The top three trends transforming living spaces in 2026

In recent years, I think we’ve seen a real shift in how we think about our homes. It’s no longer the place you simply return to at the end of the day. For many of us, the home is now a destination in its own right – a place where we work, entertain, socialise, look after the family, indulge in our hobbies, and reflect our creativity, as well as a place to relax and retreat.

The home has to work harder than ever before, meaning interiors are no longer just about how they look, but also about how they make you feel – how a space captures and reflects your personality and particular tastes, and how it serves you in your day-to-day life. There are a number of exciting design trends emerging for 2026 that are shaping how we make the most of our living spaces – here are three of my favourites.

1. Back to nature
One of the biggest movements in interior design over the past few years has been the shift toward nature-inspired spaces and biophilic design. Homeowners are increasingly bringing the outdoors in to create calm, restorative environments that promote wellbeing. Designers are using cocooning earthy tones, botanical greens, leafy indoor plants and natural materials to create a connection to nature that goes beyond decoration alone. This isn’t just for aesthetic reasons – research shows that biophilic design can improve mood, reduce stress, and help make even compact living areas feel more expansive and serene.

There are so many ways to incorporate the natural world into interiors, and outdoors – inspired doesn’t have to mean rustic! One of the trends we’re seeing coming through this season is ‘the garden party’, which blends fresh greens, botanical prints, light woods and chic mid-century modern shapes. It’s a look that takes its cue from the natural world but remains refined and elegant.

2. Nostalgic glamour

In an increasingly busy and tech-driven world, we’ve seen nostalgia coming to the fore in recent years, and a desire for spaces and hobbies where we can truly switch off. This includes interiors, where 1970s style has been making a comeback, and I think we’ll see this will continue in 2026. This look works brilliantly for a living room or bedroom space because it’s both glamorous and cosy – think rich warm colours like rust, terracotta and chocolate brown, curved occasional pieces, and a generous sofa or upholstered headboard where you can kick back and relax. This combination creates a nostalgic, comforting feel – perfect for the rooms you retreat to after a long, busy day.

Adding a pop of animal print instantly gives this look a glamorous edge. One of my favourite prints at DFS is our tone-on-tone leopard print from the Zanetta range, which works brilliantly for this look. Or for full on 70s glamour, go for a leopard or tiger print accent chair from our suitably named Wylde range!

3. From catwalk to living room 
Many interior designers say that if you’re not sure what your interiors style is, taking a look inside your wardrobe for the colours and patterns you’re drawn to is a great starting point. Increasingly, interiors are taking cues directly from the fashion world – from colour palettes and textures, to silhouettes and detailing.
At DFS, we’re really proud to collaborate with a curated selection of leading fashion brands, to bring their signature style into the living room with exclusive furniture ranges. If you are a fan of a country aesthetic with a contemporary twist, Joules has long embraced this style with classic silhouettes, charming prints and unexpected pops of colour which translate beautifully into upholstery and soft furnishings.

Our French Connection sofas echo the premium fabrics, sharp tailoring and mid-century inspired design of the iconic brand, but each piece remains liveable and easy to style. And for those drawn to bold personality and refined glamour, our range with Ted Baker uses retro silhouettes, rich colour and bold pattern to offer up real stand out, statement pieces. 

This crossover between runway and room design encourages homeowners to think of their sofa like a favourite coat — it should fit your lifestyle, reflect your personality, and elevate the entire look. Layering textures, mixing prints thoughtfully, and choosing colours you really love helps create a space that feels curated and personal to you. 

For more inspiration, visit www.dfs.ie and follow @dfs 

The PTSB Ideal Home Show runs from 24-26 April, RDS Dublin. 
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Credit: Article written by Claire Rushton, Head of Public Relations at DFS