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From heritage maximalism to lighting as art, these are the key looks gaining traction. London (PA Media/dpa) – Looking for ideas on how to keep your decor and interior styling bang up-to-date? With the focus on new horizons, home and design platform Houzz has gathered insights from its community of homeowners, designers and home improvement professionals to forecast the top home design trends for 2026. Reflecting a desire for spaces that balance character with comfort, here’s a look at the styles we expect to gain momentum in the year ahead… Heritage maximalism “Maximalist interior design has been gaining momentum among UK homeowners for some time, but we expect a heritage-driven twist to emerge,” reveals Kiya Kelly-Paine, Houzz home design trends expert. “Known as ‘heritage maximalism,’ this design style incorporates nods to British roots while layering in contemporary sensibility, to create a timeless, modern appeal,” she explains. “Think bold colour palettes, historical motifs and ornate detailing, from furnishings to finishes.” Mel Massey, founder of Mel Massey Studio, says: “We’ve noticed more clients embracing bold interior design choices, from richly detailed wallpaper and patterned upholstery to dramatic hues. “At the same time, homeowners are layering in modern touches to personalise their spaces,” highlights Massey. While these choices may have once felt intimidating, she says visualisation tools such as mood boards give homeowners “the confidence to combine these elements into a look that feels curated, not chaotic.” Hidden spaces and seamless design Whether you’re looking to optimise smaller spaces or simply minimise clutter, Kelly-Paine says smart design features, “such as tucked-away home bars and concealable built-ins, can help you achieve a more streamlined, sophisticated look.” “These hidden spaces give homeowners the best of both worlds: functional features when you need them and seamless design when you don’t,” she adds. Omar Bhatti, founder and design director at Space Shack says: “As our clients look to personalise their homes, requests for bespoke joinery are becoming more common. “Not only do these custom solutions add character, but they’re practical and tailored to fit our clients’ lifestyles.” Immersive visualisation becomes the new blueprint Homeowners and design professionals alike are increasingly relying on 3D modelling to convey their ideas and explore possibilities, notes Kelly-Paine. “These visualisation tools are mutually beneficial for homeowners and professionals, as they help to set and manage clear expectations throughout the course of a project,” she explains. Laura Evans, founder and interior designer at Brick and Stone Interiors, says: “Visualisation tools like 3D floor plans have been a game changer for me and my clients. “By bringing concepts to life, digital models give my clients a realistic picture of what to expect,” says Evans. “Not only does this ensure we’re aligned throughout the process, but it also helps them communicate any changes proactively.” Soft simplicity As homeowners seek to create calming sanctuaries within their homes, Kelly-Paine says photos featuring cocooning spaces with layered neutrals, organic materials and tactile finishes are among the most popular images on Houzz. “Together, these elements create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels both comfortable and relaxed.” Evans agrees: “In recent years, our clients have been gravitating toward ‘organic modern’ style, from the bedroom to the kitchen, and everywhere in between. “As they look to create a softer take on minimalism, homeowners are introducing warm neutrals, texture and organic shapes to create serene, restorative spaces.” She continues: “We expect to see that trend continue, as it’s a widely adaptable aesthetic that works well across home design styles.” The return of dark wood “Dark wood tones such as walnut and mahogany are re-emerging, as homeowners strive to bring a sense of depth to their interiors,” says Kelly-Paine. Moreover, she says searches on Houzz reflect this resurgence, with googling for ‘dark wood’ rising 187% in the first three quarters of the year compared with the same period in 2024. Bhatti says: “For years, many homeowners have favoured lighter wood tones and whitewashed finishes, but recently clients have been showing an interest in deeper, more dramatic wood tones. “Whether that be for kitchen joinery, bespoke built-ins or even wall cladding. To offset darker wood tones, we often pair them with warm metals or textured stone for a more balanced look,” he explains. Transparent renovation projects Kelly-Paine says research shows homeowners are eager to have more transparency throughout the renovation process. “41% said a clearer timeline would have improved their project experience. “And almost the same share wanted better communication from their pros (40%).” Indeed, Bhatti says access to a real-time communication platform has been instrumental with his clients. “It makes for much smoother collaboration; clients stay informed with access to real-time project updates and as a result, they feel less stressed and more empowered throughout the process. “Considering how effective it is, I’d expect this type of collaborative software to be adopted more widely across the industry.” Lighting as art From sculptural alabaster pendants to playful glass forms, homeowners are introducing statement lighting to transform their spaces in more ways than one, outlines Kelly-Paine. “Of course, lighting plays the functional role of illuminating a space, but when thoughtfully selected and positioned, lighting fixtures can be standalone works of art.” Massey says: “Lighting fixtures have become more of a focal point among our clients, as they look to infuse personality or even a bit of drama into their spaces. “For anyone considering statement lighting, it’s worth using visualisation tools to understand how a fixture will sit within the space before making a final decision,” she advises. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

