With a new year comes a fresh wave of interior trends ready to shape homes across the country. While 2025 embraced warm, earthy tones and a focus on sustainability and durability, 2026 is stepping into a bolder, more expressive era. Art Deco is making a confident comeback, with searches for ‘what is art deco style’ up by +133% in the past 12 months1, bringing geometric motifs, vintage-inspired patterns, and rich finishes to the forefront. Maximalist personality is also taking centre stage, with dark maximalism rising alongside vibrant, dopamine-fuelled design, proving that both bright and moody expressions can thrive together.
To uncover what’s defining interiors in 2026, Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, shares her insights and search data to reveal five key trends set to shape the year ahead.
1. Enter Japandi 2.0
While classic Japandi design focused on clean lines and muted tones, Japandi 2.0 introduces warmth, texture, and a more personal touch. It’s a softer, warmer evolution of the much-loved minimalist style that blends Japanese serenity with Scandinavian simplicity. Think light oak floors, tactile fabrics, and handcrafted details that make simplicity feel soulful rather than stark. Searches for ‘Japandi green kitchen’ have increased by +1,300% in the past 12 months, showing an increase in interest.
“Japandi is shifting from being purely functional to feeling more soulful,” says Johanna. “We’re seeing light woods, soft neutrals, artisan textures, and curved silhouettes coming together to create spaces that feel calming yet full of personality.”
Flooring plays a vital role in grounding this trend, with natural tones and soft finishes setting the foundation for serene, balanced interiors. Leading the way is Tapi’s Carpet of the Year 20262 — Eclipse, a beautifully soft and durable twist carpet available in a palette of earthy, neutral shades. “Eclipse perfectly captures the essence of Japandi 2.0,” Johanna adds. “It’s warm, understated, and effortlessly elegant – a timeless base for creating a peaceful home.” With its focus on simplicity, texture, and tranquillity, Japandi 2.0 brings balance back to the modern home, proving that minimalism in 2026 is anything but cold.
2. The revival of Art Deco
Art Deco Revival sees a return to the glamour and geometry of the 1920s, reimagined for the modern home. This year’s interpretation brings together vintage patterns, metallic finishes, and architectural shapes. Think sculptural lighting, curved furniture, rich jewel tones, and glossy surfaces that catch the light just right.
According to Johanna, “Art Deco has never truly gone out of style, of course, but in 2026 it’s being reinterpreted with a fresh, modern twist. We’re seeing geometric motifs, fluted detailing, and gold accents used in more subtle, sophisticated ways. It’s less about opulence for show and more about craftsmanship, balance, and character.”
This revival also extends beyond living spaces, home offices and work zones are adopting Deco-inspired touches, with streamlined desks, textured walls, and warm metallic tones bringing elegance to everyday environments.
3. Maximalist personality & dopamine décor
Maximalist personality and dopamine décor is a joyful celebration of bold colour, expressive pattern, and playful design that naturally uplifts moods. According to Johanna, “We’re seeing an increasing interest towards interiors that feel joyful, layered, and full of life.” Searches for ‘dopamine décor’ have surged by +250%, signalling a clear move toward spaces that are uplifting and sensory-rich.
Johanna explains, “Expect to see primary colours, rich textures, and plenty of pattern mixing, from florals to stripes and retro motifs, all combined in confident, curated ways.” For those wanting to embrace the trend, she recommends starting from the floor up. “Knowing where to start with maximalist décor often helps when you think of flooring first, as this can help set the tone for a space,” she says. “A statement rug, patterned runner, or plush carpet in a bold shade can instantly inject personality and warmth. We’ve seen an increase in our animal patterned carpets, which is a great way to add personality to a room. Even dark, dramatic flooring works beautifully within this trend, proving that both vibrant and moody expressions can coexist in 2026 interiors.”
4. Colour innovation: drenching & capping
A major trend shaping 2026 interiors is the increasing rise of colour drenching and colour capping, two bold paint techniques transforming the way we use colour at home. Colour drenching involves immersing an entire room in a single tonal family, from walls to furniture and even ceilings, creating a cocooning effect. By contrast, colour capping uses a painted band or border around the top of walls to elongate spaces and draw the eye upward.
As Johanna notes, “Colour is being used with more intention and confidence than ever before. We’re entering a moment when colour carries weight, people want spaces that feel intentional and expressive. Searches1 for ‘colour of the year 2026’ are up by +3,233%. We predict Transformative Teal, the fluid fusion of blue and green, to be Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year, while Dulux’s Rhythm of Blues trio (Free Groove™, Mellow Flow™ and Slow Swing™) gives homeowners a versatile palette of soulful indigos to play with.”
“Whether subtle or dramatic, these techniques add instant sophistication and visual impact to any space”, Johanna adds.
5. The new language of luxury is texture
After years of pared-back minimalism, homes are once again embracing visual depth and personality through pattern, fabric, and form. Searches for ‘patterned sofas’ are up +79%, and interest in wall mural ideas has risen by +70%, reflecting a growing appetite for bold, bespoke statement pieces.
According to Johanna, “Texture is the new luxury. We’re seeing people combine materials like velvet, wool, rattan, and linen to create interiors that feel inviting and lived-in. Rich textures redefine luxury, infusing homes with effortless sophistication.” She adds, “Pattern is returning in a big way too; checks, stripes, and even mural-style prints are adding energy and individuality to modern spaces. It’s about creating layers that tell a story rather than sticking to a single style.”
From richly woven upholstery to hand-painted wall murals, this trend invites homeowners to curate spaces that are expressive and full of personality, a confident continuation of the shift towards character-driven design.
