Interior decoration: what are the trends?

Interior decoration is the art of curating colour, texture, furniture and accessories to create a cohesive look that is stylish, practical and inviting.

Whatever style you opt for, it's important that you achieve a visual balance, so every room feels warm and welcoming. For a coherent scheme, each colour, texture, material and pattern you choose should complement or beautifully contrast with each other.

Colours influence the atmosphere of your home, so choose your palette carefully. 
The latest designer colour trends combine soft hues with splashes of bolder colours to create spaces that manage to feel soothing and dynamic. You'll find more on trending colours below.

A well-balanced mix of texture and pattern can transform a bare room into a space that everyone wants to hang out in.

From soft linens in the bedroom to brushed brass in the lounge, materials set the tone for how a space feels. It’s these thoughtful details - the grain of a timber table, the weave of a cushion cover, the wall paint finish - that bring a room to life and make it feel like home.

A carefully considered interior design strategy ensures that each room is designed to look beautiful and fulfil its function.

Interior design starts with understanding how a space is used and then considers how it could work and look better. A well-planned room doesn’t just look fabulous; it makes your life easier, whether you're cooking, relaxing, entertaining or working.

Start by gathering inspiration. Create a mood board of magazine clippings and your favourite posts on Instagram or Pinterest. Next, look for recurring themes in the colours, layouts or materials that catch your eye. This helps clarify your style and gives direction to your design decisions.

In smaller homes or open-plan living spaces, flexibility is key. Modular furniture, like sofa beds and extendable dining tables, adapt to changing needs and make the most of every inch.

Opt for smart storage, such as built-in cabinetry to fit an awkward space and wall shelves to free up your floor. Your furniture should help keep your home tidy and looking stylish. With a clear vision and a few clever choices, even compact rooms can feel calm, spacious and beautifully put together.

Your living room is the heart of your home. It’s where you relax, connect with family and friends and maybe even work.

Choose deep sofas and armchairs that invite people in and dress them in tactile fabrics that call out to be stroked and touched. To encourage interaction, place these around a beautiful coffee table that doesn’t dominate your space, but provides an elegant place to rest drinks and hold photos and flickering candles.

Design a layout that allows you to reach each area of your room without having to step around or over anything and carefully combine natural and artificial light to create a warm glow throughout the day and night.

Your bedrooms are where you and your family members or guests prepare for each new day and relax and recharge at night.

Soft, muted tones and low-level lighting will help you create a calm, cocooning atmosphere. Find a bed frame you love, a comfortable mattress and breathable linen that match your soothing colour scheme

Add personal touches, perhaps a rug that has been in the family for years at the end of your bed and photos and a stack of books on your bedside tables. 

Your kitchen is probably the busiest part of your home, it’s where you cook, eat, entertain and relax and it could also be where you work and oversee your children playing or doing homework. As well as looking fabulous and inspiring, it needs to be super functional and well organised.

Your kitchen layout should enable you to move easily between your fridge, sink, hob and oven and you want to optimise your worktop space for prep and serving and have ample storage for food, crockery and cooking equipment.

Choose materials that combine resilience with style — think quartz worktops for a clean, contemporary finish, classic painted wooden units that won’t date and brushed metal handles that are easy to clean.

Add interest with a tiled splashback, textured plaster or a bold paint colour on a feature wall.

You want your bathroom to be a place where you can get ready quickly when you’re in a rush and relax and reset when you have time. 

Keep the colour scheme light and bright so that you can see what you’re doing and go for subtly patterned or textured tiles to create a unique zen-like feel. If there’s room, incorporate a generous shower and bath. If space is tight, consider a bath with an integrated shower.  

Mix hidden storage for medicines with open storage for piles of fluffy towels and attractive toiletries.

Make your bathroom design eco-friendly with a low-flow showerhead and a water-saving toilet.

Your furniture should bring comfort, character and purpose to your home. You want each piece to look lovely, feel great and provide a useful function. Look for items that are sustainable and built to last.

Whether it’s a desk, chair or sofa, your furniture should be ergonomically designed to support your posture and promote general well-being. From adjustable seating to supportive beds, look for designs that blend comfort with craftsmanship. You want your home to feel as good as it looks.

Furniture is one of the most expressive tools in interior design - it reflects your style and how you live. Whether you prefer clean-lined minimalism, mid-century modernism or an eclectic mix, the key is cohesion. Unify different elements with a shared colour, material or silhouette. Pair a classic armchair with a modern sofa in the same fabric, for example, or place different styles of art in matching frames.

As sustainability is now a design priority, the materials you choose matter more than ever. Opt for furniture made from FSC-certified wood, recycled metals or organic fabrics - materials that are better for the planet and built to last. Well-made pieces age gracefully, can typically be repaired and are a smart investment. 

To reduce your carbon footprint further, go for vintage furniture or breathe new life into old pieces by upcycling.

Lighting shapes the mood and function of each of your rooms. Use a mix of natural and artificial light to bring warmth, clarity and character to your space. Use automated lighting to change the mood in your home at any time of day or night with the touch of a button.

Natural light has the power to completely transform your space, making it feel instantly bigger, brighter and more uplifting.

