2026 interior design trends: Mixed marble, tapestries and the rise of new nouveau
Thinking of giving your home a makeover in 2026? Here are all the interior design trends to know now
For years, the world of interior design has been dominated by minimalism. The notion of ‘less is more’ heralded an era of neutral palettes, open-plan spaces and fewer furniture but as we move into 2026, interior design is taking a bold turn, favouring warmth, tactile textures, and expressive details over minimalism. From statement marbles to the revival of Art Nouveau in a softer, modern guise, the upcoming year is all about creating spaces that are immersive, personal, and enduringly luxurious. Wave goodbye to cool neutrals and say hello to richer palettes, sculptural elements, and spaces designed to cocoon and inspire. Here are the best 2026 interior design trends to have on your radar.
Burgundy and earthy tones
As we move into the new year, there will be a shift to create interiors that feel grounded, restorative, and deeply connected to nature: enter earthy tones. “Warm terracottas, soft clays, rich ochres, and muted greens set the perfect foundation for a dining room that’s both calming and welcoming,” says Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker & Stonehouse. To achieve this look, Gierasinska recommends incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone, and ceramic, which not only add texture and depth but also bring a tactile, organic quality to the space.
“Mixing terracotta with a variety of natural materials like wood, stone, and linen helps to enhance its organic vibe while adding depth and interest,” adds Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. “Organic finishes are a nod to nature and lend a rustic and relaxed feel whilst woven rugs and laid-back linens create texture and warmth. The key is to gather an eclectic look that tells the story of adventure and a well-travelled life.”
Elsewhere, Wayne Spriggs – award winning designer and CEO at Lusso – believes burgundy is having a moment, with Pinterest searches for ‘burgundy bathrooms’ up 68 per cent in the past six months. He says: “Burgundy has proven to be an extremely popular colour as of late, especially for autumn and winter fashion, and is now emerging as a sought-after design choice in the home. This latest iteration of the burgundy trend is perfect for those seeking to incorporate vintage charm with a glamorous twist in the bathroom.
“When done right, burgundy can transform a bathroom into a space that feels rich and opulent. To achieve a modern Art Deco feel, for example, you can incorporate glossy tiles paired with complementary colours like green or dark wood tones. Enhance the design by incorporating brushed gold taps and hardware, along with veined marble countertops or floors.
“The great thing about burgundy is that it is surprisingly versatile and can be layered with other warm tones, such as blush, dusty pink, or even terracotta or mustard yellows, allowing you to dial up or down the drama to your liking.”
Mixed marbles
Images: Own London/Dean Hearne
Marble has long adorned the home, known for its natural antibacterial qualities and variety of finishes that elevate any space. The most popular marbles are the monochrome blacks, greys and bright whites quarried in the Italian region of Carrara, but interior designers are now incorporating an array of technicolour marbles into projects.
For example, Own London has seen a resurgence in mixed marble floors to create an atmosphere that is both polished and playful. Creative director Alicia Miereles says: “There’s something inherently captivating about mixing different marbles. The variation in veining, tone, and texture brings a dynamic energy to a space. In a recent project, we offset the richness and opulence of marble with clean, geometric forms to prevent the space from feeling overwhelming.”
Mike Manders, co-founder and CEO at Haddon, says marble works brilliantly in the bathroom. “It brings a depth of character and sophistication that few materials can rival. Increasingly, we’re seeing demand for full marble pieces, especially freestanding bathtubs and basins carved from marble. A marble bath is the crown jewel of the bathroom; it commands attention, anchors the space, and offers a sculptural beauty that elevates the entire space.
“Bringing personality into a neutral or minimalist bathroom is all about layering subtle touches that add warmth and character without detracting from the calm simplicity of the space. This can be achieved through attention to detail and carefully considered materials – think of the natural veining of marble, the soft sheen of brushed metals, or the understated elegance of stone finishes.”
Tapestries
Imge: Sims Hilditch/Christopher Horwood
Image: Own London/Darren Chung
For centuries, tapestries have told stories that are visually captivating – and they are making a comeback in contemporary interiors. “Tapestries are enjoying a real moment and will continue long into 2026 because they bring a sense of warmth and tactility back into our homes,” says Meireles. “In spaces filled with sleek finishes and reflective surfaces, they offer softness and depth, something that feels human and rooted. Historically, tapestries told stories of daily life, and I think that same sense of connection and belonging resonates now more than ever.”
So, how do you find the right tapestry for your home? “The key to keeping a tapestry feeling timeless is to treat it as you would any piece of art. Choose something that means something, whether it’s a family heirloom or a new find that simply speaks to you. Then think carefully about its placement, lighting, and proportion within the space; when curated thoughtfully, it feels effortlessly contemporary.”
Tapestries are perfect for concealing less attractive features, such as televisions, or acting as a temporary placeholder for artwork yet to be sourced. In a recent London project, Meireles commissioned a contemporary tapestry to stylishly hide a TV: “We commissioned a tapestry from a specialist embroiderer to cover the sliding panels in front of the TV screen in a recent London-based project. The brief from the client was to have most of the background plain but they wanted vibrancy of colour and texture to punctuate the canvas. The artist used 18 different embroidery stitches, creating an odyssey of colour, texture, and playfulness that suited the client's personality.”
Stripe drenching
Images: Lusso/Studio Rey Design
Stripes have been trending in interiors for a while, but Pinterest’s autumn report has highlighted striped tiles as an emerging trend that will see us into the new year. Spriggs says: “Stripes have become a key pattern in interior design recently, which has been consistently trending. From bedding and cushions to towels and tablecloths, they are widely used in soft furnishings, adding instant character and charm to any space.
In 2026, however, Spriggs expects to see the use of stripes and hard lines expand, with striped tile arrangements being a popular and effective choice to embrace the aesthetic in the bathroom. “A fresh and innovative approach to colourful tile design is the use of two-tone metro tiles in a vertical arrangement rather than a horizontal one. This can be done with muted or pastel shades for a softer, more relaxing look, such as pairing beige and white tiles. Alternatively, you can choose deep, warm tones or bright colours, such as burgundy and pink, or bright green and white, for a bolder, more impactful statement.
“The great thing about the introduction of a striped tile placement is that you can decide how subtle or dramatic you want your design to be, whether you opt for a feature wall behind a bath or shower, the bathroom floor, or covering all walls. This flexibility allows you to truly make the space your own.”
The rise of new nouveau
Image: Lusso/Studio Rey Design
Image: Andrew Martin/Kit Kemp
This new interior design trend echoes the principals of Art Nouveau style, but incorporates contemporary minimalism to create a whimsical, natural feel. “The resurgence of new nouveau reflects a sophisticated shift in interior design, where maximalist opulence is married with modern sensibilities. Designers are moving beyond mere ornamental excess, curating spaces that feel both luxurious and liveable,” explains Gierasinska. “The focus is on craftsmanship and materiality, artisanal wallpapers and sculptural furniture, which brings a tactile, human quality to interiors that could otherwise feel purely decorative.”
An easy way to incorporate a touch of new nouveau in your home is via lighting. “Chandeliers exude romance, elegance and grandeur, and have the power to transform a bedroom or dressing room into a truly special and inviting sanctuary,” says Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director at French Bedroom. “Originating in 14th-century France, chandeliers were once emblems of prestige, their candlelit arms dancing across the ceilings of grand châteaux and glittering salons. Over the centuries, they have evolved from practical fittings into sculptural centrepieces, serving as artful expressions of French design that are ornate, layered, and unapologetically sophisticated.”
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