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‘Bad Taste?’ sets the tone for 2025

ColourNext Trends

By Gauri Kelkar

Feb 20, 2025

Room filled with colourful stained-glass windows creating vivid patterns on the floor - Beautiful Homes

Irreverently coined as ‘Bad Taste?’, this finding by Asian Paints ColourNext focuses on this hard pivot from conventional ideas of quiet elegance. It is an invitation to wear your preferences loudly and proudly

American interior designer Iris Apfel’s words capture the essence of this ColourNext finding: “More is more and less is a bore.” Maximalism is staging a bold rebellion against the old guard of restrained luxury. In 2024, Pinterest reported a 3,460 per cent increase in searches for maximalist jewellery. Vogue, too, predicted that “loud luxury” was trending for the year. Irreverently coined as ‘Bad Taste?’, the finding focuses on this hard pivot from conventional ideas of quiet elegance. It is an invitation to wear your preferences loudly and proudly.

What Lies Behind ‘Bad Taste?’

ColourNext’s deep dive into this movement shows that notions of luxury are no longer defined by an elite vanguard. The reasons for this are many. Notably, there is an obvious lack of trust in traditional power structures and a decline in generational wealth. Old money does not inspire reverence anymore and seems out of touch with today’s reality. Coupled with this is the influencer culture that has broken the proverbial glass ceiling and democratised luxury.

Two individuals wearing vibrant, patterned coats in a stylish outdoor setting – Beautiful Homes

Animal prints, bold colours and daring aesthetics, 'Bad Taste?' is all about empowering people to be unique and flaunt their maximalist taste. Image courtesy, Shutterstock

People today believe in unapologetic self-expression and are enthusiastically embracing the mantra of ‘the more, the merrier’. This rejection of conventional ideas of so-called good taste also lies in a desire to break free from an overwhelming sense of sameness. Rather than going for mass-produced uniformity, people are searching for the unique and distinctive, daring to make bold choices. In short, layer on the glitz, ramp up the glamour and be unapologetic about it.

A collection of decorative items including a vase, pearls, and textiles on a vibrant red background – Beautiful Homes

The finding manifests in the theatrics of excess style and strong visual language. Image courtesy, Asian Paints

Embracing the Bold and the Brazen

Beyond mere patterns of behaviour and trends are those who are going full steam ahead to adopt this bold new aesthetic. New York-based, three-Michelin-star restaurant Bad Roman wears its flamboyance as a badge of honour. The faux-Roman, quasi-Italian-themed place calls itself “the year’s most unhinged Italian restaurant so far!” In fashion, Versace continues to embrace extravagant opulence, fantastical prints and gold accents, drawing inspiration from the no-holds-barred 1990s. Homes across the globe now feature vivid patterns and textures reminiscent of animal skin. And in home décor, brands like Jonathan Adler and Moooi have leaned into the ‘animal motif, bright colour, over-the-top’ aesthetic. Faux-fur interiors, animal prints, glitter and sequins are hallmarks of brazen, maximalist and playful design. The word on the street, and on social media, is go big or go home.

‘Bad Taste?’ in Colour, Material and Texture

The ‘more is more’ principle applies when it comes to expressing this finding through colour, material or texture. A dramatic and vivid colour palette embodies this finding. Bold colours are anchored by the deliberate intensity of deep tones. The hues tend towards mid-to-dark shades and are all about an interplay of saturation and shadow. This idea of excess and exaggeration is evident in lustrous, lavish textures—metallic finishes and gold leaf, for example. Materially, leather, faux furs and embellished textiles constitute ‘Bad Taste?’ As for the hard materials, think of the grandeur of antique mirrors, gold mosaic or decorative plaster ceilings. Deep, intense, bold and vital are its key elements.

Chair with fringe against dark curtains and yellow wall with frames - Beautiful Homes

The 'Naga' chair is from Atelier Ashiesh Shah and the 'Italy' multi-rug is from the One Love Collection, Hands Carpets. The Asian Paints finish is 'Yellow Moss (9864). Space Styled by Pooja Bhandary; Photographed by Kunal Daswani with Asian Paints

Lit candles on books with abstract wall background - Beautiful Homes

The 'Metallo Fuso Ripple’s' textured metallic finish by Asian Paints’ Royale Play is a vivid, moody addition to interiors. Image courtesy, Asian Paints

The Finding Expressed in Design

This living room captures an extravagance where confidence trumps convention. Leather curtains held by industrial steel rods, provocative torn book pages and a bright pop of green questions notions of refinement and value. It is a deliberate irreverence, unafraid of being politically incorrect.

Colourful stained-glass windows in a room - Beautiful Homes

Vibrant colours and bold prints are hallmarks of 'Bad Taste?'. The colonial 'Queen Anne Legs' birdcage, floor lamp, reproduced Jeanerret 'Kangaroo' chair and teakwood country console are from Mahendra Doshi Est. 1974. Space Styled by Pooja Bhandary; Photographed by Kunal Daswani with Asian Paints

Person draped with a black lace veil covering their face - Beautiful Homes

Drama and decadence are the hallmarks of this finding that celebrates individualistic style and unapologetic self-expression. Image courtesy, Pexels

Wooden chair with a colourful beaded pattern on the seat - Beautiful Homes

The embroidered 'C-Chair' by architect Rooshad Shroff has zardozi embroidery on its seat and armrests. Image courtesy, Rooshad Shroff

Assorted decorative items and fabrics in various textures and colours arranged on a surface – Beautiful Homes

The finding is expressed in a lavishly decorated material palette such as embellished textures, faux furs, sequins, antique finishes and metallic shimmers. Image courtesy, Asian Paints

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