Home trends for 2026

Comfort, character, and homes that feel lived in.

If 2025 was the year people tried to make their homes look perfect, 2026 looks more like the year people want their homes to feel good.

Across the interior trend write-ups so far, there is a clear shift away from show-home styling and towards spaces that support real life: friends coming round, hobbies taking up space, a reading chair that actually gets used, and a home that reflects the people living in it.

Here are a few of the themes that keep cropping up, and why they might be resonating right now.

1. The joy-first homeThis trend is less about a specific colour palette and more about permission. Permission to choose things because you like them, not because they are neutral, safe, or "what you are meant to do".

   
   

That might mean brighter colour, playful details, or simply making space for the things you enjoy. There is also a practical side to it. Homes are being used harder than ever, and people are choosing items that encourage connection, whether that is hosting family, having friends round, or setting up a corner for a hobby.

2. Digital escape cornersOne of the most interesting trends is the rise of small "digital escape" spaces. It is not about building a library room. It is more like claiming a corner: a comfortable chair, lighting that feels warm, and a spot where your phone is not the main character.

Call it a reading nook, a journalling chair, or just a quiet corner. The point is the same: people are making room for a breather at home, even in small spaces.

3. Cocooning bedroomsThis one is not going anywhere. The focus is on comfort and sleep, but without the sterile feel. Expect softer textures, better lighting, and bedrooms that feel nurturing rather than purely functional.

It is also a reminder that interiors are not only about how a room looks, but how it supports your day-to-day life. A bedroom that helps you switch off is not a luxury idea, it is a quality-of-life idea.

4. Lived-in, layered spacesAnother theme showing up across 2026 interiors is a move towards rooms that look collected over time. Less "everything matches", more "this is us".

That might look like mixing old and new, using vintage pieces, choosing darker woods with character, or simply allowing a room to feel like it has been used. People are showing rooms as they are actually lived in, and it is making homes feel warmer and more personal.

5. Natural materials and tactile finishesWood, textured fabrics, and handcrafted details are everywhere in the trend forecasts. There is something grounding about natural materials, especially when life feels fast and digital. It is not about chasing perfection. It is about creating a space that feels real.

What does this have to do with moving home?Nothing in this blog is about mortgages, but trends like these often pop up when people are reassessing how they live.

Sometimes that results in a refresh of a room. Sometimes it results in bigger questions, like whether a home still fits what you need now.

If you have found yourself thinking about space, comfort, or what you want your home life to feel like this year, you are not the only one.