Autumn Home Design Trends

Bathrooms are moving firmly into the “luxury zone” this season. One of the biggest shifts? A surge in onyx bathroom tiles. Searches for onyx-inspired finishes have jumped an impressive +1,069% year-on-year in early 2025, particularly book-matched or large-format tiles. These porcelain onyx styles create a striking mirrored pattern when laid side by side, offering a true statement wall for showers, vanities, or behind a freestanding bath. Wickes offers onyx-style tiles to help you bring this look to life. Shop more on tiles in our Big Tile Event.

Beyond the wow-factor tiles, homeowners are focusing on clever storage and ambient lighting. Recessed bathroom shelving - sometimes referred to as “hole in the wall” storage - is in high demand. It’s a space-saver that looks sleek in shower enclosures or alongside baths, and it’s an easy upsell for tradespeople working on bathroom refurbishments.

Integrated lighting is another must-have. From LED mirrors to subtle under-shelf lighting, homeowners want bathrooms that feel like private spas. Paired with natural stone-look finishes, this creates a relaxing retreat right at home.

Couples are also driving demand for shared bathroom layouts. Searches for double showers (+172%) and double vanities (+746%) are up dramatically, reflecting the desire for functionality and flow in morning routines. Meanwhile, the freestanding bath (+53%) continues its reign as the aspirational centrepiece - an investment piece that regularly features in lifestyle magazines and client wish-lists. 

 For tradespeople, this means more opportunities to recommend premium layouts, smart storage, and lighting upgrades that don’t just look good but add real day-to-day convenience. Shop for your upcoming shower jobs with our latest offers from Mira showers.

If there’s one material dominating interiors this autumn, it’s wood. From kitchens to living spaces, warm timber tones are being used to soften schemes, add texture, and create a sense of comfort.

The numbers speak for themselves: searches for wood beams (+249%), oak kitchens (+214%), and wooden slat walls (+87%) are surging. Homeowners want a mix of finishes. You can see the effect here, where we’ve paired our new Orlando Stone Gloss Kitchen with Orlando Scandi Oak accents.

Other detailing to look out for this season:

• Brushed grain mid-tone oaks, treated with hardwax oil for a tactile, long-lasting finish.

• Vertical slats around TV walls, entryways, and even headboards—often enhanced with concealed LED strips.

• Oak trims for window liners or skirtings, perfect for clients who want to warm up a neutral scheme without a full timber refit.

Wood finishes not only look modern but also suit practical needs. For example, resilient vinyl flooring in a timber effect remains a smart choice for family kitchens - giving the “wood look” but with water-resistance. Wickes’ range of wood-effect flooring offers a practical way to achieve this trend at scale. Shop our latest offers from our Big Flooring Event.

Finally, homeowners are reimagining how they use their kitchens and living spaces, with small “serve” stations emerging as the new luxury. These compact zones allow for coffee rituals in the morning and cocktail prep in the evening, and they’re becoming increasingly sought after. According to Houzz, searches for coffee stations (+77%), drinks cabinets (+56%), and home bars (+48%) are all on the rise. Importantly, these aren’t sprawling wine cellars but small, cleverly designed niches.

Big-slab splashbacks are now mainstream in UK kitchens (chosen by 62% of homeowners). Many of the worktops in the Wickes range can also double up as splashbacks, and, paired with concealed LED lighting and fluted-glass doors, feel tailored and high-end. Open shelving for glassware, combined with closed storage for syrups or bar tools, keeps the design practical.

Hardware choices are also shifting, brushed brass or dark bronze handles tie in seamlessly with the warm timber trend, creating a cohesive look across the home, as seen here with our Melrose Carbon and Natura Dusk kitchen. For tradespeople, these “serve” spaces represent a quick-win project with big visual impact. Whether tucked into a corner of a kitchen or integrated into living spaces, they’re a simple way to add functionality and a touch of indulgence.