A sofa occupies so much visual space that the color you pick greatly affects the room's atmosphere. Going the safe route and treating it as a neutral placeholder can be a missed design opportunity, while a bold trend may be a choice you tire of quickly. So what's the happy medium? I find that it always helps to start by identifying the colors you either don't like, that compete negatively with your scheme, or that feel a bit outdated.

It's not that any sofa color trend is inherently 'outdated', but a few are often used without enough consideration. For instance, my mind instantly goes to a forest green sofa — it's often labeled as dated 'millennial' green because it is considered an overused or 'safe' choice. However, when used with intention, forest green is a sofa color with staying power and can look really elevated. It's all about navigating the fine line of sofa colors that make a statement and elevate a scheme, without overwhelming it or blending in.

Rather than shouting or disappearing, interior designer Andrew Griffiths says, "I like a sofa to anchor the room. It doesn't need to shout, but it should bring depth and character. When a sofa color is selected to be inoffensive or non-committal, the room has nothing to say." So, to put all of this food for thought into tangible advice, below are four sofa colors designers say to be wary of in 2026, and what to look for instead.

1. Dove Gray and 'Greige'

Gray has become quite the taboo color in interior design trends in the past 10 years. We are still fighting the aftermath of the monochromatic, go-with-anything, gray interiors of the 2010s. And unfortunately, cool dove grays are still a tricky sofa color choice.

Andrew Griffith explains, "While choosing gray makes sense to a lot of people as a safe answer to 'what if I don't love this in five years', but that caution is exactly what makes a space forgettable." Dove Gray became the default 'safe' choice for so long that it can leave a room feeling flat unless it's paired with a very rich material palette. "Done badly, and it reads as corporate and cold — suited to an office lobby, not home," Andrew.

There are a few ways to make a gray sofa feel cozier and colors that work similarly in a room without feeling so bland. First of all, decorating with gray will always be more effective with a warm undertone — think taupes and rich charcoals. These make the room feel more inviting.

"I actually owned a gray sofa myself," says interior designer Georgina Wilson. "Seven years ago they felt like a timeless, safe choice, but I've found mine has aged in a way that feels flat and lifeless. The color seems to lose warmth over time, and instead of developing character, it just starts to look a little tired." A richer, warmer fabric with more depth will ground a room.

Or ditch gray altogether and go for a new neutral more in line with today's color trends. "Deep, earthy, slightly unexpected neutrals: aubergine, chocolate brown, rust, inky blue or a warm ochre. These read as considered because they behave like neutrals in a room — they ground a space and let you build around them — while still having real depth and warmth," says Andrew.

2. Out of Place Purple

Purple sofas, especially the aubergine variety, have definitely gained attention in the design world over the past year — they feel unexpected, yet rich and comforting in hue. But it's the question of whether these purple couches will be a trend that's expected to fall as quickly as it rose.

On the one hand, a moody aubergine sofa, when done well, is the ultimate style indicator. "The plum velvet sofa from our Parklands project is a good example: it's dramatic against a pale wall but never feels like a 'statement piece' you'll tire of, because the color itself is quiet in tone even though it's rich in depth," explains Andrew. Such a bold sofa color is all about intention.

However, it's worth proceeding with caution. Georgina says, "While it can look striking initially, it's a color that many people tend to tire of fairly quickly." And that is the last thing you want when planning your living room seating arrangements. If you are going to go purple, make sure you choose it because you love it and because it goes well with your scheme. Otherwise, it can feel random, and the color will date quicker.

Because a sofa is such a large investment, "I prefer colors that I know I'll still enjoy living with many years later," says Georgina. Perhaps a deep red will have more longevity since red is a primary color, or a brown leather sofa can feel very classic and stylish when done well.

3. White as a Safety Net

Okay, it feels like stark whites always make the outdated colors list. They tend to read as "cold, impractical, and disconnected from the warmer, more layered interiors people tend to feel most comfortable in," explains Andrew. And a stark white sofa falls directly into those categories — it's often used as an afterthought color, it can create a jarring contrast in otherwise layered schemes, and frankly, it's hard to keep clean.

So while picking a white sofa just because you want something neutral is an outdated design choice, white as a sofa color in general doesn't have to be. As Andrew says, "Color is only one part of the story though — texture, finish and shape have just as much impact." So, it's more about how you incorporate a white sofa.

"My biggest controversial take is probably that I absolutely love a white sofa, even with a busy household, three children, a husband and a constant stream of guests," says Georgina. "I've owned several white sofas over the years, from an IKEA Ektorp through to more premium pieces, and I've genuinely loved every one of them. To me, white is one of the most timeless sofa colors you can choose," she adds.

This is because such a neutral color allows the architecture of the sofa to shine, works beautifully with changing interiors, and never really dates. Plus, slipcovers also make white a far more practical option than many people assume, allowing you to refresh the look whenever needed. "The key is making sure the sofa itself has beautiful proportions and a comfortable, sculptural form because the simplicity of white really highlights the shape," says Georgina.

4. Orange

Lastly, the bolder you get with your sofa color, the more of a gamble you are taking. While it's always a good idea to show off your personal style, picking a bold or energetic color for such a staple piece often leads to a design choice that will date quickly. And orange is one of the biggest offenders.

Georgina says, "Perhaps it's my most personal take, but I'm a hard 'no' when it comes to orange velour sofas. It instantly reminds me of the 1980s." Once loved for its warmth and natural-leaning hue, orange can read quite harsh in interiors. Especially as color in 2026 moves towards something more personalized and grounded. "While there are always exceptions, I find it dominates a room and makes it much harder to create a space that feels calm and enduring," says Georgina.

Instead, a caramel-colored tan or subtle yellow sofa will age more gracefully. Andrew advises looking for "Something where the color itself is quiet in tone even though it's rich in depth." For example, Andrew styled an ochre linen sofa at his Barbican project: "It's warm rather than loud. It’s an optimistic color, but still understated enough to live with for years."

"I always start with the atmosphere we want to create rather than the color itself. A sofa should relate to the materials, the quality of light, and the mood of the room, not follow what's fashionable," says Andrew.

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There's a detail I've been noticing in interior schemes constantly of late, and, for the most part, it's a trend taking place in the closet. Inset into your glass-fronted wardrobe doors, curtained closets might be the chicest way to store your clothes right now.

Practically, they're a clever choice. You get all the benefits of glass-fronted cabinets (in that you're not faced with a solid wall of doors, so your space feels bigger), but you don't have to actually see your clothes within or deal with less-than-chic treatments like frosted glass.

On the design side, it also opens up a whole new world of opportunities, ways to play with color, pattern, and materiality that a traditional built-in closet can't offer.

We've found a few examples that show the scope of what closeted curtain doors can achieve.

1. Add to a Freestanding Closet

In this modern bedroom in a London apartment, designer Daniel Jones of Hamish Vincent wanted to create a custom freestanding wardrobe that felt like a family heirloom, but curved to add softness.

"The ribbed oak panels provide a contemporary touch whilst the walnut-stained oak grounds it to the space," Daniel says. "Fabric paneling was added, again to soften the piece."

2. Use Curtains to Add Pattern

Where wardrobe doors offer a canvas for paint colors, this curtained interior design trend can be a way to introduce pattern too, as in this dramatic closet designed by studio Nickey Kehoe.

"The fresh, pale blue complements the deeply saturated saffron walls," co-founder Amy Kehoe says of the fabric. "The intent was a Californian take on a dressing boudoir — dramatic but through the lens of our golden light."

3. Design as a Complementary Color Palette

In this walk-in closet designed by interior designer Nicole Cohen, a tonal yellow closet curtain is used to bring some punch to the softer cabinetry palette.

“The yellow linen relates to the color of the adjacent primary bedroom, and the closet matches the trim color used throughout,” the designer explains.

4. Play With Shape

Introducing cut-outs in your wardrobe doors offers a chance to play with shape, while the curtaining keeps messy rails out of sight and mind.

In this walk-in wardrobe by Atelier Karasinki, the pill-shaped cut-outs disrupt the formal design, bringing "softness and a certain familiarity, because this shape has a long history in classical interiors," says founder Laura Karasinki.

Freestanding Closets to Try

It's the sort of idea worth considering before you commission built-in wardrobes, but also something you could easily add to existing designs with glass doors, or even freestanding styles.

If you need help pulling together your scheme, why not sign up for a Style consultation from Design Lab by Livingetc? And for more inspiration for your home, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter.

If you favor contemporary spaces that feel timeless rather than overly traditional or starkly modern, then 'transitional style' — which is the art of mixing traditional and modern styles and bringing pieces from various eras together — is bound to be your bag.

But in 2026, transitional style isn't about playing it safe. "For years, people have assumed transitional interiors simply sit somewhere between traditional and modern, but that often results in spaces that feel a little undecided," Maria Ramirez, founder of BB Interiors, says. "Instead, transitional design is about confidently mixing eras rather than watering them down." Whether it's hanging a contemporary piece of artwork above an antique chest or placing a sculptural modern sofa beside an eighteenth-century mirror, "the magic happens in the contrast," Maria adds.

The good news is that with a little know-how, achieving the art of transitional design is actually very easy. We spoke to designers to discover all the dos and don'ts of getting this interior design style right.

1. Stop Buying Furniture in Matching Sets

If you’ve been wondering whether living room furniture should match — according to those in the know — to really make transitional design work in your space, the answer is a 'firm no'. “One of the quickest ways to lose personality is buying everything from the same collection,” explains Maria Ramirez.

That's because real homes evolve over time. Whether it's through the seasons or with each passing day, month or year. And therefore, transitional interior usually combines pieces from different periods so that no single style dominates the room.

"Traditional architecture might sit alongside contemporary lighting, while a sleek sofa could comfortably live next to an antique coffee table or vintage artwork," Maria says. "Each piece is allowed to have its own voice without competing for attention."

2. Let Craftsmanship Lead the Way

When it comes to nailing transitional design, there’s one word that comes up time and time again — and that’s craftsmanship.

“A hand-carved oak cabinet, an aniline leather armchair, a beautifully tailored linen sofa, and a contemporary bronze light fitting may come from completely different eras, but craftsmanship allows them to belong together,” notes Maria. “Good design always recognizes good craftsmanship, regardless of when it was made.” Which is why Maria says the easiest way to mix centuries successfully is to focus on quality rather than style.

And Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́, founder of Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co, shares this view, recommending that if you are redesigning a transitional kitchen, a transitional bedroom, or a living room, it’s worth focusing your budget on the elements that won't change frequently. “Such as bespoke joinery, quality materials, and considered lighting,” he says. “These create a timeless framework that allows everything else to evolve naturally.”

3. Work With Layers, Not Labels

Layering in interior design is nothing new. And it’s certainly not just about adding more ‘stuff’ to your space. Instead, layering can help you create a transitional home that’s truly unique, full of purpose and personality.

“The best transitional homes feel effortlessly interesting,” Maria says. “Layer timber with marble, linen with velvet, antiques with contemporary art and inherited pieces with modern finds. Add books that have actually been read, ceramics collected while travelling and other objects with stories behind them.”

“The goal is not to create a room that looks expensive," adds Maria, "it is to create one that could not belong to anybody else.”

Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One Studio, agrees. “Allow books, artwork, ceramics, and collected objects to remain on display. After years of empty surfaces and perfectly styled shelves, homes are beginning to feel lived in again.”

But remember, the key is to curate rather than clutter. “Display pieces that have meaning and edit out those that simply fill space,” Jordana says. “The best interiors tell us something about the people who live there. A home should feel considered and beautiful, but it shouldn’t look as though everyone moved out just before the photographer arrived.”

4. Let the Property Lead

It’s a question we've long debated: should you ever remove original architectural details from a home? For example, if you live in an Edwardian or Victorian home, is it okay to remove the large bay windows or original fireplace to embrace the latest interior design trends?

Well, if you’re trying to achieve a transitional look, experts suggest that this design style should always respond to the architecture rather than being imposed on it.

“In a period home, preserve or sensitively reinstate original details, then introduce cleaner furniture, contemporary art, or modern lighting to create contrast,” suggests Jordana. “In a modern new build, avoid adding elaborate historical features that feel out of place. Instead, bring warmth through natural timber, stone, tactile fabrics, vintage furniture, beautiful lighting, and subtle architectural detailing.”

But you don’t need to go OTT. “Sometimes a simple moulding, a well-proportioned architrave or a single vintage piece is enough,” Jordana adds. “The goal is to celebrate the property’s character, not make it feel like something it isn’t.”

5. Add Character, Color, and Meaningful Pieces

For years, modern interior design has been dominated by grey, square, glossy, and ultra-minimal designs. Then came the all-beige trend. Of course, there is a time and place for all of the above. But in 2026, the new transitional look embraces personality.

“A single antique chest, vintage chair, or inherited piece can introduce age and character without making the whole room feel traditional,” highlights Jordana. “My mother loved antiques and left me some beautiful pieces. Today, I can place those family heirlooms alongside contemporary furniture, and the contrast makes them feel relevant again. They bring history and emotional connection to a room in a way that buying everything new simply can’t.”

Jordana says that color can have the same effect. “Olive, tobacco, burgundy, aubergine, deep blue, and dusty rose can be introduced through a chair, patterned Roman blind, artwork, rug, or cushions. Traditional florals, stripes, and checks also feel fresh when used sparingly or reimagined in a more contemporary color palette,” she adds.

6. Leave Room for the Home to Evolve

"The best transitional interiors leave room for the home to be curated over time," Tolù says. "Rather than filling every corner or making every design decision upfront, you create a strong foundation that can grow with its owners as they collect artwork, furniture, and objects that tell their story."

According to Tolù, this is what makes transitional style such an achievable design to follow. "You don't need to have everything in place immediately," he explains. "If the interior architecture framework is right, the space can continue to develop naturally over the years without feeling dated."

So instead of feeling like every surface needs styling from the get-go, lean into leaving space for your room to grow. "Transitional interiors benefit from restraint," Tolù says. "Leave space for future artwork, collected objects, travel finds, and furniture that you genuinely love."

If you're sold on transitional design, you'll be pleased to hear that this style extends way beyond your living room. From kitchens and transitional-style dining rooms, you're not short of ways to mix old and new in every room of your home.

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Pink has the reputation for being a tricky color to use in interiors. A hot pink is one of the boldest hues you can get, and a light pink can read as overly youthful. However, when used with confidence and intention, wow, is pink a powerful color in interior design. And if you needed even more convincing, our August color crush, Sweet Guava, is serving up some major inspiration. It's deliciously sweet, it's full of warmth, but just tame enough not to overwhelm a space.

And it's the perfect color crush for August, as this has been the summer of bold color trends. From crushing on minty sea foams in June to July's energetic Mango Swirl, something about warmer weather makes me want to add a splash of saturation to my decor. And while I may be biased, Sweet Guava is the kind of pink that proves bold, playful colors have a place in refined interiors, and when styled well, they can last long past the summer sunshine.

Dusty pinks and lived-in terracotta may be the more palatable pinks to decorate with in contemporary interiors, but why not go for something with a pinch more personality? Fair warning: Sweet Guava isn't a pink for the faint of heart. It requires intention and careful curation, but, of course, more tips on how to embrace this shade, below.

What Color Is Sweet Guava?

Sweet Guava is one of those pinks that has an immediate identity. It's undeniably pink, but it's bold without shouting. On the color wheel, pink is typically defined as red mixed with white — with different hues, tints, tones, and shades evolving from that base. This shade sits at a fairly even mixture of the two. However, Sweet Guava also has a slight purple leaning, meaning there is the faintest touch of blue in its makeup.

This is what gives it its depth. Sure, it's undeniably and immediately warm, but that tiny bit of blue is what hooks you and, in my opinion, makes it more grounding and liveable than something like hot pink or a really light pastel pink.

And despite Sweet Guava being a fairly saturated and bold color, it still lands as a mid-tone. Where light pinks evoke a calming, restful energy, mid-tone pinks read more sophisticated and dramatic. And when using Sweet Guava, understanding this personality is key.

For instance, a color drench or some other unique application will suit this shade beautifully, while a random accent wall or untethered pop of Sweet Guava might read as too harsh. It's a fine line, but if you're ready to try out a bolder pink in your home, Sweet Guava can be very rewarding.

How to Use Sweet Guava in Your Home

Okay, hopefully you're as smitten with Sweet Guava as I am by now, but still, knowing how to decorate with this pink in a home isn't so straightforward.

First of all, Livingetc's wellness editor, Amiya Baratan, is an expert on all things regarding atmosphere and how we interact with our spaces. When I asked her about introducing Sweet Guava, she explained to me that above all, "Pink is a misunderstood color." While it can sometimes come across as fad-like, "it actually represents a nurturing energy that can help you relax into a space. Even in Feng Shui, it represents love and healing."

"Although powerful, it's not the kind of color I'd fashion in every corner of my home," she notes. "While it's a fabulous choice to make a colder space feel more welcoming, it's best used with restraint. It might just literally put your home in the pink," Amiya adds.

So, Sweet Guava painted across the entire house? Maybe not. But a Sweet Guava color drench in a small, but impactful moment (think powder baths, hallways, cupboard inners)? That's where this color is going to shine. Even a Sweet Guava artwork or accent lamp would elevate an otherwise neutral room.

Adding depth to your design is also essential in making Sweet Guava work. For instance, tonal layers will help make this bold pink feel less flat and more balanced. Pair Sweet Guava with muted, dusty pinks, deeper, plum-leaning shades, and even small pops of hot pink.

And introducing complementary colors to your Sweet Guava palette is essential. Luckily, there are a lot of colors that go with pink. First and foremost, green. Since pink is essentially red, green is a natural complement and will make this energetic shade feel more grounded. Green trends like a sour olive or a dirty sage would be particularly beautiful with Sweet Guava.

Or go bold and try a dark chocolate brown or burgundy to amp up the moodiness. Basically, there are so many more decorating options with Sweet Guava than you might think.

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Isn't it funny the way that trends come and go? It'd be hard to guess 10 years ago that chrome finishes and chocolate brown would be the height of style today. And it's not necessarily that these, or any specific trends, appear out of thin air or disappear completely; no, interior design is just a continual evolution of inspiration. But still, a general rule is that those that rise the quickest tend to fall the hardest.

So what interior design trends have reached a fever pitch already in 2026? Well, we've certainly seen a lot of deep colors making the rounds, most of our shelves probably have something chrome on them (my own included), and contemporary furniture often comes with a curve these days. If you're taking a nervous glance around the living room thinking I'm about to deem your whole scheme out of style, don't worry. It's not that these are completely dated fads; it's that they're probably just due for their next evolution.

Perhaps a brushed metal instead of an intensely reflective surface or a pop of color to brighten that brown sofa. To help get an idea of what's fading and what's materializing next in the design world today, I asked interior designers to share their thoughts. Here are five current trends so big right now, they're sure to change shape soon.

1. Beige-Drenched Color Palettes

"I think we're reaching the end of the era of perfectly beige interiors where every wall, piece of furniture, and accessory sits in exactly the same shade," says interior designer Vanessa Katzen. While calming, these beige color drenches can begin to feel anonymous.

"People naturally gravitated toward calm, minimalist interiors, and neutral became synonymous with luxury," she explains. "But when everything is one note, a room can lose warmth and individuality." Even if you choose a warm neutral, there needs to be a tonal variation to avoid the space reading as flat.

Instead, Vanessa says to opt for layered neutrals with natural contrast. Warm woods, charcoal accents, olive greens, stone, linen, and handcrafted finishes create depth without sacrificing serenity. They feel connected to nature rather than the trend cycle, which gives them much greater longevity.

And luckily, this is exactly where decorating with neutrals is headed in 2026. Interesting architectural details, tactile materials, and even 'anti-neutral' neutrals (think olive greens, mineral blues, even terracottas) are replacing 'all-beige-everything' spaces.

2. Too Many Curves

We've all seen curved sofas and organically shaped coffee tables, and how they do add personality to a space. But no matter how well-placed a curve is, interior designer Noha Hassan says in 2026, they're officially "overused." In fact, a room drowning in curves is probably making your space feel a little stuck in 2024.

Still, Noha can appreciate why curves became so popular. "After decades of clean, straight lines, curves felt fresh," she says. "They softened spaces and added visual interest." And the problem isn't curves themselves; it's when they're applied everywhere. "When too many curved elements are introduced within the same space or on the same elevation — whether in the architecture, millwork or furnishings — the eye no longer knows where to rest, and the space loses its elegance," Noha adds.

Curves still can and should be incorporated, but they work best when balanced with clean, straight lines. "It's that contrast in design that gives a space longevity and keeps it feeling timeless," says Noha. Time to do an audit of squares and roundsin your space? I think so.

3. Overly Reflective Surfaces

I think we can all agree that chrome decor and chrome accessories have been everywhere in the past year. It's a finish that has staying power, sure, but overdoing reflective surfaces in a space can lead to an overtly 'trendy' aesthetic.

We're also seeing a lot more high-gloss paint and reflective finishes again, whether that's in chrome, lacquer, or even mirrored surfaces across architecture, millwork, and furnishings. "They add glamour and can even make a space feel larger, but the problem is when they become the dominant finish throughout a room," says Noha.

When too many glossy or reflective surfaces are layered together, a room starts to lose its warmth and feel instantly dated. It's like the 'timed' versus timeless debate — you should always incorporate the design details that speak to you, but too much of anything can chain your space to a specific moment.

So, you can still incorporate these finishes, but "they have the most impact when balanced with matte surfaces and natural materials," says Noha. "That balance gives a space refinement and longevity."

4. Over Styled Shelving

"Another trend I think is already beginning to fade is over-styled shelving and surfaces filled with small decorative accessories," says Vanessa. "Every shelf doesn't need to become a vignette." In fact, 'filler' is one of the first things you should remove from coffee tables, mantels, and shelves.

Wanting to create vignettes that tell a story is a normal part of design, but when it starts to feel contrived (like hitting a trend rather than being true to the home), that's when it starts to feel outdated. "It's an easy formula that photographs well, but when every surface is filled, nothing feels intentional," adds Vanessa. It can quickly begin to feel like visual clutter rather than thoughtful design.

So, what's the more timeless alternative? "Editing," says Vanessa. Use fewer pieces with greater presence — a sculptural vessel, beautiful artwork, natural stone, and negative space create a much stronger composition than filling every available inch. "Luxury often comes from what you choose to leave out," she adds.

5. Brown Sofas

And lastly, I'm sorry to break it to you, but brown may just be the next sofa color going out of style. It sounds like blasphemy in today's world of color trends, I know, but brown sofas are quickly reaching a fever pitch.

Interior stylist Talia Mayden, editor of the design Substack There You Are, recently pointed out that chocolate brown sofas are dominating Pinterest mood boards right now. It's become the new sage green. And so for many homes, it's become the 'new neutral' go-to — something with more character, but that still goes with everything. And while this may be true, decorating with brown still requires the same sense of restraint and intention as other colors.

Are you choosing to incorporate a brown sofa because you love it and it will truly uplift your scheme? Or do you like the way you've seen it styled in other homes? A sofa is a big-ticket item, so instead of going with what's dominating the trend cycle, pick a sofa trend or color that you genuinely love and can live with for years to come.

It sounds counterintuitive, but a bold purple sofa or patterned sofa will read more confidently in a space if that's a choice that truly speaks to your style.

It's not necessarily that these trends are outdated design trends, but rather that they are best used with a wary eye. Think about why you are incorporating them and how you can balance them with contrasting colors and elements.

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It makes sense to start a living room design with the biggest piece of furniture, doesn't it? If you begin with the sofa, with a design you find comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and fit for the purpose of the room, then the rest will just come naturally together. That was the thinking all these designers employed when creating these ten schemes. They chose the sofas for a variety of reasons, but they used them as anchor points to center the design.

But how do you pick the best sofa? Be inspired by any of this selection, but also keep in mind what you need. "A 2.1m sofa is so much more practical than the more common 2.4m sofa," says designer Christian Bense. "Don’t think you’re sacrificing seating space by losing those 30cm — it often means you can add an extra armchair to the floorplan instead." He adds that price tags aren't everything, either. "A good sofa doesn't have to be expensive; it's how it feels that counts," he says.

With that in mind, the selection below runs from the high street to high design sofas, ensuring there is something for everyone.

1. Lilli Curved Sofa, Heal's

When working on this duplex in North London, designer Lucy Goldbart wanted to focus on curves, connecting the arched architecture to the furniture. The Lilli sofa from Heal's was a perfect choice, as cozy as it is considered.

"This space was so large that it lent itself to being divided into two areas," says Lucy. "We wanted to have an area where you could sit and have drinks and look out to the garden, as well as a more central spot for entertaining."

She was drawn to the simplicity of the Lilli, with no edges or fussy details. "Instead of over-decorating, I wanted this home to be about both sight lines — what you could see through each archway — and about little cozy corners," she says.

2. Togo Sofa, Ligne Roset

"We wanted to use objects and furniture that framed the most interesting areas, drawing the eye to make you look at them more," says interior designer Yoko Kloeden of her scheme for this living room. And nothing frames a room more than the iconic Togo sofa by Ligne Roset.

It's a couch so popular that at times the waitlist for a new one has been over a year long. It's a total tone-setter, its iconic shape dominating any space it's in, saying that this is a room you can get comfortable in, where you don't have to stand on ceremony. It lends a welcoming air of informality, and if that's the vibe you're going for, then with this piece, you can't fail.

3. Saturday Sofa, Sofa.com

Designer Christian Bense is known for his elegant, refined rooms, but as he pointed out before, not every single sofa has to be expensive.

"I love Sofa.com’s Saturday sofa," he says, of the gray sofa seen above in a living room he has designed. "It is fully break-downable, which means you can get it into homes that have tight corners and corridors, and better than that, it's super comfortable, too. I do believe every sofa should always have feather down in its pillows."

4. Camaleonda Sofa, B&B Italia

Certain iconic furniture pieces get used so often by the designers we love that they become part of the tapestry of the Livingetc look. And B&B Italia's iconic Camaleonda sofa is just the piece. Our favorite designers love it, and it crops up in at least one house we feature in almost every issue.

Designer Amy Stoddart chose this burgundy style for the snug of a recent project. "It's such a great design classic, recognizable but timeless," she says. "It's a comfortable statement piece." Here, she had this one upholstered in burgundy to match the Viola marble used elsewhere, and it's so easy to make it personal that it never gets old.

5. Pietro Corner Sofa, OKA

Designing an apartment for an American client moving to London, Lisa Mettis of Born and Bred Studio made it her mission to include as many British brands as possible.

That included OKA, the furniture retailer known for its decorative details that couldn't be any more British if it tried. She chose the Pietro Corner Sofa for this reception room because, despite the color palette, which shows up everything, "we chose this sofa because the removable covers made it practical for a family with a child and a dog," Lisa says. "While the elegant shape meant it still felt refined rather than overly casual."

6. Serpentine Sofa, Vladimir Kagan

Designer Portia Fox was creating an elegant entertaining lounge in a home where the color palette was pared back, and curves were a big feature. Vladimir Kagan's iconic Serpentine sofa felt like a natural fit.

"The shape of it is so beautiful," she says, explaining how it worked in a multi-use space. "The smokiness of the rug evokes more of an evening-y entertaining feel, but by keeping the room light and airy, it can be used for quiet reading in the daytime as well."

7. Squisharoo Sofa, Loaf

When Anahita Rigby was designing a home for a multi-generational family, she had to think about everyone from grandparents down to children. That meant picking furniture that suited everybody's needs, that wasn't too formal or grown-up, but that wouldn't alienate the adults either.

"This sofa from Loaf was just right," she says of the Squisheroo Sofa, shown in the living room she designed, above. "Deep enough to sink into but not so deep that the elders couldn’t get back up." Plus, it folds out into a sofa bed.

