What is immersive interior design and why do I need to know about it?

One of the main design movements in interior design this year is the use of immersive interiors, a technique interior designers use to bring a deeper level of sensory engagement to the home, creating spaces that fully envelop and captivate the senses.

Here, I lift the lid on how it’s transforming UK homes and how you can embrace it to bring a new energy to your living space.

What are immersive interiors?

Immersive interiors are more than just visually appealing. They engage all five senses to create an environment that feels lived in, personalised, and rich with atmosphere. Inspired by cutting-edge technology, nature, and art, immersive design invites you to step into a space where textures, sounds, smells, and light all work together to enhance your emotional connection with your home.

Key elements of immersive interiors in 2025

Here’s how you can incorporate the immersive trend into your UK home this year:

1. Sensory lighting: mood and atmosphere

Image credits left to right: Tom Dixon chandelier, Pooky Lights

Lighting in 2025 is moving beyond functionality. With the rise of smart lighting systems, homeowners can now control not only brightness but also colour temperature, creating a range of moods throughout the day. Imagine your kitchen glowing with soft, warm light in the morning and transforming into a cooler, calming hue by evening. Consider adding dimmable lights or LED strips to accentuate architectural features or artwork, and explore smart lighting that adjusts automatically to match the time of day or your activity.

2. Texture and materials: let your home feel alive 

Products: Avalana Design Caspian Tigress Curtains, Tiger Tiger Cushion, Natural inky Leo Cushion

One of the most exciting elements of immersive design is texture. Whether it’s a velvet sofa that beckons you to sink into it, a woolen throw that adds warmth, or my personal favourite – a feathery statement chandelier. Textures invite you to engage physically with your space. Layer different materials like velvet, leather, linen, and wood to create a tactile environment that feels rich and welcoming. Mixing modern and vintage textures creates a layered, lived-in feel that is as comforting as it is visually intriguing.

3.Nature and biophilic design: bringing the outdoors in

The connection between nature and well-being has never been more pronounced, and biophilic design continues to be at the heart of immersive interiors. Incorporating plants, natural materials, and even water features into your home can dramatically improve both the atmosphere and your emotional connection to your surroundings.

Create an indoor oasis by adding greenery in unexpected places, like hanging planters or vertical gardens. Materials such as stone, clay, and bamboo can also deepen the connection with nature while cinematic landscape murals can allow you to feel immersed in a place which is far away such as a dense rainforest or oriental lake at night time.

4. Soundscapes: beyond silence

In 2025, sound will be a more important element in home design than ever before. An immersive interior isn’t complete without considering how sound influences your space. Consider incorporating acoustics into your design—use soft furnishings like curtains, carpets, and cushions to absorb sound. You might even experiment with smart speakers to play soundscapes or relaxing music tailored to your mood.

5. Colour and mood: The emotional palette

Image: Avalana’s living room – Flamingle Copper Wallpaper, Flamingle Fuchsia Cushion

Colour in immersive design isn’t just about looking good, it’s about how it makes you feel. Colour psychology – using specific shades to evoke particular emotions and responses will be huge this year. Rich jewel tones, warm neutrals, and calming pastels will play a significant role in the year ahead.

Choose colours that align with how you want your rooms to feel. Warm tones like terracotta and mustard can evoke energy, while cooler shades of blue and green can create a sense of calm and serenity.

Looking ahead

The immersive trend isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about enhancing how we experience our homes. By focusing on sensory engagement, we can create environments that not only look great but make us feel more connected, calm, and inspired.

Ready to take your home into the future? At Avalana Design, we specialise in creating immersive, sensory-rich spaces that reflect your personal style through our interior design service or via our stunning collection of interior accessories such as wallcoverings and cushions, lampshades and fabrics. If you’re looking to transform your home in 2025, we’re here to help guide you every step of the way. Contact us here.