Finishing Materials 2025 – What to Include in Your Offer?

Modern interiors require smart solutions.

In 2025, finishing materials can no longer be just “pretty.” Clients – both private and institutional – expect durability, sustainability, functionality, and modern aesthetics. For contractors, this means updating their offer and staying aware of emerging trends. Here are five materials that are definitely worth including in your portfolio.

1. Decorative plasters – raw character in a premium version

Structural plasters that mimic raw surfaces have become one of the most important trends in contemporary interior finishes. Architectural concrete, rust effect, microcement, or stone are no longer reserved for large lofts – they’re now successfully used in apartments, homes, and commercial spaces.

Applications:

• Feature wall behind a TV or fireplace as a dominant decorative element

• Hallways and staircases – durable and resistant to touch

• Kitchens and bathrooms – when protected with the right sealing varnish
  

Why use them?

• Can be applied directly onto old plaster or drywall, reducing demolition costs

• The decorative finish is achieved without wallpaper, cladding, or tiles – the plaster is the final layer

• Clients value the natural look and unique textures – each wall looks different
  

Technical tip for contractors:
Always use a bonding primer, especially on smooth substrates. To create texture, use steel trowels, sponges, brushes, or textured rollers. Some effects require layered work with pigment and varnish.

2. 3D Acoustic panels – function and aesthetics combined

Modern interiors are becoming more open, which often leads to acoustic issues. Acoustic panels offer a stylish solution – combining aesthetics, user comfort, and sound absorption.

Most common types:

• PET felt panels – made from recycled materials, lightweight, and easy to install with Velcro, adhesive, or mounting tape

• Slatted panels – wood or veneer on a black or graphite acoustic backing, mounted on entire walls or as decorative strips
  

Where to install:

• Open-plan living areas – reduce echo and improve speech clarity

• Home offices and workplaces – boost acoustic comfort without sacrificing design

• Children’s rooms and bedrooms – improve the acoustic environment for rest and sleep
  

Benefits for contractors:

• Clean, non-invasive installation – unlike plastering

• Easy upsell – clients often start with one wall but return for more after seeing the results

• Panels can be trimmed on-site to fit uneven walls and alcoves
  

Pro tip:
In open-plan apartments, even a few PET felt panels behind a sofa or dining table noticeably improve acoustics – clients often immediately ask to add them to bedrooms. For contractors, it's a simple way to increase order value and demonstrate modern, client-oriented thinking.

3. Eco-friendly furniture boards – stylish without guilt

Sustainable construction and interior design are gaining momentum, not only in public projects but also in private investments. Clients – especially younger generations and conscious investors – increasingly ask, “What is this made of?” Eco-friendly boards are the answer.

Types and sources:

• Boards made from fibers reclaimed from woodworking waste, packaging, and even textiles

• Materials sourced from dismantled furniture, pallets, or structural components

• Certified boards (e.g., FSC, CARB, E0) with very low formaldehyde emissions, compliant with EU environmental standards
  

Applications:

• Office, kitchen, and bathroom furniture for eco-conscious designs

• Projects in kindergartens, schools, or public spaces where safety and sustainability matter

• Showrooms and commercial interiors that aim to communicate green values
  

Why offer them?

• Look identical to standard boards – can be processed, milled, and veneered in the same way

• Unique selling point – few contractors can advise on eco-materials or present their benefits clearly

• Add extra value to a kitchen or built-in unit project – without raising the base cost
  

Contractor tip:
Keep a list of product names and certifications (e.g., FSC Mix Credit, CARB2) you work with – corporate or institutional clients may require them in formal documentation.

4. Large-format panels – fewer joints, more elegance

Minimalism and seamless surfaces are among the most desired design effects today. Large-format panels (such as sintered stone, HPL, or XXL ceramics) allow for creating walls, countertops, or furniture fronts without visible joints, gaps, or grout lines – enhancing both aesthetics and hygiene.

Most commonly used materials:

• Sintered stone – thin yet highly durable; resistant to scratches, fire, and chemicals

• Large-format ceramics – often used in bathrooms and wet zones

• Compact HPL boards – increasingly popular in kitchens, especially for countertops and cabinet fronts
  

Advantages:

• No grout means easier cleaning and improved hygiene – especially important in kitchens and bathrooms

• Seamless monolithic effect – e.g., a kitchen countertop and backsplash in the same texture and tone

• Ideal for premium projects, where detail and a modern finish matter
  

Who is it for?

