Is 2026 the New 2016? Interior Trends Making a Comeback
There’s been a lot of conversation recently about “2026 being the new 2016” in interiors.
Scroll social media and you’ll see it instantly. Rich colour. Layered spaces. Homes that feel expressive rather than pared back. It all feels familiar, but not dated.
I was recently asked to share my thoughts on this for Woman & Home, as part of their feature exploring why interior trends from 10 years ago are making a comeback. It sparked a wider reflection on why these design ideas feel so right again now.
This isn’t about copying the past. It’s about revisiting design principles that were working then and reinterpreting them for how we live today.
Here are the three interior trends from a decade ago that are clearly making a comeback, and why they resonate so strongly now.
Confident colour and the rise of colour drenching
Ten years ago, interiors began to move away from safe, all‑neutral schemes. Navy, teal, green and blush started to appear more confidently, replacing rooms dominated by beige and grey.
Fast forward to now, and that confidence with colour is back, but it’s evolved.
Instead of a single feature wall, colour drenching has become a defining look. Walls, woodwork and sometimes even ceilings are painted in the same shade, creating spaces that feel warm, immersive and intentional.
What works so well about colour drenching is that it removes contrast. Rather than the eye jumping around the room, everything feels calm and cohesive. The colour becomes the backdrop to the space, not the statement in isolation.
This is why deeper, more enveloping colours are trending again. They create atmosphere. They feel comforting. And they reflect a move towards homes that support how we want to feel, not just how they look.
This approach allows colour to feel grounding and supportive, rather than overwhelming.
Layered, expressive interiors that showcase personality
Around 10 years ago, interiors began to move away from ultra-minimal spaces. After a long period of clean lines and empty rooms, pattern, texture and personality started to reappear.
That same desire for visual interest is back again now.
After another extended phase of pared-back interiors, homes that feel layered and lived in are dominating social media. Wallpaper, rugs, cushions, artwork and textured fabrics are being used together to create depth and warmth.
Layering doesn’t mean clutter. When it’s done well, it makes a space feel finished rather than flat. It allows rooms to feel personal and expressive, while still remaining calm and easy to live in.
What’s driving this shift is a desire for homes that feel inviting rather than perfect. Spaces that reflect personality. Rooms that create small moments of joy and comfort in everyday life.
This is where interiors start to move away from trends and focus more on how a home makes you feel.
Mixing finishes, wood tones and styles
Ten years ago, interiors began to move away from everything matching perfectly. The idea that a room needed one wood finish, one metal and one style started to soften.
That approach has returned now, but in a much more confident way.
Today, mixing finishes, wood tones and styles is central to creating interest and warmth. Different materials are being used together to stop spaces feeling flat or one-dimensional.
This might mean light and dark woods working side by side, contemporary furniture alongside more traditional shapes, or mixed metals introduced subtly through lighting, hardware and accessories.
The result is interiors that feel collected rather than bought all at once. Spaces that feel relaxed, individual and far more reflective of the people who live there.
Why these trends feel right again now
What’s interesting about the return of these ideas is that they aren’t being driven by trends alone.
They speak to how people want their homes to feel.
Warm. Comfortable. Personal. Calm.
Design ideas from 10 years ago are resonating again because they prioritise atmosphere and emotion over perfection. They allow homes to feel expressive without being overwhelming.
Trends may come and go, but design principles that create happy, welcoming spaces rarely date. Sometimes they just need time to come back around.
If you’re feeling drawn to richer colour, layered spaces and interiors with personality, you’re not going backwards. You’re simply rediscovering ideas that still work beautifully today.
Happy homes really do make happy people.
If you’d like help creating a home that feels right for you, you can explore how I work here.
