The hot trends for 2026 … or not?
Every autumn, as the design world prepares its big predictions for the coming year, my inbox fills with press releases declaring the colours, shapes, and styles that are about to “take over our homes.” And while I love seeing what’s emerging - new materials, fresh palettes, unexpected pattern stories - I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
At Willow & Bert Interiors, we’re simply not worried about the hot interior design trends for 2026.
That may sound bold, especially coming from a studio celebrated for thoughtful interior design, but hear me out. Trends have their place, but they’re not the heart of what creates a beautiful, lasting home. And if there’s one thing we care deeply about for our clients across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, it’s longevity - spaces that look and feel wonderful not just for a season, but for years.
Trends are fun - but they don’t know your home
2026’s early predictions are already rolling in: digital lavender, hyper-pattern mixing, “cyber nostalgia,” and the return of sculptural chrome (again!). They’re playful, expressive, and exciting, but they’re also broad strokes. The truth is, trends don’t know the bones of your Victorian terrace in Tunbridge Wells or the light conditions of your riverside home in Weybridge. They don’t know your family’s rhythm, your dog’s habit of sleeping in sunny corners, or your weekend love of hosting friends around a long farmhouse table.
What we do as interior designers is look at your home’s architecture, your lifestyle, and the story you want your space to tell. A trend-led scheme can be gorgeous - but only if it aligns with you.
What we follow instead: longevity-led design
Instead of chasing temporary styles, we embrace design ideas with staying power. One of the most impactful is colour drenching - a technique we’ve used in many Kent and Sussex interior design projects with transformative results. Colour drenching, for anyone still unfamiliar with it, means taking a single colour and carrying it across walls, woodwork, radiators, and even ceilings. It creates continuity, confidence, and calm - a visual embrace. And the beauty of it?
It’s not a fad. It’s a philosophy.
It works just as well in a Georgian townhouse as in a modern new build. It softens large rooms and elevates small ones. It adapts easily as accessories, art, and furniture change over time, meaning your home can evolve without constant redecorating.
Why we don’t chase short-lived colour fads
Every year brings a new It-Colour. 2025 had its bold paprika shades, and early 2026 forecasts are shouting about neon-tinted pastels. They’re fun on a cushion, but we’re not painting your entire sitting room a colour you’ll fall out of love with before the next summer holiday. What we do love is guiding clients toward tones that reflect their environment. For example:
In a light-filled coastal property in Eastbourne, we embraced soft, earthy blues that echo the sea without feeling nautical or theme-y.
For a family home in Sevenoaks, a warm muted olive became the perfect enveloping backdrop - rich enough to feel characterful, gentle enough to live with long-term.
These aren’t colours that expire. They settle, soften, and support the life you live.
Materials that age beautifully
If there’s one thing we know from years of interior design in South-East England, it’s that materials matter more than momentary style. Many of 2026’s trend boards are pushing hyper-polished finishes, iridescent plastics, and experimental surfaces. Interesting? Yes. Enduring? Not always.
Instead, we gravitate toward:
Natural textures like limewash, linen, and jute
Warm timbers that tell a story as they age
Stone and tile that nod to local architecture
Quality metals like aged brass that develop depth over time
These choices have history and future - the sweet spot we love working in.
A home should feel like you, not Pinterest
One thing clients often say when they come to us - especially homeowners juggling busy lives - is that they feel overwhelmed by the speed of the design world. New looks appear weekly, and with so much visual noise online, it’s easy to second-guess your own taste. Our response is always the same: your home doesn’t need to be “on-trend,” it needs to feel right.
We focus on slow decorating - an approach where design unfolds intentionally, not reactively. Trend-driven homes age quickly, but character-driven homes age gracefully.
So why aren’t we worried about 2026’s trends?
Because they’re just ideas - fun, fleeting, inspiring ideas. But your home deserves more than a 12-month cycle. It deserves depth, texture, harmony, and joy.
And that’s why we keep our eyes open to what’s coming, but our hearts firmly rooted in what endures. Whether you’re redesigning a countryside home in East Sussex or refreshing a period property in Canterbury, timeless design will always outlast trend-chasing.
Until next time,
Chloe