• Clients investing in long-lasting kitchens, avoiding unnecessary detailing

• Institutional clients – such as spas, beauty clinics, offices, and hotels

• Developers – increasingly opting for ready-made prefabricated HPL or sintered stone elements

Tip for professionals:
Installing large-format panels requires specialist tools (e.g., vacuum suction cups, waterjet or diamond blade cutting). If you don’t handle the installation yourself, plan subcontractor cooperation early in the quoting stage. Clients expect complete solutions – not just design sketches.

5. Microcement – raw but practical

Microcement (also known as microconcrete) has earned its place in contemporary interiors. Valued for both its aesthetics and performance, it creates smooth, seamless surfaces with a raw, minimalist appeal – making it a go-to choice for projects that demand both design and usability.

Applications:

• Shower walls without tiles or grout (with proper waterproofing)

• Uniform staircases – no strips or profiles

• Kitchen and bathroom countertops, islands, and furniture cladding

• Fireplaces, window sills, and open-space flooring

Why clients love it:

• No grout lines – eliminates dirt accumulation

• Water resistance – perfect for bathrooms and wet areas

• Aesthetics – clean, raw surface suits loft, modern, japandi, and scandi styles

• Durability – properly sealed microcement resists wear and scratching
  

Finishing options:

• Matte, satin, or gloss topcoats

• Textures: troweled, smoothed, or polished concrete effect

• Colors range from white and beige to anthracite, terracotta, and khaki
  

Pro tip:
Successful microcement application requires a solid substrate, careful layering, and proper sealing. It’s a material for skilled professionals – but one that offers high margins and prestige when done right.

6. How to turn these trends into services?

These are not just "trendy materials" – they represent real business opportunities. Clients today don’t just want “a nice wall.” They want to know:
– Will it be easy to clean?
– Will it affect room acoustics?
– Is it eco-friendly?
– Can it be used in bathrooms?

As a professional, you gain a real edge when you can:

• Match materials to functional needs

• Suggest budget-conscious alternatives (e.g., microcement instead of tiles)

• Offer practical arguments:
  “No grout to maintain here,”
  “This won’t show dirt,”
  “Perfect for allergy sufferers.”
  

📸 Quick tip:
Show your past projects – even on your phone. Materials like microcement or acoustic panels look stunning in photos – often more persuasive than a thousand words.

Summary: Smart finishing, smart business

Materials of the future aren't about trends – they address real needs.
Today’s interiors demand aesthetics and durability, functionality, and environmental responsibility.

Choosing the right materials means:

• Fewer callbacks

• Happier clients

• Stronger referrals
  

Invest in your knowledge, tools, and materials – it pays off.
Because in 2025, being a tradesperson means more than just execution.
You’re an advisor, a partner, and a leader in modern interior solutions.

🎯 Discover Other Trends in Construction and Interior Finishing

❓Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular decorative plasters in 2025?
The top choices include plasters that mimic architectural concrete, rust effects, and microcement. Clients appreciate their raw, modern look and high resistance to dirt.

Do acoustic panels really improve sound quality?
Yes – especially PET felt panels and MDF slat panels. They absorb sound and reduce echo in open spaces, significantly improving user comfort.

How do eco-friendly furniture boards differ from standard ones?
Eco boards are made from recycled materials (e.g., wood fibers from production waste) and often come with FSC certification. In terms of appearance and performance, they match traditional boards.

What are the advantages of large-format panels over tiles?
XXL panels minimize the number of grout lines, creating a more seamless and elegant look. They’re easier to clean and extremely durable.

Can microcement be used in bathrooms?
Yes – as long as it's properly applied and sealed. It works well on shower walls, floors, and even vanity tops.

What tools are needed for working with microcement?
Typically: stainless steel trowels, lacquer rollers, mortar mixers, and sanding tools for interlayer smoothing. Primers and sealers are also essential.

Which materials are worth showing to clients as samples?
Definitely microcement, 3D panels, and textured plasters – their rich texture and color make a much stronger impression in person than in photos.