Like all fashions, interior design trends fall in and out of favour as the seasons change.
The 60s saw clean lines and popping colours that reflected the styles of the time, while the 1970s embraced earth tones, with sometimes garish accompaniments. The 1990s marked a shift towards minimalism, while Y2K looked to the future with features that could have been lifted straight out of sci-fi - striking silvers, lava lamps, and carefully curated clashes of colour.
In the 2020s, trends are complex and varied, with social media providing the inspiration for a range of aesthetics.
Our list reflects interior design staples as well as new innovations - these are just x house and home trends we expect to see in 2026.
As consumers grow increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, sustainability is becoming a major focus in how people shop. Followers of fashion are turning to the likes of Vinted to give homes to pre-loved hauls, while foodies are focusing on shopping local and favouring plant-based fare over meat and dairy to reduce their impact.
And home interiors are seeing the same treatment. Pre-owned furniture gets a new lease of life, while upcycling enables homemakers to turn tired pieces into charming custom creations.
Using recycled or renewable materials such as cork and steel is also a huge factor in making your home sustainable, while in textiles, wool and felt are popular for the environmentally conscious.
Our working lives are less social than ever.
So it makes sense that the work from home generation wants to ‘touch grass’ from the comfort of their own home.
Cacti are low-maintenance for those who lack a green finger, while sprawling ivies and spider plants can liven up a minimalistic space without taking up too much, well, space.
Meanwhile, buildings are trending towards light and airy open spaces. Raffle House is currently offering the chance to win a Buckinghamshire property which overlooks a stunning garden, letting in natural light in the kitchen space as well as an open plan living room.
Space is the key in these types of properties, ensuring your home never feels cramped but can always feel cosy.
Smart devices are becoming a staple of the home, with new functionalities being developed for a range of appliances.
And so as technology becomes ever more a part of the house, design is catching up to ensure that the ultra-modern doesn’t have to compromise on home cohesion. Trends are catching up to blend the cutting edge of technology with the needs of the family home.
Hidden tech is one of the preferred trends right now, with projectors that retract or cabinets which obscure the TV from view when not in use. These types of subtle disguises are sleek and stylish, but most importantly, useful. Surroundings Interiors, an Ocean City based interior design company who have perfected the art of combining classic and contemporary.
Whether you’re planning to restyle room by room, ripping up and starting again or moving into a new property and looking to give it a fresh lease of life, these are just a few of the interior design trends to watch out for.
What trends do you anticipate in 2026? Let us know in the comments below!
