As we anticipate the arrival of 2026, the landscape of interior design is undergoing a significant transformation, moving towards an aesthetic that cherishes authenticity, comfort, and environmental consciousness. This emerging style champions spaces that genuinely feel inhabited and loved, departing from overly curated, showroom-like presentations. It's a collective embrace of natural elements, the rich character of aged woods, and the charm of pieces that tell a story through their imperfections. This year's trends reflect a deeper cultural shift, emphasizing how our living environments shape our well-being and echo our values.
Anticipated Design Trends for the Coming Year
The year 2026 is poised to redefine home interiors with a focus on several compelling trends, emphasizing comfort and individuality. Designers and homeowners alike are gravitating towards a "lived-in" feel, moving away from sterile perfection. Lucy Hammond Giles of Sibyl Colefax & Fowler highlights a growing appreciation on social media for interiors that are genuinely used, not just staged for photographs. This sentiment is echoed by Sophie Salata from Vinterior, who notes the rising popularity of spaces assembled over time, embracing gentle clutter and unique items that contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. This shift is deeply intertwined with sustainability, as designers like Hammond Giles increasingly advocate for antique furniture and pieces from local artisans, promoting the reuse, remaking, and repurposing of items to extend their lifespan.
Kitchens are experiencing a significant evolution, shedding the uniform, fitted look in favor of natural wood and freestanding furniture. Patrick Williams of Berdoulat champions this approach, comparing it to how living rooms are decorated with diverse pieces. His custom kitchens feature oaks, Douglas fir, and walnut, often with "living finishes" that age gracefully. Studio Duggan's Tiffany Duggan suggests pairing wood with other natural materials like marble and stainless steel to achieve a warm, inviting ambiance.
Beyond the kitchen, wood in all its forms is making a grand return. Kelly McGrath of Studio McGrath observes a preference for darker, character-rich woods, moving beyond the pale varieties of previous years. Katie Harbison points to reclaimed pieces, burl styles, and vintage plinths as key elements, reinforcing the desire for layered, personal interiors. This is evident in the surge of Google searches for "burl wood furniture" and the renewed interest in chunky, Brutalist furniture with a significant presence. Even beds are embracing timber, with sleigh-style designs offering comfort and style.
Wall hangings, especially textiles, are gaining traction. Christian Bense notes an increased interest in tactile art forms like tapestries, which bring authenticity and an organic feel to both traditional and contemporary spaces. Rachel Chudley views this trend as a response to the desire for warmth and coziness in an increasingly digital world. Custom mohair tapestries by artists like Francis VH, as seen in a 60 Curzon apartment, add softness and textural depth to open-plan living areas. Artworks such as Pelican House's botanical tapestry in Amanda Brooks's New York townhouse or Christabel MacGreevy's quilt crafted from a grandmother's tablecloth demonstrate how textile art can be deeply personal and visually grounding. Chudley suggests exploring decorative rugs or repurposing vintage fabrics, recommending hanging them without glass to fully appreciate their texture.
The "occasional sofa" is also emerging as a must-have item. Jodie Hazlewood, founder of The House Upstairs, describes these smaller, non-essential pieces as perfect for adding comfort and style to hallways, kitchens, or bedrooms. They offer a low-risk opportunity to experiment with bold shapes and playful fabrics, often by re-upholstering vintage finds.
Tiles are undergoing a transformation, with hand-painted, painterly styles replacing the checkerboard trend. Phoebe Hollond of Studio Hollond emphasizes the nostalgic and homely feel these tiles evoke. Examples include Freyja Lee's floral designs for Heidi Caillier and Balineum's Egyptomania collection by Louis Barthélemy, which create striking backsplashes. Petra Palumbo's Delft tiles and Douglas Watson's Fran Davidson Blossoms also add character and fun to walls.
Earthy paint colors are gaining momentum, offering a personal touch to interiors. Dusty blues, often paired with rich, earthy tones like chocolate brown, are particularly popular. Harbison highlights deep, muddy greens, caramels, and ochre for upholstery and color-drenching rooms. Hollond notes a trend for high-contrast color pairings on woodwork, creating drama and accentuating architectural details. Artichoke green is another favorite, introducing a calming, biophilic element.
Metalwork is being reimagined beyond its industrial or decorative roles. Marta de la Rica's "Of Marble and Metal" collection showcases metal as a tactile, sculptural material that develops a unique patina over time. She emphasizes contrasting metal with natural materials like marble, linen, or timber to soften its intensity, allowing it to convey a sense of presence, memory, and permanence.
Finally, decorative detailing is making a strong comeback. Rose Hanson and Charlotte Tilbury of Penrose Tilbury point to fringing on beds, sofas, and cushions as an easy way to elevate upholstery. Samuel & Sons offers a wide range of quality trims. Hollond predicts the rise of opulent tassels, moving past the now-ubiquitous scalloped edges, to add a playful yet chic touch to curtains and furniture.
For those seeking large-scale art, Emma Lang's SOTA marketplace offers an accessible solution with its XL Print Collection. Featuring over 500 large works from global artists, it bridges the gap between the desire for impressive art and affordability, making it possible to adorn vast walls with integrity. Notable examples include Frankie Penwill's "Tomatoes in a Red Bowl" and Richard Heeps's "Karma, Milan, 2018."
Freestanding showers, a concept dating back to the early 19th-century English Regency period, are being reinterpreted for modern bathrooms. Sims Hilditch champions this trend for 2026, noting how freestanding showers create a visual focal point and allow for greater layout flexibility. Becca Dent of Sims Hilditch emphasizes considering scale and finish, highlighting their suitability for rooms with ample natural light or high ceilings, where they preserve the visibility of key features like timber floors or sash windows.
The evolving trends in interior design for 2026 suggest a profound desire for homes that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply personal, comfortable, and environmentally responsible. It's a movement towards creating sanctuaries that reflect our lives, our values, and our longing for connection in an increasingly complex world.