The trend toward freedom of expression encompasses a variety of design styles and options, but at the heart of it is a desire for a home that serves as a true reflection of the owner’s personality and surrounds them with what makes them happy. As described by Dawn Duhamel at the 2025 Builders FirstSource National Event, this trend is all about playfulness and color. Many people have grown tired of neutral color palettes and ordinary builder grade finishes. Instead, homeowners are making bold choices and looking for unique touches that fit their tastes and lifestyles.
According to Duhamel, Gen Z is particularly drawn to this trend with their desire to add some fun into their personal spaces. With this in mind, inspiration can be pulled from many different sources—time periods, countries and cultures, artwork, modern elements and antiques—nothing is off limits. It’s often maximalist in nature, and the result is an eclectic, visual feast that incorporates a variety of materials and layers of color, texture, and pattern. The highly expressive nature of this trend means you will most likely work more with it in remodeling projects or custom home builds rather than multi-family or community projects.
COLOR AND MATERIALS DRENCHING
Color is a key element of expression, and people want it everywhere they can get it. One way to do this is through color drenching, which is when all of a room’s walls, ceiling, doors and trim are painted the same color. People are drawn to this technique because it can act as a clean backdrop to allow their artwork, textiles and other decor to stand out in a dramatic way.
This trend has expanded to include materials drenching, which is when materials such as stone, wood, fabric or tile cover every wall and also the ceiling, floor, or both, creating a deeply immersive space. If your client wants to make a statement, this is a trendy option.
CEILING FEATURES
For some people, covering the whole room in a singular material might be too much of a good thing, and if that’s the case, consider utilizing the ceiling to add interest to a room. This usually blank space is seeing more activity than ever, and people are decking it out in anything from sculptural plaster designs and shiplap to bead board and wooden slats. If you are working with a Gen Z client, they are especially drawn to sustainable materials, so products like reclaimed wood beams, bamboo ceiling planks, and recycled plastic ceiling tiles are popular options.
TRIM AND MILLWORK
With texture and detail being important elements, people are turning more to trim and millwork to help create visually interesting spaces. Decorative paneling, fretwork, wainscoting or wood slats in varying designs are being used throughout a space or as accent walls to add a unique touch to a room. Homeowners aren’t limiting these embellishments to walls or ceilings. They are also seeking out cabinetry that features ornamental mouldings, bevels, and other textural details to create the dimensional, layered look.
THE ART OF TILING
MIXED TILES
One of the most popular ways people are adding personalization to their living spaces this year is through the use of tiling. You’ll see it floor-to-ceiling in bathrooms and kitchens, on range hoods, on furniture, in unique backsplashes and kitchen islands. Tiles can be found in just about every size, shape, glaze, color and pattern possible, and oftentimes, people are not just sticking to one, but mixing and matching to create their own custom look.
FISHSCALE TILES
In bathrooms, you might see rectangular tiles used to create a border along square shower tiles, fishscale tiles behind sink and vanity areas, two different tile patterns used on the walls and floors, a mix of matte and high gloss finishes, or tiles being used to mimic the look of trim or wainscoting you’d usually find in other areas of the house.
ZELLIGE TILES
Zellige, a Moroccan tile made entirely by hand, is very popular right now. Each tile features slight variations in every way, from size and texture to the finished glaze. No two are alike, which makes these a great option for those who value character and the beauty of imperfections. When budgets don’t allow for authentic zellige tile, ceramic and porcelain look-a-like options exist that can achieve a similar look. Either way, homeowners are loving these tiles to create stunning kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls in their homes.
KITCHEN DESIGN
CREATIVE BACKSPLASHES
Of course, tiling trends also extend to kitchens. Backsplashes are being incorporated with design patterns and artwork in the form of tile murals, but there are other popular options for backsplashes as well. Large, seamless slabs of natural stone with elaborate veining are also being used, and it’s particularly on trend to extend the backsplash material down onto the countertops to create a visually striking space .
OPEN-SHELVING
Many homeowners are ditching upper cabinets in favor of open shelving, which can create a more airy feeling while also allowing the homeowner to display their favorite kitchen items or beloved treasures. Those who want to avoid the dusting that comes with having shelves open to the entire room might lean toward having exposed storage shelves built into the kitchen island instead. The smaller space still provides the ability to display cookbooks or other collections while requiring less maintenance.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ISLANDS
There is also a desire for islands designed with multifunctionality in mind. This trend involves combining two different countertop materials to create a strong delineation between areas. One side of the island might be made of stainless steel and used for food preparation while the other side is made of reclaimed wood and raised in height to use for bar seating. This mixing of materials creates a dynamic space and is a great option for your expressive clients who identify with the more-is-more approach to design.
HOME EXTERIORS
Homeowners aren’t confining their personal expression to their home interiors; many are looking for exteriors that are just as exciting as what’s inside. In 2025, this means people are choosing bolder colors and shaking things up by incorporating a mix of siding materials. If you’re building a home for a client, natural wood is still a popular material, but you can take it to the next level by pairing it with a drastically different material or two like metal or stone.
More homes are also starting to feature vertical siding instead of, or in addition to, the traditional horizontal placement for a more modern look. By adding different combinations of materials to this change in orientation, you can achieve a multitude of looks and provide several options that can satisfy your client’s need for a unique, custom exterior.
Embracing color, texture, and patterns, and adding details in unconventional places are fundamental aspects of expressionist design. Getting to know your clients and being knowledgeable about the abundance of options you can offer them throughout the design and construction process will help make your project a successful one.
*Sources include: Houzz.com, BHG.com, TheSpruce.com, HouseDigest.com, HomesandGarden.com, MarthaStewart.com, HouseBeautiful.com, StoneTileDepot.com, and Decoholic.org.