8. Chester Moon Sofa, Baxter

As an exception to the rule of this piece, Australian decorator Simone Haag didn't choose this sofa to design this room around — in fact, she inherited the sofa from the architects who had started off the scheme, and then had to find a way to design around it. Thankfully, it didn't prove too tricky.

"This was an exercise in working with existing pieces, and figuring out how to re-route," says Simone. "So I approached it in the same way anyone might who was trying to update their home without totally overhauling it — looking for ways to add to the existing curations, to layer textures and patterns, not just to work with what I inherited with it, but to bring out a more artistic flavor."

With the sofa already in a rich gold tone, subtle "lifting moments" came from the gold flecks in the rug she added.

9. Aline Serpentine Sofa, Soho Home

With so many homes now being open plan, designers use furniture to help zone large areas instead of walls. That has led to the rise in curved sofas, which create cocooning spaces in corners that help clearly demarcate the lounging space from, say, the kitchen or dining room.

That was the thinking behind McLaren.Excell's choice of the Aline Serpentine sofa from Soho Home for this modern, large and open-plan extension. "There had to be a sense of togetherness," co-founder Rob Excell says of the rear of a home that now includes a kitchen, dining area, kids' homework corner, and living space. "It had to not just be another open-plan space," he adds, and Soho Home's sofa was rounded enough to direct the focus of this part of the room solely on itself, drawing the people who sit on it together.

10. Marenco Sofa, Arflex

Working on a 1970s home in Malibu, design studio LALA Reimagined wanted to preserve its very 1970s-ness. "Decked out predominantly in American Cypress wood, we knew we had to maintain the integrity of the house," co-founder Lia McNairy says. "You know, it was a challenge — we love wallpaper and paint, but we didn’t want to touch all that beautiful wood. Nor detract from that incredible view."

Instead, they chose furniture that felt as important and considered as the architecture but didn't detract from it — the Marenco sofa by Arflex being a prime example. "We felt that restraint was the way to best respect the environment and that incredible view," Lia says of the edges that have just enough of a flick to be interesting, but will never overwhelm any space it's in.

It helps to anchor the room when you know what the largest piece will be, and the sofa is a perfect place to start. By getting that right you can ensure everything else just slots in around it. But what about the rug? Knowing what comes first, rug or sofa, is a common question that desginers have big thoughts about.

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Bold, saturated colors have had a moment lately, but that's not to say they're always the best choice for living room walls. Sure, they bring energy and make a statement, but if you want your space to feel calm at the end of a long day, you might want to go for something more hushed.

We're calling them 'quiet' colors — those that don't command attention but work to create a soft backdrop that allows your decor to do the talking. They're also arguably a lot more timeless than anything loud, allowing you to evolve the look over time with different accents.

Here, designers talk through five of the best quiet paint colors for living rooms that not only invite calm and clarity, but also feel in sync with current color trends.

1. Leather III, Paint & Paper Library

Paint & Paper Library's Leather III is a delicate, warm neutral paint that brings subtle color and depth to a room, while maintaining a pared-back feel. "This soft clay-toned neutral was chosen because it creates a warm, gentle backdrop that feels calm and understated," says interior designer Tola Ojuolape.

"Rather than competing with the furnishings, artwork, and layered textures within the scheme, it allows them to take center stage while still bringing a subtle sense of warmth and character to the room," she adds. "It softens the light beautifully, adds depth without feeling heavy, and creates an inviting atmosphere that is both restful and sophisticated."

Using this neutral paint on its own to color-drench a room would enhance its soft feel, but if you want to add a bit more interest, take inspiration from this living room and pair it with Paint & Paper Library's Constantia Blue. "Together, the warm peach walls and the enveloping blue ceiling create a palette that feels especially relevant for 2026."

2. Silent White – Mid, Little Greene

Warm white paints are a wonderful choice for living room walls if you want the space to feel light and airy while still providing comfort. "Silent White – Mid is an understated off-white with just enough warmth to stop it feeling clinical," says designer Laura Stephens, who used it in the space above.

This paint color is especially effective in living rooms that have interesting architectural features, says Laura. "In a space with beautiful period features, it allows the architectural detailing to take centre stage while creating a calm backdrop for the furniture, artwork, and books."

"It's a color that doesn't compete for attention; instead, it brings balance to the room and lets every carefully chosen piece tell its own story," she says. "As palettes continue to move towards warmer, more natural tones, colors like Silent White – Mid offer a timeless foundation that always feels relaxed, elegant and effortless."

3. Cotton II, Paint & Paper Library

Pale neutrals work well to set a balanced, calm backdrop that allows the softness to be added through decor. In this living room, Paint & Paper Library’s Cotton II coats the walls, which works well as an alternative to gray living room ideas.

"Cotton II acts as a quiet canvas that wraps the Victorian wall paneling and original plaster cornicing without feeling heavy," explains designer Marcelina Janiszewska. "What makes it particularly effective is its incredible versatility — it bridges cool tones (like the deep blues in the artwork and deep plum velvet cushions) just as effortlessly as warm tones, like the low curved sofa, greens and peaches in the artwork, and patinated antique brass wall lights."

And while this light, quiet paint is timeless, it feels aligned with current interior trends that favor lived-in warmth. "In 2026, it’s all about creating balance when mixing different furniture styles and layered soft furnishings," she adds. "A shade like Cotton II gives you that middle ground — it brings subtle depth without taking over, acting as the ideal backdrop for special artwork pieces and architectural details to be the true heroes of the space."

4. Castle Gray, Farrow & Ball

It's easy to rule out dark paint colors when thinking of those that provide a hushed feel, but certain richer shades can be just as calm. Farrow & Ball's Castle Gray is a gray-toned green paint that feels balanced since it isn't too warm.

"It's a brilliant 'quiet' color because it's muted enough to let the room's real characters — artwork, tiles, and books — become the focus, but it has enough depth that the walls never disappear or feel like an afterthought," says Laura. "For 2026, we are seeing people move away from stark neutrals and cool grays towards these soft, mineral, almost weathered tones that feel collected rather than decorated. It's sophisticated without trying too hard, which is very much where taste is heading."

5. Powder IV, Paint & Paper Library

Plaster pink paints are another good option for living rooms if you're looking to add color in a way that feels considered and calm rather than loud. "Powder IV has that rare quality of being warm without tipping into peach-pink or feeling like a trend color — it's closer to sun-baked clay, which grounds the whole room," explains Laura.

Here, it was used to color-drench the room, where it quietly warms the space and gives it a welcoming feel. "It works as a quiet backdrop because, despite being a strong color choice, its chalky, complex undertone means it never competes with pattern," she explains. "For 2026, this is the shift I keep coming back to — warm, earthy, slightly imperfect neutrals replacing the cool grays and whites of the last decade. It feels lived-in and considered rather than 'decorated,' which is exactly the mood people want in their homes right now."

It's not just about thinking about how paint colors look, but how they make you feel. If there's a certain mood you want to create (focused, balanced, relaxed), turning to the rules of living room color psychology can help.

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One of the best modern garden planting ideas we've seen lately is the patio island. You may already be familiar with the concept of adding planting pockets to hard landscaping areas to soften the look. Island planting beds are an extension of this idea, scaling up the size into an island planting bed that becomes a sculptural feature in itself.

Additionally patio islands filled with plants help to bring the garden closer to the house. They are a great linking device, especially if you repeat plants that are elsewhere in the garden for a more cohesive look and feel. Patio islands also enhance the eco-credentials of your patio, providing permeable islands amongst the pavers that absorb water and cool the air, as well as providing a source of food for pollinators.

The patio island trend is big news this year in modern garden ideas, and with this in mind we asked three leading landscape designers to share some of their latest projects to feature this concept. The good news is this design idea works whatever the size of your patio, as long as you scale it up or down accordingly.

1. Use A Patio Island To Create A Green View From The House

As well as adding an aesthetically pleasing detail a patio planting island can serve a practical purpose too. It can be a useful addition to soften the view from indoors, and if the right plants are chosen will offer year-round interest.

"This large modern patio garden with entertainment area has a planting island to create a 'green view' when looking outside from the living area," says garden designer Marlene Lento. "The planting island was strategically placed between the house and the bespoke bar, with its stunning illuminated 3D front serving as a visual centerpiece in the large outdoor kitchen, as well as framing the planting island."

The dream combination for a patio planting island is a changing color palette, a mix of textures, and some structure. Ideally there should be interest throughout the year too. "The shapely Acer Sango-kaku (available from Crocus) has red bark in winter and lime green foliage. The Euphorbia martinii (also available from Crocus) provides evergreen foliage and flowers that start early in spring and change colour in the summer," explains Marlene. "The finer texture of the evergreen ornamental grass Carex provides a constant back foil."

The material used for the raised planting island is black fluted cladding that is carried through from the house and repeated in other garden features such as large planters.

2. Include Patio Islands To Help Zone Outdoor Spaces

Why have one patio planting island when you can have several? If you have the space, divide up your patio with planting islands to separate areas for dining, relaxing, yoga, and so on. More plants are always a good idea and never more so than when you can get up close to them, such as on a patio.

"From large, expansive spaces to smaller courtyard gardens, creating destination points gives purpose, functionality, and maximises the interesting lines of sight," says garden designer Karen McClure. "An island patio guides you, working as an ‘anchor’. Regardless of how big your garden or budget is, you can still create rooms."

The planting does the heavy lifting, such as the stunning 'Limelight' hydrangeas used here and available from Sarah Raven, as a screen as well as a feature: breaking an expansive patio into smaller islands, each with its own purpose yet still very much connected and feeling intimate within a larger garden space.

"We’re now seeing the trend for outdoor kitchens become mainstream, an everyday area in many gardens, yet not everyone likes an ‘open plan room’," says Karen. "Breaking up and zoning your space with planting islands helps to create a journey that will give the illusion of a space feeling bigger than its footprint."

3. Soften Stretches of Hardscaping With A Patio Island

Patios and terraces with too much hard landscaping can feel harsh and unwelcoming. Instead the idea of introducing a planting island is a clever way to balance the space. It will help soften the edges so the design doesn't feel too rigid and formal.

“We conceived the planting island as a sculptural focal point, centred around a mature olive tree that frames the view from the house and creates an immediate connection with the landscape beyond," says landscape architect Sophie Bertrand, head of design at Rosebank Landscaping. "Just as importantly, it breaks up what could otherwise have been a large expanse of hard landscaping, introducing a generous green heart to the terrace."

Layered with evergreen structure, ornamental grasses and seasonal perennials, the planting in this design softens the contemporary architecture with texture, movement and year-round interest, creating a space that feels calm, immersive and effortlessly elegant.

Consider adding an olive tree as the focal point of any patio island planting design. The textured, gnarled trunks offer a timeless structural focal point that works particularly well paired with ornamental grasses and low-growing clipped evergreens.

Now find out how to make a patio look expensive and the things people with beautiful patios always have to elevate the look of your patio even more.

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Sun-soaked beaches, olive oil-drenched bread, and a relaxed, slow pace to life — there's plenty about the Mediterranean we'd like to bring to the UK. But while we can't offer any advice on how to swap out your backyard for an Italian vineyard, we can give you the next best thing.

Or, rather, Murude Katipoglu can. Born and raised in Cyprus, this London-based interior designer has found a way to infuse a touch of Mediterranean style into every home she designs, no matter the location. Having grown up surrounded by the culture and style we all desperately hope to replicate in our own homes, for Murude, this style is embedded in her identity. Her designs are inextricably linked to the visual culture of the Mediterranean, constantly drawing on the materials and colors she grew up seeing.

"Growing up in Cyprus, Mediterranean living has naturally influenced the way I approach design. I like creating spaces that feel warm and contribute to a sense of calm," says Murude Katipoglu. From the colors to the materials, Murude has shared the five tips and techniques she turns to time and time again when bringing the Mediterranean aesthetic to London homes.

1. Keep the Color Palette Neutral, but Earthy

It's no secret that earthy color palettes are in style; they've practically become the new neutrals for many of us. And so much of their appeal comes from the warm, laid-back vibe they bring to a home, which just so happens to make them the perfect choice for Mediterranean-inspired homes.

"I gravitate towards earthy, sun-washed tones inspired by the Mediterranean landscape," explains Murude, listing "warm whites, soft limestone, sand, rusty terracottas, olive greens, and muted browns, with occasional accents of deep sea blues."

So often with design, especially with this style, there is no greater place to turn for inspiration than nature. The colors that naturally occur out in the world are the ones that will bring that grounded, comforting warmth into your home.

When designing a room, Murude says to "Keep the color palette soft and earthy." Start with a light, neutral base, and build from there, adding layers of warm, earthy tones on top.

2. Prioritize Textured, Natural Materials

As the first tip suggests, nature plays a crucial role in this design style, and that's just as present when it comes to materials as it is for the color palettes.

"For me, natural materials are never just aesthetic choices; they're about creating spaces that feel grounded and timeless," explains Murude. Natural stone, marble, and timber form the building blocks for so many of Murude's designs, providing the texture, warmth, and atmosphere that is impossible to replicate with artificial materials. Stone flooring provides a base to work from, while wooden furniture and marble home accessories help to build on this material palette.

The materials bring a permanence to your design, making your home feel truly timeless rather than trend-led. "These finishes age beautifully over time, adding depth and character rather than striving for perfection," explains Murude.

3. Blur the Boundaries of Indoors and Outdoors

Partly in response to the warmer weather conditions, many Mediterranean homes can be characterized by that gorgeous indoor-outdoor living style, with rooms that flow seamlessly into the outdoors.

Unfortunately, back in the UK, that blurring of boundaries isn't quite so feasible, unless you want a constantly rain-soaked sofa, of course. But, Murude says, although we may not be able to physically recreate this in our UK homes, "we can capture the feeling."

There are a few ways to do this. Of course, a healthy amount of houseplants is a good place to start, especially if you choose a particularly Mediterranean species, like an olive tree. Making the most of your natural light is also key, says Murude, suggesting you "use sheer neutral curtains where possible, antique mirrors, and a restrained palette to make the most of natural daylight and create an airy feel."

Decorating with sheer curtains is an effortless way to elevate your space, while harnessing the warmth and softness of diffused sunlight.

4. Build Character With Vintage Finds

So much of what we love about Mediterranean homes is the character and personality they carry, and essential to creating that sense of character is a healthy dose of aged, vintage furniture and decor pieces.

Of course, it's perfectly possible to create a gorgeous-looking space using solely new finds, but as sleek and stylish as it may look, there will always be a touch of depth missing from these spaces. Which is exactly why Murude says knowing how to thrift for antique pieces is so important for this style: "I always look to bring in vintage and collected pieces where I can, to give a space a layered, lived-in quality."

A mix of new and old is exactly what makes a house feel like a home, bringing a sense of humanity that can be missing from new-build designs.

"I'm drawn to homes that feel warm, relaxed, and evolved over time, rather than perfectly finished or overly minimal," explains Murude. Adding, "For me, a home should have soul, patina, and a sense of memory, even if those memories are newly created."

5. Exercise Some Restraint in Your Design

While there is a time and place for maximalism in design, a Mediterranean-inspired space is not it. In fact, to the contrary, according to Murude, the key to perfecting this style lies, in part, in the ability to restrain yourself.

This can take various forms, too. In the way you decorate, Murude suggests, "Embrace texture over decoration. Limewashed plastered walls, woven fabrics, handcrafted ceramics, and natural fibers create interest without feeling overly styled."

With furniture, too, it's best to adopt a less-is-more approach. "Invest in timeless pieces. Rather than filling a room, choose beautifully crafted furniture, statement lighting, and objects with character that will only become more beautiful with age."

The only logical accompaniment to a Mediterranean-inspired home is, of course, a Mediterranean garden to match, and our experts have all the tips on how to achieve the look.

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A few years on from the trend's conception, our obsession with the quiet luxury aesthetic is yet to die down. Elegant but not showy, welcoming while still elevated, it's everything we hope to emulate in our interiors, especially in the kitchen. But it seems the designers are one step ahead of us: while we've all been focusing on the best materials and color palettes, the experts have found a whole new wave of quiet luxury in the kitchen, and this time, it's all about your appliances.

The quiet luxury kitchen is all about the intersection between chic and discreet, and that applies to appliances just as much as the design. You could have the most luxurious marble counters and the most spotless tiled floors, and it would all mean nothing if your appliances aren't up to scratch.

These appliances aren't just about elegant, seamless design though; they're also about premium performance. And the top designers have shared the appliances they're seeing in every quiet luxury kitchen at the moment.

1. Extra Width Fridges

Sometimes, bigger is better. Or, at least, it is when it comes to your fridge.

A step up from the average refrigerator, nowadays, kitchen designers are noticing a growing desire for extra-wide fridges in luxury homes.

Explaining the shift driving this kitchen appliance trend, Richard Moore, creative director of luxury kitchen design brand Martin Moore, shares, "We have seen a marked increase in our clients entertaining at home and multi-generational cooking, often inspired by gap-year travels. As a result, we often specify capacious 1200-wide fridges to store a multitude of specialist, fresh ingredients."

These extra-wide designs, often described as 'American-style fridges', don't just offer a larger capacity; they often boast various other features, too, like integrated ice-dispensers and even wifi connectivity, if you opt for a smart kitchen tech design.

Post-pandemic, hosting has become more central to the way we design our kitchens than ever before, and these extra-large fridges are a testament to that fact. Plus, as fresh ingredients become more of a commodity, this too is being reflected in the world of luxury kitchen design.

2. Integrated Tech

So much of what makes the quiet luxury aesthetic is the understated elegance of it all. Nothing is too obvious or too showy. It's all about discretion. And nothing epitomizes that quite like an integrated appliance.

When comparing freestanding vs built-in kitchen appliances, built-in designs will always create a sleeker, minimalist kitchen feel, with the opportunity to design uninterrupted runs of kitchen cabinetry.

As Bronwen Lee, designer at Harvey Jones, explains, "Integrated designs help maintain a calm, uncluttered aesthetic, allowing the architecture of the space to take center stage."

Integrated appliances seamlessly blend in with their surroundings, their functionality hidden behind a pristine cover. This has become particularly popular with the rise of open-plan living, with people increasingly driven to create kitchens that don't necessarily look like kitchens.

“There's a growing appreciation for appliances that blend seamlessly into the wider design, reflecting a broader move towards refined interiors that are designed around how people live rather than how a room should be used," explains Bronwen.

This is being reflected in the launches from top kitchen appliance brands, too. Just take Miele's stunning Beige Pearl oven as an example; with its lovely soft neutral finish and sleek design, it's a clear expression of the market demand for more seamless, elegant-looking appliances.

3. Invisible Hobs

"Another example of hidden appliances is the invisible hob," says Isabella Pacelli, a designer from Roundhouse. A step beyond integrated appliances, these undercover invisible hobs are the future of luxury kitchen design.

Made using Dekton kitchen worktops, these futuristic hobs aren't just discreet; they're invisible. Typically installed within the kitchen island, the hob is completely undetectable when not in use, making it a particularly appealing choice for those who want their kitchen to resemble a swanky home bar rather than a functional cooking area.

In a similar vein, Isabella also notes the growing popularity of vented hobs, drawing particular attention to the circular, integrated extraction style used by Bora. "Vented hobs eliminate the issue of unsightly extraction hood systems, especially when a client wants their hob to be situated on the island," explains Isabella. "They are incredibly efficient and have become a favourite in luxury kitchen designs."

4. Range Ovens

One of the most iconic traditional kitchen features, the range oven was once thought of as a feature exclusive to countryside, rustic kitchens, but over recent years, we've seen these designs pop up in just about every luxury kitchen project around, and we couldn't be happier for it.

From La Cornue's stunning Parisian ovens to the classically English look of an AGA, there are countless options within this category, each containing its own unique charm. If you're looking for a "custom design to match your bespoke kitchen furniture," Bronwen says, "Officine Gullo have a wonderful range of colors and finishes," while a Lacanche is ideal for creating a luxe, chef kitchen effect.

These ovens are growing in popularity, especially within large, family homes, where the kitchen is designed to be the center of family life. There's something inviting and timeless about a range oven, and it brings a vintage warmth to any space.

As much as I still love the look of a quiet luxury kitchen, there's a new trend that's entered the scene that could steal its spot: introducing the quietly dramatic kitchen. Taking the foundations of the quiet luxury aesthetic and adding a little extra oomph, we can't get enough of these kitchen designs.

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The Western fascination with Japanese gardens is nothing new — just take a look at Monet's famed Water Lilies, or the charming Kyoto Garden in London's Holland Park. For years now we've lusted after and admired the calming atmosphere and refined approach found in traditional Japanese garden designs, constantly searching for ways to incorporate elements of this style into our own outdoor spaces. And I think I've just found a new personal favorite.

The Tsukubai is a traditional Japanese form of water garden, most often found outside shrines, temples, and tea houses, inviting visitors to cleanse and purify themselves before entering. The literal translation of the word is a 'stooping basin', referring to the bowl's ground-level placement, offering a moment of connection to the ground beneath you, humbling yourself before you are cleansed.

Throughout history, these stone bowls supplied a moment of calm, encouraging you to detach from your surroundings and immerse yourself in the healing powers of water, a lesson we could certainly all benefit from incorporating into our own gardens. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is a Tsukubai?

Although now used largely as a decorative feature in modern gardens, the origins of these stone water bowls were initially found in a religious context.

Inspired by the Chozubachi, a traditional cleansing bowl placed near the entrance of shrines and temples. These bowls were typically placed at a height, allowing visitors to easily wash their hands and mouths before entering the holy space. In contrast, Shinya Ueda, a master Japanese garden and landscape designer, explains, "Tsukubai are intentionally positioned lower so you have to kneel. It forces you to get closer to the earth, and become more humble. More in line with Zen philosophies in tea ceremony."

Central to these Japanese garden design features is the belief in purification through water, an idea that runs across various cultures and religions, from the Christian rite of baptism to the shadirvan fountains found in the courtyard of a mosque. The concept of water holding cleansing properties, not just for the body, but also for the soul, is one that is practically universal, a thread running through culture and time.

In Japan, however, this idea is less rooted in religion, and more centered around respect. As Shinya explains, "In Japan, we generally put less emphasis on the religious aspects, instead placing more importance on the practice of showing respect to things and places."

This is why you'll often find the fountains outside of teahouses, explains Haruko Seki from Studio Lasso, a landscape architect and garden designer who has spent her career working across Japan and the UK.

The water also has an atmospheric impact, too, providing a gentle soundtrack to your outdoor space. "The subtle sound of water gently flowing or trickling inspires the imagination and piques the curiosity of the listener," explains Kim Nichols, founder of Japanese Garden Concepts. "When the water is flowing through the kakehi (Bamboo Spout Water Feature), it adds movement & sound to the garden."

Above all, this is a feature that invites a moment of quiet consideration, asking you to lower yourself to its level and engage directly with the water. "Together with surrounding elements such as stone, moss, and light, it establishes a small, contemplative space within the garden," explains Haruko.

Why Your Garden Needs One

While some people may include water features for privacy or aesthetics, with a Tsukubai, the primary pull is the sense of peace and relaxation it brings into your garden.

"A tsukubai gives a garden a sense of grounding," agrees Haruko, adding, "The gentle sound of water, the coolness of stone, and the shadows cast by nearby planting create a small pocket of stillness that naturally slows one’s breathing."

We're always thinking of ways to turn our gardens into a retreat, finding little tricks and features to make it feel more peaceful, like an escape from the outside world, and this water feature does exactly that.

The tsukubai takes a more relaxed approach to your typical water features, providing an "added ritualistic function and a spiritual vibe to the garden," says Shinya.

The calming soundtrack of trickling water sets the tone before you've even laid eyes on the bowl. And, to add to its atmospheric benefits, these bowls are often used by birds, encouraging wildlife to enter your garden, too.

How to Design Your Own Tsukubai

"From a garden design perspective, the first decision is to assign the role to your Tsukubai," recommends Shinya.

If you envision this water feature as being the focal point of your garden, the experts suggest choosing one with a more eye-catching design, like this Shishi Odoshi Fountain. Shinya suggests "one with a more man-made form like TePaChiGaTa 鉄鉢型蹲, or one with ornamentation like GinKaKuJiGaTa 銀閣寺型蹲." These more elaborate, decorative finishes will elevate the effect created by your tsukubai, bringing it to the forefront of your outdoor space.

In small gardens, Shinya recommends opting for a larger, oversized finish, like this one from Edelrost Design. Although this may sound counterintuitive, to use a more dominating design, the tsukubai can provide enough atmosphere to make up for the lack of space.

In larger gardens, however, you will benefit from adopting the Japanese concept of Ma, using negative space to create balance and depth. In these spaces, Shinya suggests using "smaller pieces or low and wide forms, and position them closer to the foreground and elevate them slightly so it appears to float a little."

If, however, you'd rather use the tsukubai as a complementary feature to the rest of your wider garden design, you should instead opt for a more subtle, subdued design, like a Natsume or a natural stone bowl. These smaller features are perfect for tucking away into the corner of a garden, creating a quiet, meditative spot.

In traditional tea gardens, a Tsukubai would typically be accompanied by soft planting and greenery, forming a gentle frame for the feature. Soft landscaping materials like stone and moss work beautifully, allowing the bowl to blend naturally into its surroundings. It is also traditional to keep these bowls lower to the ground, maintaining the initial function of grounded cleansing.

Regarding practicality, your main concern should be maintaining the cleanliness of the water at all times. As a fountain of purification, the water's quality is central to the entire idea of a tsukubai. "You might have the most beautiful or the most expensive tsukubai, but if the water becomes stagnant, it will appear murky, breed illnesses, bacteria, and mosquitoes! It goes against the whole purpose of creating a purifying space," explains Shinya.

Ideally, the water should be replaced daily to ensure a consistently clean source. However, if your routine does not allow for this, Shinya says to "invest the capital and create a circulating system (like a conventional water feature with collection pond/sump, pump and spout). I usually do this and put a timer on the pump switch so it comes on several times a day to keep water clean."

When incorporating a tsukubai into your own garden, while shaping and positioning will, of course, be important, what is even more central is the mindset you adopt. You should not think of it as you would any other water feature; as Haruko explains, "A tsukubai works best when treated not as an object, but as a quiet tool for shaping atmosphere." Think of it as a tool for creating stillness, and use this as the guiding force in your design process.

Complete the look with some Japanese-inspired outdoor furniture, and take some time to soak up the calming atmosphere of your outdoor area.

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We’re all a little guilty of treating our bathrooms as day spaces. Somewhere to set you up for the day with an invigorating shower experience and bright lighting.

But modern bathroom ideas are shifting. And today we want a space that works equally as well for an evening wind-down routine as it does for a quick freshen up at the start of the day.

"The bathroom is increasingly becoming part of our evening ritual rather than simply a practical space," says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs, "so it’s worth designing it to support a slower, more restorative transition into the end of the day."

So does that mean overhauling the entire bathroom? Well, not really. If you’re at the beginning of a bathroom refit, there are a few things you can do from the outset to make sure this is a space for relaxing at night. But if you’ve already got a bathroom you love, there are a few expert-approved tweaks that can make all the difference too. "By the evening, your bathroom should feel less like somewhere you rush through and more like a destination in itself," adds Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors, "a place to decompress, reset and quietly prepare for sleep."

So here are five ways to get the ultimate relaxation space when nighttime falls. Sweet dreams to that.

1. Embrace Darker Color Schemes

Rich, cocooning bathroom color ideas will help your space feel calm and relaxed after dark. Think deep green, warm taupe, earthy terracotta, and smoky blue for a soothing retreat.

"Evening light naturally softens colors, so richer paint shades come into their own after dark," says Cathryn Sanders from paint brand Earthborn. “Deep greens, earthy browns, burgundy and smoky blues create a sense of warmth under softer lighting that paler colors simply can’t achieve."

