As summer gets underway, you might be looking to refresh your home. But with the cost of living biting for many, you might think that a home makeover is outside of your budget.
But interior design expert Kate Conrad has shared her advice on how to update your home with this year’s trends, which are dominating 2026, and they don’t need to break the bank.
“As we approach the second half of 2026, I know many homeowners are looking for affordable ways to bring their house up to date with this year’s trends without the need for expensive renovations or full room makeovers,” says Kate.
“Interior design trends have been influenced by people’s spending habits, and we’re seeing the focus shift towards smaller, more impactful updates which bring warmth, colour and personality into your home.“
Opt for soft furnishings in olive green, rust, and chocolate brown
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Seasonal style doesn’t require replacing all of your furniture or expensive renovations: it’s about bringing in changes which update your living space by introducing new colours, textures and themes.“
This year has seen a shift away from the ultra-minimalist look towards spaces which feel warmer and more personal. It’s about comfort, authenticity and expressing you and your family’s personality.
“So forget sleek lines and white walls which look like they have leapt from the pages of a penthouse show home: this year interiors are not about expensive perfection but small changes, thoughtful styling and affordable colour updates.”
The right soft furnishing instantly create a warm atmosphere
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1. Switch Up Soft Furnishings
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a room is through cushions, throws and curtains. The colours dominating this year are rusts, olive green, burgundy and chocolate brown.
These instantly create a warmer, homely atmosphere ideal for when the weather starts to turn colder. Layering different textures, from velvets to chunky knits, adds depth as well as comfort.
Think soft cushions combined with a cosy blanket to transform a sitting room or update a bed from bland to on-trend.
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2. Introduce Coloured Lighting.
Lighting is becoming a major interior trend for Autumn / Winter 2026, particularly softer and more atmospheric designs. You can make small changes by swapping a standard lampshade for one in a bold colour or introducing a textured fabric in a shade.
Warm-toned bulbs are also key this season, helping rooms feel cosy and cocooning during darker evenings. You can also add interest and update a room with lighting around shelving or with portable lamps.
3. Rounded silhouettes
If you want to go for a more significant update to your home, the dominating trend for 2026 is the end to sharp lines and the introduction of rounded silhouettes. Think curved sofas, oval mirrors and circular coffee tables to update any room, but especially living and dining rooms.
If you are planning a structural change such as an extension, removing or adding internal walls, arched doorways provide that softer look which delivers a dramatic and updated difference to any home, but particularly hallways and other high traffic areas in the home.
4. Authentic and personal has replaced minimalism
Minimalism is being replaced by authentic homes which express the lives of the people who live in it. Instead of perfect, clean surfaces and matching furniture, 2026 has brought a much more artisan décor into our homes.
Try mismatched furniture, which you can achieve with the introduction of an antique or retro chair to a room. Think battered leather chairs in deep coloured leather next to a distressed wooden table to add a new dimension to your room.
This works in most rooms in the house, from a living space to a family kitchen. Finish it off with a curated bookshelf, letting the different colours of the books add life and depth to the space.
Traditional books with their hardback covers are a better option than a paperback and can be found in many bric-a-brac shops.
Warm-toned bulbs are also key for helping rooms feel cosy
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5. Bringing nature indoors
Biophilic interiors continue to dominate in 2026, and this can range from striking wallpaper designs to simple dried flowers, foliage stems and seasonal branches, which also add colour and texture.
Small splashes of colour are another key feature for 2026, so a rainforest green alcove or an ocean-inspired wall in a bathroom combines two trends in one.
Terracotta pots, woven baskets and rustic ceramic planters also help create warmth and softness, especially when paired with autumnal greenery or deep-toned florals.
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