You can bring natural light into even the darkest corners of your home with roof windows, sun tunnels or a roof balcony. 

Use mirrors and reflective surfaces to draw natural light deeper into your space, a simple trick that can have a big impact.

There are three main categories of artificial light: ambient, task and accent.

• Ambient lighting illuminates a large area
• Task lighting focuses on specific areas for activities like reading or cooking
• Accent lighting highlights your favourite elements, such as architectural details or art.

Combine these lighting types to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

The atmosphere in your home is shaped by the warmth, brightness and placement of light.
Warm white bulbs create a cosy feel, while cooler tones work best in areas where you need to focus, such as your kitchen or home office. 
With dimmer switches, programmable LEDs and automated lighting, you can adapt the brightness, warmth and colour of your lights to suit the different moods you want to create.

Accessories are where your personality shines through — the finishing touches that make a space feel truly yours.

Turn a blank wall into a focal point with a contrasting paint colour, wallpaper or carefully positioned art, a mirror or shelving. Whether you favour a minimalist look or a more collated feel, thoughtfully align and space everything you place on the wall to maintain a visual balance.

Plants bring life, texture and a sense of calm to your home — and many help purify the air too. Use them to soften corners, add height, or define zones in open-plan spaces without blocking light.

Low-maintenance options like succulents are ideal for beginners or busy households. For more impact, larger plants like Monstera, Ficus lyrata or even a small olive tree can add drama and a refined, editorial finish.

Choose pots that complement your interior and suit the plant’s needs. Terracotta offers a timeless, breathable option, while ceramic vessels with hand-applied glazes or contemporary finishes add a crafted, individual touch — perfect for bringing personality into your space.

Rugs and textiles add layers of warmth, colour, texture and comfort to your floors, furniture and walls and help you to zone an open-plan space. You can also switch thick rugs, cushions and curtains for lighter textiles in the summer to dress your home for different seasons. 

Today’s interior design trends reflect a shift towards thoughtful living. It’s all about bringing a contemporary take to classic designs - blending style with function, sustainability and smart technology.

Embrace sustainability with thoughtful choices. Select longevity over fast fashion.

Look for furniture made from recycled or renewable materials, decorate with low VOC (volatile organic compound emissions) paints and opt for sustainable textiles.

To future proof your home and make it work better for you, integrate the latest smart technology. Voice-controlled lighting, smart thermostats and automated blinds, windows and roof windows will make your home more energy efficient and reduce your bills.

Each design style has elements that have become classics, and you get to pick the best from every era. Brings depth and personality to your contemporary space by reinterpreting classic designs - like the curves of Art Deco or the clean lines of mid-century modernism.

Natural light plays a key role here too. Use it to highlight architectural details and enhance materials like wood, velvet or brass. Earthy tones and textured fabrics add warmth, while quality craftsmanship ensures timeless appeal.

This mix of old and new creates distinctive interiors and supports a more sustainable style that values quality.

Colour does more than decorate - it shapes mood, energy and flow. A well-considered palette brings visual harmony and emotional depth to your home.

Enrich and enliven your space with painted woodwork, colourful textiles and bold artwork. 

To create continuity, repeat key colours or tones across rooms - a soft green in the hallway might reappear in your bedroom textiles, for example, subtly linking the spaces.

Trends can inspire, but ultimately you should choose colours that you’re drawn to. Most people naturally lean towards warm or cool tones.

Warm hues, from soft terracotta to rich ochre, can energise or soothe, depending on their depth. Cool tones, like sage, navy or lilac, bring calm and clarity.

Neutrals, like chalk white, stone or soft grey, pair effortlessly with bolder shades. 

The right undertone in your trim or ceiling colour can elevate your whole scheme.

Lighter colours open up your space, while deeper tones create intimacy. In rooms with limited light, consider a paint’s light reflectance value (LRV) to help maximise brightness.

Use tools, like mood boards and digital palette generators, to map out tonal ideas and visualise how colours will flow from room to room.

Add depth and flexible layers to your scheme with fabric.

In this busy area, opt for durable, low-maintenance textiles so you can enjoy your space and keep it looking neat and stylish.

Brushed cotton, leather and washable covers are low maintenance options for your sofa.

Rich textures and calming tones help create a restful bedroom. Think Egyptian cotton sheets, plain velvet cushions and a soft cashmere throw for a touch of everyday luxury.
Layering bold patterns with subtle textures adds depth. Pair flowing curtains with a tactile sheepskin rug for a refined, relaxed finish.

Textiles can elevate your other rooms too - a geometric rug under your dining table, a bright runner in your hallway or a soft shower curtain in your bathroom all add interest and colour.

DIY projects offer a creative, sustainable way to personalise your home — and often on a budget.

Create custom wall art to turn blank walls into a gallery. Painted canvases, collages or fabric panels can add colour and texture with minimal cost.

Upcycling old furniture is another way to bring character into your space. A fresh coat of paint, new hardware or reupholstery can transform second-hand finds into standout pieces.

For inspiration, explore DIY and interiors content on social platforms or browse Stories section.

With a few simple tools and ideas, you can refresh your space or start designing something entirely new.