In 2025, the design world is undergoing a quiet but meaningful revolution. Gone are the days when static moodboards dictated the aesthetic of a space. Instead, designers are embracing mood-led design—an intuitive, emotion-forward approach that puts how a space makes you feel at the heart of its function.
“In 2025, we’re witnessing a shift from the static, often aesthetic-first world of mood boards to a more nuanced, responsive approach: mood-led design,” says Sanaa Ruia, Creative Director, MAIA Estates. “While mood boards once served as visual blueprints, they’re increasingly being replaced by design that actively responds to how people live—and how they want to feel.”