Primary Play: the interiors trend that lets out your inner child
Posted on 22nd January 2025
Trend alert – there’s a new look on the block and it’s all about infusing a good dose of fun into our interiors. Intrigued?
Say hello to Primary Play, a bold and vibrant look Pinterest is predicting to be big in 2025. And, what’s not to love? This trend is all about creating mood-boosting interiors, and I think we could all do with a little dopamine kick to start off the year.
Primary Play encourages renovators and decorators around the world to reconnect with their inner child and let their creativity run free when planning a room refresh or a complete redesign. Think pops of primary colours, daring patterns on everything from soft furnishings to furniture, and quirky décor. “The Primary Play trend encourages self-expression and is all about bringing the fun back into the home,” says Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse.
So, how do you get this cheerful look?
A rug in a kitchen-diner? Yes, please! It will help you zone your space while adding visual interest and an extra layer of comfort. Elements collection dining chair in Clay, £45; salt and pepper mill in blue and green, £10 each, and Fieldsley washable rug, £139, all from Dunelm.
Bold colours and even bolder patterns
Think of your room, whether that’s the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, as a blank canvas and allow your imagination to roam.
The colour palette focuses on primary shades, such as rich reds, vibrant blues, and zesty yellows, with pops of fresh greens or dreamy pastels. But one of the key elements to nailing this look is the use of bold prints and patterns – stripes, checkerboard, florals or geometric forms – which will add a playful touch to your design.
Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village, explains: “Unleash your creativity and embrace your inner artist. Combine bold primary colours with graphic geometrics and hand-painted brushstrokes, to capture the free-spirited and bohemian essence of an artist’s apartment, whilst delivering a dose of dopamine.”
Blue and red is a timeless colour combination. Here, the French Blue Linen Palm Grove lampshade and the matching cushion by Alice Palmer & Co look smart against this red striped headboard. The checkerboard is one of the most popular patterns at the moment – embrace the craze in your bathroom design with statement square tiles in off-white and your favourite primary shade. Yellow encaustic cement tiles, £147.60 per sq m, and Dirty White encaustic cement tiles, £147.60 per sq m, Otto Tiles & Design. Image: Aller Dorset.
Add a personal touch
What’s more, when recreating the Primary Play trend, you don’t have to stick to ready-made wallpaper. Roll up your sleeves, pick up some stencils, and dare to paint outside the lines… and onto furniture. This is a fun and affordable way of breathing life back into older storage solutions, for example. “This movement embraces a DIY ethos, encouraging people to repurpose and upcycle furniture, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary,” says Tom Revill, creative director of Plank Hardware. “The approach marries sustainability with self-expression, making it ideal for both budget-conscious decorators and those looking for unique pieces.”
And, if you loved drawing on walls growing up (sorry, parents!), why not take this idea one step further by creating your own large-scale wall mural and finally making your childhood dreams come true?
So, are you ready to let your inner child out to play?
Get inspired to upcycle some furniture pieces this year by this Yellow botanical cabinet by Annie Sloan. Chalk Paint in a mix of English Yellow and Tilton. Details in Rodmell, Primer Red and Capri Pink mix, Giverny, Paris Grey for the flowers with Olive, Florence and Antibes Green mix for the leaves.
Inspiration gallery
There is no doubt stripes are everywhere. One of our favourite ways of introducing this pattern in your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom is through fabrics. The Studio Stripe fabric by Ian Mankin is suitable for both upholstery and drape. Are you more of a maximalist? Then mix and match stripes and geometric patterns for your wallcoverings and bed linen for a characterful sleep space. Sleep Story Dice ottoman king size bed frame in Plush Corn, £899; Orlena table lamp, £99, and Trend Square lamp table, £159, Furniture Village.Embrace the concept behind the Primary Play trend by getting creative with your woodwork. Painted door and window frames are utterly charming and an easy way of injecting colour into your home. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Tilton, from £8, available at The Roost. You can never have enough storage, so why not make the upgrade to a new, colourful solution? It will instantly brighten up your room. The Lowdown locker in Butter, £289, Mustard Made. Upcycle your furniture – whether that’s a vintage dresser, your kitchen cupboards or a bathroom vanity – with a fresh lick of paint and gorgeous new handles. Mercury curved lip pull handle, from £5.57 for the black model, Plank Hardware.Revive your bedroom with colourful, patterned cushions and throws, striped lighting solutions, and quirky bedside tables for a fresh, new look. Joy Bright throw, £65; Loxley side table, £99, and Stripe Red table lamp, £75, Next.Zesty yellows are ideal for colour drenching a room – perfect for enveloping your space in an uplifting feeling. Nail the look with Sun Valley 350 paint, from £20.75 for 0.94 litres, Benjamin Moore.Add a fun twist to your kitchen walls with joyful prints and artisan accessories. Carretto Del Cibo wallpaper, £175.30, Mind The Gap.
