Well-Being and Technology | Interior Design Trends in 2025

Two forces are shaping the AEC and interior design industries in 2025: well-being and technology. 

I’m Luc Lefebvre, OAQ, LEED AP, and Vectorworks' product marketing manager – architecture. In this article, we’ll explore how these trends will transform how you design and how your clients experience your work.

Sustainability is now a fundamental priority in interior design. With growing awareness of environmental challenges, there's a tremendous opportunity for us designers to create spaces that address the planet's and people's needs. 

In a Vectorworks-conducted survey of 520 AEC professionals, 40% indicated that they had already adopted sustainable design analysis into their practice. And of the remaining respondents who had not yet adopted sustainable design analysis, 45.6% percent planned to do so within five years. 

Biophilic design offers a powerful approach to sustainability and well-being.

This design philosophy fosters a connection with nature by incorporating natural light, indoor plants, and organic patterns, reducing stress and cultivating healthier living environments.

Considering the life cycle of your project's materials is another way to balance beauty, functionality, and ecological responsibility.

Reusing or recycling materials reduces waste, while natural materials like wood and stone are favored for their durability and timeless aesthetic — making them ideal for crafting enduring, charming interiors.

Your color choices can also bring the outdoors inside. For example, Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse, evokes rich, earthy tones that create a calming atmosphere. If you use low-VOC paints of such colors, you’re one step closer to meeting your sustainability targets.

High-quality, natural materials will give your designs a sense of understated elegance, aligning with the “quiet luxury” trend. This concept emphasizes elevating daily life, not through loud extravagancies, but timeless and effortlessly stylish choices. Elements like natural wood and neutral hues, for instance, can create a chic space, combining functionality with simplicity.

Designing with sustainability and well-being in mind allows you to create beautiful and impactful interiors. Thoughtful choices, like natural materials and biophilic elements, can nurture the planet while improving your clients' daily lives.

In 2025, technology continues to reshape how we approach every stage of design, from conceptualization to client presentations. Tools and connectivity advancements will help you create smarter, more adaptive environments.

For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) for commercial interiors enables responsiveness through by integrating all the technology in your space. With interconnected lights, climate control systems, ventilation, and more, your designs can adapt to occupants’ needs.

Like biophilic design and quiet luxury, the use of IoT cultivates health, wellness, and functionality

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are also becoming more common in the design process. These technologies immerse clients in your projects, letting them visualize spaces. Such technology can also help you make informed decisions, whether in a residential or commercial project.

Vectorworks offers powerful AR and VR tools to help designers explore these emerging technologies. The Vectorworks Odyssey VR app, compatible with Meta Quest 2 headsets and beyond, provides immersive experiences with bird's-eye views and walkthrough modes so clients can engage with your models, view design, options and provide feedback with greater context and clarity.

The Room Plan feature in the Vectorworks Nomad app leverages LiDAR technology in Apple iOS products to simplify creating 3D conceptual models. With just a few taps on an iPhone or iPad, you can scan entire rooms effortlessly, eliminating the need for tape measures or expensive laser equipment. These tools aid renovation projects by delivering precise spatial data and facilitating visual planning.

Cutting-edge tech, like the AI Visualizer in Vectorworks Architect, further transform ideation by inspiring innovative designs.

As designers, we can continue adopting new technologies and practices to create better spaces and conditions for occupants and the planet alike. Let’s push boundaries, reimagine possibilities, and design without limits.