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What Designers Are Ditching in 2026
Interior design trends change every year, but 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting shifts in recent times. Designers and homeowners alike are moving away from cookie-cutter looks and overly predictable styles, and instead embracing warmth, personality, comfort and sustainability.
Here’s a deep dive into the major décor trends designers are leaving behind, and what they’re replacing them with.
Featured Product: Beacon Lighting
Matchy-Matchy Furniture Sets → Curated, Layered Looks
For years, matching furniture suites were your sofa, coffee table and chairs, and they were all part of the exact same collection.
The new direction emphasises curated, collected interiors with layered textures, mixed finishes and pieces that tell a story.
What to replace it with:
Mix and match sofas, armchairs, side tables and cabinets in different materials like timber, metal and woven finishes.
Choose statement furniture pieces such as a standout lounge chair, a contemporary dining table or handcrafted console, that act as focal points.
Product: Lucianne Dining Range, Harvey Norman
Overdone All-White Interiors → Warm Neutrals with Texture
All-white interiors can feel bright and clean but designers now say they often lack the warmth and coziness people crave.
Instead of stark white, the new trend combines warm neutrals with layered textures that make spaces feel inviting while still bright.
What’s replacing it:
Creamy whites, sandy taupes, muted ochres.
Textured elements like lamp shades, jute rugs and linen upholstery.
Products: Isabel Table Lamp in Sage Ceramic, Beacon Lighting
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Minimalism Without Personality → Warm Minimalism (With Character)
Minimalist interiors with bare walls and very few items can feel serene, but they can also come across as cold and impersonal. Designers are evolving minimalism into what’s being called Warm Minimalism retaining simplicity but adding warmth, texture and personal touches.
What’s replacing it:
Warm neutral palettes with layered textiles
Handmade or artisanal objects instead of mass-produced décor
Thoughtful placement of meaningful items rather than blank surfaces
Products: Junee Dining Table, Harvey Norman
Stainless Steel Everything in Kitchens → Mixed Materials & Colour
In kitchens, the once-popular stainless steel cabinetry and all-white interiors are getting pushed aside for mixed materials and colour that reflect personality and warmth.
What’s replacing it:
Warm timber cabinetry paired with coloured panels.
Natural stone or quartz countertops with slab backsplashes.
Colourful appliances that feel purposeful, not kitsch.
Product: Laura Ashley Kettle & Toaster, Harvey Norman
Fast Furniture → Timeless, High-Quality Pieces
Fast furniture and micro-trends (like overly bulbous shapes or social-media-driven gimmicks) might look cool for a season, but designers say they date a space quickly and often lack true comfort or craftsmanship.
What’s replacing it:
Durable, high-quality furniture built to last.
Pieces with classic lines and timeless appeal.
Materials that feel good underfoot, like wool, cotton and solid wood.
Product: Junee Dining Table, Harvey Norman
Busy Bedding → Calming & Comfort-Centred
The bold patterns and “dopamine décor” that dominated bedding trends are being scaled back as designers embrace more serene, comfort-oriented sets. This means less distraction and more rest.
What’s replacing it:
Breathable materials like linen, cotton and muslin.
Subtle, heirloom-inspired prints rather than loud patterns.
Layering pieces like quilts, textured throws or waffle blankets.
Product: Private Collection Kobi Reversible Cotton Quilt Cover Set, Snooze