Interior Design Experts Unveil 2026 Trends: A Shift Towards Personality and Practicality
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more. Interior design professionals have generously shared their expert insights into how spaces will be decorated in the coming year, offering home enthusiasts a valuable opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. Alex Meachen, the founder of Alex Interior Design, identifies sculptural furniture and homewares, versatile seating arrangements, and subtle low-level smart lighting as the emerging focal points in contemporary home styling. Meanwhile, Petra Arko, creative director and founder at Bergman and Mar, expresses enthusiasm for the rising popularity of rich browns and deep green hues, the 'warm futurism' aesthetic, and tactile glass elements that invite touch.
The Outdated Trends Designers Hope to Leave Behind in 2025
The designers also candidly revealed the interior design trends they believe should be consigned to history in 2025. These range from the excessive use of scallop-edge details to fleeting Instagram fads and rooms overwhelmed with boucle textiles. Petra Arko passionately advocates for the end of what she terms 'over-curated Instagram beige interiors', which she describes as meticulously styled yet emotionally flat. Instead, she envisions a movement towards spaces infused with 'emotional durability'.
'I'm hoping to see people choosing pieces that feel good to live with and improve over time, rather than chasing short-lived trends,' she explained to the Daily Mail. 'More confidence in mixing old and new, and a greater willingness to let personality show — homes that feel collected, not curated for social media.'
Alex Meachen echoed this sentiment, expressing his desire for home lovers to embrace 'stylish interiors that feel achievable rather than out of reach'. He noted, 'There's a real appetite for homes that look effortlessly put together — that relaxed, members' club-style feel — but on a sensible budget.' He praised high-street brands like M&S and Next, alongside online retailers such as Daals and Pooky, for leading the way in creating furniture, lighting, and homeware that offer a luxurious appearance without the exorbitant price tag.
Detailed Breakdown of Trends to Avoid
Scallop Overkill: While curved details provided a welcome contrast to harsh straight lines, Alex Meachen argues that scallops have been overused in rigid, symmetrical ways. He predicts that softer, more fluid curves in furniture, rugs, or accessories will feel more natural and interesting in 2026.
Boucle Overload and Novelty Textures: Texture is crucial for creating depth and visual interest, but Petra Arko warns against overdoing trending textures like boucle. 'Texture matters, but when it's everywhere, it quickly becomes gimmicky rather than comforting,' she cautioned.
Over-curated 'Instagram Beige' Interiors: Petra has grown weary of the bland beige palettes dominating social media, which can result in sterile, characterless spaces. She criticises these looks as 'perfectly styled but emotionally flat' and advises steering clear of fast, algorithm-driven micro-trends.
Gallery Walls: Alex suggests that gallery walls, with their numerous competing frames, can make a room feel busy rather than calm. He advocates for a shift towards one or two standout 'hero' pieces to create a more restful and intentional space.
Relaxed Roman Blinds: While once popular, the sagging middle of relaxed Roman blinds is starting to feel forced, according to Alex. He recommends cleaner, straight blinds for a fresher, more timeless look, with inexpensive trims offering an easy update.
Exciting Trends Set to Define 2026 Interiors
Warm Futurism: This aesthetic combines chrome details and 'soft tech' finishes with cosy colours and textures. Petra Arko explains, 'Chrome is shifting away from bling and into structure — used architecturally rather than decoratively. Paired with canvas, linen and muted pastels like mint, it feels calm and modern rather than cold.'
Sculptural Statements: Alex observes a growing preference for one or two impactful sculptural pieces over numerous small accessories. 'Curved furniture, statement lighting or softly shaped mirrors add character without clutter,' he said, noting the accessibility of these styles through high-street brands.
Brown is the New Neutral: Petra predicts that rich, earthy browns will replace beige and grey as the go-to neutrals. 'Caramel, bark, tobacco and cacao tones are replacing beige and grey,' she said. 'Used as layered warmth rather than a safety choice, brown brings depth and maturity to interiors.'
Low-Level Smart Lighting: Alex declares the era of the 'big light' over, thanks to affordable smart lighting systems. 'Affordable smart lighting now makes it easy to layer table lamps, wall lights and floor lamps, all controlled via an app or Alexa,' he explained, allowing for instant mood changes without costly renovations.
Greens Go Deeper: Moving beyond forest and sage greens, Petra highlights earthier, darker shades like moss, elm, and olive. 'These more botanical tones feel grounded and sophisticated, and they bridge warm browns with cooler metals effortlessly,' she remarked.
Versatile Seating: Alex emphasises the importance of multi-functional furniture, such as side tables that double as stools or swivel armchairs. 'Homes need to be flexible, and furniture is following suit,' he said, with Petra adding that 'furniture that's sculptural but practical' will be highly sought after.
Tactile Glass and 'Visible Process' Objects: Petra values imperfection, championing pieces that show human craftsmanship. 'Expect more bubble glass, fluting and heavy, imperfect forms,' she said. 'These pieces add texture, catch light beautifully, and celebrate craftsmanship rather than perfection.'
Interior design aficionados would do well to heed the advice of these two London-based experts as they outline the ins and outs for 2026. Reassuringly, many of these luxurious trends can be achieved without breaking the bank, making sophisticated home styling more accessible than ever.
