This paper argues that aesthetics in Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) should be understood as an integrated system of perception, emotion, and meaning making, rather than as surface-level styling. A concise review connects aesthetic theory, design studies, and branding research to show how form, material, motion, and context shape user judgement, trust, and desire. This review also highlights the prevailing tendencies in robotics research to focus on isolated visual features, while often overlooking the contextual and symbolic dimensions that influence user interpretation in their daily lives.