture repair are often best left to skilled craftspeople who can ensure a professional and long-lasting result.
As we look toward 2025, the overarching theme in our homes is a return to authenticity. The 'Cluttercore-and-Craftsmanship' movement isn't a prescription for how your home should look, but rather an invitation to make it look more like you. It’s about consciously choosing to surround yourself with objects that are well-made, hold personal meaning, and tell the rich, wonderful story of your life.
It's time to celebrate the things you love, honor the hands that made them, and create a space that is not just beautiful, but deeply and uniquely yours.
Which of these trends are you most excited to try? Do you have a favorite handcrafted or vintage piece that tells a story? Share your thoughts and finds in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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