A rich, nature-inspired color palette is key, say the experts. So instead of bright white, try charcoal, earthy brown and inky blue for the ultimate bathroom space to unwind in.

"This approach works especially well in bathrooms with limited natural light, where darker colors create an intimate, spa-like ambience rather than feeling gloomy," says Helen Shaw, a color expert at Benjamin Moore.

Layer with natural materials, plenty of texture and metallic accents like brushed brass and aged bronze to create a sanctuary for rest and restoration.

And if you’re a little nervous of wall-to-wall dark color, there are other design tricks to try. "Even if you wouldn’t paint your entire bathroom dark, introducing deeper tones through cabinetry, feature walls or stone creates a more intimate atmosphere after sunset," says Kunal, at Touched Interiors. "Think deep olive, mocha, charcoal or smoked walnut rather than stark white."

2. Layer Your Lighting

The biggest mistake is relying on bright, ceiling bathroom lighting, say the experts. Instead, layered lighting is an essential part of any wind-down routine.

So rather than playing it safe with a single ceiling light, choose multiple layers of lighting that can be easily adjusted to suit either bright lights for morning wake-ups or a warmer glow for after dark.

"Soft, dimmable lighting at different levels, wall lights, illuminated mirrors and discreet LED lighting beneath vanity units all create a far more calming atmosphere than a single overhead light," says Emma at Kelling Designs.

Dimmers are a super easy design hack to create a warm bathroom ambience at night, the experts recommend.

"They allow the room to transition effortlessly from a bright morning environment to a much softer setting in the evening," adds Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. "We also like to introduce low-level lighting such as ankle-height wall washers which offer subtle illumination for late-night visits without disrupting the sense of calm."

The key is to ditch harsh lighting and replace it with soft, ambient illumination.

"Recessed LED strip lighting used subtly around ceilings, niches or floors creates a gentle glow," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms, "while LED mirrors offer diffused, glare-free light that feels soothing."

But don’t leave your lighting choices to the last minute — any wiring needs to be factored in from the beginning of your reno.

"Layered lighting and heated floors aren’t things you can style in afterwards," says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director at Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio. "They’re build decisions, planned at first fix stage — that calm you feel at 9pm was decided months earlier on a wiring plan."

3. Choose Tactile Materials

Material choices matter just as much as color for a relaxing bathroom mood. So go for textured and tactile finishes that add warmth and depth without overwhelming the space.

"Natural stone, textured porcelain, timber veneers and brushed metals all absorb light differently throughout the day," says Kunal at Touched Interiors. "At night these materials become softer and richer, creating depth that glossy finishes often struggle to achieve."

Look for natural materials like travertine, warm-veined marble, rustic natural wood, limestone and terracotta.

4. Clear the Clutter

For the nighttime bathroom to feel calm and considered, take your cue from the bedroom.

Because just like the bedroom, your bathroom should be a clutter-free space for switching off and unwinding at the end of the day. And all the experts agree, a cluttered room can feel stressful rather than soothing.

So that means effective storage for clear surfaces and visual calm. "Be ruthless about storage," says Lisa Hensby. "Calm comes from simplicity, so give everyday clutter somewhere to live behind closed doors."

Choose concealed storage for stashing everyday toiletries behind closed doors. Neatly stacked shelving is great for keeping essentials to hand and creating a space that feels calm rather than overstimulating before bed.

Wall-hung furniture can work particularly well because it opens up the floor, but that doesn't mean your storage should be boring — far from it. Think outside the box and introduce decorative storage you wouldn't traditionally associate with a bathroom.

"Vintage furniture is being used more to help the bathroom feel more connected to the rest of the home and create a space where you want to spend time rather than just frequent out of routine," adds Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design. "These layers create a more comforting, lived-in environment that naturally lends itself to an evening wind down."

5. Add Hotel-Inspired Extras

The best night bathrooms borrow heavily from five-star hotels, say the designers.

You know that feeling of soaking in a tub of bubbles in your hotel bathroom during a busy city break — that’s what you want at home too.

So once you have the colors, the textures and the lighting spot on, it’s those little touches that will create the dreamiest bathroom to unwind in at the end of the day.

"Heated floors, oversized towels, upholstered seating where space allows, robes within easy reach and carefully scented candles or diffusers, all contribute to making the evening routine feel more intentional," says Kunal.

Even small luxuries can add up to so much for a relaxed end-of-day routine.

"The finishing touches are equally important," adds Sophie at The Vawdrey House. "Thoughtful styling with artwork, greenery, candles, refillable soap dispensers and tactile accessories help transform a bathroom from a purely practical room into a space where you’ll want to spend time."

Don't forget about the power of scent, whether you prefer lavender, ylang ylang or something deeper and woodier like oak moss.

"We treat fragrance as part of the design, not an afterthought," says Simon Mayhew, founder and creative director at TXTURED. "It sets the atmosphere before your eye has settled on a single surface."

And the key is to make scent a ritual — a subtle signal that switches your bathroom from day to nighttime use.

"Light the candle when the wind down begins, not once you're already in the bath," he adds. "If it doesn't make your shoulders drop, it's the wrong scent, however calming the label claims to be."

The concept of a night bathroom is the ultimate way to get the most out of your space. And the best ones are all about calm, simplicity, great lighting, and a few little luxuries that will take your space from day to evening effortlessly.

Perhaps it is Lisa Hensby who sums it up in a nutshell: "Design your bathroom for the evening version of you, not just the 7 am one. If the last room you spend time in feels warm, quiet and considered, you'll carry that into a better night's sleep. That's worth more than any tap upgrade."

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It's often said in interior design that a small room is the perfect place for a bold decorating technique, especially if it's a low-traffic space like a powder bath, office, or guest bedroom; low-risk, high-reward. Easier said than done, though, right? When it comes to actually implementing those out-of-the-box ideas, it's easy to worry that such a bold choice will feel overwhelming. However, small space trends are continually pushing the decorating envelope, proving that bold choices really do reap high rewards.

Louise McGarry, creative director of Studio Braw and a designer who frequently remodels London-based apartments, says, "The biggest misconception is that safe choices, like painting a small space white, will automatically make a room feel bigger and brighter." In reality, this tends to make the room feel cold and uninteresting. "You end up with a space that's technically light, but has no warmth or character whatsoever," warns Louise.

From rich hues drenching an upstairs bedroom to apartment kitchens covered in wood paneling, there is so much fun to be had when decorating a small space. Sure, you need to keep a sense of balance and restraint in mind, but you should never shy away from a bold interior design trend just because your square footage is limited. So, if you're planning a small space makeover, forget the safety net; it's time to lean into your daring side. Below are five designer-approved small space trends that prove fortune favors the bold.

1. Textured Wall Coverings

Textured wall coverings have definitely seen a spike in popularity over the last few years. Tactile wallpaper, tile, wood panelling, and even cork surfaces — these alternatives to painted walls instantly bring a sense of character to a room.

While personally I would never shy away from color, the great thing about texture is that it is not synonymous with intense saturation or pattern. You can be as bold or subtle as you wish, which is what makes a textured wall so effective in small spaces.

"This might be one of my favorite details to include in a small room," says Louise McGarry. "A silk wall covering or a grasscloth wallpaper (there are so many wallpaper trends to choose from) works beautifully, making the room feel rich and enveloping and giving the light something to play off throughout the day," she shares. Texture adds depth to a room, and depth always elevates a small space.

2. Canopy Beds

Okay, a canopy bed in a small bedroom idea may sound like a square peg in a round hole situation. "It sounds counterintuitive, but rather than overwhelming the space, it gives the room a real sense of purpose and theater," explains Louise. A canopy bed gives the space identity rather than leaving you with blank walls to fill.

UK-based interior designer Lauren Newman regularly designs townhouses and apartments — spaces that need that sense of fulfillment to translate as well-curated. When it comes to small space trends, "Because you're working with less, every design choice carries more weight," she explains. We've seen how curtain trends have become more dramatic lately, from the gothic romance aesthetic to decorating with sheer curtains and even curtains behind the bed.

The goal with canopy beds in small bedrooms is to immerse the room in design. The drapery carries the weight, making your small space stand out without too much effort.

3. Make the Most of Nooks

Nooks are going to be your best friend when designing a small room. And luckily, breakfast nooks, coffee nooks, and bedroom nooks have evolved into a very design-forward moment in interiors. A nook brings the opportunity to create an extremely intentional and cozy space — plus, there are plenty of ways to really amp up the wow factor.

Whether you are making the most of a small kitchen-dining area or are working around an awkward nook, "Give that moment a story," says Louise. "For example, in a children's room, we tented a small alcove, lit it beautifully and filled it with cushions and toys — it became the most magical corner of the room and made use of a space that would otherwise have been overlooked entirely."

Dining nooks are especially effective, and after you source a good corner dining bench, you can apply this same decorating narrative. Lean into bold textures, color drenching, and heightened personalization. As Lauren says, "A compact space allows you to embrace bold pattern, experiment with color, and be more expressive with tactile materials."

4. Take Risks

This may not come as a surprise considering the basis of this article, but the styling trend that will pay off the most in small spaces is taking risks with your decor. This includes everything from color to furniture shapes, and all of the small details in between.

A small space is the perfect place to take a risk "because you almost always end up with something far more interesting," says Louise. "And bold doesn't have to mean dramatic — it's not about painting a room bright purple, though that can absolutely work."

It might be choosing a sofa with an unexpected shape rather than defaulting to the standard option (curved sofas can actually be a more effective choice in small rooms), or adding a trim to a lampshade that gives it a personality of its own.

It's those considered, slightly brave decisions that make a room feel curated rather than safe. "Small spaces actually reward boldness. They're contained enough that one strong choice can carry the whole room," says Louise.

5. Good Layered Lighting

And finally, layering in design is an absolute must in small rooms. "What makes a small room feel beautiful and comfortable is layering — textures, colors, and different materials working together," says Louise. But to get even more specific, a layered lighting scheme is everything.

"If you get your lighting right, with multiple layers at different heights, you can transform even the tiniest room into somewhere that feels genuinely inviting and atmospheric," adds Louise. Light hitting the walls at varying heights draws the eye around the room; it's more dynamic, and depth is created.

Plus, who can argue that a well-lit small room with lots of warm lamp light doesn't always feel better?

Small spaces have enormous potential, and when you lean into that rather than playing it safe, the results can be really quite special. Sure, there might be some rules for decorating small spaces that make initial design plans easier, but never be scared to try the boldest of design trends.

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With all the gorgeous, sprawling outdoor spaces served up to us day after day on social media, it's all too easy to feel slightly disappointed when looking out at your own tiny outdoor space. But just because you don't have the space for an Olympic-sized swimming pool or a fully stocked outdoor kitchen doesn't mean your garden is any less worthwhile.

With minimal space to work with, designers are often pushed to think more creatively when designing small gardens, finding little ways to make a big impact. Without the luxury of space, a more refined approach is required, forcing you to fully consider what you actually need from your garden. Which, as a result, can often lead to more considered, intentional designs.

Plus, no place is more ripe for a dramatic transformation than a small, abandoned outdoor area. In just a few months, a pile of gravel and weeds can become a calming oasis. Don't believe me? Just take these before-and-after makeovers as proof.

1. Checkerboard Chic London Patio

BEFORE

AFTER

With elegant, checkerboard floors and bountiful, verdant greenery, this gorgeous patio garden in Wandsworth feels a million miles away from the astroturf lawn it once was.

Transformed by landscape designer Lilly-Joan Richardson, this garden went from an uninspiring, blank space to the home's central hub for entertaining.

"Previously, the garden was an underused space that felt flat and uninviting," Lilly says. "The clients are a family with three teenage children, and they wanted to transform it into a garden that was not only beautiful to look at — particularly from the kitchen, where it is visible all year-round — but also practical and inviting to use."

Her clients were keen to create a space that blurred the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, where guests and family could gather in the warmer months, lounging on the sofas and crowding around the barbecue.

Despite the minimal space, Lilly was able to create two distinct 'zones' in this garden, using large, potted plants to separate the outdoor living room from the cooking area. In doing so, Lilly created the illusion of more space, while simultaneously making the two zones feel more intimate and inviting.

Get the Look

2. Shipping Container Chic

BEFORE

AFTER

A genius take on a garden room, deterred by the sky-high costs of a home extension, Abbie Newton, from The Joyful Chapter, instead chose to transform a bright blue, 20ft shipping container into an artfully designed creative studio.

The desire to make the most of a small space was in no way new to Abbie, who had already converted a van into a camper with her husband, Matthew. "We’ve always had a fascination with tiny homes,” she explains.

A converted shipping container may feel incongruous with the description of a luxurious, creative hub, but somehow Abbie and Matthew made it work, finding space for a photography studio, a small office space, and a DJ setup.

It doesn't stop there, though. The transformation continued outside the container, where Abbie designed a spa-worthy, outdoor wellness room, complete with a sauna and cold plunge. If this were in my backyard, I don't know if I'd ever go back inside.

3. A Terrace Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

Proving you don't need a full garden to create an outdoor retreat, landscape designer Jon Fargion brought luxury rooftop energy to this Chelsea balcony.

For Jon, the top priority was maximizing the amount of usable space, removing anything that made the space feel smaller. "When first approached, the terrace was heavily planted with tall Ilex plants for privacy," he says. These, while effective, limited the terrace's floor plan, reducing the amount of space available.

In removing these, and various other features, including an outdoor shower, Jon was able to build up a generous, open terrace, filled with plenty of spots for lounging and socializing.

Hoping to retain the sense of greenery and privacy offered by the former planting, though in a less obstructive way, Jon says, "The planters have been restored, reduced in size, painted and located against the railing of the terrace, and a belt of an evergreen plant has been installed, creating a soft limitation between the terrace and the city."

4. Urban Living

BEFORE

AFTER

Set behind a new build in East London, with nothing but a pile of rubble, this tiny, urban garden began as a complete blank canvas.

Despite the small proportions, designer Charlotte Rowe's clients had big dreams for the space. "They wanted a breakfast bar, a fireplace with comfortable seating, and an outdoor shower," she says. And somehow, she managed to include all that and more, without ever making the space feel cramped or overwhelmed.

To do this, Charlotte separated the garden into different 'zones', using different levels to create more definition and depth.

"The atmosphere we wanted to create was comfortable and cozy, so we decided to create different ‘zones’ by sinking the outdoor fireplace and daybeds and placing the shower and breakfast on an upper level, which allowed us to create a ‘dance floor’ on the upper level," she explains.

Get the Look

5. Basic to Brilliant

BEFORE

AFTER

Nothing more than a plain, concrete patio and a patch of grass, designer Aly Velji had plenty of room for improvement in his backyard. Despite this, when buying the house, he already had a vision of "transforming the backyard into an extension of our living space," and he did exactly that.

In the new and improved patio, an outdoor fireplace is complete with a sofa set, coffee table, and outdoor rug for a cozy set-up. The lackluster lawn was replaced by sleek pavers, while gravel and a new deck complete the look.

Opting for a more cohesive layout and removing the grass-covered section helped to expand the space, making it feel far larger, while large potted plants retain the greenery previously provided by the lawn.

For more small garden design ideas, designers share ten steps to turn a tiny space into a flourishing oasis.

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I've always liked the idea of a pond, but I've never lived anywhere with a large enough garden. So when I scrolled past a video of an indoor pond in a gorgeous porcelain planter in the corner of someone's living room recently, well... I stopped, fast. How does it work? How do I make my own? I slid straight into their DMs.

The indoor pond in question belonged to Vancouver-based Katrina (who goes by @__heykaio online). "Porcelain fish ponds in classic Asian gardens have always stuck with me," she shares. "There’s something about that tradition I wanted to carry into my own space. This is my way of staying connected to my culture without it feeling separate from my home — it just belongs there, not as a tank, but as art."

And art it is. Just like the way water features can elevate the look and feel of your garden, an indoor pond can have the same tranquil, calming effect. So, ready to put a pond inside your own home? Here's what you need to know.

These self-filtering indoor ponds — whether built-in koi ponds or ceramic water features with floating lotus — are quite common in Indian homes, Livingetc's home wellness writer Amiya Baratan tells me. "Since the weather is considerably warmer in these parts of the world, these architectural lakelets help make the space feel cooler, while also doing their part to some extent through transpiration," she adds.

"It's also a way to connect the home to the natural world while channeling the aquatic element for balanced indoor energy," says Amiya. "And at the surface, it's a mesmerizing pocket of living decor."

Indeed, "Having the tank in my living room has provided a cozy corner during my morning coffee breaks or whenever I need a screen break since I work from home," shares Katrina. "Watching the fish swim along the top is so peaceful."

So, How Does a Self-Watering Indoor Pond Actually Work?

One of the things that appealed most to me about this indoor pond idea is that there aren't any bulky pumps or filters, which adds to its calming aesthetic. So, how does it stay clean?

"The plants filter the water by consuming the toxins produced by the fish as nutrients," Katrina explains. "The beneficial bacteria help with the nitrogen cycle, and the plants eat the remaining toxins as nutrients to grow. A balanced ecosystem is where these two processes work together to remove waste, making the water safe for the fish to swim in."

So, the plants you pick are important. Katrina uses aquatic plants, but says you can also use more common houseplants, including peace lilies and certain bamboos. "Fast-growing plants such as stem plants are great to use in filterless setups," she adds. "They will use up the nutrients quicker than slow-growing plants will."

Then there's the fish — a crucial part of the filterless ecosystem (much like how natural swimming pools work). "My pond currently has balloon mollies," shares Katrina. "The fish produce waste, which is detoxified by the beneficial bacteria and is then used as nutrients by the plants." Watching the tiny fish dart around the top of the pond is hypnotic.

As for where to position your indoor pond, as with plants, natural light is required, so Katrina has hers near a south-facing window, which gets tons of light.

How to Make Your Own Indoor Pond

When it comes to building a filter-free indoor pond, Katrina says patience is key. "It’s critical not to rush the process to ensure your tank has cycled. I always lean towards more plants than fish (don’t overstock). Plant-heavy right at the start," she adds.

A Step-By-Step Guide:

1. Purchase a sealed ceramic pot (preferably without holes)
2. Fill with bioballs (from Amazon) or small lava rocks (also from Amazon) as the first layer
3. Fill with aquatic soil on top of the bioballs 
4. Plant aquatic plants (planting fast-growing plants such as stem plants and floating first)
5. Fill the ceramic pot with dechlorinated water 
6. Wait 2-3 weeks to cycle the water to make it safe for the fish. This is crucial and cannot be skipped
7. Once water has cycled, add fish

Katrina adds that you can use heaters and grow lights in the colder months, and that adding air stones will increase oxygen levels in the water. She also flags that the size of your pond will determine how often the water will need changing — the smaller, the more regular.

While she believes creating an indoor pond is easy enough for anyone to do, she stresses that there is a science to getting the water safe for fish. "Things like cycling the tank to build up good bacteria, and keeping an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels, are important. It’s easy to rush this part, but it’s also the part that matters most for keeping the fish healthy and happy."

Do your research before diving in. Katrina has heaps more tips and tricks on her own Instagram, and you could always shoot her a message, too.

And while there are some places you should never put a water feature, surprisingly, it turns out that inside isn't one of them! It won't just add a calming, tranquil feel to your space, but it will also be enjoyed year-round.

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I once told my partner that "texture is a color," and even though he rolled his eyes wildly at me, I stood by it and still do. Now, let me clarify: it's not that I think you'll find 'texture' on the color wheel or in the ROYGBIV rainbow; it's that I think it can often achieve the same job as color can in an interior. Choose one interesting enough — like this 'dimpled' timber I've been seeing everywhere lately — and you'll add just as much visual character without having to commit to a bold color.

But don't just take it from me. Interior designer Andrew Griffiths agrees, adding that for the bedroom above, the texture of the hand-chisselled timber side table replaced the need for color in the space. "The carving creates its own depth through shadow and light, so the room can stay tonal and restrained and still feel rich rather than flat," he explains.

I'm noticing this faceted, 'dimpled' timber surface in interiors a lot lately. It goes by many names — hand-gouged timber, hand-chisselled timber, hand-carved sculptural relief — with the key being the handcrafted element. "As our lives become increasingly digital, handcrafted surfaces offer something technology can't replicate. They hold imperfections, labour and personality," interior designer Ruby Shields of Studio Shields tells me. So, here's what to know about the textured design trend, and how to bring it into your own space.

Why Is 'Dimpled' Timber Trending?

"People are craving evidence of the hand again — surfaces that show process, imperfection, time," explains A New Day's Andrew Griffiths. "This texture does that instantly; you can't fake it with a machine and get the same soul."

It also speaks to the current trend for vintage and antiques — the new (or old, I guess) shorthand for adding character and story to a space. Rather than looking to more modern, minimalist movements, people are looking back, digging through the archives to discover the opulence of design styles like Art Deco and the detail of the Arts & Crafts movement.

"[The growing popularity of 'dimpled' timber] certainly draws from the Arts & Crafts movement, with its belief in honest materials, craftsmanship, and creating objects with longevity rather than disposability," shares Ruby Shields. "There's also an influence from Art Nouveau in the flowing, organic carving."

"I think both movements feel increasingly relevant because they prioritize story over perfection," Ruby adds. "As technology continues to accelerate, handcrafted design becomes even more valuable. People are looking for homes with authorship, places that couldn't exist anywhere else because they're shaped by real people, their hands and their histories."

Andrew says it's hard to pinpoint a specific design movement that 'dimpled' timber speaks to, but echoes that it's the focus on craft and the handmade that runs through many of them.

"It's a shared instinct across periods: the hand should be visible in the object," he explains. "That instinct keeps resurfacing as a counterweight to mass production, and it feels especially pointed now, when so much of what we come into contact with is templated or AI-generated."

How to Style 'Dimpled' Timber in Your Home

The short answer is sparingly. "The strength of a carved surface comes from allowing it to become the focal point," says Ruby. "Texture works best when every element isn't trying to compete but complement. If you give one handcrafted piece room to breathe, it creates a moment that people remember."

Andrew agrees. "Let everything around it stay smooth and quiet," he adds. "It should read as a singular textural moment, not a motif repeated across the room. The restraint is what makes it feel considered rather than decorative."

And while it can replace the need for color, the 'dimpled' texture can also be a wonderful complement. "Natural timber has an incredible ability to sit alongside color because it carries so much variation within itself," shares Ruby. "I’ve seen people staining it with vibrant hues and painting it. We’ve also been experimenting with charring this carving technique, which creates an entirely different mood — much darker and almost mysterious."

Interior designer Rebecca Jansma says she's been working with the surface for years. "We think of it as a custom timber finish of the highest order — every time we incorporate this finish, the shape, scale and style of the carving is different," she shares. When it comes to styling, it's important to "match the materials in the space with scale and balance; color and tone," she adds. "It's tricky, but when it all comes together it’s timeless and very special."

And then there's the way it interacts with light. Interior designer Tali Roth chose a dimpled timber surface for this living room, and finished it in a dramatic green high-gloss paint.

"The carved surface has an almost reptilian quality, reminiscent of crocodile or snakeskin, creating an incredibly tactile finish that brings another layer of life to the space," she shares. "The high-gloss lacquer catches and reflects natural light differently throughout the day, constantly shifting in appearance and adding movement and depth."

Ruby adds that lighting is what makes dimpled timber really come alive. "Because the relief is irregular, it responds differently as the sun moves," she says. But avoid flat frontal lighting, she adds. "Grazing light [lighting placed very close and at a slight angle], whether natural or artificial, is what reveals the depth and creates shadow. That's when the carving becomes sculptural."

"Through the day the shadows shift with the sun; by lamplight in the evening the dimples deepen, and the whole surface feels almost geological," adds Andrew.

Shop the 'Dimpled' Timber Trend

Ultimately, "Whether it's carved timber, handmade tiles or woven textiles, these materials ask you to slow down and experience them rather than simply look at them. That creates a far more emotional connection to a space," says Ruby.

But if a dimpled timber feels too rugged for you and your space, why not go in the complete opposite direction and try glossy lacquered walls or furniture; the impact is just as evocative.

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Wallpaper in a kitchen used to sound faintly reckless, like white carpet or silk curtains in a nursery. And by reckless, we mean bonkers. But with smart placement, decent ventilation and a little strategic glass, paper-based wall coverings can prove a perfectly reasonable option for the heart of the home.

Wallpaper also gives modern kitchen ideas something sleek cabinetry alone can’t always deliver — color, shape, and joyfulness. A few rolls can bring joinery to life, turn an awkward wall into the best seat in the house, or persuade a cavernous extension to relax and chill.

The newest kitchen schemes aren’t treating wallpaper as a decorative afterthought, either. They’re pulling cabinet colors from it, using its direction to flatter the architecture and even drawing attention overhead. Ready to get papering? These eight rooms demonstrate exactly how to do wallpaper in the kitchen.

1. Change Direction

Scale matters when the pattern is going around corners and up into the roof. A print like Pondicherry Paisley in Maize from 36 Bourne Street is small enough to behave almost like texture from across the room, but close up it has all the charm and irregularity of a traditional motif. Its diagonal repeat gives the space a subtle visual current that neatly counters the strong horizontal lines of the glazing and kitchen.

“The beauty of a directional print is that it guides the eye,” says interior designer Samantha Todhunter. “In this kitchen, this diagonally running paisley print leads your eye up towards the skylight, making the architecture feel taller, lighter and more expansive. There’s something delightfully retro about traditional paisley, but this print’s minute scale allows it to sit perfectly in this more contemporary space.”

Continuing the wallpaper over the ceiling removes the hard stop where walls usually end. That uninterrupted surface makes the skylight feel almost carved from a patterned shell, while the sunny maize color warms the incoming daylight and sharpens the contrast with black cabinetry and window frames.

2. Pick One Spot

A panel of wallpaper can operate like an oversized artwork, especially when its edges are framed by tall cabinetry and a change of wall color. Cole & Son’s Savuti from the Ardmore Collection brings animated monkeys, birds, and foliage into this jewel-toned kitchen, but its restricted footprint prevents the figurative print from fighting with the heavily veined stone countertops.

"Wallpaper is a great way to introduce personality and character into a kitchen, but placement is key,” says Sofia Bune Strandh, founder and CEO of Sola Kitchens. “I always recommend using it away from the main prep and splash zones, so it remains beautiful for years to come.”

Think about steam as well as obvious splashes: a powerful extractor and decent ventilation matter in a room where paper, heat, and moisture coexist. “If you'd like to incorporate wallpaper behind a sink or hob, protecting it with a sheet of toughened low-iron glass allows you to enjoy the pattern without worrying about everyday splashes and stains,” Sofia adds. Low-iron glass is the key detail here; its extra clarity avoids the faint green cast of regular glass, which can impact the colors beneath.

3. Find Common Ground

In a kitchen containing purple-stained cabinetry, rippling stone, metallic fish-scale tiles, carved cornicing, and botanical lighting, wallpaper could easily become one flourish too many. Instead, Pierre Frey’s Praslin is what makes the eclectic mix click in this kitchen by Extreme Design with design by interior designer Aimée-Shirin Daruwala.

Its elongated diamonds introduce enough geometry to stand up to the strong cabinetry, while its softened plum, green, and cream palette touches several materials without matching any of them exactly.

The repeat also supplies a steadier rhythm behind the sculptural pieces. It creates a patterned horizon around the room, allowing the glossy island, hand-forged pendants, and decorative hood to remain singular moments within one composition.

That’s the maximalist lesson worth stealing: kitchen wallpaper doesn’t always have to be the loudest element. Choose a design that contains the room’s main color families, and it can act as connective tissue, making a collection of fiercely personal choices feel intentional rather than accidental.

4. Look Up

The ceiling is often the only uninterrupted plane left in a cabinet-heavy kitchen, making it prime territory for pattern (or wallpaper). Rule of Three’s Mosaic wallpaper adds a pale, cloudlike layer above this tailored scheme and draws attention to the room’s full length, without stealing focus from the serious sweep of quartzite below.

