Are you seeking inspiration to ensure your home's decor remains stylish and contemporary? As we look towards new horizons, the leading home and design platform Houzz has tapped into its vast community of UK homeowners, designers, and renovation professionals to predict the defining interior trends for 2026.
Released on Wednesday 31 December 2025, the forecast highlights a collective desire for living spaces that masterfully blend distinctive character with ultimate comfort. The insights point to several key styles set to dominate British homes in the coming year.
Embracing Bold Character & Clever Concealment
A significant trend set to evolve is heritage maximalism. According to Houzz home design trends expert Kiya Kelly-Paine, this style builds upon the existing maximalist movement by infusing it with a distinctly British sensibility. "This design style incorporates nods to British roots while layering in contemporary sensibility, to create a timeless, modern appeal," she explains. Expect to see bold colour schemes, historical patterns, and intricate detailing across furnishings and finishes.
Mel Massey, founder of Mel Massey Studio, confirms this shift, noting clients are increasingly embracing rich wallpapers, patterned fabrics, and dramatic colours. "Homeowners are layering in modern touches to personalise their spaces," Massey highlights, adding that digital mood boards are giving people the confidence to curate these looks without chaos.
Alongside this expressive style, a demand for sleek, uncluttered spaces is driving innovation in hidden storage. Kelly-Paine points to features like concealed home bars and built-in cabinetry that disappear when not in use. "These hidden spaces give homeowners the best of both worlds: functional features when you need them and seamless design when you don't," she says.
Omar Bhatti, design director at Space Shack, observes a rise in requests for bespoke joinery that is both characterful and meticulously tailored to individual lifestyles.
The Tools & Tones Shaping Future Renovations
The renovation process itself is being transformed by technology and a demand for transparency. Kiya Kelly-Paine notes that immersive 3D visualisation tools are becoming the standard blueprint for projects. Laura Evans of Brick and Stone Interiors calls 3D floor plans a "game changer," as they align expectations and allow clients to proactively suggest changes.
This need for clarity extends to project management. Houzz research reveals that 41% of homeowners wanted a clearer timeline, while 40% sought better communication from professionals. Bhatti advocates for real-time communication platforms, which he finds reduces client stress and creates smoother collaborations.
In terms of aesthetics, a trend for soft simplicity is creating calming home sanctuaries. This 'organic modern' style uses layered neutrals, natural materials, and tactile textures to forge serene, restorative spaces. Conversely, there is a powerful resurgence of dark wood tones like walnut and mahogany. Searches for 'dark wood' on Houzz soared by 187% in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to 2024. Bhatti suggests pairing these deep tones with warm metals or textured stone for balance.
Lighting Takes Centre Stage as Functional Art
Finally, lighting is being elevated from a mere utility to a central artistic statement. Sculptural pendants in materials like alabaster and playful glass forms are being used to define spaces. "Lighting fixtures can be standalone works of art," states Kelly-Paine.
Mel Massey confirms that clients are increasingly choosing statement lighting to inject personality or drama. She advises using those same visualisation tools to preview how a bold fixture will look in a room before making a final commitment. This thoughtful approach to illumination perfectly encapsulates the 2026 trend forecast: a harmonious blend of bold expression, mindful comfort, and intelligent design.
