How the five senses are redefining what “home” feels like in 2025
In Britain, “home” has never just been a place—it’s a feeling. It’s the comforting creak of a floorboard, the scent of a Sunday roast, the satisfying clink of mugs shared over tea. It’s comfort layered with character, nostalgia, and just enough imperfection to feel lived in.
In 2025, that feeling is being redefined through the senses. Across the UK, people are designing homes that feel right—spaces that soothe, stimulate and restore. From scent-filled rooms and tactile textures to lighting that lifts the mood, this year’s biggest home trends prove that beauty alone isn’t enough.
The most inspiring homes don’t chase aesthetics; they engage the senses.
The Five Senses of Home
Taste
Brits are rediscovering the joy of entertaining—only this time, it’s less dinner-party formality, more cosy conviviality. Whether it’s home-brewed espresso on a sleek coffee station or friends gathered round a BBQ in the garden, our kitchens and outdoor spaces are being designed for connection as much as cooking.
Taskrabbit data shows hosting and entertaining projects are up 172% year-over-year, with coffee station setups up 200% and drinks trolleys up 58%. Kitchen upgrades are equally in demand, from island installations (+40%) to oven and fridge repairs (+100–200%)—proof that practicality and presentation now share the same table.
Meanwhile, garden-to-table living is thriving. Searches for olive and vegetable gardens (+50%) and herb planting are on the rise as people blur the boundaries between kitchen and garden, creating spaces that nourish body and soul.
Sight
Gone are the days of beige minimalism. UK homeowners are embracing dopamine décor: lighting, pattern and bold wall treatments that make every room sing. As daylight fades and screen time rises, Britons are using colour and light as tools for wellbeing—creating cheerful, expressive spaces that fight off the winter blues.
Lighting is leading the charge—LED installations are up 41%, while candle use (for mood and scent) has doubled. Meanwhile, walls are back in the spotlight: mirror walls (+120%), wallpaper (+350%), and splashbacks (+100%) are transforming homes into immersive visual experiences.
The result? Interiors that balance function and personality, reflecting the bright individuality of modern British life.
Smell
The UK’s new wellness wave is all about scent and greenery. “Scentscaping” is now a core part of home design, with Britons layering fragrances, plants, and purification systems to create calm, restorative spaces.
From lavender (+200%) and rose (+33%) to lush indoor jungles (+80%), scent is being used to define mood and identity. Air purifiers, diffusers and greenhouses are booming, reflecting a shift towards fresh, breathable homes that double as sanctuaries.
Touch
Comfort is back in full colour. After years of sleek, minimalist interiors, Brits are rediscovering the power of texture—soft upholstery (+57%), warm woodwork and hand-finished details that invite touch.
The rise of slat walls (+700%) and textured finishes (+92%) points to a craft-driven revival, while cosy upgrades like heated floors (+100%) and towel warmers (+500%) show that tactile comfort is as much about function as feel. In 2025, homes became layered and sensory, favouring craftsmanship and warmth over sterile perfection. The result: interiors that look beautiful and feel even better.
Sound
Residents are fine-tuning their homes for both sound and soul. Searches for both retro music and smart home audio setups are on the rise; blending modern connectivity with retro charm. The UK’s homes are being reimagined as social, sensory spaces where comfort meets performance.
The living room is now a multi-purpose entertainment hub. Acoustic upgrades (+125%) and intercom systems (+57%) are climbing fast, while hobbyist gear like pianos (+70%) and DJ setups (+31%) reflect a renewed interest in at-home creativity.
The Sixth (Home) Sense
Beyond the five senses lies something deeper—the feeling of home. In 2025, UK homeowners are designing intuitively: crafting spaces that support daily rituals, reflect their personalities and evolve with their needs.
Data shows this holistic approach is on the rise across categories, from hosting (+172%) and lighting (+350%) to wellbeing and leisure. Homes are now multi-sensory sanctuaries—where fresh air (indoor plants & air purifiers +200%) and technology (projectors +65%) meet.
In 2025, we didn’t just design how our homes look, but how they feel, sound and smell—crafting everyday experiences that feel unmistakably “us”.