“Wallpapering the ceiling isn’t simply about adding pattern overhead,” says interior designer Kelly Hohla. “By choosing a design that shares the same soft, organic movement as the quartzite countertops, this kitchen feels richer and more cohesive, without introducing another competing pattern that could make it too chaotic.”

Notice that the surfaces rhyme rather than match: the paper has a looser, airier motif, while the stone brings density and depth. Warm timber frames and smoky blue doors sit between them as a visual pause, preventing the room from becoming one continuous gray swirl.

5. Follow the Thread

When the kitchen wallpaper has this much personality, the cabinetry needs to join in the fun. House of Hackney’s Artemis in Blush sets a warm, uplifting backdrop, while olive fronts provide a comparatively solid base. Clean-lined cabinetry stops the florals tipping into country-kitchen territory, giving the scheme a sharper, more contemporary edge.

“Once the client had chosen the House of Hackney wallpaper, we looked for ways to weave it into the kitchen rather than letting it sit separately," recalls Leila Touwen, co-founder of Pluck. "Echoing the coral on the handles and plinths creates a thread of color that quietly unifies the whole scheme.”

The trick is knowing when to stop. Olive cabinetry anchors the room, allowing the yellow steelwork and blue roof beams to join the mix without tipping it into chaos. It’s an eclectic palette, but the clean, clearly defined blocks of color keep it feeling deliberate.

6. Frame the View

In a galley kitchen, the far wall already acts as a natural focal point, so concentrating pattern there exaggerates the room’s length and gives the eye a rewarding destination. Here, House of Hackney’s Hollyhocks in Spring makes the most of that visual pull, its dense, meadow-like repeat creating a deliberate burst of abundance beyond the pale pink cabinets.

“A window can be a handy moment to break up a run of a busy wallpaper," says Leila. "The view, the change in perspective, gives the eye somewhere to rest, while the pattern around it almost frames the garden like a living artwork. It feels colorful, but never overwhelming.”

Keeping the side walls practical and relatively plain also prevents the smaller space from feeling overstuffed. The black-and-white floor supplies enough graphic contrast to carry the wallpaper’s impact back through the room, so one wall does the decorative work of four.

7. Mine the Print for Colors

Wallpaper can hand you a two-tone cabinet scheme without the usual hours spent sweating over paint charts. Here, Cole & Son’s Satara wraps the room in dark foliage, ochre leaves, and prowling big cats, giving the classic architecture a deliciously exotic edge. Rather than compete with it, the furniture uses two blues to separate the cooking and storage run from the brighter prep and seating island.

“The easiest way to make kitchen wallpaper feel intentional is to borrow from it," says Richard Moore, creative director at Martin Moore. "You don’t need to match the dominant color — often it’s the supporting shades that create the most interesting scheme. Here, the cabinetry picks up two of the blues hidden within the print, giving the whole room a natural sense of cohesion.”

The darker shade advances into the foreground while the paler blue recedes against the walls, making the zoning legible without resorting to an obvious light-versus-dark split. Brass hardware picks up the wallpaper’s warmer notes and stops the blues feeling chilly.

8. Go Off-Grid

Where repeating patterns bring rhythm, murals paint a picture. Here, Designers Guild’s Arjuna Leaf Viridian rises from dense leaves into a near-black canopy, creating the illusion of depth behind an otherwise streamlined kitchen. Because the artwork has a clear horizon and vertical movement, the wall reads less like decoration and more like an opening onto a gorgeous landscape.

The simple oak cabinetry and monolithic island wisely stay out of its way. Pale flooring and a white ceiling provide breathing room, while the island’s dark face borrows just enough from the mural’s shadowy ground to anchor the two halves of the space.

“Nothing transforms a kitchen quite like a floor-to-ceiling mural," says Charlotte Wright of Hobson’s Choice, Bath. "More immersive than a repeating wallpaper, it turns an ordinary wall into a piece of art that completely changes the atmosphere of the room."

"For the best result, have the design scaled to your exact wall dimensions, taking cabinetry and architectural details into account before it’s printed,” she adds.

The best wallpaper trends aren’t trying to turn kitchens into living rooms or bedrooms; they’re enhancing what makes these spaces interesting in the first place, be it strong architecture, expansive walls and beautifully crafted joinery.

And as for outdated wallpaper trends, the only truly stale move is treating pattern as something that must stay safely beyond the kitchen door.

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Have you ever seen a color that just makes you go, huh? It might be a slightly lurid shade that you can’t quite place or a hue that seems to border on the medicinal rather than anything like beautiful. Interior designers, however, are increasingly reaching for these tones to create spaces that feel dynamic.

In our pick of this year’s color trends, shades that spark an emotional reaction are top of the list. These ‘wrong’ colors are having a moment — from saturated pops in an otherwise neutral room to surprising combinations that make you think twice (say hello to yellow and brown). “These awkward colors are what everyone remembers most,” explains Chelsey Cox. “Increasingly, perfectly harmonious palettes are falling flat because everything simply agrees.”

So, what is the 'wrong color' theory — and why does every room need a slightly unorthodox hue that might at first look a little bit, well, ugly? Here's what designers say.

What Is the 'Wrong Color' Theory?

No shade works in a vacuum, so the idea of a ‘wrong’ hue is all about context: what it’s placed beside and how it’s used. “Color never exists on its own,” says interior designer Annie Downing. “Rather than coordinating everything perfectly, which feels boring, this concept means using shades that make you pause, just for a second, because you’ve placed them in curious company.”

The 'wrong color' theory works on this kind of contrast in design — a medicinal green, for example, can suddenly feel energetic beside a neutral or tonal palette. “Avoid making your interior feel too uniform,” say Hugo Vince and Adèle Nourry, co-founders of Atelier HA and the designers of the Paris apartment above. “Adding a lively, unusual color or even one that feels slightly retro can end up feeling surprisingly natural if the overall composition makes it work.”

Looking at shades in isolation can lead to them being dismissed before they’ve even been given a chance. “Color is an exploration, but if you’re narrow-minded, you’ll end up with a very limited palette,” explains interior designer Ghislaine Viñas, who believes in allowing bold shades to bounce off each other. “Strange tones like deep chartreuse, mustard, or gray-ish purple can be very intriguing.”

Why Do Rooms Benefit From a ‘Wrong’ Color?

Decorating with a ‘wrong’ color brings a sense of personality. The visual tension helps a space avoid the trap of becoming too ‘matchy-matchy’ or, even worse, predictable.

“It’s all about the push and pull between the colors in a room,” says Ghislaine Viñas. “There’s an attitude, a chicness that comes from doing something you don’t see very often. It’s daring.”

When you reach for an unconventional shade, you’re giving your room permission to be different. “This makes an interior much more interesting, even if it requires a measure of bravery and trust,” explains Leah Ring, founder of the Los Angeles-based studio Another Human. “Surprising color pairings make a space feel much more considered and collected, rather than like somewhere that’s been copied and pasted from a Pinterest board.”

If you want a room that feels unique, this individuality matters. “These awkward colors make a space feel like it’s evolved naturally, rather than designed to fit a certain trend,” agrees Chelsey Cox, co-founder of Chinotto House. “When you walk in, they give your eye somewhere to land and make everything else you’ve got in that space appear richer.”

How Can You Make a ‘Wrong’ Color Look Right?

Balance may be an interior design buzzword, but it matters — ‘wrong’ colors only end up becoming meaningful when they’re a focal point, rather than carried across a whole scheme.

“I usually think of every palette as needing a little bit of sweet, salty, and acid,” says Annie Downing. “When you use comforting colors to ground your space, the unexpected color gets to wake everything up.”

Using an unconventional or more confusing color with real confidence helps it to look harmonious, so this is the time to be brave. “Don’t bring in these shades on lots of tiny objects,” instructs Ghislaine Viñas. “If you do, they’ll end up seeming like tiny whispers at an opera!”

“You need to scale the color correctly for it to have the right effect,” the designer explains. “Try a table that doesn’t match your overall palette, and then add in a lamp or a piece of art to echo the wild card effect. I love using a bright, warning-sign red in this way.”

Of course, a wrong color can only ever seem ‘right’ if the other shades, patterns, and materials within the space are working too. “If it starts to dominate, balance it with more understated tones and lighter materials,” advise the Atelier HA design duo. “Pay close attention to how natural light changes the appearance of your space throughout the day, and don’t be afraid to test a wide range of options before making any final decisions.”

Ironically, you may have already ruled out the very color that turns out to be right for your next decorating project. Embracing a shade that might, at first, seem too acidic or even ‘ugly’ is a shortcut to creating a unique space — so maybe there is no wrong color after all.

Keen on the unexpected? There are plenty of obscure colors that work wonderfully in interiors. Plus, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter for even more innovative ideas.

Surfing social media for interior design inspiration is honestly the gift that keeps on giving. Sure, there is a lot to sift through, and you don't want to end up copying anyone's space completely, but there's a kind of 'in-the-know' magic that happens when you stumble upon something that feels like the start of a wonderful new trend. For me, this kind of magical inspiration recently came in the form of a stunning gradient paint technique I'd never seen before.

I have to preface this by saying I'm not gung-ho about an ombre effect across an entire wall — it's an interior design trend I don't think I'm ready to see come back just yet. But the new iteration of ombre? A gradient paint application that feels inventive and just nuanced enough to be on-brand for contemporary interiors? Yes, please. The gradient paint techniques I've seen are subtle, tonal, expertly blended, and applied in very unique ways. And this combination of criteria is essential to elevating the look from a 2016 interior design trend to something you'd see in a 2026 home.

Bringing color gradient moments into your space speaks to a larger movement toward more personalized and handcrafted decor. When you think about this new-age ombre in that way, the newfound popularity starts to make more sense. So, this stylish gradient paint technique — what in the world am I talking about? And what are a few ways to try it in your interior? Below is everything I know.

I mean, talk about decorating ideas you want to steal from a cool girl's apartment — this relatively simple paint trick elevates this apartment balcony from a rather plain space to a moment of high impact. Your awkward outdoor space turns into a place you can happily enjoy a cold beverage or an afternoon reading session.

The unexpected red with the pink gradient is definitely what makes this balcony decorating idea so memorable. It's almost an optical illusion. And in some ways, I'm shocked I haven't seen it before. So how did designer Celli Duske come up with the idea? Originally, she'd wanted to tile her balcony floor with mosaics, "But after looking into it, I realized it would be far too expensive, especially with the custom tiles I had my eye on," Celli tells me.

So to cater to that same sense of boldness and personality, Celli came up with the idea of painting the floor red. However, like many apartment buildings, she wasn't allowed to change the building's facade color, so "I had to find a way to make the two colors (the existing exterior color and the bold red) feel connected."

"I kept thinking there had to be a more creative way to transition between the wall and the floor than a hard, straight line," continues Celli. Color blocking can be a striking way to do color, but again, the sharp lines cater to a very specific aesthetic. Whereas the gradient softened that color transition, turning it into the main design feature of the balcony. "I love that it makes the whole space feel much more unique and playful," says Celli.

How to Recreate the Look

How often do you find a DIY that makes you want to paint your floors? It's an often overlooked decorating choice, but can obviously be super impactful when done in a nuanced and contemporary way. "I find that very bold wall colors can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially in smaller spaces," Celli explains. "A colorful floor adds personality without making the space feel too heavy, so it felt like the perfect balance."

Are you looking to make the most of your small balcony, and think it could use a fun gradient to bring it back to life? This garden DIY is relatively easy — you only need a couple of different paints and a bit of patience.

"For my balcony, I used one floor paint for the floor and two exterior wall paints for the walls," says Celli. It's important to use the right paint on the right surfaces, as "floor paint is much thicker and stickier, which makes it difficult to blend properly on the wall," adds Celli.

But the most important thing with a gradient technique is to work slowly and with a steady hand. "Small mistakes are noticeable with a gradient, so patience really makes a difference. I'd recommend practicing on a small piece of wood or cardboard first so you can get a feel for how the colors blend," says Celli.

The good news is that it’s also very forgiving. If you’re not happy with a section or make a slight painting mistake, Celli assures, "you can usually go back over the whole area and blend it again until you’re happy with the transition."

Then finally, there are a few technical things to finish off this DIY. First, clean your brushes throughout the process so that the colors stay where they're supposed to be and blending is easier. "Work in smaller sections, clean your brush often, and don’t be afraid to go back over an area if you’re not happy with it," says Celli. "Most mistakes can be fixed with a little more blending."

Then finish it all with a paint lacquer (like this one from Amazon). "Most floor paints have a slight sheen, so I used a clear spray lacquer to protect the painted surface and give it a subtle shine," says Celli.

This DIY inspired a newfound love for the gradient paint effect and showed how past color trends (like ombre) can reinvent themselves. This technique doesn't have to be saved for a floor covering, either — there are plenty of ways to incorporate a color gradient in your decor.

Mary Tkachenko, an artist who specializes in gradient paintings, shares how this technique influenced her work and how it can be perfect for an interior color scheme. "I've always been fascinated by color and how different color combinations can create completely different emotions and moods," she shares. "A gradient feels like the perfect way to let those colors flow into each other naturally, making the transition itself part of the story."

Mary paints color gradients on canvas, but the same technique can be applied to walls, floors, ceilings, trim paint colors, and more. Rather than a solid shade, a gradient feels relaxed yet exciting.

To choose your palette, "Think about how colors interact with each other," she recommends. "Some combinations feel calm and peaceful, while others feel bold or energetic. I usually test different colors next to each other before I start painting until something just feels right."

The easiest way to start is by blending colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel because they naturally transition really well. Start with two or three colors. It's much easier to control the blend, and it will feel more grounded in a room. Once you feel comfortable with that, you can start experimenting with more contrasting colors.

"Another thing I've noticed is that different colors have different densities," says Mary. "Paints with more white in them are usually thicker and much easier to blend, while very bright or dark colors can be a little trickier," she adds. So look out for the colors, finishes, and where you are buying your paint.

The biggest piece of advice when decorating with color gradients is to "enjoy the process and not focus too much on making everything perfect. Some of my favorite color combinations happened completely by accident, so don't be afraid to try things that you wouldn't normally put together," says May. Who knows, maybe we will all be ombre-ing our interiors soon.

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Once reserved for bold, all-encompassing paint schemes, color drenching has evolved into a far more nuanced design approach. It's no longer just about coating the walls in one shade, but about layering tonal materials, matching fixtures, architectural details, and decorative accents to create spaces that feel beautifully immersive.

"I think bathrooms are one of the best places to embrace color drenching because they're typically smaller, more enclosed spaces," says Dorothee Junkin of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio. "We spend relatively little time in a powder room, so it's a wonderful place to take a design risk you might hesitate to make in a larger living space."

Rather than feeling overwhelming, this bathroom color idea "creates a calm, immersive atmosphere that feels intentional and surprisingly soothing," she adds. "The color becomes the architecture of the space." Whether you prefer earthy neutrals or saturated hues, here's how to embrace this design idea, which adds depth, character, and designer polish.

1. Mix Materials in One Tone for Extra Depth

This space is a beautiful example of color drenching done in a warm, earthy palette. Rather than relying on contrast, the terracotta bathroom layers rich terracotta and clay tones across the wall tiles, vanity, stone benchtop, and even the floor, creating a cocooning effect that's both sophisticated and calming.

"The subtle variation in texture and finish keeps the scheme feeling dynamic, even though it's centred around one color family," explains Kathryn Sims, creative director of MAEK. "Bathrooms are one of the best spaces to embrace color drenching because they're typically smaller, enclosed rooms."

Leaning into a single hue creates a sense of immersion, she continues. "It can actually make the space feel more intentional and luxurious, rather than visually chopping it up with multiple colors. It's a great way to create a serene and calming atmosphere that's both warm and inviting."

And one of the best ways to bring the technique right up-to-date? Mixed materials. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that color drenching is all about paint," says Kathryn. "This space shows that you can achieve the same effect through materials instead — using tiles, stone, cabinetry, and even accessories in tonal shades."

"Mixing matte and gloss finishes, natural stone with ceramic tile, or varying tile formats within the same color family adds depth and interest while maintaining that seamless, enveloping look," she adds. "The key is to think in terms of tone rather than exact color matching, allowing slight variations to create a layered, considered finish."

2. Add in Vintage Pieces to Create a Characterful Feel

The most important elements of color drenching a bathroom include textural finishes, committing fully to the scheme, making sure the relationship between the hue and the decor subtly sings, and introducing personality through vintage finds, says Dorothee Junkin.

"In this project, we wanted to celebrate the dialogue between the subtle blue tones and the warmth of layered brass accents," she explains. "I also love incorporating collected pieces, like the vintage Parisian flea market pendant, into a color-drenched room. These one-of-a-kind finds keep the space from feeling too new or one-dimensional and instead bring a sense of history, character, and personality."

When color-drenching your own bathroom, Dorothee really urges you to commit to it. "Extending the color across the walls, ceiling, and trim eliminates visual interruptions, making the room feel larger and more cohesive," she says. "Texture and sheen then become just as important as the color itself. As light moves across the subtle plaster texture and understated paint finish, the room reveals depth and nuance without introducing visual noise."

3. Layer in Artwork to Break up the Block Color

One of the easiest ways to elevate a color-drenched bathroom is with thoughtfully chosen art. Rather than introducing a contrasting hue elsewhere in the room, framed paintings add pattern, texture, and tonal variation while remaining sympathetic to the palette.

In this space above, botanical florals pick up the rosy-brown walls beautifully, proving that art can soften the immersive effect while making the scheme feel more collected and lived-in.

Speaking about the pretty space, Melanie Lissack, of Melanie Lissack Interiors, says: "As this tiny toilet space was previously mostly painted a pure, brilliant white, I felt the room was a bit sterile and cold. The large sash window let in natural light throughout the day, so the room didn’t need to be painted in such a blinding neutral. Instead, I decided to colour-drench the bathroom in a warm, earthy tone to embrace and absorb the sunlight rather than reflect it, while adding some character to the space."

She chose Little Greene's Nether Red. "It's an interesting shade with red undertones; after two coats, the final color was a lovely mix of purple, pink, brown and muddy red," she describes.

Color drenching a bathroom is about practicality as well as aesthetics, she adds. "What's great about color drenching is that it makes decorating so easy! There is no cutting-in required where two paint edges meet, and one tin does it all. This room also has a lot of complicated areas (a giant box above the toilet hides pipes, and the walls aren’t completely straight). Color drenching helps to disguise these by blending everything in one hue."

4. Include Cabinets, Vanities, and Sinks in the Drenching

As well as tile drenching, you can take the concept even further and introduce the wall color into the vanity units, cabinets, or sinks (or all!) Designers are thinking beyond paint with these color-matched bathroom fittings. One of the defining characteristics of color-drenching bathrooms right now is the move towards coordinating every fixed element in the room.

Matching a vanity unit to surrounding wall tiles creates a cocooning, bespoke look that feels richer than paint alone. Varying the finish — matte cabinetry against glossy ceramic tiles — introduces subtle contrast, proving you don't need multiple colors to create visual interest.

5. Don't Forget Doors, Ceilings, and Architraves

Color drenching a bathroom feels most convincing when it extends beyond the walls and ceiling. Painting doors, skirting boards, and architraves in the same shade creates a seamless backdrop that blurs the room's architectural lines, making even a compact bathroom feel calmer and more cohesive.

Here, the soft sage, Farrow & Ball Bone, wraps every painted surface — including the bath — allowing the brass fittings to sing. Taking your chosen shade across doors, trims, and built-in joinery is what elevates color drenching a bathroom from a decorating technique to a fully immersive design scheme.

Finally, the monochrome checkerboard floor introduces subtle pattern without disrupting the restrained palette, proving that a color-drenched bathroom doesn't have to mean every surface is plain.

6. Use Color Drenching to Frame Architectural Features

Color drenching a bathroom doesn't have to stop at the walls — it can be used to highlight architectural features like arches. The beautiful bathroom nook above shows how drenching can do more than create a cohesive palette; it can also draw attention to the room's best details.

In this butter yellow bathroom, the same hue wraps the walls, paneling and arched alcove, turning the bathing area into a focal point while lending the space a cocooning feel. It's a clever way to celebrate original architecture or bespoke joinery without relying on contrasting colors.

The patterned floor then provides just enough contrast to stop everything feeling flat. "Color drenching works because it creates a sense of cohesion and a cozy atmosphere," says Uns Hobbs of Uns Hobbs Design. "By carrying one color across the walls, woodwork and ceiling — in this case Farrow & Ball Cord — the eye isn't interrupted by contrasting surfaces, making a room feel both calmer and more enveloping. The key is to add interest through texture and materials and to be brave and go for it!"

The beauty of color drenching a bathroom lies in its versatility. Whether you're wrapping walls and woodwork in one shade, matching your vanity to your tiles, or introducing artwork that echoes the palette, this design approach can be tailored to any style.

The modern bathroom trend is less about making a bold statement and more about creating a bathroom that feels cohesive, cocooning and thoughtfully layered — proving that one well-chosen color really can do it all.

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Trends in design change as quickly as the weather, with a new hot material or style popping up every time you refresh your feed. But if there's one thing that's remained consistent across the trends of the past few years, it's the idea of balance. We're all obsessed with finding the sweet spot between minimalism and maximalism, modernity and tradition, and subtlety and drama. And that's exactly what this latest kitchen trend is all about.

A progression from the 'quiet luxury' kitchen trend that just about took over the internet last year, this new iteration is all about turning things up a notch, while still retaining that degree of restraint and elegance. "A quietly dramatic kitchen is one that feels elevated and memorable without relying on bold colors or a lot of decorative elements," shares Lynn Berney, one-third of LTA Interiors. "The drama comes from beautiful proportions, luxurious materials, thoughtful lighting, and subtle details. It's sophisticated, timeless, and calming rather than loud," adds fellow co-founder, Alexa Evans.

Rather than revolving around current trends, this style is all about creating a design that feels completely timeless in its finish. Letting materials lead the way, a quietly dramatic kitchen makes a statement without rubbing it in your face. These are designs that make a lasting impression, not a fleeting impact. Here's how.

What Is a 'Quietly Dramatic' Kitchen?

It's set to become the leading style for modern kitchens this year, but what exactly do we mean when we talk about 'quiet drama'? Though the term may sound oxymoronic, it's actually referring to a concept we're all likely familiar with. Think of it as an Oscar-winning performance — subtle, yet impactful. It's not always about doing the most; sometimes it's what you don't do that makes the biggest difference.

"A quietly dramatic kitchen doesn't demand attention; it earns it," argues interior designer Justine Wolman. These spaces likely won't be the super bold, colorful kitchens or ones with crazy statement features. Instead, they build intrigue with layered restraint.

Rather than one bold, focal feature, "A quietly dramatic kitchen focuses on small details," says Coco Greenblum, from Studio Coco Greenblum. This could be something as small as a decorative countertop edge or an ogee backsplash; it's about little touches that build up a richer, more intriguing whole.

Balance remains at the heart of this style. As Alexis Pew, from Kaminski + Pew, says, "A quietly dramatic kitchen is defined by restraint balanced with moments of impact. That impact can come from a stone backsplash with great movement, a patinated metal hood, or a theatrical light fixture. The trick is to balance those moments against a neutral backdrop and to be selective — pick the backsplash, light fixture, or hood, not all three."

Understanding the importance of restraint is key to achieving this look. This doesn't mean you need to design a super minimalist kitchen; it's just about knowing where to hold back, and where to run wild.

This means there's still plenty of space to make bolder choices, so long as they are used alongside other, more muted features. For example, designer Sarah Tract says, "You can have a statement color like a butter yellow but when it’s consistent throughout the cabinetry, millwork, trim and other details it reads soft and beautiful without being overwhelming. On paper a yellow kitchen is quite dramatic, but in person the space is cohesive and calming."

What Features Make Up a 'Quietly Dramatic' Kitchen?

There are a few core design features that come together to create this 'quietly dramatic' look. It's not about one kitchen tile trend or a specific light fitting; it's more about the general attitude and approach you bring to the design.

First, and perhaps most crucial for achieving that 'quiet' factor, is the art of restraint. Explaining what this thoughtful restraint can look like in practical terms, Justine lists: "Clean architectural lines, warm natural materials, integrated appliances, and a palette that feels tonal rather than high-contrast." These seamless, understated design choices come together to create an effortlessly elegant effect.

"You'll often see oversized plaster range hoods, full-height stone backsplashes, custom millwork, soft curves, and lighting that feels sculptural without overpowering the room," she says, "Every element has intention, but nothing competes for attention."

If restraint makes up the 'quiet' part of this design style, it's through contrast that the drama is built. "A rough plaster hood next to polished stone. Soft white oak against dark bronze. Clean kitchen cabinetry paired with something handmade," describes designer Alexis Vitale. It's these little moments of contrast that can really bring a room to life. The seemingly opposing materials or finishes sitting alongside one another create tension in your design, which, when done right, translates into visual intrigue.

Contrast is not the only way to create some drama, though. In these kitchens, you can benefit from pushing the boundaries a little bit, incorporating design ideas that are less expected, or doing what designer Rachel Sherman refers to as 'surprise and delight'.

Explaining the concept behind this, Rachel says, "For example, instead of three pendant lights over an island (expected), it’s three mini flushmounts. Or, instead of a kitchen island with storage, it’s an island with a metal column base." These small, unexpected breaks from tradition are exactly what make these kitchens so exciting to look at.

Above all, though, this style is about creating depth, moving away from the curse of flat, boring kitchens, and stepping into a more intriguing, developed design space. "I think it's all about layering," argues Coco. "Warm woods, sculptural (antique) lighting, interesting stones, and subtle architectural details all work together to create depth. Every element feels intentional, but nothing competes for attention. It's the accumulation of thoughtful details, not one singular statement, that creates the drama."

How to Style a 'Quietly Dramatic' Kitchen

So, how do you go about creating a 'quietly dramatic' kitchen?

Well, first of all, you'll want to spend some time thinking about the kitchen materials you choose to include in this design. This trend is all about subtle, natural materials and building up drama through texture and tonality, so your materials can end up doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

At LTA Interiors, the team prioritizes materials that feel organic and timeless, says co-founder Tracy Gould. Their favorites include light woods, "such as white oak or rift-cut oak, which bring warmth without overwhelming the space," as well as "natural stones with subtle movement, such as honed marble, quartzite, or limestone-inspired surfaces, which add depth while maintaining a serene aesthetic." The natural texture and tactility of these materials introduce a subtle drama into your kitchen that can be hard to replicate with synthetic materials.

Justine echoes this point, saying, "Natural materials are essential because they age beautifully and add depth." In her designs, this often looks like wood cabinetry, paired with natural stone kitchen worktops, and other textural additions like "plaster or limewashed finishes, unlacquered brass, handmade ceramic lighting, and textured fabrics like a beautiful linen." Mixing these softer, matte finishes with cooler, hard ones, like stone, also helps create the contrast mentioned earlier.

The designers tend to opt for a tonal kitchen color scheme to build depth in the design. "Keep the palette tonal, using different shades of the same color family rather than stark contrasts," suggests Tracy. This works particularly well with a neutral kitchen color, like a warm beige or cream-toned finish, though you can also experiment with some more surprising tones here.

"Playing with scale is another great way to introduce drama," says Kevin, from Kaminski + Pew. Playing into Rachel's idea of 'surprise and delight', Kevin suggests challenging expectations through scale. "Choose larger-scale light fixtures if the space can support them, or extend the backsplash all the way to the ceiling to increase visual interest," he says. "It's all about creating impact, just in a subtle way."

