Design Trend Alert! Breaking Down Regency Minimalism For Your Next Flea Market Trip

The time has come to unveil a “new” design trend for 2025. And boy, is it a pretty one. To be honest, this one has been sneaking up on us for a minute, and no, it’s not “fisherman core”. For me, let’s keep fish in the sea and add ornate light fixtures into our homes:) “Jess, did you just say something favorable towards an ornate decor item?” Yes, I did. While Emily (and the team) have nearly inspired a drinking game with the amount of times we say the phrase “simple but special”, this trend lightly flirts with luxury and heavy detailing. I call it Regency Minimalism. It’s deeply inspired by the ornate European decor of the past (hello vintage!) but done in a very minimalist way (this isn’t promoting a Versailles look). Honestly, I think with a few key pieces, this is a very achievable trend that a flea market could easily help with.

Now, one key factor that didn’t get its own section is that light colored walls are key to the airy element that is needed. It’s the same for most minimalist trends. Start with a light base and then add your decor from there. And sure, some pretty mouldings if possible:) Let’s dive in.

Glass Chandelier Lighting

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I figured I should start strong with Lenny Kravitz’s new Paris home. While every room in this carousel wouldn’t be classified under this trend, the first photo definitely does, and that’s heavily due to that incredible crystal chandelier and candelabras. Aside from those pieces, nothing else would really be considered “regency”. That’s the minimalism part. There are stunning other vintage pieces, but the restraint to not overdecorate and fill the room with highly ornate items gives it a sense of space, calm, and a touch of luxury.

In these two examples, the rooms are beautifully designed, not overly colorful, and have a few modern touches (i.e., the sink in the bathroom and the stainless steel kitchen). But with the use of glass or crystal light fixtures, both spaces instantly look and feel more luxurious/old-world.

Now, vintage (or vintage-inspired) chandeliers range in price, but there are a ton of options if you love this look!

Ornate Carved Accent Pieces

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This is where things could be a little dicey for me, as I’ve never been a huge fan of overly ornate carved furniture. However, when used in small doses and sparingly, like these examples show, I can absolutely be in. FYI, if you love this type of furniture, then that’s wonderful. It’s just a personal preference, and I am more drawn to simple and cleaner lines. But how sweet is that little wall table? It looks like stone, which is stunning, and when paired with that modern bed and side table, it really shines, instead of overwhelms.

P.S. This was the space that was the final nail to confirm this trend for me

So while this trend seems to still mostly be in Europe, more American designers like Amy Kehoe are also in on it. Take a look at the console table she used in this entry. Then Munich-based designer, Regina Hoefter, put this gorgeous colorful credenza and fringed stool in her small space apartment. The fact that she kept the walls light and fairly sparse creates a really beautiful balance.

Ornate Iron Lighting

Crystal chandeliers aren’t the only lighting stars in town. Ornate metal/iron lights are also key to this trend. They are a little less “glam” at first look, but ultimately add so much detail and whimsy. Look at that three-light sconce above the fireplace. It’s so detailed, looks like the most chic flower in the world, but its dark tones balance perfectly with the other dark pieces in the space. This was designed by Nate Berkus’ longtime design partner, Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, so no surprise this is a perfect room with perfect vintage pieces. Then we have another Kehoe space on the right, and here the lighting is perfect too. The room overall is less “glam,” but the general feel and those light fixtures make a great version of Regency Minimalism.

Here are two more examples. I love that with this trend, you can go more vintage gold and crystal or use beautifully curved dark metal fixtures to lean more organic. It’s just important to not overdecorate and choose your pieces very intentionally. Both are so chic.

Small Sparely Placed Art

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A major definer of this trend is wall art placement/size. As you’ll see in almost every example in this post, there isn’t a ton of art on the walls. Take this kitchen above, the art is placed on the higher side, and the pieces themselves are not all that large. They don’t fill up the wall really at all. Instead, the placement and size look and feel very intentional. It’s quiet.

And the same goes for these two spaces. The art is smaller, more neutral, and pretty spread out, even for the “gallery wall”. I love how casual it’s supposed to look, even though the negative space is so purposeful. Choosing vintage art or original art seems to be pretty key. You need the soul and textures to come through to make up for the lack of size.

The pieces here are a little larger, but again, there’s a lot of negative space in that the walls don’t have very many pieces. The ones over the door are also hung a little higher and not centered to the door. Intentionally “unintentional”. These pieces feel very much in line with the Recency-style art. I’m not an art historian, but in my little bit of research, they seem to be aligned:)

Wall Draping

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Remember when I said this trend has been sneaking up on us? Well, the romantic wall drape was a decor trend I called back in February in this post.

The fabrics never seem to be patterned (or very subtly if they are), and it looks like a relatively easy DIY to make a pretty headboard, wall statement, whatever you want. A perfect way to cover up any wall eyesores. Just stick to lightweight fabrics so that they still feel airy and easy.

Try A Patterned Satin Headboard

So while the wall fabric shouldn’t be patterned, if you want an upholstered headboard, I’m noticing more neutral satin floral fabrics being used. I think for the right space, it would look so chic! The shine is luxe, the florals give regency, and the colors are minimalist. I’m sure there will be concerns about how to clean, so it may not be right for everyone, but it is an option if you love this look:)

So that’s what I think 2025 is going to have in store for us, and let’s just say I really love it, and it may have very much inspired my bedroom design:) What do y’all think? Weigh in!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: Staging My Dream Parisian Hotel Suite with Sothebys