“I’m An Interiors Editor & These Are The 5 Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Year”
Taking on a mammoth renovation project this year, or simply like a nosy inside other people’s homes? Whatever your interiors persuation is this year, The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, talks us through some of 2026’s top interior design trends. From the cool look of chrome to prioritising personality in a space, here’s what she’s predicting…
1. The stainless steel revival
This trend was bubbling up last year, but it’s set to really take off in 2026. We’ve seen it emerge in myriad guises: from the chic charm of French Bistro-core – think polished stainless steel coupes and sleek serveware layered over pristine white linens – to bold, large-scale architectural statements, such as the unexpected silver splashback, an integrated steel sink, or the ultra-cool industrial countertop.
We love it paired with softer details – a walnut wood or a pastel lemon hue.
The clinical, clean aesthetic of steel and chrome plays particularly well in kitchens, but make sure it doesn’t err on the side of abattoir, by pairing with softer details – a walnut wood or a pastel lemon hue can really help to lift it and create a necessary balance.
Elsewhere in the home, expect to see lots of chrome accessories, too, from mushroom lamps to bar carts and chunky silver coffee tables.
2. Cocooning bedrooms
Otherwise known as the ‘Architecture of Sleep,’ getting in your 40 winks will not just be considered a good routine, but a definitive interiors movement for 2026. Think rooms that are orchestrated to create sanctuaries of sleep hygiene
On a base level, investing in top-quality beds and organic linens, decorating with cool, calming, and natural hues, and generally avoiding any fuss, clutter, or distractions in the room. And yes, that means no screens.
Getting in your 40 winks will not just be considered a good routine, but a definitive interiors movement for 2026.
For those looking for more premium investments, designers are increasingly focusing on acoustic softening walls (goodbye, earplugs). As well as smart bedding – bedding crafted with tech that keeps the body at exactly 18 degrees all night long. Clever stuff.
There will be a rise in reading nooks within the bedroom to minimise the temptation for a midnight scroll. And even the ceiling is getting a look-in, with predictions that it will be considered a ‘fifth wall’ featuring sky-mimicking LED panels to help reset the circadian rhythm.
3. Rich earthy tones
Please, God, let 2026 be the year we bid fairwell to boring beige and slate grey for good.
2026 is all about returning to the colours of nature, whether that’s a coffee bean brown wall or an unctuous olive sofa. But don’t be confined to the predictable palette of muddy browns and fern-like greens: you can still add earthy vibrancy with shades like rich ocre, deep burgundy or a sunbaked terracotta.
We love the mix in a living room where you can really play with different pieces that sing in their own right, but also work as a cohesive nod to Mother Nature.
This might just be the year we say goodbye to boring beige and slate grey for good.
And if you fell for an off-white bouclé chair in previous years, worry not. This trend is all about layering existing pieces with new, natural textures and deeper tones to create a room that feels lived-in, layered, and ultimately more interesting.
4. Lived-in maximalism
There has been a shift in how we present our homes of late, moving away from the pristine, showroom aesthetic toward more lived-in, realistic spaces. Just think: high design and real life need not be mutually exclusive.
Lived-in Maximalsim is all about showcasing personality in a room and making it more serviceable for whoever lives there.
Think tasteful ornaments collected from travels abroad, much-loved linens gifted by friends, or artwork collected and curated over the years. A coffee table might be laden with impressive tomes, but it’s the addition of a charming ceramic mug that makes it a home. Those books look beautiful, but a vessel for a hot drink is far more useful and loved during those dark winter mornings.
High design and real life need not be mutually exclusive.
The rise of pre-loved interiors and brands like Vinerior has definitely paved the way for this trend. It’s all about celebrating the imperfect and the personal, creating a slower, more considered and interesting space.
5. The return of dark woods
After a decade dedicated to the light and bleached-out woods of the much-loved Japandi aesthetic, we’re starting to see a shift towards heavy, dark, and unapologetically bold timbers. I’m coining them ‘main character woods.’
Leading the charge is walnut. The Mid-century favourite continues to reign supreme, offering a modern, retro-cool that feels both nostalgic and fresh. However, we are also seeing a resurgence of traditional mahogany. These are space-swamping, heritage-feel pieces – think grand dining tables or imposing sideboards that anchor a room and convey a sense of dominance.
I’m coining them ‘main character woods.’
Finally, we are spotting burl wood everywhere. Long a staple of the Soho Home aesthetic (often seen in their homeware line as well as their clubs and hotel collections), burl offers a mesmerising, marble-like texture but in wood. Its swirling knots and intricate grains allow bedside tables or wardrobes to sing in their own right.