The one piece of advice that almost all the experts echoed in some form was a return to the art of restraint. "Resist the urge to make every element a statement. Invest in a few beautiful materials, keep the palette restrained, and let craftsmanship shine," says Coco. Instead of allowing for various competing features, allow one to take center stage, she argues.

Similarly, Kevin says, "Focus on one defining moment to create impact — whether it's the countertop, the kitchen lighting, or the hood, but not all three. This draws attention to the space while highlighting a thoughtful design detail."

It's this idea that is central to the whole style of 'quiet drama' — a restrained, thoughtful approach to design, where individual parts come together to create one balanced whole.

Get the Look

If you like this style, you'll probably also be a fan of our collection of traditional kitchen decor pieces, which are perfect for adding some more character to your space.

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There was a time when painting the upper cabinets light and the lowers dark was considered wildly original. Then everyone copied it. Don't get me wrong, it still looks good, but the once-radical formula has become a bit too safe. Today’s most interesting kitchens are finding entirely new places for that second color hit, using the contrast to shape architecture, disguise scale and create moments that unfold gradually rather than all at once.

The latest kitchen color ideas aren’t about neatly splitting the room at waist height. Instead, they’re placing a second finish exactly where it has the biggest visual payoff — across a pair of full-height cupboards, inside a pantry or as little more than a painted outline. It’s less about following a formula and more about giving cabinetry personality.

Whether you’re drawn to rich timber, playful paint or dramatic color drenching, these projects prove two-tone kitchens have become infinitely more sophisticated. Here’s how the designers are rewriting the rules.

1. Repeat, but Be Subtle

Not every second color needs equal billing. One of the easiest ways to make a two-tone kitchen feel more sophisticated is to use the contrasting finish sparingly, allowing it to pop up once or twice like a visual callback. Just enough repetition in the interior design provides a sense of purpose, without making the whole room feel overly coordinated.

Winnie Tam has nailed it in this smart space. “We used a rich, dark timber finish to anchor the full-height cabinetry, then subtly reintroduced it as a grounding detail as the magazine rack of the island,” explains the founder and director of 28 a.m. “This intentional repetition creates a seamless visual cohesion across the space, allowing the lighter surfaces to breathe while ensuring the island feels perfectly connected to the primary units.”

2. Draw the Line

Two-tone doesn’t have to be poured on by the bucketload. In fact, one of the freshest interpretations uses remarkably little paint at all. Designed by Sarah Peake of Studio Peake and brought to life by bespoke kitchen maker 202 Design, this white and green kitchen scheme uses color almost like pinstriping, tracing the profile of each cabinet door to create subtle contrast while emphasizing the craftsmanship of the joinery.

“This approach shifts the focus from color blocking to detailing. Instead of separating the kitchen into two contrasting halves, the green detailing traces the profile of the white cabinetry, giving the joinery greater definition while introducing two-tone color in a far subtler way,” says Benjamin Kempton, founder of 202 Design.

Because the contrast sits around the edges rather than across whole doors, the cabinetry feels lighter and more refined. It’s an elegant way of introducing a second color without letting it dominate the whole room.

3. Hide Your Boldest Color

Rather than splitting the kitchen itself into two contrasting finishes, the designers at Herringbone House gave the second color a room of its own. Cabinetry painted in Herringbone Paints Canteen Blue forms the calm outer shell, while the walk-in pantry beyond is wrapped in the richer Herringbone Paints Lindsey Lapis, creating a bold focal point framed by glazed screens.

“We wanted to rethink the traditional two-tone kitchen. Instead of applying two finishes across the cabinetry, we concentrated the bolder colour inside the pantry. Framed by the glazed screen, it creates depth and a sense of discovery every time you look through,” explains William Durrant, owner and director of Herringbone House.

Looking through the steel-framed glazing creates layers of depth, making the pantry feel almost like a stage set beyond the main kitchen. The stronger color has real presence, but because it’s visually separated from the working space, the overall scheme is calm and restrained.

4. Flip the Formula

For years, two-tone kitchens almost always followed a horizontal line — darker below, lighter above. But there’s no reason contrast has to work that way. Turning the idea on its side creates a completely different effect, drawing the eye across the room rather than dividing it in half.

It’s a particularly useful trick in kitchens with lots of full-height cabinetry, where introducing a second finish vertically subtly changes how you read the room. “Rather than keeping all the tall cabinetry in one finish, we echoed the darker timber of the island on two full-height cupboards. This creates a visual rhythm across the elevation, breaking up the run and allowing those pieces to read more like standalone dressers than fitted units,” explains Richard Moore, creative director of Martin Moore.

5. That’s a Wrap

Two-tone kitchens don’t have to begin and end with the cabinetry, as this total jewel-box of a kitchen proves. “Rather than treating two-tone as a simple contrast between cabinet colours, we looked at how the palette could influence the entire space. Walnut flooring with bespoke inlays of J’Adore pale green quartzite echoes the matching quartzite backsplash, allowing the palette to flow throughout the room,” says interior designer Róisín Lafferty. “The bronze-toned mirrored ceiling and backsplash reflect the mint and walnut throughout the space, giving the scheme greater depth and transforming the kitchen into an immersive environment.”

It’s a shift in thinking as much as aesthetics. Instead of asking where a second cabinet color should go, consider where else the palette can appear. Repeating one or two key materials around the room creates a stronger sense of identity than introducing a string of unrelated finishes, especially in small kitchens where visual clutter can quickly take over.

6. Use Two Tone to Zone

As kitchens have become part of larger open-plan living spaces, cabinetry has had to work harder than ever. It’s no longer just about storage — the joinery itself can help organize the room, subtly distinguishing one area from another while maintaining a cohesive overall scheme.

“For this open-plan kitchen-living-dining extension, we wanted to create a sense of spatial definition while maintaining the social heart of the home as a single, generous room. The green cabinetry establishes the cooking area, while the complementary blush tone defines the transition towards living and relaxing. It’s an interpretation of the two-tone kitchen, where colour becomes a tool for spatial zoning as much as a decorative choice,” says Charles Tashima, founder of Studio Tashima.

Instead of relying on walls or changes in flooring, using contrasting cabinetry creates a natural shift in atmosphere as you move through the space. It’s a thoughtful approach that gives each zone its own identity while ensuring the kitchen still feels fully connected to the rest of the home.

7. Take It Overhead

The ceiling color is often the forgotten part of the palette in a two-tone kitchen, left white almost by default. Carrying wall color overhead changes the proportions of a room completely, blurring where the walls end and creating a more immersive backdrop for your color switch.

“Sometimes when a room is naturally dark and north-facing, it is tempting to make everything light and bright, paint the cupboards in creams or whites and have lots of lighting," says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. "Well, we did the opposite in here, we went for dusky pink on the walls and rich dark blue Shaker cupboards, in the hope of creating a really moody atmosphere. Dark can be dingy and dull but more often, if embraced, it can create a magical space."

Feeling inspired? Next, discover why brown kitchens are having a major moment, explore the beauty of tonal kitchen color schemes, or see which timeless kitchen colors designers never tire of.

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Interior designers know that walls are a place to wow — so why do so many simply default to paint? While it’s true that some of the most compelling spaces are, in fact, painted, it’s also the case that practically all of the flattest, most standard ones are too. This is especially so in bedrooms, where paint has an unfortunate habit of retreating into the background.

Material and textural contrast is one of this year’s biggest interior trends, and walls provide the perfect surface for design experimentation. The most stylish spaces aren’t simply swapping from matte paint to flat wallpaper; they feature multi-dimensional treatments that create a richer, more dynamic effect. “On walls, there’s a definite shift toward authentic, tactile materials that bring a real sense of warmth and character,” explains interior designer Alex Main.

So, what are designers replacing painted walls with — and why do these finishes work so well in bedrooms? Read on to discover the dreamiest ideas.

1. Fabric Wallcoverings

“Fabric walls have a unique ability to diffuse light and bring a gentle tactility that simply can’t be achieved with paint or wallpaper,” explains Hitch Derras from David Collins Studio of the wallpaper trend. In this bedroom, the design studio used a wool-cashmere blend from renowned Italian label Loro Piana.

“Cashmere brings an immediate sense of softness, both visually and acoustically, creating an enveloping environment that feels both intimate and deeply comforting," he explains. "From the moment you enter, there is a perceptible shift in mood.”

A fabric wallcovering demands more complex thinking than paint or wallpaper. To stay looking its best, it requires specialist installation, meticulous detailing at the various joins, and controlled humidity levels. In this apartment, cedar furniture was selected for its moth-repelling properties. “This subtle but thoughtful detail reinforces the room’s warm, layered character,” says Hitch.

2. Exposed Brick

While it’s surprising that such a tough material can give bedrooms a real sense of coziness, exposed brick walls do just that. “The rich tones and raw texture of brick create a grounding feeling, adding depth in a way that painted walls can’t,” explains Jolie’s Sarah Wakefield.

To balance the industrial, salvage-y finish, it’s best to combine the rough with the smooth. “The hard surface demands an equal level of comfort,” says Sarah. “Upholstered furniture, thick rugs, heavy curtains, and warm lighting all help to absorb sound and create a softer atmosphere.”

If you’re removing plaster to expose brickwork, always consider the condition of the material underneath. Older and untreated bricks can shed dust and become crumbly, so it’s best to call in the professionals. Alternatively, consider brick cladding or brick ‘slips’ to achieve the look without as much upheaval.

3. Limewash Plaster

“While a quality matte emulsion provides a clean, consistent finish, limewash plaster offers something entirely different,” says Blair Moore from Moore House Design. If it’s the simplicity of white paint that appeals, then this treatment is well worth considering — it elevates neutral colors into something far more nuanced.

Applied in layers, limewash creates a look prized for its depth and chalkiness. The finish often requires extra protection to guard against moisture in kitchens and bathrooms, but in bedrooms it is most often left unsealed so the texture can really take center stage.

“Limewash is intentionally imperfect, and that’s precisely its beauty,” explains Blair. “It embraces variation, texture, and character that develops over time. It creates a lived-in warmth and gentle texture, allowing your bedroom’s architecture and its natural light to become part of the design.”

4. Decorative Tiles

If you think tiles are just for the kitchen or bathroom, think again. “We’ve long associated certain materials with very specific uses, but today we’re choosing materials less out of habit and more out of the experience they can create,” say the Spanish design duo David Puerta and María Daroz.

In the apartment above, the interior designers carried checkerboard tiles from the bedroom floor up onto the walls. “Ceramic tiles allow us to create calm, intimacy, and a sense of atmosphere,” they explain. “When using them, everything from layout through to the thickness and color of the grout matters. Tiles have an enormous expressive potential.”

As well as creating a bold look, tiles are a hard-wearing option for bedroom walls (tiled headboards are also particularly popular). Resilient against scuffs and stains and far more durable than paint and most standard wallpapers, they’re easy to keep clean too.

5. Tactile Wallpaper

“In our increasingly busy lives, a bedroom needs to be an antidote to the chaos,” believes Cansel Seymen, founder of CS Design Studio. In this London project, the interior designer opted to go neutral but make things interesting — instead of choosing a basic wallpaper, she installed one with a subtle grain interwoven with metallic stripes.

“We specifically chose a textured wallcovering to introduce a sense of dimensional warmth,” she explains. “While a printed pattern can sometimes feel flat, organic textures have a physical depth that catches the light beautifully. It brings an elegant, serene calmness that’s perfect for soothing the mind.”

For similar wallcoverings, try the collections at Arte — the brand’s Ancient Egyptian-inspired installation was a Livingetc highlight at Milan Design Week this year.

6. Timber Cladding

The wood-drenching trend is perfect for bedrooms, where the material can create a number of different moods. “From sleek and contemporary to rustic and textured, wood’s natural variations in grain, tone, and texture ensure that every space can have its own unique character,” says Alex Main, director at the Main Company.

Cladding a whole bedroom in wood may be quite the departure from paint, but the impact goes well beyond looks. “Beyond its beauty, timber cladding offers many practical advantages,” explains Alex. “It can improve acoustics, provide an extra layer of insulation, and even improve your home’s energy efficiency.”

If you’re not keen on giving your entire bedroom over to a single material, consider using cladding to highlight key points within it — it makes excellent wall paneling, of course, but can also work supremely well lining an alcove or even stretching across the ceiling.

Whether you’re remodeling or simply reconsidering your next decorating move, putting down your paintbrush may be for the best. With bedroom trends, interior designers have swapped paint for tactile surfaces and luxurious wallcoverings — creating spaces that look serene and feel altogether more cocooning.

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It's around this time of year when the idea of having a pool in your backyard feels intoxicatingly appealing. In this seemingly never-ending heatwave of a British summer, there is nothing I'd like more than to plunge myself into an icy body of water every couple of hours. But, for most of us Londoners, a garden pool feels about as realistic as getting a tube seat in rush hour.

There are a few reasons behind this. First of all, despite what these past few weeks would have you believe, London weather rarely calls for a swimming pool, and for 80% of the year, it would likely go unused, taking up precious space. Which brings us to the second, and foremost problem: the staggering lack of space. In the capital, you're lucky if you've got a home with a garden, let alone a garden large enough to contain a pool. Even if you were to decide to commit to a swimming pool, it would most likely come at the expense of the rest of your garden, leaving no room for anything else to squeeze into your outdoor space.

It's these reasons exactly that made the reel posted by Charlotte Green, from Sixty3 Design, go as viral as it did. The video starts with Charlotte walking across the paved, London patio garden of a recent design project, and then, with nothing more than a touch of a button, the floor recedes, as if by magic, and gradually fills up with water, leaving a pool where just five minutes prior, there was nothing. It's the ultimate backyard magic trick, and quite possibly, the solution we Londoners have been waiting for.

Why Choose a Retractable Pool?

How many times have you looked around your tiny garden and questioned whether you could squeeze a pool in somewhere? It's something I've done more times than I'd care to admit. Though my conclusion is typically that I'd have just enough space for a children's paddling pool, if I squished my outdoor dining setup together a bit.

What I'd never considered, though, is the idea that I could fit a pool in, right beneath my feet, without having to sacrifice any of my garden's usable floorspace.

Urban gardens are hard to come by, so even the smallest gardens have to be savored and celebrated, designed to get as much out of the space as possible. "London gardens are incredibly valuable spaces, and most clients want somewhere that works just as well for entertaining as it does for family life," explains Charlotte. It was with this in mind that she began exploring the option of a retractable pool for this project.

At floor level, the raised pool functions exactly like a normal deck, providing additional space for any typical garden activity. But, once lowered, Maxime Carpentier, director of Akvo Spiralift, says, "It functions as a normal swimming pool, with users typically unable to notice that a movable floor is installed beneath them. The system also allows the pool depth to be adjusted to suit different activities, making it a versatile solution for the entire family."

Unlike a traditional pool, which can easily dominate the majority of the garden and will likely sit unused for months at a time, this type of pool adapts to suit your needs. "When closed, the garden functions as one large terrace for dining, children's play, and entertaining," says Charlotte, "At the touch of a button, it transforms into a fully functioning swimming pool."

By allowing you to maintain one consistent patio flooring finish, you can create a cohesive and balanced design while still benefiting from the addition of a pool. It's particularly useful for small gardens, where you still want to be able to use it for various functions. "As designers, we're always looking for solutions that maximize every square meter without compromising on aesthetics, and this was the perfect example of that philosophy. We thought the retractable design was so clever," says Charlotte.

What You Need to Know

I'm sure, for many of us, this feels like the ultimate win-win. All the usable garden space you need, with the hidden surprise of a pool waiting for you at the touch of a button. What's not to love? But, as smart as this design is, there are some details you should know before you dive into the deep end.

First of all, perhaps the most pressing question: how does this even work? Well, as Maxime explains, "A movable pool floor operates much like a piston within a sleeve. The floor is raised or lowered inside the pool while water flows freely through small gaps around the perimeter, allowing the water level to remain constant and fully within the shell." There are, he adds, a few different methods to achieve a movable pool floor. The most common are "mechanically driven floors, which are raised and lowered by a system of lifting mechanisms, and buoyant (floating) floors, which are guided downward using a hydraulic system and rise naturally through buoyancy."

Of course, a swimming pool is never going to be a cheap home addition (even a small backyard pool can cost a pretty penny), but with a retractable design like this, you can expect prices to be significantly higher. This will largely come down to the costs of installation, as you'll have to work with a team that specializes in this style of swimming pool. "It's a far more specialist installation than a conventional swimming pool because the engineering and precision are absolutely critical," explains Charlotte.

Given the nature of this design, your pool must be considered in relation to the rest of your garden at every step. Every hardscaping material and detail you choose will have to be considered accordingly, which can be tricky if you don't have the right team to help you through the process. "The structural coordination, waterproofing, mechanical systems, and finishes all have to work seamlessly together," agrees Charlotte. "Fortunately, our clients worked with experienced specialists, and the process was very smooth, but it definitely isn't something you'd want to attempt without the right team."

However, Maxime does note that there is a surprisingly large range of flooring materials that can be used with this kind of system: "Our floors are custom-designed for each project, allowing us to accommodate virtually any finish material approved by its manufacturer for submerged applications."

The bigger consideration, he says, is the issue of water treatment systems: "We generally do not recommend the use of salt chlorinators, as the chlorination process introduces electrical currents into the water that can significantly accelerate corrosion of metallic components." Instead, Maxime recommends alternative solutions, such as "UV disinfection, ozone treatment, and automatic liquid chlorine dosing systems," all of which can maintain high-quality water as well as lower chlorine levels and avoid the risk of corrosion.

Despite how simple it may look in the video, the reality behind this design is far more complex than you may think. Because the pool is fully integrated into the garden, all the rest of your planning decisions will have a direct impact, so plenty of forethought and thorough planning are absolutely essential. In fact, Charlotte says, "I think people often underestimate how much planning needs to happen before installation begins. "

The pool is just the tip of the iceberg, she says, explaining, "Our team was responsible for choosing the garden paving, the outdoor kitchen, and furniture, as well as the finishes for the back elevation of the house. Lighting, drainage, landscaping, access for maintenance, and the surrounding materials all need to be considered from the outset to ensure everything integrates beautifully."

With this in mind, Charlotte strongly recommends working closely with a professional designer. Without an expert's opinion at hand, it can quickly all start to feel rather confusing.

Are They Worth It?

Now, onto the real question: are these designs actually worth it?

"For most residential projects, the primary consideration is budget," shares Maxime. "A movable pool floor provides exceptional safety, flexibility, and additional usable outdoor living space, but it is also a significant investment." On average, you can expect a design like this to cost upwards of £150,000, with larger, more extravagant designs costing anywhere between £300,000 and £700,000, with Maxime noting that some designs can even creep towards the millions. Not a budget option by any means.

If you are in a position to spend this kind of money, though, what you'll want to think about is what exactly you want to get out of your garden. Is your garden primarily an entertaining area, or is it a space for your children to play around? These details can help you identify whether or not this type of pool will be a beneficial addition for you.

The most appealing element of these designs comes from the options they open up for your outdoor space. "A retractable pool isn't simply a luxury feature; it's a way of making one outdoor space perform multiple functions," explains Charlotte. "If you're short on space, particularly in London, that flexibility can completely transform how a garden is used."

It's also important to consider the costs that come after the initial installation, too. Though they're unlikely to be quite as high as that initial sum, the cost of maintaining and looking after a pool of any kind will always be relatively expensive, as they require consistent, specialist care.

With all this in mind, Charlotte still believes that "for the right project, I think the benefits far outweigh the additional investment." Not just a regular pool, these designs transform how your garden is used. "You effectively gain a usable terrace garden and a swimming pool within exactly the same footprint, which is incredibly valuable where outdoor space is at a premium," says Charlotte — and I can't say I disagree.

Stylish Pool Accessories

Even if a retractable swimming pool of your own isn't on the cards for now, there are still plenty of other ways you can get the luxurious dip you've been dreaming of this summer. In fact, our lifestyle editor, Gilda Bruno, has just curated the ultimate guide to the best London hotels with pools, so the hard work is already done; all you need to do is dive in.

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Choosing the right neutrals can make or break a room. And while it's for this very reason that it can be tempting to play things 'safe' with a palette of pale neutrals — think light beige and cream tones — designers are going richer and bolder in 2026.

Caramel and bronze tones are emerging as the warming, elevated alternative to neutrals that can do a lot more for a room than one-tone beige. Once you understand what color caramel is and the depth it brings, you may want to repaint any beige walls.

Here, designers break down this color trend, explaining why these moody neutrals feel a lot more current right now than light tones, and how to bring them into your home in a modern way.

Why Beige Is Being Reimagined in 2026

There's no denying the appeal of beige: it's a versatile, timeless color that helps create quietly warming, neutral rooms where decor can sing. That said, pale versions of this delicate hue are evolving into something richer and more grounding. "People are gravitating toward warmer, more livable interiors," explains designer Zoë Feldman. "Lighter beiges can sometimes read creamier and don't have the same impact as a more saturated caramel or bronze."

"There’s a shift towards interiors that feel more layered and comforting, rather than stark or overly minimal," agrees designer Laura Stephens. "Unlike traditional light beiges, which can sometimes feel quite flat or one-dimensional, caramel and bronze-leaning neutrals have far more depth and variation within them."

The depth of these new neutrals can help to elevate rooms and bring a sense of movement. "They respond beautifully to light throughout the day and shift subtly depending on the time and space," Laura explains. "Although they are still very much neutrals, they provide a richer backdrop that allows other colors and materials in a scheme to really sing."

Why Caramel Feels More Design-Led Right Now

The appeal of caramel tones coincides with interior trends becoming all about layered, moody rooms that don't play it too safe. "They offer a more complex, atmospheric alternative to the cooler, lighter neutrals that have dominated interiors for so long," explains Melissa Hutley, co-founder of Hutley & Humm. "Rather than sitting flat or purely safe, these shades bring a natural depth and warmth that immediately softens a space."

"They bring an instant hit of character and warmth into a space, which feels very aligned with the move towards interiors that feel more personal and layered," adds Carina Raymond, founder of Studio Raymond.

Caramel also plays to natural light really nicely — feeling warmer in daylight and more subdued come the evening. "I often think of them as an extension of light itself," says Melissa. "When sunlight or even soft lamplight hits a room, there’s always a golden undertone that appears naturally on walls and surfaces. These colors simply amplify that effect, rather than fighting against it."

And while caramel and bronzed tones add more richness to a room than beige, they still offer a level of restraint since they sit within the neutral category. "They work so well because they are neutrals, just richer, more dimensional versions of them," Melissa adds.

Carina agrees. "What I think makes them especially appealing is their sense of softness and ease; they feel more playful and expressive than traditional neutrals, but they are still incredibly liveable," she says.

How to Decorate With Warm Caramel and Bronze

Don't be afraid to go bold when decorating with caramel — using a warm paint shade to color-drench a room feels modern and fun. "It creates a really atmospheric backdrop that feels both bold and cocooning," says Carina, who opted for this approach in the living room pictured above.

Beyond the wall color, the key to pulling off this statement neutral is layering. "I like to build in additional layers of neutrals, caramels, and bronze through upholstery, lighting, or decorative pieces, often in slightly varied but complementary tones," Carina adds.

"That tonal variation adds depth and prevents the scheme from feeling flat, while still keeping everything within the same warm, cohesive palette," she explains. "It’s about building richness through subtle shifts rather than contrast."

You could take this color trend a step moodier and darker with something like Farrow & Ball's Salon Drab, which was used in this dressing room. While it leans more into bronze territory than caramel, it works well if you want something less warm, but moody and full of depth.

Although Zoë enjoys using dark bronze tones like this one, she also likes to bring this color trend to life in rooms with lighter walls, where it is added through decor and smaller accents.

"I love using these tones through natural materials like wood and unlacquered brass, but also through textiles," she says. "Leather, linen, and velvet all feel luxurious in caramel and bronze. In addition to pairing well with other neutrals, these tones also complement jewel tones and feel right at home alongside vintage pieces."

You can add more color to your scheme, too, for a more playful look. "I love using a strong contrast paint color alongside a deep neutral to bring a sense of interest and character to a scheme," says Laura. "It’s a really effective way of adding depth without needing to rely on pattern or excessive layering."

In this home office, Laura chose an earthy red for a pop of color, used on the trim. "The red works beautifully with the undertones of the paint color, creating a scheme that feels cohesive but still has contrast," she explains.

"I often find that introducing a contrasting color in this way also helps to highlight architectural details like cornicing, joinery, and alcoves, drawing the eye to the structure of the room and giving it more definition," she adds.

Beyond painting the walls a warming caramel or bronze, the trick to nailing your scheme is all about texture and contrast. Decorating with neutral colors in 2026 is way more nuanced than you may realize.

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People often default to white ceilings. And yes, a plain white ceiling is unobtrusive and safe, but it doesn't add anything to the design of your room. A ceiling painted a bold color or the same color as the walls, on the other hand, shifts the entire mood of the space. And right now, designers are looking to tried-and-true blue to add character up above.

Blue defies trends — it's one of the oldest and most popular colors. "Blue is the color most closely associated with the mind," color expert and director of design at Lick, Tash Bradley, tells me. "Softer, paler shades especially have a shorter wavelength of light, which helps create the illusion of height. There's a reason we talk about 'blue sky thinking.' Looking up at a soft blue ceiling naturally makes a space feel more open, calm, and expansive."

When you think about it, a blue ceiling is the oldest trick in the book. It nods to the natural environment while still making an interesting statement. And while the interior design world is currently leaning towards warm browns, bold pops, and bright colors, blue as a ceiling color feels as unexpected as it does timeless.

What Shades of Blue Works Best for a Ceiling?

"I think people often overlook blue ceilings because they worry blue will feel cold," says Tash Bradley. Or they worry decorating with blue can feel dated, in the way an overly traditional home or on-the-nose nautical theme can. "But that's only true of cooler, icy blues," adds Tash. Warm or slightly green-based blues feel incredibly soft and welcoming, and "work beautifully in every room orientation, from north-facing spaces to sunny south-facing rooms," says Tash.

Tash particularly likes a soft, warm blue. "It's something I've tried and tested in my own home; I have Lick's Blue 15 on my ceiling, but Blue 08 and Blue 03 are beautiful alternatives too," she shares. These warm, soft blues will feel inviting and are relatively easy painted ceiling ideas to incorporate, as ceiling color doesn't have to be dramatic to make a difference.

"Even going one shade warmer or softer than white can make a room feel more finished," adds interior designer and Behr Paint ambassador, Sabrina Soto.

However, you can also opt for a more dramatic blue. For something with a high-contrast impact. Try a deep color like navy blue, sailor blue, or midnight blue, "especially in a dining room, powder room, bedroom, or media space," says Sabrina.

This will instantly feel moodier and atmospheric, but keep in mind that darker colors tend to work better with a color-drenched technique.

When it comes to choosing the right shade of blue for your ceiling, Tash's biggest tip is "to choose a blue with a warm undertone and keep it fairly soft."

And perhaps, more importantly, when it comes to blue paint colors to avoid on your ceiling, "Avoid anything too bright or overly saturated, as it can start to dominate the room," she adds.

Techniques for Painting a Ceiling Blue

When painting a ceiling blue, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind. You either want the paint to make your space feel expansive or cocooning and cozy.

"The aim is for the ceiling to elevate the space quietly, adding depth, personality and a sense that every surface has been thoughtfully considered, rather than immediately drawing all the attention to itself," says Tash.

Color drenching can be a surprisingly easy introduction to ceiling color. "When the ceiling matches the walls in a color like blue, the room stops feeling like it has hard edges," shares Sabrina. "It feels enveloping and architectural, almost like you're standing inside the color instead of just looking at it."

This approach works beautifully in most rooms, but it's not universal. For instance, "It doesn't work as well in a room with very low ceilings and very little natural light if you're using a dark color, since drenching in that case can make the space feel like it's closing in on you rather than cocooning you," Sabrina says.

