Designers Share the Biggest Interior Design Trends of 2026

What’s cooking this year?

If you’re on the hunt for design inspiration, knowing what the upcoming interior design trends of 2026 will be a good place to start. They not only show the aesthetics people like, but are also often rooted in lifestyle shifts.

In 2026, IDs on the ground predict that these shifts will largely be driven by a few recurring themes – namely, a growing emphasis on flexibility and versatility in space planning, as well as a stronger desire for homes to stand out and reflect individual tastes.

We spoke to two experts in the field – Priscilla, design manager of H Design, and Adrian from Fuse Concept – to find out more.

1. Wabi sabi and all-neutral looks may not be as dominant in 2026

You know the look – textured surfaces (normally done with limewash), creamy, off-white walls, and heaps of different textures like stone, rattan, and linen. And given the overall need for a serene, relaxing space, it’s no wonder that such looks skyrocketed in popularity in the past few years.

However, Adrian mentions seeing a shift, saying that interest will likely begin tapering off. “I have fewer inquiries about wabi sabi homes nowadays,” he says. “While they won’t entirely disappear, I do think their popularity will begin fizzling out this year.”

“I think more and more homeowners are beginning to realise how expensive this style is to create. Things like textured walls and natural finishing add up, and on top of that, they’re not easy to maintain, which makes homeowners a little more hesitant to lean into the look.”

2. Homeowners will still favour minimalist homes in 2026

Design trends come and go, but if there’s one style that homeowners keep coming back to, it’s minimalism. Not the drastically empty spaces with barely anything – rather, it’s the uncluttered, pared-back spaces that they keep coming back to.

“Almost four out of five clients who come to us want a minimalist home,” Priscilla says. “I don’t know if it’s because Singaporeans are very stressed everyday (laughs), but they tend to favour spaces that are simpler and have less clutter. They like how tranquil such homes feel.”

“It’s really just so timeless that it can’t go out of style,” Adrian agrees. “Also, as more homeowners become more conscious of maintenance, minimalist homes are a safer, more achievable option.”

3. Expect more pops of colours in earthy, nature-inspired tones

Homes are an expression of personality, and no one really wants their home to look like the masses of homes on social media. So, according to both Adrian and Priscilla, one way homeowners are trying to set their homes apart from others is to experiment with a few pops of colours – but in shades that feel both timeless and grounded.

“Earthy shades like terracotta, sage green, and caramel are quite popular these days,” Priscilla says. “You can’t really go wrong with nature-inspired colours; they’re striking without being too overwhelming.”

Adrian sees the same pattern, and describes it as a cautious shift rather than a dramatic one. “Around 70 to 80% of the leads I get mention something about introducing colour into their space,” he says. “And earthy tones are the best options. Compared to pastel or jewel tones, they’re much more versatile.”

4. Retro and mid-century modern homes are gaining traction, but won’t reach mass popularity

You may have noticed a steady increase in nostalgic, old-school interiors lately – and while they may be having a moment, they’re unlikely tobe the viral, default choice anytime soon.

“Such homes are definitely gaining traction,” Adrian says, “but I’m not entirely sure if I would call it a trend, because it’s still very niche.” He also adds that introducing colour through carpentry/furniture pieces naturally creates a retro feel, which may explain why the style is popping up more.

This is something that Priscilla has noticed as well. “I’ve definitely seen more homes with neo-retro and organic modern elements, like curves or distinct patterns,” she says. “I think it’s more of homeowners picking out retro features and then blending them into their space.”

5. Multifunctional, convertible spaces will become more prevalent

Like trends, lifestyles shift and change constantly – especially in the post-pandemic world we live in right now. As such, more homeowners are looking to include spaces that can adapt to different purposes and functions, like office spaces that double as guest rooms, or studies that can merge into the communal area.

“I’ve seen more and more people exploring this option, especially younger homeowners,” Adrian says. “They like to have the flexibility to do what they want with the space – like keeping it open during gatherings, or closing it for privacy.”

“Homeowners definitely are leaning towards subtler, more versatile features,” Priscilla says. “For example, instead of a fixed home office, new clients prefer smaller work areas or nooks that can be concealed when not in use, which keeps the space flexible for various uses.”

6. Homeowners will rely less on built-ins, and pay more attention to loose furniture

The desire for flexibility doesn’t stop at just layouts and space planning, but also furnishings. While built-ins have, for a long time, been seen as the best way to maximise space, both Adrian and Priscilla have observed that homeowners are beginning to shift away from committing to too many fixed features.

“There was a time when I had a lot of inquiries about features like platform beds and integrated storage,” Adrian says. “But now, almost no one is asking for them anymore, which I think points to how much homeowners these days value flexibility and versatility.”

“I believe homeowners don’t want to over-commit to carpentry,” Priscilla agrees. “I see more and more of them preferring to invest only in key areas like the kitchen, and then leaving the rest open so they can bring in their furniture later.”

As a result, loose furniture pieces are not so much an afterthought. In fact, both Adrian and Priscilla have noted that homeowners are more active in seeking their input on how to choose and style them so the overall look remains cohesive.

7. Carpentry is no longer purely about storage, but also about showing personality

As homeowners cut back on built-ins, the purpose of carpentry is shifting too. Instead of being purely about increasing storage space, more homeowners are using carpentry to highlight what matters to them instead of keeping them hidden.

“Things like display cabinets are gaining popularity,” Adrian says. “People now like to collect things like bags, LEGOs, figurines, or items they collected during their travels, and homeowners want a place where these items can be shown off.”

“Open shelves and display areas are definitely getting more common,” Priscilla says. “It gives them the space to show what they value and helps guests understand who they are as people.”

8. Future-proofing is shaping renovation decisions more than ever

Aside from aesthetics and layouts, many homeowners are thinking further ahead, and choosing to renovate based on how their needs might change in the future. So, expect future-proofing to become a key consideration, influencing everything from space planning to specific features.

Priscilla mentions that this consideration comes up more often during conversations with her clients, particularly when it comes to hacking. “I find that more clients prefer to keep the walls intact,” she says. “One reason is flexibility, and another is for future-proofing; perhaps for family planning reasons.”

Resale value is also one of the pertinent considerations. With property prices remaining high, homeowners are more cautious about making drastic changes.

“Some of my clients, particularly first-time homeowners, are a lot more conservative,” Priscilla says, “because they know that it’ll be much harder to sell their home in the future if they hack a lot of walls now.”