The perma-crisis has us all looking at ways to unplug and play. Ways to manage our mental health are crucial, so that we can show up how we need to in the world.
Designing homes and workspaces as cocoons for community helps us all. With the world undergoing tectonic shifts, design is a way to protect ourselves from the geo-social-political melee.
Let’s take a look at the trends feeding into interior design, from a dialogue with analogue to a celebration of tradition, craft and nature.
ANALOGUE DIALOGUE
The term ‘digital detox’ has been bouncing around for a while but there’s now a tangible movement towards embracing the analogue. Books, libraries, chamber music and crafts like knitting are all undergoing a resurgence. There’s also a move to incorporate mindfulness in design and architecture, such as the giant Buddha on The Highline in New York, reflecting the collective yearning for spirituality and connection. ‘The Light That Shines Through the Universe’ is a monumental sculpture by Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen that will be on display from April 2026 until around September 2027.
The Light That Shines Through the Universe. Artist: Tuan Andrew Nguyen.
PLAY
Adult toys are also huge (not that kind, darlings). Chess sets and board games that stimulate the brain and provide relief from the quotidian digital deluge are being given the glamour treatment by the big luxury fashion houses.
The thirst for the simplicity of the analogue world is also influencing design aesthetics. Whites, creams and off-whites are on trend, reflecting the different colours of the many milks now served in cafes. These neutral tones can be paired with pastels, candy colours or a brutalist grey.
Bruno Cucinelli Chess Board
FOOD-INFUSED COLOURS & MATERIALS
Food is no longer just sustenance – it’s a muse for fashion and design. From fibrous textiles inspired by spaghetti to lamp shades made from fish leather, interior design is cooking up a range of gastronomically-inspired delights. Wholesome fruits and vegetables lend their tints and tinctures to fabrics, with their lusciously earthy tones grounding interiors.
Fish Leather Light Shade by Tototo/Think Sea Co.
WARMLY LAYERED LIVING SPACES
Spaces within homes are being used differently. Annexes are being turned into retreats or reading nooks. Powder rooms are jewel-box retreats that become layered with art and personality. Essentially, every room is a living room.
The vintage revival is still going strong, albeit with modern twists. Think Memphis design in citrus tones and yellows, paired with rust and interesting patinas.
The layered, lived in feeling is about spaces that encourage connection and creativity and whimsy. In fact, “whimsy” is having a moment. One of the most searched Google terms in early 2026 was “how to add more whimsy to your life” and “whimsy goals”. It reflects a growing desire for playfulness and lightheartedness.
In design, this translates to surrealist elements, playful patterns, and unexpected combinations, such as delftware with a surrealist image in the centre, or rugs printed with historical figures. It’s about blending the past and present in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
CRAFT, COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
A return to craft and community is also at the core of these trends. Whether it’s through indigenous knowledge, outsider art, or sustainable practices, there’s a growing emphasis on design that supports communities. People are investigating the provenance of products and there is a celebration of hand-crafted objects.
The coming year is about blending innovation with tradition, functionality with playfulness. It’s a year to experiment, reconnect and reimagine.
This article originally appeared on DESIGN LANE, the blog for Australia’s longest running interior design trade event, Decor + Design.