Are The 2020s the Decade of the Bright Colour Palette?

Trends in interior design change like the wind. Every few years, a new craze sweeps the world. Crushed velvet had its day, muted colours have been all the rage for some time, and chintz had an undefeated stretch in the 1990s. For the last decade, muted colour palettes have been the standard, with creams, whites, and “millennial” greys being utilised in minimalist designs.

However, there appears to be a change on the horizon, with many looking to forego the beiges that have dominated interior design magazines in favour of more engaging and popping colour palettes. People’s homes may take some time to catch up with the trends, but behaviour in other areas seems to point towards a brighter future.

Bright Lights and Vibrancy in Media Are a Clear Indicator of Trends Shifting

Completely redesigning a home is a project of considerable size, which means that trends in interior design are sometimes slower to catch on than they are in other areas of life. However, the media is one area where we can see the tables beginning to turn away from what could be seen as a drab and dreary aesthetic.

In gaming, vibrancy is the name of the game. For example, in the iGaming industry, slots are making use of themes that centre on bright colours. Sweet Bonanza is a popular slot, and it employs a colour scheme that would have been described as garish in previous years. However, its striking design is part of what has made it so popular now, catching the eye and presenting a dynamic aesthetic.

It is even possible to see these trends in film and TV, too. The 2010s were the decade of the Scandinavian-inspired neo-noir crime drama. Colour was largely absent both in the clothing worn and the set design. They were all but black-and-white. However, people are beginning to turn away from shows like The Breakthrough, describing them now as depressing, rather than as must-see TV.

Clothing and Home Design as a Representation of the Self

We can see how colour is back on the menu when looking at clothing trends. Summer 2025 was dominated by what was described by outlets like Vogue as “zesty brights”, and there remained a hangover from the Barbie phenomenon that the 2023 movie inspired. The hot pinks and pastel colour clashes from that movie seeped into the real world as fans looked to hop on the trend as an expression of personality.

That is where the switch in design trends is likely to come from: expression of self. The early to mid-2020s have been characterised by a shift towards personal expression and individuality in fashion and representation. There is no clearer way to present your personality than through the way you decorate your home. It follows, then, that the trends in clothing will be reflected in interior design sensibilities.

Because of that, we’re starting to see a much more unique vibe being channelled that is reminiscent of nostalgic trends. Polka dots and retro clashes of colour are growing in popularity, becoming the latest form of expression for a new generation of homeowners returning to the styles popular in their youth in the 80s and 90s.

Vintage and Bright Colours: A Match Made in Heaven

The muted colours of the 2000s were a shift towards the Scandinavian minimalist modernism popularised by retailers like IKEA. However, we’re now certainly seeing a reversion to the past. Vintage is very much in, with Art Deco a particularly popular choice, and this is much more closely aligned with a brighter palette that captures the excitement of an architectural movement that revolutionised cities across the world.

With design choices like drapery, wallpaper, and jewel tones at the top of every expert’s list of the hottest trends of 2025, it’s clear to see that we’re experiencing a second coming of the fun and colourful in the home. A continued approach of drawing inspiration from decades-old trends could lead us to adopt even brighter, louder tones and design choices.

While it remains to be seen whether the current trend towards colours and retro design influences will keep up steam or if we will trend back to minimalism, it’s clear that bright colours are in this year. It shows a clear move away from the muted tones of the last two decades, and could mean decades of innovation in the interior decor space.