Slithering into style – The Hindu

The mystical serpent of the Chinese zodiac slithers into 2025, bringing a transformative Year of the Wood Snake that promises more strategic moves than a chess grandmaster’s playbook.

Rooted in a 60-year cyclical calendar combining 12 zodiac animals and five elemental forces, the 2025 Yin Wood Snake represents a nuanced dance of wisdom and adaptability. Unlike the rigid Yang Wood Dragon of 2024, this year embodies a ‘small green snake’ capable of calculated, diplomatic maneuvers.

Feng shui expert Thierry Chow reveals that the wood snake year will be characterised by keen observation and strategic growth. The elemental interplay — wood giving rise to fire — creates a complex personality landscape where intuition meets intelligent action.

Elemental significance of wood represents growth and flexibility, fire symbolises transformation and passion, green signals renewal, red brings luck and of course gold promises prosperity.

The Chinese zodiac whispers a provocative invitation: shed your old skin, embrace calculated risks, and transform.

Whether you’re a corporate warrior or a creative dreamer, 2025 demands strategic thinking and bold personal evolution. The wood snake brings with it a palette as rich and complex as its symbolism. Imagine walls adorned in lush emerald greens, reminiscent of a forest canopy where serpents quietly observe.

But the wood snake’s influence doesn’t end with colour. This year calls for interiors that are both grounding and dynamic, mirroring the snake’s ability to be firmly rooted yet incredibly flexible.

Think sinuous forms in furniture, snake-inspired patterns in textiles, and the incorporation of natural wood elements to honour the year’s elemental aspects. Let’s explore how to create spaces that look stunning.

Nature-themed spaces

Biophilic design style is particularly suitable as it incorporates clean lines, nature-inspired colours, and bright spaces, creating a calming atmosphere that enhances wisdom and intellectual capabilities. As biophilic design continues to bloom, and for good reason incorporating natural elements — think living walls, indoor gardens, and organic materials — is also an essential trend.

Amethyst Wild Garden cafe in Chennai has incorporated biophilic design in its arrangement. The layout of the pavilions at Kempegowda Airport, Bengaluru, was also based on this principle.

Japandi

This design style, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, features simple, nature-inspired elements that create a harmonious and soothing environment. As the name suggests, organic materials and shapes are very much a part of the design language making spaces unique with their compositions.

The Concreate Story in Noida, Envisage Projects New Delhi, and Tanzeem Sarguroh’s Studio, Mumbai, have blended Japandi principles in their projects.

Natural stones, clay and wood resonate with the grounding energy of sustainability. This year, natural materials will take centrestage. Expect to see reclaimed wood, bamboo, and textured finishes as key elements in furniture and decor. These materials evoke warmth and connection to nature, which is as essential in feng shui as it is in your Instagram aesthetics.

Who knew being ‘down to earth’ could look so chic? Indian Japandi interiors seamlessly blend minimalism with subtle cultural elements, creating a harmonious and serene living space. This fusion style embraces a neutral colour palette featuring earthy tones, complemented by natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone.

The furniture selection adheres to minimalist principles, showcasing clean lines and functional designs that prioritise both aesthetics and practicality. Handwoven textiles are strategically used to introduce warmth and texture, softening the overall minimalist aesthetic. While the design primarily focuses on simplicity, it doesn’t shy away from incorporating subtle pops of colour, often inspired by the rich hues found in Indian art and nature.

Eclectic style

While not specifically tied to the snake theme, this bold and innovative style allows for the incorporation of snake-inspired elements. It’s perfect for showcasing vibrant personalities and can include warm colours. Prepare to see various shades of greens. Colour-drenched rooms are a great way to bring in tones of the calming colour in hues that can meld into one another seamlessly creating depth and drama to a space. Or mix with neutrals to create a sanctuary minus the bugs.

Some award-winning design studios in India that specialise in eclectic design and use colour palettes in line with the theme of the year in most of their projects include studio meraki, weespaces and P.S. Designs.

Wallpaper and wall treatments are a great way to incorporate these trends ticking the boxes with colour, texture and style. Using pops of carmine red to create a focal point or simply as a contrast can add that vibrant touch to your room effortlessly.

Whether it’s a whimsical art piece, quirky bookends, or a playful throw pillow, humour in decor not only reflects your personality but also sparks joy in everyday life.

The writer is an interior designer passionate about creating unique spaces.