Our Guide to Interior Design Trends 2026

2026 is looking to be an exciting year for interior design, with trends that balance comfort, character and timeless style. From warm minimalism to rich colours and quiet luxury, this year’s interiors are all about creating spaces that feel both stylish and lived-in.

In this guide, we explore the trends that are set to define our homes in 2026, offering ideas and inspiration for every room. Whether you’re refreshing a single space or planning a full redesign, these trends provide a starting point to make your home feel modern, welcoming and uniquely yours.

Warm minimalism with character

Warm minimalism is all about creating calm, uncluttered spaces that still feel inviting and full of personality. It sees a softening to traditional minimal design with warmth, texture and subtle detail, which results in interiors that feel considered rather than clinical. The base is formed with neutral palettes such as soft whites, stone and warm greys, which help the space to feel light and balanced.

The character is introduced through natural materials and thoughtful design choices. This can include timber finishes, gentle grain patterns and tactile surfaces to add depth, and carefully chosen furniture will provide function without any additional visual noise. Instead of decorative clutter, interest can come from craftsmanship, proportion and a few touches of meaningful details.

In the home, warm minimalism can take shape as a serene bedroom with natural tones, a living area featuring clean-lined furniture, or a home office designed to feel simple yet inviting. The overall effect should be timeless and relaxed, to show that minimalist interiors can be both functional and full of character.

Lived-in rooms

Lived-in rooms look to be another key trend for 2026, moving away from perfectly polished interiors to spaces that feel comfortable and welcoming. This trend embraces warmth, personality and the sense that a home is meant to be enjoyed. It’s about layering textures, colours and objects to make a room feel inviting rather than staged.

Key elements of lived-in rooms include soft furnishings such as cushions, throws and rugs, and well-chosen furniture that balances style and practicality. Personal touches such as books, artwork, or meaningful objects will bring character and a sense of history to a space, and natural materials and warm tones will make it feel grounded and cosy.

In practice, a lived-in room could be a lounge with a mix of modern and vintage furniture, textured fabrics and a carefully curated collection of accessories, or a dining area where comfortable seating and layered lighting create a space for everyday life. Overall, your home should feel authentic to you, welcoming and full of personality, with design that serves real living rather than just decoration.

Dark woods and rich finishes

Dark woods and rich finishes bring depth, warmth and a sense of luxury to interiors. This trend embraces natural materials with character - think walnut, oak or mahogany - paired with finishes that highlight the grain and texture, for a timeless, sophisticated feel.

This trend is about balancing boldness with comfort. Dark wood shelving, panelling or flooring can be softened with lighter walls, textiles and metals, and layered lighting will help to ensure spaces feel inviting rather than heavy. Rich finishes, such as leather, velvet or brushed metals, can add tactile interest and elevate the overall look.

In a home, this might take the form of a statement wall of dark timber bespoke cabinetry, a dining room with a walnut table and textured chairs, or a living area where deep-toned floors and furniture are paired with soft rugs and cushions. The effect is an interior that feels grounded, elegant and enduringly stylish.

Colour drenching

Colour drenching is about fully embracing colour to create mood, personality and impact in a space. Rather than small pops or accents, this trend uses rich, layered colour across walls, ceilings, furniture and soft furnishings to make rooms feel immersive and expressive.

The key to making this work is balance and cohesion. You’ll need to choose a palette that works together, whether that’s deep jewel tones, muted earthy shades, or vibrant primary colours, to allow the space to feel intentional rather than overwhelming. Textures and finishes, such as matte paint, velvet upholstery or coloured timber, will add much-needed depth and prevent the colour from feeling flat.

In practice, colour drenching might look like a living room with walls, shelving and seating in complementary deep greens, a bedroom layered with moody blues and soft furnishings in varying shades, or a kitchen where cabinetry and accents create a bold, cohesive statement. If you commit to colour drenching, you can enjoy a home that feels lively, confident and unapologetically full of character.

Soft white tones

Soft white tones create interiors that feel calm, airy and timeless. Unlike stark or clinical whites, this trend leans on warmer, gentler shades, such as ivory, cream, or Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year Cloud Dancer, that will add subtle depth whilst keeping spaces light and inviting.

The approach is about layering textures and materials to add interest without overwhelming the simplicity. Soft whites can be paired with natural woods, stone, fabrics and metals to create a sense of warmth and understated elegance. Thoughtful detailing, such as moulding, panelling or carefully selected furnishings, will help to ensure the room feels refined and complete.

In a home, soft white tones might appear in a bedroom with cream walls, linen bedding and light timber furniture, or a living room where neutral upholstery, rugs and curtains create a serene backdrop for art and accessories. The space will feel peaceful, versatile and effortlessly sophisticated.

Shades of blue

Many design leaders have chosen a blue shade as their colour of the year for 2026, including Pinterest, Etsy, and Dulux, showing just how popular this colour is set to be this year. Shades of blue bring calm, depth and personality to interiors, making them feel both soothing and stylish. From soft, airy pastels to deep, moody navy, blue is a perfect a grounding colour that can define a space or add subtle touches of character.

Layering different tones and textures can help blue shades feel dynamic rather than flat. Painted walls can be paired with upholstered furniture, cushions, rugs, or cabinetry in complementary shades. Metals, natural woods and warm lighting can help to balance cooler blues to create a welcoming and harmonious environment.

In a home, shades of blue might appear as a serene bedroom with soft sky-blue walls and navy accents, a living room with deep blue cabinetry and textured fabrics, or a study where muted blue tones create focus and calm. The result is an interior that feels elegant, restful and full of personality.

Quiet luxury and understated detailing

Quiet luxury and understated detailing focus on creating interiors that feel effortlessly refined without relying on bold statements or trends. It’s about quality, proportion and subtle craftsmanship to create spaces that speak of thoughtfulness rather than overt opulence.

This trend often features high-quality materials, muted colour palettes, and design elements that reward a closer look, such as finely crafted joinery, hidden storage, or delicately textured surfaces. The beauty lies in restraint; each piece should be chosen for its lasting appeal, comfort and how it contributes to the overall harmony of the room.

In practice, quiet luxury might be a living room with fluted wall panels, soft neutral furnishings and tactile textiles, a functional and stylish walk-in wardrobe, or a dining area where a well-crafted table and carefully layered lighting create sophistication without excess. The effect is an interior that feels timeless, comfortable and quietly confident.

Bring your 2026 interiors to life

Trends might set the tone, but your home is truly defined by the spaces that work for how you live. At Kingswood, we specialise in creating bespoke joinery and interiors that reflect both the latest design trends and your personal style. From built-in wardrobes and statement cabinetry to elegant storage designs and custom finishes, every piece is crafted in the UK to the highest standard.

Whatever your interior design preferences, our team can help translate 2026’s style inspirations into a home that is as functional as it is beautiful. Explore the possibilities with Kingswood and make this year the one where your interiors truly come alive. Contact us for more information or book a design consultation with our expert team.