It also tends to be less effective in a room with a lot of architectural detail you want to highlight, like an ornate ceiling medallion or millwork. Drenching tends to flatten those details into the background instead of letting them stand out.

In those cases, Sabrina recommends "using the ceiling color as contrast so the detail still gets its moment." A separate moment for ceiling color also creates a general sense of visual interest. "I especially love a pop of blue in bedrooms or bathrooms, where you're naturally looking up at the ceiling as you relax," she adds.

"Warm blues have a wonderfully soothing quality that helps create a restful atmosphere, making them the perfect colors for sleep," adds Tash. They're equally brilliant in a home office, encouraging a sense of clarity and calm — this mood association can be explained in part due to sensory-conscious paint colors, if you are interested in building your palette that way.

"I've even used a sky blue on the ceiling in my son's playroom, paired with warm white on the walls and woodwork, and it completely transforms the room," shares Tash.

"I always recommend testing the color on the ceiling itself, not just the wall," says Tash. Light hits the ceiling differently, so a color can read darker, cooler, or warmer once it's overhead. Finish matters too. "I usually go flat or matte on ceilings because it hides imperfections and keeps things soft," adds Tash.

Painting a ceiling blue is rewarding, but you want to avoid making any painting mistakes — it's a tricky spot to have to retouch after all.

For more inspiration like this, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter, and if you like the idea of building a room around a blue ceiling, but need help, why not book a Style consultation with the Design Lab by Livingetc team.

If a room has attractive architectural features — or you’re adding them yourself — why leave them white? Even the most avowed minimalist would find it hard to argue with the fact that keeping trim in such a plain shade often makes it look a little, well, ‘standard’. With even a slightly bolder treatment, everything from baseboards to architrave can become an important design element.

That said, skipping white doesn’t have to be all about creating contrast or using multiple paint colors (although, if you’re feeling playful, we've already found the most beautiful trim color combos). Swapping white trim for a similar hue to your walls, for example, creates a contemporary look that makes details appear softer without disappearing or becoming anonymous.

So, why have the experts stopped using white trim? And what should you do instead? Here's what they recommend.

1. Color Drench

Splashing the same color all over your walls, ceiling, trim, and all is a popular look in 2026. On one hand, it stops architectural oddities like sharp corners and sloped ceilings from disrupting a room’s visual flow, while on the other it makes trim feel like part of the same story rather than an afterthought.

“Painting architectural details like woodwork, paneling, and trim in the same color as the walls creates an immersive, considered feeling within a room,” agrees London-based interior designer Carina Raymond. “Rather than creating break lines, carrying a shade across the features allows the architecture to become part of the overall design.”

“It might be our instinct to leave crown moldings and paneling white, but introducing color across these elements brings a much more sophisticated result,” she explains. “It celebrates trim and makes it feel more intentional.”

2. Find a Match

If you’re not using white trim, which color do you choose? With so many possibilities, it’s best to draw from the other elements in your space. Picking out a shade prominent in patterned features like wallpaper, upholstery fabric, or even statement wall art will create a harmonious look without the danger of it appearing too ‘samey’.

“Instead of habitually painting woodwork white, a complementary neutral or bold coordinating color makes trim appear fresh and uplifting,” explains Little Greene’s Ruth Mottershead. “This subtle continuity allows even the boldest patterns to appear balanced and cohesive.”

That said, there are two ways to take this approach. “For a gentle look, take the base or background color from your pattern and use it on trim,” instructs Ruth. “For a more maximalist feel, consider taking the deepest or brightest color from within the pattern onto your painted surfaces.”

3. Spotlight Natural Wood

Not all designers have swapped white trim for polar opposite options. Removing layers of paint and stripping existing baseboards and moldings back to their original wood brings a timeless look to a space. At the same time, adding new trim in a grainy material can make contemporary builds feel more layered.

And so it is in this Krakow apartment, where interior designer Klara Ostrowska opted to let oak speak for itself. “This project is in a new building, and the natural grain of the wood makes the space feel warm without losing any of its minimal, elegant atmosphere,” she explains.

“This is an excellent way to give an extra touch to walls you’re painting white,” says Klara. “Using natural materials is an expressive choice that adds energy and character, making a room look and feel more individual.”

4. Combine Colors

If you’re painting paneling and wainscoting, there’s no need to commit to just a single shade. “Using more than one color on trim creates depth, making a room composed rather than simply decorated,” say German design duo Johanna and Friedrich Gräfling.

This is especially effective in rooms where the walls are already painted in a color, as the additional hues complement or contrast rather than simply come out of nowhere. “The relationship between walls and woodwork is often what makes a palette feel sophisticated and timeless,” the pair explain. “This frames rooms, gives rhythm to walls, and makes the overall proportions seem more deliberate.”

For a sense of order, go for two (or maximum three) colors. Deeper hues appear sophisticated when paired with softer ones, as shown here, while the brightest colors are best left for single trim accents rather than large expanses of paneling.

5. Create Harmony

“Keeping decorative details within the same color family gives a much more harmonious feeling than leaving them white,” says Laura Stephens, who combined terracotta woodwork with warm ochre walls in this study.

“Painting baseboards and window casings in a variation of the palette used on walls allows the room to feel connected and cohesive,” Laura explains. “A contrasting color would have a completely different effect, whereas this feels calm and considered.”

The interior designer recommends using the darker version of your color for trim, rather than the other way around. “Don’t be afraid to go deeper on the architectural details, as these areas carry richer shades beautifully,” she instructs.

6. Think Vertically

The trend for color capping incorporates the ceiling into the design of your space. Much like trim, the ‘fifth wall’ is often left white — but why? Using color on the ceiling, and dropping its boundaries by including crown molding and any trim positioned toward the top of a wall, instantly shifts the look of a space.

“This creates a layered look and is a wonderful way to create a richer, more engaging interior,” says Paint & Paper Library’s head of design Andy Greenall. “As ceiling and trim are often painted white, using color can radically alter the overall ambience of your room.”

To make the effect work seamlessly, work again within a tonal framework. “From graduating neutral shades to more dramatic color pairings, working with varied strengths of the same color family offers depth without disruption,” explains Andy.

7. Use Darker Detailing

Neutrals (or even plain white) aren’t always a bad idea for trim, just as long as you make them more interesting. In this London project, Rebecca Hughes opted for a ‘shadow line’ effect using gray and black architectural moulding alongside off-white walls.

“Even the subtlest contrast creates definition,” the interior designer explains. “Neutral interiors are often associated with simplicity, but enhancing trim and other architectural details ensures they never feel flat or one-dimensional.”

“Painting the outer trim in a darker shade, and the inner line of the molding in a darker tone still, allows the paneling here to read as an intentional architectural detail, without introducing any bold colors or patterns,” says Rebecca. “This extra layer of refinement elevates even the most understated palettes.”

8. Make It Pop

Door and window casings frame how you walk into and through a space, as well as how you interact with the outside of it. Leaving these elements in plain white trim can disguise them, yes, but if walls are also neutral, then it leaves your space feeling flat — another reason, then, not to paint small rooms white.

Choosing a color that really stands out is the most playful way to highlight a room’s boundaries. “Painting architectural details and trim in a bright color draws attention to them in a much more interesting way than standard white,” agrees Katerina Tchevytchalova, founder of K’Arte Design.

“It also highlights the craftsmanship of the trim itself and modernizes the look of historic features,” the designer explains.

There’s freshness to modern ceiling trim ideas, making white seem even more basic. As interior designers swap white trim for more decorative choices, it’s well worth considering leaving the default option behind in your own project.

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It's no overstatement to say that your entryway sets the tone for your house. As the first thing guests will see upon arrival, there's a certain pressure to convey the style and atmosphere of your home in this typically small space. You'll want to find a way of making an impact without eating into the limited footprint. And this technique offers exactly that.

By now, it's likely you're already familiar with the term color-drenching, but on the off-chance that you're not, color-drenching refers to a painting technique in which one consistent shade is used across the entirety of a room, typically including the ceiling, too. It makes for a striking, all-encompassing finish, wrapping the room in a cocoon-like hug of color. It's the perfect low-effort, high-impact design trick, and nowhere does it work better than in an entryway.

When you step into a color-drenched room, you are immediately swept into the design, surrounded entirely by the atmospheric energy transmitted by your chosen color. So, if you're trying to set the atmosphere from the jump, a color-drenched entryway could just be the way forward — here's how designers make them work and the best entryway colors to use to make a statement.

1. Cozy Yet Neutral

When people hear color-drenching, they often assume it relies on bold, statement shades to work. But, in reality, this paint trend is perfectly suited to more subtle, neutral shades, too. It offers a way to make neutral color palettes feel more intentional and impactful, without forcing you to stray from the hues you love.

This desire for intentionality was exactly what led interior designer Joan Enger to explore the option of color-drenching in this project. "Rather than simply serving as a place to collect shoes and coats, we wrapped the walls in custom shiplap and drenched the space in Farrow & Ball's Biscuit, creating a rich, immersive feeling by carrying the color across the walls, millwork, ceiling, and trim," she explains.

In this otherwise simple space, the all-encompassing hue helps to highlight the unique features of this home. "The monochromatic palette highlights the architecture rather than competing with it, emphasizing the custom details and traditional millwork while creating an inviting transition into the rest of the home," Joan adds. So much of the personality in this property is born from the existing architectural details, and by color-drenching, Joan allowed the emphasis to naturally fall on these features.

"Entryways are often compact spaces with many different architectural elements — doors, trim, windows, and stair openings," Joan says, "Using a single color simplifies those layers and creates a cohesive, unified feel. In this space, the warm neutral tone envelops the room, making it feel both cozy and refined at the same time."

2. Pops of Contrast

If you're worried about your color-drenched space feeling too one-note, then this fun twist on the trend is the answer.

Playing with color psychology to create the ultimate contrast, in this hallway, Robin Flaherty from North and Madison paired a calming, gentle blue shade with a vivid burnt orange on the doors, making for a space brimming with energy and life, without feeling overwhelming.

"An entryway is the perfect place to make a bold statement. Color-drenching creates a sophisticated look while adding depth. Pairing it with contrasting colors enhances the effect, creating a striking and memorable first impression," says Robin.

Using the calming blue as a base, applying it across the walls and ceiling, Robin left herself plenty of room to experiment with how to make a statement, without detracting from this lovely foundation. The black frames used across the gallery wall keep it feeling restrained, too, resisting the temptation to bring even more color into the design.

3. Calming Hues

But if you want to design a truly calming escape in your entryway, just take some inspiration from this room. Understanding how the entrance of the home can set the tone, in this space, designer Talia Cobbold used the color-drenching technique to create a calming cocoon of a room, cloaked entirely in Farrow and Ball's De Nime, a thoughtful, dusty blue shade.

"I wanted to create a space that felt timeless and elegant, but also needed to consider the high levels of traffic coming through the door; dogs, children, and mud," she explains.

Forgetting about the functional aspect of this space is likely one of the most common entryway decorating mistakes. As much as it should be calming and beautiful, the entryway also needs to be designed to withstand a high proportion of traffic, something lighter, brighter shades are less equipped for.

Not solely functional, though, this technique also helps to turn this transitory space into something that feels more intentional. "Color-drenching creates a strong sense of cohesion and makes an entrance feel more considered," says Talia.

4. Parisian Warmth

In this Parisian apartment, the color-drenching technique offers a way to bring a contemporary touch to the design, while maintaining the beautiful period features that make this space so special to begin with. By coating the traditional crown molding in a warm, rusted terracotta, designer Charlotte Féquet found a way to modernize the original architecture, without altering or destroying anything in the process.

"Immersing an entire room in a single color allows you to work with color not simply as a finish applied to a wall or a decorative detail, but as a true staging of the space," explains Charlotte, "The color sculpts the architecture while also heightening the element of surprise as you enter or leave the room."

This 'surprise' aspect comes, in part, from how this space interacts with the ones surrounding it. Leading directly on from the predominantly white living room, this warm-toned space feels even more striking and impactful.

This is a technique Charlotte strongly recommends exploring within this trend, saying, "If you're considering an entrance hall fully painted in one color, opt for rich, deep shades that create a strong contrast with the adjoining room. If the color is too similar to the next space or too muted, the 'box' effect will lose its impact."

Color-drenching doesn't just work in your entryway, though; this paint technique is perfect for making a statement in any room of the home. Just take a look at these color-drenching bedrooms; the cozy, cocooning effect works perfectly in these spaces. For more design ideas and inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter.

Showers are stepping out of the background in 2026. No longer hidden behind a sheet of glass, they're becoming beautifully designed spaces in their own right, where architectural details, tactile materials and clever styling take center stage.

From walk-in showers to statement niches, striped tiles, elegant arches, and minimalist fittings, shower trends prove that one of the hardest-working areas of the bathroom can also be one of the most beautiful.

Whether it's sculptural enclosures or beautifully integrated details, the latest bathroom trends for showers blur the line between function and architecture, transforming this element into a standout feature.

The biggest shower trends for 2026 are less about flashy new technology and more about thoughtful craftsmanship, tactile materials and creating a sense of everyday luxury. Here are five ideas designers are embracing to elevate the modern shower.

1. Conservatory-Style Showers that Create a Retreat Vibe

Showers that are a destination in themselves, a luxurious room within a room, are trending for 2026 and beyond, and it's a trend we're calling the 'conservatory shower'.

"Bathrooms are evolving from purely functional spaces into spa-like sanctuaries, and one of 2026's standout interior trends is the rise of the conservatory-style shower," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. "This glass-walled, light-filled, nature-inspired approach brings the outdoors in, merging the serenity of a greenhouse with the luxury of a high-end bathroom.

"As homeowners increasingly seek more space, natural light and a stronger connection to nature, conservatory-style shower rooms are becoming the ultimate expression of wellness-led design, offering a bathroom that becomes a calm, restorative retreat," Louise adds.

2. Arched Shower Entrances for an 'Architectural Moment'

As bathrooms continue to take cues from boutique hotels and Mediterranean-inspired interiors, soft, curved openings are replacing conventional straight-edged enclosures.

An arched entry instantly elevates a shower, framing it as a destination rather than simply a functional zone, while introducing a sense of craftsmanship and permanence. Paired with marble architrave surrounds, glazed doors and warm-toned tiles, the look feels both timeless and unmistakably luxurious.

"Arches have always had a timeless quality, but I love seeing them reinterpreted in unexpected ways," says Ryan Saghian of Ryan Saghian Interior Design. "Instead of a traditional doorway, we treated the shower as an architectural moment by framing it with a dramatic marble arch and steel-framed doors.

"It softens the geometry of the room while giving the shower the presence of its own private sanctuary," Ryan adds. "I think we'll continue seeing more showers designed as destinations rather than simply functional spaces."

3. Statement Recessed Niches as Thoughtful Design Details

Recessed shower niches are becoming more considered in 2026, with designers using contrasting stone, bold veining and generous proportions to transform them into focal points rather than somewhere to stash shampoo.

A feature niche introduces another layer of texture and interest, breaking up expansive wall surfaces while offering an opportunity to showcase a standout material. Here, the dramatic marble insert creates a striking contrast against the soft travertine walls, proving that even the smallest design details can have a big visual impact.

"Recessed niches are no longer just practical — they're becoming design moments in their own right," comments Ryan Saghian. "Rather than cladding the niche in the same material as the surrounding walls, I like using a contrasting stone to create depth and give the eye somewhere to land. It's a subtle detail, but it's one that instantly makes a shower feel more custom and thoughtfully designed."

We love this trend because it's an easy way to add personality without committing to an entire wall of statement stone. It feels luxurious, practical and bespoke all at once — exactly the sort of thoughtful detail that's defining high-end bathroom design for 2026.

4. Striped Tiles That Introduce Neutral Maximalism

Stripes have quietly become one of the biggest bathroom tile trends of the past year. They add interest without relying on bold colour or pattern, making them feel playful but still timeless.

Bathroom tiles in general are taking on a more decorative role in 2026, with vertical stripes emerging as a fresh alternative to plain layouts. Whether created through alternating colors or tonal shades, striped walls introduce rhythm and movement while subtly drawing the eye upwards to make a shower feel taller and more spacious.

In soft, muted hues like these sage green and cream stripes, striped tile bathrooms feel playful yet sophisticated, proving that even simple geometric designs can have a striking architectural impact.

"They add movement without noise," states JoJo Barr, of House Nine Design. "A striped pattern brings energy to a room while staying calm and orderly at the same time. It is bold but never chaotic."

"They work with almost any style," she continues. "Whether the space is coastal, modern, traditional, or minimal, stripes adapt. Thin pinstripes feel refined and classic. Thick bold bands feel more contemporary. They read as classic rather than fashionable, which is the real definition of timeless.”

5. Ceiling-Mounted Rainfall Showers for Less Visual Noise

Choose minimalist fittings that let the architecture shine. Today's most luxurious showers aren't defined by oversized fixtures, but by what's left out.

Ceiling-mounted rainfall heads, concealed valves and pared-back brassware create a calm, uncluttered backdrop, allowing beautiful materials and sculptural forms to take centre stage.

In the calming, minimalist bathroom above, the flush-mounted shower head all but disappears into the ceiling, while the slim brass controls complement the softly curved tiled wall, proving that understated design often makes the strongest statement.

"Shower systems that have waterfalls to massage your calves and shower heads that enable calming rain modes, as well as flush-mount shower heads that reduce visual noise, are all becoming more popular as we seek showers that double as wellness spaces," agrees Adam Knight, director of Nefarious Interiors.

6. Material Drenching for a Statement Shower Room

Following the rise of color drenching, designers are now embracing 'material drenching', where the same finish flows continuously from the walls onto the floor to create a cocooning, uninterrupted look.

So, rather than treating the walls and floor as separate surfaces, designers are wrapping showers in the same tile for a seamless, immersive effect.

Extending a material across multiple planes creates a stronger architectural statement, making even compact shower spaces feel more expansive and thoughtfully designed.

The approach gives showers a bespoke, architectural quality while allowing beautiful stone or tile to become the hero of the space. This striking checkerboard design proves that when pattern is carried across every surface, the result feels bold yet wonderfully cohesive.

"A big trend we are seeing emerging for showers is 'material drenching' - when the space is enveloped in a finish that continues from floor to wall to create that feeling of being cocooned," says Adam Knight. "It also has the power to enlarge spaces by eliminating obvious transitions, which can make even a small bathroom shower feel larger."

7. Curved Enclosures for a Cocooning Feel

Bathrooms are becoming softer and more enveloping in 2026, with designers favoring rounded forms that create a sense of comfort and retreat.

Circular shower rails and curved enclosures gently define the showering space without the need for heavy screens, introducing a more relaxed, spa-like feel.

In this scheme, the suspended oval rail and patterned curtain soften the geometry of the room, while subtly enclosing the bath and shower to create a cozy, almost room-within-a-room effect.

"We love adding oval shower curtains, shower or bath nooks to create a more cocooning and unexpected feeling, with a more boutique hotel vibe," says Natasha Lyon, co-founder and creative director of Appreciation Project, who designed the colorful bathroom above.

As bathrooms continue to evolve into spaces for relaxation and escape, the shower is no longer an afterthought.

Instead, it's becoming a carefully crafted focal point, where materials, shape and subtle design details work together to create a more immersive experience.

The biggest shower trends for 2026 aren't about following fashions, but about designing spaces that feel considered, timeless and a joy to use every day. From statement materials and sculptural forms to thoughtful architectural touches, today's showers are designed to feel as beautiful as they are practical.

In the interior design world, what goes around always comes back again — trends, prints, and especially color. That said, when colors re-emerge, it's usually in a way that feels more contemporary than previous iterations. Case in point: warm neutrals are regaining popularity, but instead of beige, designers are looking to a slightly more characterful color: a warm, milk-chocolatey taupe.

Browns have been big in color trends of the last year or two. And while rich, moody shades are still here to stay, adding a warm, chocolatey taupe to your neutral palette seems to be the new way to ground a modern scheme. There is more lived-in warmth in this mole brown than beiges of the past, but it's still neutral enough not to overpower a space.

So, neutral-lovers rejoice; just because bold colors are currently dominating doesn't mean you have to shy away from decorating with neutrals altogether. Warm, chocolatey taupes bring just as much personality to a room — here's how to do it.

Why Is Taupe Trending Right Now?

By definition, taupe is a neutral shade that sits somewhere between gray and brown. I think the key to making this new-age taupe feel right for 2026's interior design trends is that it's much warmer and brown-leaning than the lighter, more gray-adjacent taupes of the past.

In fact, many of the hues that interior designers shared are a mix of taupe, mole brown, and milk chocolate — including Benjamin Moore's Taupetone and Farrow & Ball's Broccoli Brown.

"I love all shades of taupe and brown right now," shares interior designer Sarah Tract. "Basically, anything that's a touch warmer than the classic creams and beiges we have been seeing for the last couple of years. That warmth helps speak to the 'now' without being too trendy," she adds.

With elevated taupes, you get the grounding gray undertone and the rich brown warmth — it's like an 'everything' neutral.

But the true secret ingredient is a touch of pink. "People still want calm spaces, but they don't want them to feel cold or stark," shares Sabrina Soto, interior designer, podcast and television host, and Behr paint ambassador.

Adding a touch of an earthy, sun-baked or dusty pink to a taupe brown brings just enough warmth and personality while still feeling natural and liveable.

"Warm neutrals feel contemporary now because they're softer and more layered than the beige tones people remember from years ago," says Sabrina. They're not flat or builder-basic. The newer warm taupe-browns have more depth, "so they work beautifully across a range of materials and styles," she adds.

How to Style Warm Taupe in Interiors

The best way to decorate with brown and warm taupes is by "thinking of these warm neutrals as the foundation, not the whole story," says Sabrina. "They create the backdrop that lets everything else in the room feel more collected and elevated."

You can start with a taupe wall or color drench for an instantly enveloping effect. "A mudroom drenched in a dark, cool taupe like Broccoli Brown is rich and inviting," says Sarah. "And an entire limewashed living room in something a bit lighter is warm and inviting." It depends on what space you are working with and other factors like light and material.

"One of my favorite ways to use taupe-browns is tonal drenching a smaller space, like a home office, hallway, powder room, or bedroom, so the room feels really intentional," adds Sarah. "I love using warm taupe-browns on walls, ceilings, cabinetry, and trim," she adds.

But don't feel limited to a tonal space. Even though these more nuanced neutrals may have more saturation or color, "They still read as neutrals, so you can tie in a bunch more layers of other colors — like robin's egg blues and mint greens," Sarah explains.

Warm taupe-browns pair beautifully with high-contrast colors like deep charcoal gray or a rich navy blue. "They also work well with softer greens like soft moss green or a more subtle calming shade like a tranquil gray," says Sabrina.

For something richer, try pairing a warm taupe-brown with rich rust reds or terracotta colors. This will bring out the warmth and "give the space another layer of depth while allowing the overall palette to remain timeless," adds Sabrina.

As for materials, taupe-browns work best when paired with other natural materials like wood, stone, linen, plaster, and unlacquered brass. Or, of course, you can always start with a few taupe-brown accents. Decor and upholstery are such an easy and stunning way to introduce color without committing to a full-on paint job.

"People are craving homes that feel comforting and personal. Warm taupe brown gives you that calm foundation, but it still leaves room for texture, art, color, and personality," says Sabrina.

There are so many 'new' neutrals to experiment with in 2026 — it's about taking the basics and making them feel personal and unique, whether that's through saturation, application, or color pairings.

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There's perhaps no landmark more interesting, when it comes to modern architecture, than the Barbican Centre. Yet while it's best known for its divisive brutalist buildings, you could argue it's the surrounding gardens that really make it such a spectacle.

When first conceived, the Barbican's gardens were stark and minimalist, but later brought to life with lush greenery after residents felt it a little too bleak. It's a bold contrast — yes, it's linear, reinforced-concrete architecture is dynamic and impressive in its own way, but it's the softness of the naturalistic, yet structured planting that surrounds it that really makes the place feel magical.

It's something Gina Taylor, founder of East London Garden Design, feels specifically about the Barbican Centre's Beech Gardens, which inspire her own urban garden designs. "I've always loved the Barbican because it feels completely unexpected — this quite raw, Brutalist architecture softened by something deeply immersive and alive," Gina tells me. "The Beech Gardens, by Nigel Dunnett, feel like a kind of urban wilderness. They’re not precious or overly designed in a traditional sense — they’re loose, dynamic, and constantly shifting."

"What’s so powerful is the contrast: that softness of planting set against the hardness of concrete. It transforms the space emotionally. It feels calmer, more human," Gina adds.

It's an extreme example, yes, but there are lessons to be learned about greening urban spaces, whatever the scope of your city garden. So, if you find yourself surrounded by concrete walls, with gray sky rises looming overhead, or just want your garden to feel softer and more natural, here's how Gina would bring the look of Beech Gardens home.

What plants are synonymous with this style of planting for you? What are the hero plants of the Beech gardens?

"In the Beech Gardens, the idea of 'hero plants' shifts away from standout individuals and instead focuses on plants that define the character and rhythm of the space through repetition and presence.

The true heroes are the structural species that anchor the planting. Euphorbia characias is a key player, bringing that distinctive acid-green brightness and strong architectural form that holds the scheme together..

Alongside it, grasses like Helictotrichon sempervirens act as quiet but essential heroes— introducing movement, resilience, and a silvery-blue tone that threads consistently through the garden."

"Another layer of hero plants emerges in the matrix — the species that are repeated in drifts and give the garden its cohesive, immersive feel. Grasses such as Sesleria nitida and Melica ciliata aren’t showy on their own, but en masse they become fundamental, knitting the planting together and creating that soft, naturalistic planting flow.

Then there are the seasonal heroes — to create rhythm and punctuation. Echinops and alliums play this role, delivering vertical accents and bursts of colour that move through the garden over time, reinforcing the sense of seasonality."

What lessons would you take from these gardens if you're planning a garden in an urban plot?

"The key lesson from these gardens is to work with the conditions rather than trying to overcome them.

At the Barbican Estate, the planting responds directly to challenges like deep shade, exposed wind, and dry podium soils — and that responsiveness is what makes it so successful.

There’s also a clarity and confidence in the design approach. A restrained palette is used deliberately, allowing repetition to create impact rather than relying on lots of different species. Plants are arranged in drifts and blocks, which gives the space a strong visual rhythm and a sense of cohesion.

It shows that urban gardens don’t have to feel rigid or overly controlled. They can be loose, atmospheric, and naturalistic — while still being carefully and intelligently designed."

The real magic of the Barbican's gardens is that they're not just there for aesthetics. "There’s a real intelligence behind that," Gina says, "using planting as a system rather than decoration."

And perhaps most importantly, they change how people use the space. The gardens invite you to slow down, to sit, to notice the seasons. That’s something I think all good planting should do — especially in a city."

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Brown has spent years lurking in the background of kitchen design, popping up in walnut islands and butcher’s blocks while sage, navy and greige hogged the spotlight. Not anymore. From muddy mushroom tones to rich chocolate hues, brown is making a distinct comeback, and it’s bringing a welcome dose of warmth with it.

Perhaps it’s a reaction to years of cool minimalism, perhaps the fashion crowd got there first, or maybe we’re just craving spaces that remind us of our grandma’s house — just with better lighting and marble countertops. Either way, today’s brown kitchens feel anything but dated. Think glossy plum-brown walls, earthy paint colors with pink undertones, and dark stained timber that celebrates grain instead of hiding it. These are kitchen color ideas that feel layered, tactile, and full of personality.

The truth is brown isn’t really one color at all. It can lean red, gray, olive, or caramel, and it pairs happily with everything from polished stainless steel to dramatic marble and warm brass. Whether you’re considering a full cabinet makeover or simply looking for a fresh alternative to sage green, these ideas prove brown deserves a place back on the kitchen moodboard.

