A new year always brings the urge to refresh our surroundings, and 2026 looks ready to turn homes into softer, more personal retreats. Instead of chasing picture perfect rooms, the focus is shifting toward spaces that feel calming, warm, and genuinely lived in. Designers and trend forecasters say the most important goal is creating interiors that help us slow down, switch off, and recharge. Beauty still matters, but comfort is no longer optional.
That comfort first mindset shows up in everything from layout choices to materials and finishes. Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert, has pointed to a growing desire for homes that counter constant digital noise with a calmer pace. Think inviting corners for reading, tactile textiles, and rooms that feel like a break from the day rather than a showroom. It is less about impressing guests and more about supporting everyday life.
Color is also taking a confident turn, with blue expected to dominate across multiple platforms and brands. Pinterest, Etsy, and Dulux have all highlighted blue as a defining shade for the year, from gentle, airy tones to deeper, moodier variations. Dulux creative director Marianne Shillingford has described a trio of blues designed to match different rhythms of living, from quiet and soothing to playful and energising. The takeaway is simple, blue can be tailored to the feeling you want in a room.
Personal style is moving beyond a few quirky accessories and into storytelling through decor. Interest in personalised pieces is rising fast, and the idea is to fill a home with items that reflect who you are rather than what is currently trending. Custom artwork, meaningful objects, and carefully chosen vintage finds all fit this mood. Even the big pieces are changing, with sofas becoming deeper, softer, and made for proper lounging.
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Natural character is another theme, especially in wood. Knotty, swirled grain finishes are returning, with Lisa Jones of Dunelm noting that this look adds warmth and individuality because the texture feels like art created by nature. Kitchens are leaning into richer, earthier colour palettes too, with Ideal Home editor Holly Cockburn calling out spice inspired shades like burgundy, terracotta, and muted orange for rooms that feel welcoming and full of personality.
Bathrooms are also losing their sterile vibe and blending into the rest of the home through colour, pattern, and even unexpected furniture. Meanwhile, a modern take on Art Deco is returning in what Pinterest has dubbed Neo Deco, with bold geometry, curves, velvet, and metallic touches like brass and chrome. Lighting is becoming sculptural, and Mara Miller of Industville has noted a move toward tactile metal finishes that feel warmer and more crafted.
Walls and floors are getting bolder as well. Mural style wallpapers are turning rooms into immersive scenes, while Farrow and Ball predicts that after the ceiling had its moment, 2026 will spotlight the floor as a “sixth wall” through painted colour, stripes, or checkerboard patterns. With all these ideas combined, the goal is a home that feels cosy, creative, and unmistakably yours.
Which of these 2026 home trends would you actually try, and what would you skip? Share your thoughts in the comments.