A Parisian luxury stylist explains how you can find your signature style in 2026. London (PA Media/dpa) – The idea of a New Year wardrobe reset can feel either invigorating or overwhelming. On one hand, there’s the appeal of a clean slate – fewer “nothing to wear” mornings and a more streamlined style. On the other, there’s the reality of bursting wardrobes, emotional attachments and the dread that a reset means starting from scratch. But according to Parisian stylist Elsa Boutaric, the most effective wardrobe refreshes are small rather than drastic. She shares her top tips for resetting your wardrobe for 2026. Start with sorting not shopping The instinctive response to a style rut is often to buy something new. A coat, a pair of shoes, a statement piece that promises reinvention. But Boutaric insists that the real reset begins long before a checkout page. “I always start with a wardrobe edit to assess what no longer works and what truly fits my client’s lifestyle,” she says. “We need a wardrobe strategy before buying anything new.” That strategy is less about what you like best and more about what you wear the most. How you actually dress day-to-day matters more than who you imagine yourself to be. A wardrobe reset means interrogating how often you reach for something, what you feel best wearing and where your life currently sits – work, weekends, evenings, travel. Without that assessment, new purchases tend to repeat old mistakes: beautiful pieces with nowhere to go. The items we hold onto for too long Every wardrobes contains their ghosts – pieces that once worked perfectly but now date everything else around them. Denim is often the biggest culprit. “I would say, denim is often kept past its prime and can look outdated,” Boutaric explains, “a tailored wide-leg pant is a modern upgrade for 2026.” Jeans cuts are often less timeless than tailoring, reminding us of past phases and eras more quickly than other items. Wide-leg trousers, particularly in structured fabrics, offer the same ease of wear while being less trend-led. The same applies to overly trend-led pieces that no longer reflect how you dress now. The reset isn’t about erasing personality – it’s about removing what you won’t wear this time next year. Mind the gap One of the most common frustrations Boutaric encounters isn’t a lack of clothes, but a lack of connection between them. “What I see the most is a lack of strong transitional pieces between casual and elevated looks,” she says. “Invest in a good quality blazer and elevated basics to fill that gap.” These are the items that turn jeans into an outfit, or make a simple dress appropriate for more than one setting. A well-cut blazer, a cosy knit, a crisp white shirt – they don’t shout, but they do a lot of work. A New Year reset is often about strengthening this middle ground. Not investing in rarely-worn pieces of workwear or loungewear – but the pieces that carry you between the two. Keep, alter or donate? Editing a wardrobe is as much emotional as it is practical. Boutaric’s rule is refreshingly straightforward. “If a day-to-day piece hasn’t been worn in over a year, it usually goes.” That doesn’t mean everything unworn must leave – occasionwear and sentimental items live by different rules – but for everyday clothing, inactivity is information. If something doesn’t fit your life now, it’s unlikely to suddenly earn its place. Boutaric suggests the hanger trick for figuring out what you wear most. Flip all your hangers backward, then turn them forward as you wear items; after a set time, you’ll see what you reach for most and what you don’t. Tailoring is the middle option that’s often overlooked. A coat that feels slightly off, trousers that drag, a blazer that almost works – these can often be rescued. The reset isn’t about perfection, but intention. Refreshing without replacing everything The idea that a wardrobe reset requires a full overhaul is one of its biggest deterrents. In reality, small, considered changes tend to have the biggest impact. “Add a well-tailored blazer, wide-leg trousers and a [good quality] crisp white shirt or tee,” Boutaric suggests. “These pieces instantly elevate and modernise any wardrobe.” They also work across seasons, trends and settings – which is precisely the point. A reset should make dressing easier, not more complicated. Styling tweaks matter too. Switching trainers for a loafer, adding a belt, wearing a shirt more undone or leaning into proportion can recalibrate an outfit without necessarily adding new statement pieces, Boutaric says. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)