Insights from practising interior designers
When people search for interior design trends 2026, they’re often expecting a list of colours or styles. But the reality of interior design in 2026 is far more nuanced and far more interesting.
To understand where the profession is really heading, we asked a panel of our interior design instructors, all of whom are practising designers, to share what they’re seeing in real projects with real clients.
What follows is not trend forecasting from a distance, but first-hand insight into the global interior design trends shaping practice in 2026.
Interior Design Trend 1 (2026): Wellbeing Design Becomes Precise and Evidence-Led
One of the most significant interior design trends for 2026 is the shift from vague wellness concepts to specific wellbeing outcomes.
Designers are responding to issues such as:
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Sensory overload
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Poor acoustics in open-plan spaces
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Inadequate lighting for work and rest
In practice, this means layered and zonal lighting schemes that adapt to the user and functionality, acoustically considered layouts that provide comfort and enhance communication, and interiors designed to accommodate the sensory needs and desires of specific user groups to stimulate, enhance mood, and improve the experience that the interior offers.
Interior Design Trend 2 (2026): Sustainability Moves from Ideal to Expectation
“Sustainability is no longer optional, clients, collaborators and the wider society expect it to be built in.” - Tom Nancollis, Industry Tutor
Sustainable interior design is no longer a niche or stylistic choice. In 2026, it’s a baseline expectation. Across residential and commercial projects, designers are prioritising:
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Long-lasting materials
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Repairable, modular, and demountable furniture and fixtures
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Local, reclaimed, and reusable resources
Rather than asking “Is this sustainable?”, clients ask “How long will this last?” a shift that fundamentally changes design decision-making.
Interior Design Trend 3 (2026): Spaces Designed Around Behaviour, Not Rooms
Another defining interior design trend in 2026 is behaviour-led planning. Instead of designing traditional room types, designers are creating flexible spaces that adapt to:
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Working from home
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Multigenerational living
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Changing routines throughout the day
This trend reflects a broader move toward interiors that support lifestyle patterns rather than fixed functions.
Interior Design Trend 4 (2026): Personal Identity Returns to Interiors
“Clients want homes that make them feel calm and grounded.” - Sophia Kokinis, Industry Tutor
After years of neutral, minimal interiors, personal expression is firmly back in 2026.
This doesn’t mean excess, it means intentional storytelling through:
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Colour choices with meaning
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Cultural and personal references
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Curated collections and materials
Designers are acting as editors, helping clients to instill design narratives using identity, memories and aspirations to form cohesive, liveable interiors.
Interior Design Trend 5 (2026): Digital Fluency Is Now Essential
“Being able to visualise your ideas digitally gives you a great advantage in the industry.” - Rita Marques, Industry Tutor
Among the most practical interior design trends of 2026 is the expectation that designers can communicate digitally. Clients now expect:
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Clear 3D visualisation
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Iterative design development
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Confident online collaboration
Digital tools aren’t about spectacle, they’re about clarity, efficiency, and trust.
Interior Design Trend 6 (2026): Commercial Thinking Influences Residential Design
Design strategies from hospitality and workplace interiors are increasingly shaping homes in 2026, including:
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Zoning inspired by co-working spaces
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Durable, performance-led materials
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Thoughtful circulation and functionality
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Integrated technologies to enhance efficiency and experience
This trend reflects growing demand for interiors that work hard as well as look good.
Interior Design Trend 7 (2026): The Designer as Guide, Not Gatekeeper
“Our role is to guide clients through complexity, with calmness and empathy.” - Sophia Kokinis, Industry Tutor
Perhaps the most important interior design trend in 2026 isn’t visual, it’s professional.
Designers are now expected to:
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Educate clients
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Translate trends into context
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Support confident decision-making
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Lead and support clients throughout the design process
Taste alone is no longer enough. Professional judgement, communication, and adaptability define success.
What These Interior Design Trends Mean for the Future
Across all our tutors, one message was consistent:
Interior design in 2026 is more thoughtful, more responsible, and more human.
For emerging designers, success depends on:
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A desire to improve the lives of others
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Strong design foundations and innovation
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Portfolio-led learning
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Understanding how people live and work
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Continuous professional development
Trends will change. Skills and confidence endure.
Final Thoughts on Interior Design Trends 2026
The most important interior design trends of 2026 aren’t about aesthetics alone — they’re about spaces with longevity that support real lives. For practising designers, this represents a shift toward deeper thinking, stronger professional identity, and more meaningful work. And for students entering the profession, it’s an exciting time to learn interior design in a way that reflects how the profession truly operates today in response to changing personal, societal and environmental needs.
Want to study Interior Design in 2026?
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FAQs: Interior Design Trends 2026
What are the biggest interior design trends in 2026?
The biggest interior design trends in 2026 include wellbeing-led design, practical sustainability, flexible multi-use spaces, more personal and expressive interiors, stronger digital visualisation skills, commercial design thinking influencing homes, and a shift toward designers acting as guides who help clients navigate complex choices.
What is the most important interior design trend for 2026?
The most important trend is creative and responsible design that supports wellbeing in measurable ways, through better lighting, acoustics, layout planning, and sensory comfort, because clients increasingly want spaces that improve focus, rest, and everyday functioning.
Is sustainable interior design still a trend in 2026?
Yes, but in 2026 sustainability is less of a “trend” and more of an expectation. Clients increasingly prioritise longevity, durability, repairability, low-waste choices, and responsibly sourced materials, making sustainability part of fundamental design decision-making.
Are neutral interiors going out of style in 2026?
Neutral interiors aren’t disappearing, but they’re evolving. In 2026, many clients want more personality and authorship, using colour, texture, and meaningful objects to create spaces that feel distinct and personal rather than generic.
How is technology changing interior design in 2026?
Technology is changing interior design by enhancing digital communication and visualisation. Clients expect clear and immersive 3D visuals, collaborative design development, and efficient decision-making, so designers need strong digital fluency, not just creative taste.
Why are flexible spaces a major interior design trend in 2026?
Flexible spaces matter because homes and workplaces must adapt to changing routines. In 2026, designers increasingly plan around behaviour, creating zones that shift between work, rest, socialising, and storage without relying on rigid room definitions. All properties have certain spatial limitations, a creative designer finds ways of adding value by increasing the use and appeal of interior spaces.
How are commercial interiors influencing homes in 2026?
Commercial principles like zoning, durability, and functionality and technology are shaping residential interiors. In 2026, many homes borrow ideas from hospitality and workplace design to become more functional, resilient, and supportive of everyday life.
What skills do emerging designers need for interior design in 2026?
Emerging designers need strong foundations in space planning, materials, lighting, and communication—plus portfolio development, client-focused thinking, and digital skills. The ability to design for wellbeing, flexibility, and sustainability is increasingly important in 2026.
