2026 Interior Trends
For 2026, interiors move towards spaces that feel warmer, more personal and intentionally lived-in. From expressive woods and softly reflective chrome to sociable banquette seating and cosy, cocooning nooks, the focus is on creating homes with depth and character. Design becomes less about perfection and more about personality, layering meaningful details, playful elements and thoughtful contrasts. These are interiors designed to evolve over time, telling stories through material, form and feeling, and balancing everyday comfort with a sense of quiet, confident style.
1. Wood
In 2026, wood steps out of the background and takes on a more expressive role. Paler finishes make way for deeper, moodier tones and pieces that feel chosen rather than styled — think rich walnut, smoked oak and tactile burl with visible grain and natural variation. This is wood with personality: sculptural side tables, weighty dining chairs and softly worn surfaces that bring warmth and depth to a room. It’s less about rustic nostalgia and more about contrast — grounding modern spaces, softening clean lines and adding a sense of quiet confidence that makes an interior feel lived-in, layered and distinctly personal.
2. Banquette style seating
In 2026, banquette seating moves beyond the breakfast nook and becomes a design statement in its own right. Built-in and softly upholstered, it brings a sense of intention to dining spaces - encouraging rooms that feel sociable, relaxed and designed for lingering. Expect generous curves, tailored cushions and rich fabrics that contrast beautifully with hard surfaces, whether paired with a sleek table or grounding a kitchen corner. It’s practical, yes, but also atmospheric: a way to soften open-plan layouts, maximise space and create that effortless, café-at-home feeling. Less formal dining room, more everyday gathering spot, layered, welcoming and quietly confident.
3. Chrome Details
In 2026, chrome sheds its cold, futuristic edge and reappears with a softer, more decorative sensibility. High-shine finishes are used with intention, catching the light on curved lamps, kitchen surfaces and sculptural accents rather than dominating a space. It’s a subtle nod to modernity that works best in contrast: paired with rich woods, tactile upholstery and matte surfaces to add clarity and lift.
4. Interiors that tell stories
In 2026, the most compelling interiors are personal, not prescriptive. Homes are designed as living narratives - layered with memories, passions and details that reflect the people who inhabit them. It’s less about a designer’s signature and more about the owner’s story, told through meaningful materials, bespoke artwork and quietly sentimental touches. From salvaged finds with personal significance to hand-drawn motifs and playful references to everyday life, these are spaces designed to evolve, not stand still. Warm, characterful and deeply individual, they feel collected over time, homes that are lived in, loved, layered, and constantly becoming.
5. Cove-Core
In 2026, nooks and coves are having a moment - intentional pockets of space that invite pause, play and presence. Designers are carving out cosy corners everywhere: under stairs transformed into reading retreats, window bays layered with cushions, and mini work-from-home stations tucked into unexpected alcoves. These small spaces aren’t after maximal impact but emotional comfort: places to sip coffee, lose yourself in a book, or daydream within the rhythm of daily life. Soft lighting, warm textiles and thoughtful proportions make each nook feel like its own little world, turning every room into a home you want to inhabit more fully.
6. Whimsical Elements
In 2026, whimsy brings warmth and personality back into interiors. Playful details - from hand-painted motifs and scalloped edges to unexpected colour pairings and gently surreal forms - add a sense of joy without tipping into novelty. These elements feel thoughtful rather than themed: a lamp that feels slightly offbeat, a mural that tells a story, a decorative flourish that sparks conversation. It’s about creating homes that feel expressive and human, where charm, humour and imagination sit comfortably alongside considered design.