As a commercial interior design and office fit-out contractor based in London, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve to deliver first-class contemporary interiors for our clients. A key part of this effort is our annual visit to Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW).
Stepping out of Farringdon Station, we’re greeted by a wash of pink CDW branding, with road markings guiding visitors on a curated circuit of showrooms. Each exhibit showcases the world’s leading manufacturers of sustainable furnishings and finishes for commercial interior – giving us the opportunity to experience the newest innovations firsthand.
This year, Clerkenwell Design Week unveiled some exciting new trends, along with a few timeless favourites that are set to stay beyond 2025.
Colour Palettes for 2025
Gone are the days of grey interiors and sterile blank canvases. The office of 2025 embraces colour, texture, and pattern.
- A combination of blue and yellow made a strong statement at CWD 2025. Be it in flooring with white flecks, melamine desks, or upholstery, a rich electric blue or navy – paired with muted tones or contrasting rich yellows- creates a smart, bold, and professional environment.
- Muted greens combined with natural woods and creams remain a popular choice. While not a new trend, green continues to be favoured for its calming, tranquil qualities and its symbolic nod to sustainability in this era of circularity.
- A spectrum of magenta tones – including salmon pink, burnt orange, burgundy, and scarlet – was widely used in upholstery, metal finishes, and carpets.
Pairing these colour palettes with natural timber is a defining feature of office design in 2025. From oak-finish booths to wooden flooring and wall panelling, timber elements introduce earthy warmth and a welcoming atmosphere, which is known to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
Floor Finishes
Office flooring is moving on from the post-pandemic “resimercial” style. In its place, we’re seeing speckled textures and bold geometric patterns take the spotlight.
For high-traffic areas, the concrete slab effect is emerging as a go-to finish – combining durability with an industrial aesthetic. Available in multiple formats, it’s poised to become a staple for 2025 and beyond.
Furniture
Clerkenwell didn’t disappoint when it came to innovative furniture: ergonomic chairs, multifunctional desks, stackable seating, and quirky statement pieces were everywhere.
One standout was the new mesh pod – a single-seat or desk structure. While not the most acoustically efficient, its form creates a layered, dynamic effect in open-plan spaces.
Another eye-catching piece was the JumpSeat—a marvel of engineering. Originally designed for an American client who needed space-saving auditorium seating, this spring-loaded timber chair folds away compactly. Born from a design mishap and a lack of space, it’s now patented and used in venues worldwide.
Acoustics
Acoustic solutions continue to evolve. This year featured artistic acoustic walls and room dividers, classic booths with bare wood finishes, and even entire rooms lined with acoustic materials—arched designs and tactile elements added a new layer of creativity.
Lighting
Sustainable lighting took centre stage thanks to Signify. Their 3D-printed light fittings promote circularity, with products designed for reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. These energy-efficient solutions aim to reduce global electricity consumption by more than a third – a big win for eco-conscious workplaces.
Wall Finishes
Wall surfaces are also having a moment. From tiles to textured panelling, the possibilities are endless. A standout trend from 2024 that’s still going strong is Terrazzo. This composite material, often made from marble, granite, glass, or other aggregates in a cement or epoxy base, adds a vibrant, contemporary edge—whether used on floors, walls, in reception areas, washrooms, or kitchen spaces.
Final Thoughts
Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 did not disappoint. While we saw the return of some favourites from 2024, we also witnessed exciting new additions – from bold colour palettes (especially blue and rich yellows) to ingenious furniture pieces and enhanced acoustic design.
Circular manufacturing is now a standard across many exhibitors, making sustainable refurbishments more accessible than ever.
We’re inspired by the direction modern manufacturing is heading and look forward to integrating these innovative elements into future projects.
Well done, Clerkenwell Design Week 2025.
