2025 Wrapped: A Year of Storied Style and What’s Next

2025 Wrapped: A Year of Storied Style and What’s Next

As 2025 winds down, we’re reflecting on a year rich with design that honored the past while embracing personal expression. Vintage and antique decor took center stage in homes across the globe—not as static museum pieces but as meaningful layers in dynamic, lived-in spaces. From the smallest trinket tray to the grandest sideboard, every piece told a story.

At Swan & Thistle, we saw the way our customers used antiques not just to decorate, but to curate. Spaces became less about perfection and more about personality—less about trends and more about timeless style. Let’s take a look back at how vintage flourished in 2025 and offer a glimpse of where it’s heading in 2026.

The Year in Vintage: 2025’s Top Trends

Moody Moments

Dark woods, aged brass and oil paintings brought a rich, moody elegance into homes. Inspired by the dark academia and cottage gothic movements, decorators leaned into patina and depth. Candlesticks, carved frames and vintage books were layered into living rooms and libraries to create warmth and drama.

Tables as Storytellers

From everyday brunch to seasonal celebrations, the tablescape had its moment. Mixed metals, antique porcelain and embroidered linens anchored tabletop designs. People embraced a collected-over-time look—pairing ornate silverplate with ironstone, or placing delicate cranberry glass next to rustic pottery.

The Rise of the Home Nook

Whether it was a reading corner, a tea table for two or a curated vignette by a window, small spaces became big statements. Vintage chairs, marble-topped side tables and character-filled mirrors helped define these cozy retreats, emphasizing both style and function.

Mix, Don’t Match

In 2025, curated clashing took hold. Designers and collectors alike rejected sets in favor of soulful combinations—pairing French gilt with Midcentury walnut, or placing Art Deco accessories in a farmhouse kitchen. The goal? A look that feels personal, layered and lived-in.

Honoring Heirlooms

Inherited and handed-down treasures were embraced more than ever. Grandmother’s china came out of the cupboard. Dad’s clock was given a place of pride. Family photos were reframed and displayed alongside flea market finds, blending memory with design.

2026 Preview: What’s Next in Vintage & Antique Styling

Color Comes Back

Expect to see richer palettes emerging—burnt orange, hunter green and dusty plum are poised to return in wallpaper, upholstery and accents. These shades will provide a lush backdrop for gold frames, copper kitchenware and jewel-toned glass.

Gilded Details

2026 will lean further into the romantic. Think gilt mirrors, Florentine trays and carved frames layered in bedrooms and entryways. These details won’t feel fussy, though—they’ll be grounded by natural textures like wood, linen and stone.

Understated Maximalism

The maximalist movement will evolve into a more restrained form. Rather than cluttered shelves, expect curated groupings: a row of apothecary jars, a trio of Staffordshire dogs, or a perfectly balanced wall of antique botanicals.

Functional Finds

Form will meet function in the vintage world. Items like antique bar carts, marble mortars, brass hooks and ceramic crocks will be used daily, not just displayed. The motto? Beautiful and useful.

The Return of the Parlor

Entertaining at home will see a revival. Look for a resurgence in formal sitting rooms, layered with velvet upholstery, carved wood and candlelight. Vintage glassware, embroidered napkins and ceramic serveware will become part of the ritual again.

Antique and vintage decor continues to offer more than beauty, it brings meaning and history into everyday life. As we move into 2026, expect to see more people turning toward the storied and soulful in their homes. Whether through a collected tablescape or a thoughtfully styled corner, decorating with vintage is never about copying a look. It’s about crafting a feeling.

Browse our current collection of vintage and antique finds to bring timeless charm into your home.

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For the Curious Collector

If you're eager to deepen your understanding of ways you can incorporate vintage and antique pieces in your home that align with these trends, these trusted sources offer timeless inspiration and practical advice:

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