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5 Home Design Trends That Won’t Make It Into 2026 (And what to do instead if you want your home to age well)
- Skye Jeerayanon
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Trends can be useful. They give us language for what feels current and help spark ideas. But when you’re investing serious money into your home, following trends too closely can be risky. What looks exciting today can quickly feel tired, impractical, or expensive to undo tomorrow.
As designers, our job isn’t just to make spaces look good now, it’s to help homeowners make choices they’ll still be happy with years down the track. Here are 5 interior design trends we’re already seeing fall away, and what’s quietly replacing them:
1. Oversized Statement Pendants
For a while, big, dramatic pendant lights were everywhere, especially over dining tables and kitchen islands. They photographed well, but in real life they often dominated the room, blocked sightlines, and dated quickly.
Lighting is now moving toward smaller, more intentional choices. Instead of one oversized hero piece, we’re seeing layered lighting plans that support how a space is actually used. Think lighting that complements the architecture rather than competing with it.
2. All-Neutral Rooms
The all-white, cool-neutral interior is losing its appeal. While it once felt clean and modern, many of these spaces now feel flat, cold, or overly clinical, especially in homes meant to be lived in.
Looking ahead, there’s a clear move toward warmth and depth. Limewash finishes, stone surfaces, subtle patterns, and nature-inspired tones are replacing stark whites. Colours like mushroom, pebble, bone, and soft earthy pastels add richness without overwhelming a space.
3. Bouclé Everywhere
Bouclé has had a long run. Chairs, sofas, cushions, throws, even dog beds. The problem isn’t the material itself, but how overused it became.
Designers are now favouring other tactile fabrics that offer comfort without feeling repetitive: brushed wool, slub linen, matte chenille. If you already own bouclé, it doesn’t need to go, it just needs balance. Mixing textures is what keeps a space feeling current.
4. Fast-Fashion Homewares
As living costs rise and sustainability becomes harder to ignore, quick, disposable décor is losing its appeal. People are thinking more carefully about what they bring into their homes, and how long it will last.
Buying fewer, better-quality pieces might cost more upfront, but it usually costs less over time. More importantly, these pieces tend to age gracefully rather than scream the year they were bought.
5. Extreme Minimalism or Maximalism
Both ends of the spectrum are becoming less appealing. Ultra-minimal interiors can feel cold and impractical, while full-blown maximalism often becomes overwhelming, and hard to maintain.
What’s emerging instead is balance — midimalism. The Swedish idea of lagom (not too much, not too little) and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) are influencing interiors that feel lived-in, personal, and calm.
Designing Beyond Trends
When you’re making decisions about your home, trends should inform, not dictate, the outcome. A well-designed space should still feel right long after a particular look has faded.
That’s why good design is less about chasing what’s new, and more about understanding how you live, what will last, and where it’s worth investing. Getting that right upfront saves time, money, and regret later.
If you’re thinking about making changes now, it’s worth asking: Will this still work for me in five or ten years? That question alone filters out most trends that aren’t worth following. Contact us today to discuss with professionals which design truly suits your growing lifestyle.
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