1. Below Deck

Brown doesn’t have to swallow a kitchen whole to make an impact. In fact, one of the smartest ways to use it is to keep the richest shade below the countertop (and eyeline), where it naturally grounds the room without making it feel smaller.

Here, cabinetry painted in deep mahogany brown gives the perimeter units real presence, while crisp white upper cabinets stop the look from tipping into overly traditional territory. Add warm brass hardware and brown/gold-streaked marble to this two-tone kitchen, and suddenly the contrast feels fresh rather than formal.

"Brown is far more nuanced than people often realise," says Kasia Piorko, founder and design director of Kate Feather Kitchen Design. "Shades like Farrow & Ball’s Mahogany carry red undertones that change beautifully throughout the day, creating a depth that flat grays and blacks simply can’t achieve."

2. Global Influence

Brown’s biggest design flex is how brilliantly it partners with texture. Swap cool minimalism for woven natural fibers, patterned textiles, and warm metallics, and suddenly the color takes on a worldly, well-traveled feel. Here, the muddy warmth of the cabinetry, in Farrow & Ball’s London Clay, is echoed in woven lighting, bold Roman blinds and brass accents, giving the scheme a distinctly global influence that’s rich in character without tipping into theme.

"The whole space here has elements of the Moroccan aesthetic and Berber leanings, and that’s my happy place," says interior designer Mhairi Coyle. "I added a beautiful cornice and carried it across the windows to hide the top of the bold print blinds, which are brown to tie in with the cabinetry.” To root the kitchen in its space, Mhairi sourced oversized brass and natural abaca pendant kitchen lighting from Visual Comfort.

"What makes this color so great is that it’s a muddy, pinkish brown, so it works well against the more masculine, cold feel of the stainless-steel worktop," she adds. "It keeps it sharp and cool but still warm and homely."

3. Go Cocooning

A brown color-drench doesn’t have to feel heavy. The trick is treating the room as a complete envelope rather than stopping and starting the color from one surface to the next. Here, brown-stained cabinetry meets glossy plum-brown polished plaster that wraps seamlessly over the walls, extractor hood, and ceiling, blurring the boundaries between architecture and joinery. Brass hardware and marble surfaces catch the light, ensuring the rich palette feels atmospheric rather than enclosed.

"We wanted to create a jewel box kitchen that was not only a nod to a space that could have been in the home when it was originally constructed in the early 1900s, but also to make you feel alive and intimate with the materials, textures, fixtures, and the overall experience," explains Kristen Peña, owner and principal designer, Kristen Peña Interiors.

That immersive effect is reinforced by a decorative ceiling treatment by Caroline Lizarraga, adding another layer of handcrafted character without feeling overly nostalgic.

4. Old-World Charm

Brown is one of the few kitchen cabinet trends that genuinely improves with age. Where crisp white highlights every knock and navy can quickly show wear, sludgy, earthy browns embrace the inevitable bumps and scrapes of family life, developing character rather than looking tired.

Patrick Williams of Berdoulat leans into that philosophy by borrowing a practical decorating detail from historic service spaces. "I love the ‘below stairs’ aesthetic," says the author of The House Rules. "It’s prominently influenced by practicality. Here I’ve used a tideline, which you often see in historic kitchen spaces, pantries, sculleries and the corridors between them.

"The lower portion of the wall is sacrificial, able to take the scuffs and scrapes of trays being carried. Edward Bulmer’s London Brown takes damage so well — it’s all welcome patina in my opinion."

5. Create Flow

If you’re introducing brown cabinetry into an open-plan kitchen, don’t let it stop at the cabinets. Repeating the same earthy tones elsewhere in the room helps the kitchen feel woven into the wider living space rather than reading as a separate zone.

That’s exactly the approach Albion Nord took with this Chelsea Barracks apartment. The cabinetry picks up the rich walnut of the dining table and bar stools, while bronze accents and softly glowing opal glass pendants reinforce the palette without feeling overly coordinated.

"The dark, earthy colours that we’ve embraced here have been carried through from the open-plan living and dining area," explains Camilla Clarke, founder and director of Albion Nord. "It felt right to connect the two spaces through palette and material choices."

Those repeated brown notes become visual stepping stones that lead your eye around the room. "The warmth of the darker shades brings a cohesive unity to the space, complemented by the hanging pendant with its opal glass diffuser, chain and ceiling rose fitting," she adds.

Brown is particularly good at this because it already exists naturally in so many materials — timber flooring, dining furniture, leather upholstery and woven textures all become part of the same conversation.

6. Ground the Room

Mid-tone brown cabinets add depth beneath pale walls, stopping light-filled kitchens from feeling washed out. Brown doesn’t have to mean deep, dramatic shades. Softer, mid-tone hues deliver just as much warmth with a lighter touch, making them particularly effective in rooms where you want to preserve a bright, airy feel.

"In this vaulted annex kitchen, we needed to keep the walls and ceilings a lighter shade — Farrow & Ball’s School House White — so it didn’t feel enclosed," says interior designer Rebecca Wakefield. "Using brown on the units helps ground the room, adding warmth and depth that’s punctuated by orange accents."

The chosen cabinet color in question, Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back, is one of those elusive shades that’s difficult to pin down. Sometimes gray, sometimes taupe, sometimes unmistakably brown, it shifts throughout the day, proving the color has plenty to offer beyond dark chocolate and espresso tones.

7. Fresh Contrast

Brown cabinetry feels noticeably fresher when it’s balanced with cooler, lighter finishes. Introducing crisp contrasts keeps this palette from feeling too rooted in tradition and gives the eye somewhere to rest.

"Brown has a wonderfully grounding quality, but it needs contrast to keep it contemporary," explains interior designer Shannon Eddings. "The warmth of the cabinetry — in Benjamin Moore’s Woodacres — and timber ceiling here is offset by clean white walls and appliances, and crisp marble countertops, creating a scheme with plenty of depth that still feels fresh, airy and modern."

The secret to decorating with brown is treating it like any other covetable shade, not a relic of the ‘70s. Stop thinking of it as muddy or murky, and start seeing it for what it really is: a warm, versatile color that’s every bit as desirable as green or blue.

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Your entryway plays a crucial role in the home. Both the first thing you see as you enter, and the last as you leave, this space sets the tone for the rest of your design. You want it to feel welcoming, with a calming warmth that instantly makes your guests feel at ease.

And yet, for so many of us, our entryways are treated as nothing more than a dumping ground — a hazardous pile of shoes and coats cluttered on top of one another. It's a common predicament, as Felix Milns from HUX London says, "Hallways can quickly become overwhelmed by the everyday essentials of family life — shoes, bags, and coats all have a habit of gathering by the front door. Coming home to a cluttered entrance is hardly the relaxing welcome anyone wants after a busy day." Which is exactly why your entryway storage ideas are so important.

And, if you take a look at the latest designer projects, it seems there's a new rule around how our entryway storage should look. Gone are the days when a simple shoe rack and coat hanger were enough to get you by; nowadays, the key lies in storage that doesn't look like storage. It's all about built-in, custom designs; ones that seamlessly blend into their surroundings, making it look as though they were part of the home's original design. These designs remove all visual clutter from your entryway, while ensuring there's still plenty of space to store your necessities. They are discreet, elegant, and practical, making your entryway feel like the relaxing haven we all deserve. This is how and why designers are embracing this storage design.

Why Should Your Entryway Storage Look Like Architecture?

The main purpose of storage in your entryway should be to make it look more organized, removing the clutter that can so quickly ruin your space. But with the wrong type of storage, it can often have the opposite effect. "Entryway storage is one of those things that can either make a home feel instantly calmer or instantly more cluttered," explains Gail Bignell, head of design at Sharps.

With drawers of console tables bursting at the seams and coat racks overflowing with fabric, even though purchased with the best intentions, it can be all too easy to overwhelm your storage, leaving your entry looking messier than it did to begin with. Plus, once you account for the shoe storage cabinet, a coat rack, and a sideboard, you end up with very little breathing room, making for a cramped and uncomfortable welcome into your home.

This is exactly why designers are increasingly keen to design entryway storage that blends into the home's architecture instead. By doing this, you end up with a space that feels calmer and more considered. As Gail says, "The trick is to make it feel as though it belongs to the bones of the house, rather than looking like furniture that has been squeezed in because there was nowhere else for the coats to go."

Unlike regular storage spaces, this approach introduces more flow into the design, concealing the clutter behind closed doors and allowing a calmer energy to enter the space.

More often than not, this style relies on custom, built-in storage. Although it may be more costly, there's nothing else that can feel quite so intentional and considered as a bespoke storage solution.

By opting for a customized design, you can build something that truly supports you and your lifestyle, with all those small, personal touches that can make your daily life feel that bit easier. "Thoughtfully designed bespoke storage transforms the entranceway into a calm, organized space, ensuring everyday items are neatly tucked away yet always within easy reach when it's time to head out," explains Felix Milns from HUX London.

They also allow you to get the most from your space in ways that standard storage pieces can't. “When storage is built in properly, you can use all the awkward bits that often get wasted — the alcove, the dead corner — but still keep the entrance feeling open and welcoming," says Gail.

Suddenly, with a built-in design, these awkward, small entryways no longer feel like an inconvenience, but an opportunity for exploration.

And it's not just those dead corners that these designs can improve on; they're also a fabulous idea for homes with high ceilings, which would otherwise go to waste. "Making the most of a hallway's vertical height is key to maximising every inch of available space," says Felix. It's not just the aesthetic benefits that the designers love; it's the practical ones, too.

How to Choose Your Entryway Storage

So, how do you achieve this look?

Well, first of all, it can be helpful to know what to avoid before you start your search.

The main entryway organization mistake to avoid is opting for anything that makes your space feel more cramped than it did to begin with. As Felix explains, "Hallways are often one of the narrowest areas of the home, so it's essential that storage enhances the space rather than making it feel confined." If your storage eats into your floor space too much, or leaves your narrow hallway feeling even smaller, it's probably not the best choice.

If you are working with a smaller space, try to make sure your storage is as minimalist as possible. Think push-to-open cabinetry and slim-line, simple designs.

For Gail, practicality comes first. She says, "What I try to avoid is anything that feels too bulky or too shallow to be genuinely useful. There is no point in creating a beautiful cupboard if the coats have to be rammed in, or the shoes still end up in a pile by the door. You have to think about what is actually coming into the house every day: school bags, dog leads, umbrellas, sports kits, post, keys, the things people drop the second they walk in."

Planning your storage with your family and lifestyle in mind will always be the most successful approach. Storage isn't one-size-fits-all, and mapping out exactly what you'll need to store and how you'd like to store it before finalizing your design is one of the best ways to ensure you're happy with the end result.

That being said, there are some basics every storage space should include. According to Felix, "A well-designed entrance should include hanging space for coats and jackets, angled shoe drawers to keep footwear neatly organized without taking up unnecessary floor space, and enclosed drawers or cupboards for everyday items such as bags, umbrellas, sports equipment, and pet accessories."

The best designs are those that find an equal balance between practicality and aesthetics, and that could look different for everyone.

How to Style Your Storage

Simply opting for built-in storage isn't enough to achieve this architectural effect, though. There needs to be a little more thought and consideration than that, and the experts have all the tips.

Above all else, the top piece of advice from experts is to treat your storage with the respect it deserves. If you leave entryway storage as a last-minute add-on, you'll never achieve that luxurious, fluid style. It needs to be considered from the outset and integrated into the wider design of your home.

"Bespoke joinery should complement both the architecture and the decorative scheme, allowing it to blend effortlessly into its surroundings," argues Felix. Don't think of your storage as something that exists in isolation; consider it part of the overall interior style of your home. So, in mid-century modern homes, perhaps a warm, darker wood would work best, while Scandi-style properties may opt for a lighter, blonde finish.

Gail argues for a similar approach, saying, "My biggest tip is not to treat entryway storage as an afterthought. It is a small space, but it has a big effect on how the whole house works. Done well, it keeps the everyday things close to hand, but behind doors, in drawers or on proper hooks, so the entrance still feels clear and easy to use."

The essence of this interior design trend comes from the subtlety of the style. The storage isn't meant to be the main event; it's just something that supports the rest of your home. As Gail explains, "The elegance comes from making the inside do the hard work, so the outside can stay simple. If you get the hanging space, drawers, shelves, and smaller compartments right, you do not need the design to shout. Proper full-height doors, a bench seat, or a neat open section for the things you use constantly can all make it feel much more designed, without losing the practical side."

Even with the most stylish entryway storage, if you've not got control of your mess, your home will never look as good as it could. Luckily, you can listen to the queen of clean herself; Marie Kondo's entryway organization tips are all you need to get your entrance in order.

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The continued demand for indoor-outdoor design means we're seeing an increasing array of interior elements, such as bars and kitchens, making their way outside. While I love being outdoors as much as the next person, it sometimes feels like this approach can compromise the overall effect of spending time in nature itself — particularly when space is tight.

This hit home when I was browsing through the work of some of my favorite landscape studios; the gardens felt refreshingly wild and distinctly lacking in bulky, over-designed elements. Don't get me wrong, I have definitely gazed with envy upon beautifully constructed outdoor kitchens and built-in garden bars... but even if I had the space (and budget), I'd prefer a less structured look for my own garden.

If you don't have a huge amount of outdoor space to play with, it might just be better to set your garden up for what we all really want to be doing out there: relaxing. This is why, when it comes to smaller gardens, the 'Aperitivo Corner' makes so much sense. While all you really need is comfortable seating and some evening rays, there are more than a few ways to elevate the aperitivo experience. Here's how.

Why 'Aperitivo Corners' Are Trending in Small Gardens Right Now?

Aperitivo hour (or apéro to the French) is an Italian pre-dinner ritual enjoyed early in the evening. When I lived in Italy, it was quite possibly my favorite part of the day. It's also the perfect time to enjoy your garden: the heat has waned, the light is beautiful, and the scent of the plants fills the air.

Hosting people for aperitivi is a really effortless way to entertain al fresco. You only need to put on a few light snacks to accompany drinks. If you have a small garden, then a spot to catch the last of the sun can provide just as much joy as an elaborate set up for cooking and hosting outside.

Aperitivo Corners are low-fuss and low-maintenance, but with the right furniture choices and a good position, they can provide just as much as a proper outdoor kitchen or bar. And once you're done, you can generally pack them away, making them perfect for smaller spaces.

Letting go of the idea that your outdoor space has to be able to accommodate large groups of people and elaborate meals means you're free to select some compact furniture pieces that won't overcrowd your garden.

I love the cheerful feel of the terrace in this house by LSD Architects, who selected a petite and playful circular cork table and stools to accompany the built-in window seat incorporated in the home's newly built extension. The design feels intentional and avoids swallowing up half of the terrace.

"The clients’ brief emphasized the importance of entertaining and casual seating options, with the bench offering a welcoming setting for gatherings," says LSD co-founder Luka Anic. The cork table and chairs are a nod to the cork flooring featured throughout the interior."

Where to Position an 'Aperitivo Corner' in a Small Garden

For ease, it makes sense to set up your outdoor seating close to the kitchen so you have easy access. I'm seeing more and more urban homes eschewing bi-fold doors, and choosing instead to install an indoor-outdoor window seat that offers the best of both worlds, whatever the weather.

One such example is Emil Eve's terracotta-hued London extension (pictured above), which features a bench positioned either side of a sliding window that connects the kitchen to the garden. Outside, the C-shaped seating area incorporates tile-clad raised beds and creates a convivial space enshrouded with greenery.

"We created a contemporary interpretation of a traditional bay window, offering expansive lateral views of the garden from within," says studio director Emma Perkin. "A deep window seat in the dining space is matched with an external bench at the same height, creating a really sociable outdoor seating area which feels linked to the kitchen and dining spaces as well as the garden."

The Best Furniture for an 'Aperitivo Corner'

If you need flexibility when it comes to your seating, folding furniture (like this Outdoor Steamer Chair from John Lewis) is your friend. Not only will folding chairs take up less space in storage, but they're also lightweight and portable, which is great if your garden's position means you find yourself chasing the sun in your garden at the end of the day.

I've just bought two Lafuma Butterfly Chairs for my garden, and I absolutely love them. They're incredibly comfortable, can be stashed away in a small cupboard, and are the perfect compromise between an armchair and a lounger. Plus, every time I look at them, I think of summer holidays spent in France.

Some stylish deck chairs will do the same job. In addition to a covered pergola with built-in seating, garden designer Natasha Nuttall added this retro pair into a recent project, which can be easily relocated to different corners of the lushly planted garden.

If you'd like to extend your pre-dinner drinks ritual well into the autumn, a fire pit will keep you warm when the nights start to cool. It's also a surefire way to add atmosphere after dark.

"A fire pit has a remarkable ability to draw people into parts of the garden that might otherwise remain overlooked," adds Tomoko Kawauchi, director of landscape design studio Kawauchi Rowe. "We often position it away from the main terrace, tucked amongst planting or in a quieter corner, so that it becomes a destination rather than something immediately visible from the house."

Tomoko explains that a sense of discovery makes gardens feel richer and more immersive — a principle that can still be applied in smaller outdoor spaces. If you're working with a really tight area, you might want to consider a smokeless fire pit design, such as a Solo Stove (your neighbors will thank you).

There's nothing quite like sipping a spritz at golden hour to make you feel like you're on holiday, so why not lean into the moment with a few well-chosen pieces of tableware?

Go for designs that are suited to being outside (unlike the incredibly thin-stemmed champagne flutes we have at home, which go flying in the first breath of wind). I love a classic Duralex tumbler for water and wine; my chef husband (a touch more particular than I) prefers these Gabriel-Glas stemless wineglasses. (Alternatively, these Waterford stemless wine glasses from John Lewis are a little more affordable.)

Artisanal ceramics in the form of platters, side plates, and tapas bowls will all add character, no matter how tiny your tabletop, as will colorful linens and a great drinks tray.

If all this talk of summer evenings has inspired you to give your outdoor space some love, you may be interested in Livingetc's edit of 50 of the most beautiful summer buys for your garden.

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They say your tastes change over time, but if there's one thing I don't think I'll ever grow out of, it's my love for ice. Perhaps more accurately defined as a borderline obsession, my need for ice has been the object of much fascination throughout my life, but, if the newest kitchen appliance trend is anything to go by, I'm no longer alone in this devotion.

I'll be honest, I've yet to meet a freezer that can keep up with my ice intake. Even in the dead of winter, I go through more ice each day than my measly ice tray can keep up with. So, when I heard whisperings of a dedicated ice fridge hitting the market, it's safe to say my interest was piqued. A never-ending supply of ice sat right in my kitchen? Never having to suffer through a half-warm iced coffee again? This is the stuff dreams are made of — particularly in these hot summer months.

And it's not just perfect for ice-freaks like me, for passionate hosts, I'd go so far as to say this is a must-have item. Nothing ruins a party faster than finding out the host is all out of ice. But with this genius machine in your back pocket, there's absolutely no risk of that happening. But before we get too excited, let's establish exactly what an ice fridge really does, and why they're so different from your regular freezer.

What Is an Ice Fridge?

When we talk about an 'ice fridge', we're referring to appliances with the sole purpose of supplying ice. More often than not, these look like small fridges designed to sit beneath your kitchen worktop, though you can also find plenty of countertop appliances with the same function.

Perhaps the best example of this type of product is Sub-Zero's Designer Undercounter Ice Maker. One of the newest additions to the kitchen appliance brand's product range, this petite fridge uses a patented ice distribution system to ensure an even and steady supply of ice at all times, while cutting down on maintenance and upkeep.

"A dedicated ice maker is engineered for producing a consistent supply of high-quality ice," explains Jeff Sweet from Sub-Zero. Using consumer insight data, Sub-Zero designed this machine to produce the most desirable ice shape: a 1.25" clear cube. Continuing, Jeff adds, "It includes a patented ice distribution system that eliminates uneven ice distribution to maximize usable storage without manual intervention, while an ultrasonic sensor accurately measures ice levels unaffected by the environment, so consumers can forget the inconsistency of freezer trays or freezer ice systems."

This design, and others like it, differ from regular freezers in their production process. As Chris Grundy, senior product manager at Haier & Hoover UK & Ireland, explains, "Traditional freezers rely on manual ice trays, which take time, occupy valuable freezer space, and only produce limited quantities of ice. A dedicated ice-making system is designed to deliver a continuous supply whenever it's needed."

This style of system can also be found in premium freezers, such as Samsung's Bespoke AI Series 8, which comes with a plumbed-in ice dispenser, or Haier's FD 90 Series 7, with its Auto Ice Maker.

"Many premium systems also produce cleaner, more consistent ice that's ideal for everything from chilled soft drinks to entertaining guests. It means you're not planning ahead or running out halfway through a gathering; the appliance simply takes care of it for you," says Chris. "It's another example of how premium refrigeration is moving beyond food preservation to supporting modern lifestyles and reducing everyday effort."

Why Are They Trending?

So, why are they trending at the moment?

Well, not to state the obvious, but we're going through a bit of a heatwave as of late, so it should really come as no surprise that people are more keen than usual to bring some ice into their kitchen setups.

But even beyond recent weather reports, this trend reflects a wider shift in what we expect from our modern kitchens. As Chris explains, "They're no longer simply spaces for cooking; they're places to entertain, socialize, and enjoy everyday moments. That means consumers are looking for appliances that offer greater convenience while also elevating the whole experience."

It's the same reason we're seeing a growing appetite for home bars and outdoor kitchens; people are actively designing their spaces around the idea of hosting, and investing in items that not only they will enjoy, but that their guests will, too.

"At the same time, there's been huge growth in home entertaining, at-home coffee culture and premium drinks, whether that's iced coffee, mocktails or cocktails," adds Chris. Post-pandemic, not only are people hosting more, but they're hosting better, too. And what better to assist you in that pursuit than your own never-ending supply of ice?

"Dedicated ice makers are growing in popularity as home entertaining continues to evolve and consumers place greater value on hospitality-driven kitchen design," agrees Jeff. "Rather than relying on traditional freezer ice trays or slow-producing built-in freezer ice systems, homeowners want a more reliable, always-ready supply of high-quality ice that supports everyday use and entertaining. In luxury kitchens especially, ice is no longer an afterthought but part of the hosting experience. Sub-Zero designed its new Undercounter Designer Ice Maker specifically with this shift in consumer needs in mind."

One of the biggest secrets to being a good host is knowing how to make your life easier, and this type of device offers exactly that. "Having a fridge that can produce a consistent supply of quality ice on demand removes one of those small daily inconveniences and makes the kitchen feel more capable and luxurious," says Chris.

Do I Need One?

Knowing whether a dedicated ice fridge is a worthy investment for you will come down to a few factors.

First of all, you need to think about whether it will solve an issue for you. For frequent hosts or large families, it can be hard to maintain your ice supply with a regular freezer, and you may often find yourself running out. If that problem is familiar to you, an ice fridge might just be the answer.

If you constantly have people in and out of your home, this kind of appliance can be a no-brainer. "It supports entertaining, keeps up with busy households and removes the need for countertop ice makers or overflowing ice trays," says Chris, "It's a feature that works quietly in the background but makes a noticeable difference whenever you're hosting friends, enjoying an iced coffee on a warm day or simply wanting perfectly chilled drinks on demand."

While some may think of this as an unnecessary luxury, experts suggest it won't be long until features like these become regular fixtures in all high-tech, luxury kitchens. As Chris says, "As kitchens become more connected and lifestyle-led, features like integrated ice production are becoming part of the expectation for a truly premium home, rather than an occasional luxury.”

And for more 'cold appliance' trends to add to your kitchen, the latest kitchen cooling tech will help you survive summer heatwaves in style.

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This season, I've scoured most interior brands looking for the best pieces to buy for the garden. Chairs you'll want to lounge in, dining pieces that make al fresco dinners more enjoyable, and accent tables that could be styled indoors as well. And one material that I keep coming back to is rope. Rope outdoor furniture is a classic choice, but when combined with contemporary ideas and the hottest outdoor furniture trends, well, it feels surprisingly elevated.

First of all, there are a few ways to do rope outdoor furniture. There is the traditional rope material that nods to a very nautical aesthetic. Then there are high-performance cords made of materials like polyester that are particularly resistant to UV rays and moisture. The latter typically comes in stylish colors and applications, while the former provides a more natural, traditional look. Basically, rope outdoor furniture combines form and function, and makes for a dependably fashionable outdoor material.

So, to determine whether this garden furniture style is right for your outdoor space, I did a bit more research across several of the best garden furniture brands. Below is when, where, and why you should choose rope outdoor furniture for your garden — plus a curated list of my current favorite ways to shop this style.

Why Is Rope Outdoor Furniture Trending?

When choosing pieces for your garden, you want outdoor furniture that will last and elevate your space. So, why is rope a dependable option? Well, as mentioned, contemporary styles often use a synthetic rope weave that withstands UV rays, moisture, and mildew, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use — great for anyone who wants a low-maintenance garden.

But how does it differ from something like rattan garden furniture? In fact, the natural, woven aesthetic is quite similar to rattan. But "Most rope outdoor furniture is made using strong, low-maintenance and water-repellent marine-grade rope, which makes it very durable in comparison to natural rattan," Danielle Le Vaillant, outdoor furniture expert at Cox & Cox, tells me.

Plus, rope is very visually appealing in an outdoor space. "Durable rope outdoor furniture gives a soft, romantic look that doesn't bear too heavily on your space, as the rope lattice weave lets light shine through," Danielle adds. Rope won't feel too heavy or overwhelming, which is especially helpful in small garden ideas or hot, sunny gardens.

Its natural texture is another standout feature. You can opt for a jute-like variation, something more colorful, or a sleek minimalist rope, but every time, it adds that beautiful tactile element.

Sounding like a chic rope outdoor furniture piece is missing from your garden setup? One thing to note: "Like all outdoor furniture, it needs to be completely dry before being covered or stored away for the winter, or mold and mildew stains may appear," warns Danielle. So, best practice is to cover or store during harsh weather.

How to Style Rope Outdoor Furniture

Luckily, rope outdoor furniture is very easy to incorporate in most garden decor schemes. It's more a matter of what pieces you want to sport this material and the garden furniture colors you want to incorporate.

Danielle says, "Woven rope designs are ideal for creating a romantic Scandinavian-style outdoor." Contemporary rope furniture tends to be more minimalist in style, but with a subtle flair. And most often, rope outdoor chairs, coffee tables, and sofas sport a very laid-back style. Hence, it works well in a Scandi garden style. Still, "The rope adds a layer of texture that will complement the natural elements and greenery of your garden," adds Danielle.

And rope is very flexible, so you can really put it anywhere or on anything. "It's particularly great for outdoor seating where it both supports and moves for added comfort," says Danielle. Something like an outdoor lounge chair or a garden table and chairs set would be great in a rope material for this reason.

As for how to incorporate rope outdoor furniture into your existing garden scheme, many styles use a combination of Acacia wood and rope, which creates a nice contrast that makes rope even more adaptable.

Combine that with a fashionable color trend, and you'll be well on your way to a more stylish garden. "Rope outdoor furniture designs with black, charcoal, or even navy blue are particularly effective in urban style gardens," Danielle says. Or choose a bold red, pink, or orange for something warmer.

Then the rest is up to you. "Accessorize with this season's striped garden furniture trend like cushions and parasols to give a lovely contemporary coastal appeal that works brilliantly in small and urban spaces," recommends Danielle.

So, that's everything I've learned about rope outdoor furniture and why it's an adaptable, hard-wearing, and fashionable choice for your garden. And it's typically an affordable garden furniture material, too — another big win for rope.

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There was a time when bright white and light gray dominated kitchens, featuring in every moodboard and renovation, but today’s most interesting and exciting spaces are embracing something much richer and more exciting. I’m talking about the espresso off-black kitchen that, I think, can win over anyone who’s anti-dark kitchens. The classic dark palette swaps a stark flat black for a dark and handsome vision with charm. Balancing timeless elegance and luxury, it lures us in.

Black is an effective design choice; however, for its dynamic qualities. “Black is at its most elegant when used as a canvas to allow other bold natural materials, like veined marbles and warm timbers, to shine,” says Magnus Nilsson, lead designer at Blakes London. He says, “In this context, black softens and works as a gentle complement to what nature provides.“

However, it's not a great or practical choice if you're worried about fingerprints, dust, and general durability, necessarily.

As homeowners continue to seek kitchens that create atmosphere as well as function beautifully, espresso off-black has emerged as one of the defining kitchen color trends in contemporary design. Rich, timeless and endlessly versatile, it’s a shade that brings deep warmth without overpowering a space.

Here are some of the best examples proving exactly why this trend is here to stay.

1. Cool Calm Balance

If you like a clean, crisp kitchen, this one by The Vawdrey House is for you – cool, smooth materials on the walls and floor, a leather banquette seating booth area to dine in, which is tonally complementary to the rest of the kitchen, and then there's the dark, warm cabinetry. Dark, but not quite a black kitchen.

From warm amber tones to ash black, the cabinetry's natural variation is what brings warmth, nature, and depth into this spacious kitchen. Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House, explains, "The combination of natural materials and the darker colour palette creates an interior that is enduring but also a statement." She says, "Black wood cabinetry is also a nod to the quiet luxury trend, which has been in high demand over the past couple of years, especially when paired with sleek hardware, elegant worktops and other interesting textures such as concrete or natural stone."

Sophie suggests how these dark tones are growing in popularity for kitchen schemes, showing a shift towards richer and more dramatic interiors. "Dark wood kitchens offer depth and authenticity thanks to their tonal, natural grain, tactile texture and craftsmanship."

2. Material Sandwich

Off-black and dark brown are both superb bases for highlighting certain materials, surfaces, or other colors. See here how well the dark modern cabinetry stays sleek and subtle, framing a special accent material, which tonally ties in with the rest of the kitchen.

Oli Webb, Director at Cullifords, suggests they're seeing more and more appreciation for natural stone in rich brown and off-black tones as a kitchen marble trend, particularly where the veining becomes a real design feature. "These darker palettes add depth and drama, but it's the movement and warmth within the stone that keeps the space feeling inviting rather than stark. It's a timeless look that works beautifully in contemporary kitchens."

3. Traditional Works

Of course, this color can work in a traditional kitchen just as well as a modern one. Personally, I love a dark wood in a traditional setting, and it will always be my first choice; however, this Blakes kitchen shows how it can be brought right up to date when paired with surrounding details such as sleek marble countertops, off-white walls and adjacent cabinetry, and the modern handles in black bring everything up to date.

Magnus explains Blakes' view on these dark tones, especially within a wood kitchen. "We tend to shy away from strong blacks, preferring softer blacks and charcoals, either as a stain on a timber finish which shows the texture and veining of the timber beneath, or as a painted finish for a bolder look."

There are three different wood tones in this kitchen, and it's the perfect trio to enhance the dark island — a subtle focal point styled really well.

Perhaps that's the secret to the espresso off-black kitchen: it's not about creating a space that feels dark, but one that feels layered, warm and full of character. Whether it's stained timber that celebrates the grain beneath, beautifully veined stone or tactile fluted details, these kitchens prove that off-black is less about a color and more about creating some true depth.

When you're weighing up dark vs light kitchens, lighter kitchens will always have their place, there's something undeniably timeless about this richer palette. Sophisticated without feeling stark, dramatic without overpowering a room, this espresso tone has a way of making every surrounding material sing. And if these kitchens prove anything, it's that choosing colors you genuinely love will always outlast any passing trend.

Bathrooms in 2026 are moving beyond safe neutrals and predictable contrasts.

Instead, designers are embracing bathroom color ideas and combinations that feel layered, comforting, and deeply connected to nature, pairing earthy tones with richer accent shades to create spaces that feel as considered as any living room or bedroom.

From olive and moss green to rust and clay pink, these bathroom color pairings prove that practical spaces don't have to feel clinical or stark.

1. Rust and Clay Pink

A rust and clay pink bathroom proves that warm-on-warm color schemes can feel incredibly sophisticated.

In this bathroom, Little Greene's Arras wraps the room in a rich earthy red, while the terrazzo tiles introduce softer clay-pink undertones that lighten the palette and add subtle texture. The result is a cocooning bathroom that feels both bold and beautifully balanced.

"This bathroom combines deep rust tones with a softer clay pink to create a space that feels warm, enveloping and atmospheric," confirms Ruth Milne, of Studio Milne. "Bathrooms can sometimes feel quite clinical, so I tend to favor tonal color combinations that sit closely together rather than stark contrasts. The result feels more sophisticated and cohesive, with the colors wrapping around the room to create a calm, cocooning effect."

2. Soft Olive and Moss Green

Rather than contrasting colors, the tonal scheme above layers different shades of green with warm natural materials.

This is a big bathroom trend for 2026, as designers move away from stark color contrasts and towards rooms that feel cocooning and connected to nature.

Layering a soft khaki olive on the walls with deeper moss-green floor tiles of this green bathroom creates a tonal palette that feels both grounding and sophisticated, especially when paired with warm oak cabinetry and aged brass fittings.

3. Deep Plum and Warm Stone

Using richly veined marble alongside warm, tactile natural stone rather than crisp white ceramics is where bathroom design is heading for 2026.

In the above bathroom, rich plum-veined marble introduces drama, while blush-toned stone tiles soften the palette with warmth. The pairing feels luxurious without becoming overly dark, balancing boldness with an organic, sun-warmed quality.

"Soft, earthy tones mixed with darker, moodier colors is always a great vibe, like this natural Zellige tile paired with a calacatta viola marble with with deep purple veining," says Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors, who designed the gorgeous space above.

4. Ochre and Inky Blue

Yellow bathrooms are 2026's most sought-after trends, bringing warmth without overpowering a space.

In the bold yet comforting bathroom above, honey-hued panelling is paired with an inky blue basin and toilet for a look that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

The contrast is bold enough to make a statement, yet softened by earthy undertones that keep the palette feeling timeless.

"I wanted this space to feel bright and bursting with personality," says Natasha Lyon, of Appreciation Project. "This shade of warming ochre yellow is bold and calming and, paired with the earthy-toned deep blue sanitary ware, it adds a pop of joy and sophistication to this small bathroom."

5. Dusty Blue and Espresso Brown

The coolness of dusty blue is given depth and definition when paired with rich chocolate-brown accents.

The dark architectural framing around the bathing alcove introduces a grounding note of espresso that prevents the pale blue from feeling overly sweet, creating a bathroom that feels both contemporary and cocooning.

Throw in creamy white walls and warm timber flooring and you've got a sophisticated palette that feels very 2026 as t's not relying on obvious color blocking.

The darker tone is being introduced through architectural details rather than cabinetry, which is something designers are increasingly doing.

The best bathroom color combinations for 2026 share one thing in common: balance.

Whether pairing earthy greens with stone tones or richer shades like plum and burgundy with softer neutrals, the focus is on creating depth and warmth rather than stark contrast.

The result is a bathroom that feels less utilitarian and more like a true extension of the home's overall design story.

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I don't know if anyone's mentioned it, but it's been rather hot lately. Luckily, the new trend of instant-cooling kitchen tech is here to offer us some much-needed relief from the heat.

In all seriousness, though, with the way the UK has reacted to the recent heatwave, you'd think we've never experienced summer before. It's no understatement to say the country comes to a halt as soon as temperatures climb above 25 degrees; we're simply not equipped to handle the heat. At least, not without some assistance. And it's not just your trusty fan that will help you through these sweaty days; the latest cooling kitchen appliance trend, quite frankly, couldn't have come at a better time. From dedicated ice-fridges to perfectly chilled water at the touch of a button, these new advancements in kitchen technology are heavy on the chill factor.

But these aren't just fair-weather friends; these appliances boast features that will come in just as handy in the cooler months as they will through summer. Designed not just to keep you cold through the heat, these special features also help maximize the longevity of your ingredients and offer you more control over your kitchen technology. It may be hot outside, but the future of kitchens is looking cooler than ever.

1. Elevated Ice Experiences

What is, famously, cooler than cool? Ice cold. And finally, kitchen appliance brands have caught on to that sentiment, as shown by the dedicated ice fridge trend.

In the summertime, nothing can instantly ruin my day quite like a depleted ice tray. At any summer gathering, whether that be a sophisticated garden party or a slightly less sophisticated World Cup viewing party, there is a direct correlation between how good a time people had and how well stocked your ice tray is.

Understanding the significance of this, Haier's newest refrigerator launch, Horizon, boasts next-level ice production. Labeled the 'bar experience', the Horizon is equipped with a dedicated ice production system, offering up a selection of shapes and sizes for you to enjoy your ice in. "The Horizon Collection represents a decisive step in our evolution within the cooling category," says Daniele Pugliese, head of cooling, Haier Europe. By offering different types of ice available at your demand, the Horizon introduces a small, everyday luxury into your modern kitchen, elevating your morning iced coffee and weekend cocktails to new heights.

What's clear from this trend is that ice is no longer seen as one homogeneous category. People have clear preferences for particular styles of ice and are more than willing to invest in them. Just look at the growing interest in nugget ice makers, like the Euhomy Nugget Ice Cream Maker (available on Amazon); the countertop appliances with the sole purpose of providing you with a constant supply of tiny, crunchy nuggets of ice, just like you'd find at your favorite fast food chain.

LG has hopped onto the trend, too. Not only does the new Ice Solution System, as included in the LG InstaView American Fridge Freezer (available at John Lewis), offer you the option of cubed, crushed, and craft ice, but with the LG ThinQ smart system, you can control the production of ice directly from your smartphone, so you never have to come home to a half-empty ice drawer.

2. Keeping It Crisp and Chilled

A room-temperature Pinot Noir may hit the spot in the winter months, but as soon as the sun is out, I like my wine light, crisp, and most importantly, perfectly chilled, and this cooling kitchen trend promises exactly that.

Wine fridges are nothing new; in fact, they've become somewhat of a staple in many luxurious kitchens, but this new tech takes this kitchen feature to the next level. Like having a sommelier under your kitchen cabinets, the latest wine fridges boast super-sensitive temperature tempering, ensuring each bottle is kept at its optimum serving temperature, so you can have the perfect pour, every time, and it is undoubtedly one of the most genius things a wine fridge can do.

Gaggenau's newest wine cabinet, part of the Vario Cooling Expressive Series, is fitted with 'Sommelier Sensor Technology'. This tech uses infrared sensors to identify the type of wine, and adjusts the temperature accordingly, using its smart lighting system to notify you when the wine is ready to be served. Alternatively, you can also hook the fridge up to a smartphone app, so you can stay on top of your wine stock.

3. Freshness That Lasts

According to the 2024 Food Waste Index Report, each European citizen wastes a yearly average of 130kg of food, and in the summer months, when higher temperatures turn food bad even faster than normal, this problem becomes even more prevalent. Which is exactly why so many modern refrigerators are designed with integrated freshness preservation systems.

"When temperatures spike, a big risk is food spoilage. Modern innovations like dual cooling circuits, where the fridge and freezer operate on entirely separate air systems, have become essential," says Louise Marshall, from Liebherr UK. "By preventing dry freezer air from entering the fridge and vice versa, food remains hydrated and stays fresh significantly longer. This is particularly useful during a heatwave when humidity can impact fresh produce, resulting in wastage and an increase in food bills."

In Haier's Horizon fridge (available on AO), the newly developed NutriBank technology promises to maintain the freshness of meat and fish for up to five times longer, without the need for freezing. By extending the life of your fresh produce, this fridge can help reduce unnecessary food waste, offering you more time to make the most of your ingredients.

Alongside the NutriBank, Horizon also uses an Active Fresh Zone system, which uses humidity to preserve fruit and veg for longer, too. These new developments, Daniele says, "combine science, proprietary technology and design to create a range capable of addressing people’s real needs: preserving better, organizing better and enhancing everyday life in the kitchen."

Similarly, Gaggenau's new Vario Cooling refrigerator boasts a new Professional Freshness System. By relying on independent motorized dampers, this fridge claims to be able to create numerous scientifically calibrated microclimates across the fridge, helping to preserve the freshness of each individual ingredient.

4. Cooling Treats on Demand

There's no better way to cool off on a hot day than with a sweet, icy treat, and the newest wave of kitchen tech means that making your own summertime refreshments from the comfort of your own home couldn't be any easier.

I mean, really, who needs an ice cream truck when you have your own Ninja Slushi maker sitting on your kitchen worktop? Or, of course, the iconic Ninja Creami (available on Amazon). With these machines, you can stay cool all summer long, armed with the most delicious, homemade icy desserts.

Plus, when you make these desserts yourself, you can easily skirt around the questionable ingredients used in the shop-bought alternatives. As nutritionist Emily English says, "I love a sweet treat, and I really don’t buy into the idea that you have to cut things out or be miserable to be healthy.

"The Ninja CREAMi gets me genuinely excited for my post-dinner dessert. I enjoy ice cream in a way that supports my health, and even my yogurt bowl can become soft serve, which feels like such a win." Thanks to these clever appliances, there's no reason why your summertime ice cream can't be a daily occurrence.

5. Coolness Guaranteed

By now, we're all familiar with the idea of living with a boiling water tap. But did you know the concept can be applied to cold water, too? Now, I'm not talking about your regular, kitchen sink cold water. No, these taps promise icy-cold, chilled water whenever you want it. Which, if the temperatures carry on like this, is pretty much constant.

Take the Quooker CUBE, for example, the smart system that offers chilled, filtered, and sparkling water, all from one tap. Similarly, the Hyco Zen Ice Tap range has options for both cold and chilled water, so you don't have to waste precious fridge space storing up bottles of water.

Icy drink not enough to see you through this heat wave? Don't worry, we've got plenty more ideas for keeping you cool. Just take a look at Shark's newest launch, a clever cooling fan in an on-trend color. It's the perfect addition to a humid bedroom. And for more design ideas, sign up for our newsletter.

To me, July is peak summer. June marks an exciting beginning to the season, and August hosts the long dog days, but July? July is steadfast, full of sunshine, and the idea of holidays, picnics, and long evenings seems endless. Which all leads me to believe that Livingetc's color crush this month was no coincidence. Mango Swirl is a zesty orange that bleeds into all of the best moments of summer.

Mango fruit, oranges, tropical flowers — when this shade appears in nature, it leaves a memorable impression. And the same could be said for using Mango Swirl in your interior design. Who forgets an orange-drenched room? Yet, decorating with orange is too often avoided. The color gets a bad reputation for feeling dated or distracting. I get it, orange is intense, but when you give a shade an identity, it becomes more palatable.

That's why Mango Swirl feels more approachable and exciting. Its yellow undertones are warming, and its saturation is exciting. In a design moment where color trends are currently favoring the bold, why not try your hand at one of the most underrated colors in design? Here's everything you need to know about July's color crush, Mango Swirl.

What Color Is Mango Swirl?

Just like how our previous color crush, Pomegranate Pop, isn't just 'red', decorating with color takes on a stronger identity the more specific you get. And like with every hyper-specific color, Mango Swirl isn't just orange. It's bolder and brighter and has a softness that gives it an elevated, nuanced edge.

Technically speaking, Mango Swirl sits between yellow and red on the color wheel, but leans slightly more yellow. These yellow undertones are what give Mango Swirl its vibrancy and zest. But, of course, you need to consider how lighting affects paint colors, too. Darker rooms will bring out its reddish tones, while direct sunlight will make it feel like a vibrant ray of sunshine. There is a very subtle, peachy softness that makes Mango Swirl feel that much more approachable and familiar — think of it as a saturated take on those iconic Italian color palettes.

Oranges, like Mango Swirl, can definitely be intense, but when used correctly, they evoke feelings of energy, warmth, and creativity in the home. Use this shade in spaces where you want to invite conversation and connectivity — below are some ideas to help inspire your next Mango Swirl-ed space.

How to Use Mango Swirl in Your Home

So, the big question: how do you decorate with such a saturated color in interiors? Well, there are a few ways you can go with Mango Swirl (and each results in a room destined to turn heads).

A Mango Swirl color drench will obviously be the boldest way to decorate with this hue. It may seem crazy, but when done well, it can work beautifully. The key is to rely on a tonal drench rather than a flat application of the color. Paint trim, doors, and bookshelves a different shade of orange to create visual depth and keep Mango Swirl from feeling too overwhelming.

Or rely on colors that go with orange in the room to help tone down Mango Swirl's intensity. "While pairing with other saturated colors would look great on paper, the reality is it would create a much too vibrant space to fill a room completely with this color and others like it," color expert Amy Krane tells me.

For instance, Mango Swirl is gorgeous with hot pink decor, but in a room, something softer or a neutral color palette would look more elevated as a base.

Amy suggests moodier colors, too: "I like it with brown, dark greens, and charcoal gray," she says. "Or, it would be great with navy blue, its complement."

Alternatively, "accent pieces of Mango Swirl against a dark or neutral background would work," adds Amy.

Decor is probably the easiest way to try your hand at decorating with Mango Swirl. It takes the pressure off of making a disastrous painting mistake or accidentally overwhelming a room.

For instance, Amy says, "It would make a smashing sofa or another piece of upholstered seating in an otherwise neutral room." An accent chair in Mango Swirl provides the same contrast as design techniques like the 'Unexpected Red' theory.

"Mango Swirl shouldn't be the only loud blast of color in the room," adds Amy. "There ought to be a few more applications of it dotted around the room." Perhaps an orange lamp or decorative vase to tie it all together.

Alternatively, there are specific moments where Mango Swirl always works well. For example, Amy recommends it for kids' bedrooms. Or you could even bring orange into your garden (it's a major garden furniture color trend, after all)... "Or even a front door color in a home painted a very dark color," adds Amy.

Orange doesn't have to be a shade that's scary to use in interior design. Joyful colors have their place when done well, and can elevate a room from plain to personalized and unique.

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If you're anything like me, you may be tiring of bouclé, or at least conscious that it's becoming a bit of a design cliché. In truth, the textural looped yarn is a timeless look, but there's one new way to style it that feels more interesting, more expensive, and more unexpected right now: outside.

Taking viral bouclé fabric — which translates to ‘curled’ in French — onto patios and terraces gives it a fresh take, making it feel more unexpected and expensive. "As outdoor areas become true extensions of the home, we’re looking for the same comfort, texture and considered design outside," says Chris Cooke, head of design at King Living.

But this outdoor furniture trend isn't as simple as dragging your favorite bouclé armchair out into the fresh air. There are specific fabrications designed to withstand the weather. So, here's everything you need to know about taking bouclé furniture outside, and how to get the trend right.

Why Outdoor Bouclé Furniture Is Trending

Helping to create sensory homes conducive to rest and relaxation, bouclé is the pinnacle of ASMR decor. Soft and strokable, it’s made by weaving two yarns together — one twisted and the other loose — to create its signature knotted texture. Arguably, it was the iconic Womb chair by Saarinen for Knoll that pioneered bouclé back in 1948, with the design sparking the concept of furniture to quite literally ‘curl up in’. Now, it’s making its way outside where it gives your al fresco the feel of a luxury hotel.

Chris Cooke, head of design at Australian brand King Living (which has developed a specific bouclé for outdoor spaces), tells me that the enduring appeal comes from it looking both contemporary and timeless. He says: "Rather than relying on bold color or pattern, bouclé creates subtle visual interest through its weave, making it easy to incorporate into a broad range of interior and exterior spaces."

But why are we taking bouclé outside? Well, it's all about creating the look and feel of an 'outdoor living room'. But it needs to be designed for the outdoors. Rather cleverly, King Living's innovative Zenith fabric isn’t just resistant to moisture, UV exposure and mould, but comes in a raft of colorways designed to complement natural materials and surrounding greenery.

Shop Outdoor Bouclé Furniture

Indoor vs Outdoor Bouclé Furniture

“Bouclé has a way of making furniture feel more considered and inviting, which is why it has remained popular, despite the rise and fall of more fleeting fabric trends,” explains Jonny Brierley, managing director of outdoor furniture company NUMA. “As homeowners seek functional yet stylish pieces for their outdoor spaces, it’s no surprise that bouclé textures are finding their way outdoors, too."

But the biggest difference lies in the performance of the fabric. "While indoor bouclé prioritizes comfort and aesthetics, outdoor versions are engineered to withstand the elements," Jonny explains. "Unlike cheap fabrics that are printed with color on the surface, outdoor bouclé is solution-dyed. This means the pigment is integrated into the fiber itself during production. The result is something that can sit in direct, unrelenting sunlight for years without fading or losing its structural integrity."

NUMA uses a specialized open-cell porous foam and waterproof bouclé. "This allows rainwater to permeate the surface and quickly drain through the bottom of the furniture," explains Jonny. "In most cases, your seat is dry and ready for guests just an hour after a heavy downpour."

Can You Use Outdoor Bouclé Indoors?

Interestingly, designers are using the benefits of outdoor bouclé indoors, too. And why wouldn’t you? “While it works beautifully on outdoor sofas, dining chairs, and loungers, we’re bringing it inside, particularly in high-traffic areas where performance is just as important as aesthetics,” explains Brian Woulfe, the managing director and founder of his Designed by Woulfe studio.

He continues: “My own home features outdoor bouclé on the kitchen banquette, for example, which has proved incredibly successful. It’s a family space, yet the fabric has remained resilient while maintaining the softness and sophistication expected of the material. Most visitors are surprised to learn it’s actually designed for outdoor use.”

So, fair to say, bouclé is not outdated; you may just be styling it in the wrong space. Adding a sensory, textural element to your al fresco — as well as a focal point — it's the last word in luxury for the summer ahead.

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If a kitchen island is the glamorous centerpiece around which you gather with friends, then a breakfast nook is the unassuming staple that quietly lifts your everyday experience.

Seeing you through the first meal of the day, your afternoon coffee perk-up, and perhaps a work meeting or two, this everyday hero deserves a little design love — and these schemes demonstrate how it can quickly become a clever modern kitchen idea with a well-chosen palette and a few unexpected twists.

From banquette seating to small space solutions, these breakfast nook ideas show how designers turn this functional element into a design moment.

1. Table Manners

Without a point of focus, a breakfast nook can fade into the background of a kitchen scheme — but not in this space by Studio MUKA. Centering it around an eye-catching Dirk van der Kooij table, partners Zabie Mustafa and Neda Kakhsaz made sure that this corner packed a punch.

2. In Suspense

As far as kitchen lighting ideas go, including a pendant "creates interest, warmth and human scale to bring the focus down to the table height," says Jennie Bishop, founder of Bishop Studio.

"This pendant felt appropriate for the 1960s-era home and is simple enough to not overwhelm the space. The kitchen's stone countertops are of a quartzite that reminds us of a Japanese watercolor, so the textured pendant complemented that perfectly."

3. Perch and Partake

Make it easy to edge right up to the action with a chic breakfast bar — brilliant for everything from an intimate dîner à deux to sociable soirées that allow the cook to chat to guests, the space-savvy example seen here by Sucher Studios make a brilliant case for including one in your kitchen design.

4. Space Station

"Banquette-style breakfast nooks allow for a space-saving mix of chairs and built-in seating," says Susie Atkinson, founder of Studio Atkinson, who included her own Craftmaker's chair alongside fixed seating here. "Banquette seating hugging the wall is often a better use of space than rows of chairs on either side of a dining table."

5. Bijou Bistro

Small kitchens can still have space to sit — it just takes clever design planning. "A breakfast table should take up little room while still being comfortable and easily accessible," explains Rudy Faissal, one half of Milanese-based design firm Lit Studio. "In this case, we made use of the niche between the units and inserted a bench, pairing it with a simple round table and striking red and black stools."

6. Add an Icon

If you like your breakfast sprinkled with pizzazz, add an iconic photographic print as a backdrop. Interior designer Jessica Schuster chose an image of Jackie Onassis in a ski mask and sunglasses, captured by Harry Benson on the slopes in 1968. As with anything that involves Jackie Onassis, we're taking notes.

If you're considering a built-in seating arrangement for your breakfast nook, then it's worth knowing the banquette seating design mistakes that people often make, so that you can avoid them when planning, as well as understanding what designers suggest you do instead.

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Don't get me wrong, I love a hotel bed as much as the next person. Ultra-plush mattress topper? Sign me up. Fluffy pillows? Yes, please. All-white sheets? Sure, I'll take it. But when it comes to how designers say we should be dressing our beds at home, there's a trend doing the rounds that heralds the end of a copy/paste approach: the anti-hotel bed.

A firm steer away from perfection and formulaic technique, as the name would suggest, the 'anti-hotel bed' is essentially everything that the hotel bed is not. According to designers, this bedding trend is all about bringing a bit of personality back to the bedroom through color, texture, pattern, layers, and asymmetry.

"People are becoming more educated and discerning in terms of what materials they like to sleep on, what colors they resonate with that make them feel calm, and what bedding style is achievable for them to make up every morning and keep the bedroom feeling nice," says interior designer Shona McElroy, principal of Smac Studio.

To strip the bed clean, so to speak, I asked designers how to achieve the anti-hotel bed aesthetic in your own home, for a less bland, more personal style.

1. The No-Set Approach

Gone are the days of finding where to buy bedding, adding a full sheet set to cart and being done with it. The anti-hotel bed calls for an end to the set-and-forget mentality. "The most inviting beds are styled in much the same way we approach an interior as a whole," says Romanos Brihi, co-founder of Studio Vero. "Rather than buying an entire bedding set, think in layers."

For lovers of white sheets, don't fret: Romanos says a white base is a good place to start. "Then introduce color, texture, and pattern gradually through cushions and throws collected over time," he adds. "The aim isn't for everything to match perfectly, but for each element to have its own personality while still sitting comfortably within the wider palette of the room."

An in-between layer, such as a waffle blanket, quilt, or coverlet, is also a great addition, adds Nicole Forina of Forina Design & Co. "Those pieces add texture and dimension, making the bed feel much more collected and inviting," she says. "To give the bed that effortlessly lived-in look, arrange this layer a bit more casually between two more tailored layers after making the bed."

2. Color Clashing

If you've ever studied the color wheel, you'll know all about complementary colors. Yellow and purple, green and red, blue and orange — they're not often found together, until now.

Color clashing is a sure-fire way to steer clear of sterile, giving our bedrooms and beds an injection of joy and an "unexpected feel", says Nicole Dohmen, founder of Atelier ND. To pick your pair, Nicole recommends looking to existing anchors, for example, ochre yellow-toned flooring.

And you don't even have to stop at a pair, she adds. "Don't be afraid to bring two or three colors together. A multicolored sheet set can be a great guide for introducing additional colors in a way that feels cohesive rather than chaotic."

3. Cancel the Cushion 'Menu'

Ever been to a design hotel with a cushion 'menu' that you can pick and choose from? While I'm the first to admit the mountain of cushions at hotels feels like a luxury, at home, they tend to end up on the floor. Designers say it's time to leave the "Nancy Meyers-style" bed behind.

This doesn't mean doing away with extra cushions altogether, though. Nicole Forina and Shona McElroy recommend opting for one or two accent pillows, while Ali Henri, of Ali Henri Design, says a "single long lumbar pillow" can also do the trick.

Likewise, Angus Buchanan, creative director of Buchanan Studio, says to focus on one confident choice and let it lead the room. "A bedroom should tell you something about the person who sleeps there," he says. "Restraint can be incredibly powerful. When the foundation is strong, you don't need much else."

4. Imperfect Personalization

While a hotel bedroom is designed to appeal to the masses, the anti-hotel bed is all about personalization. At its core, that often means loosening those 'hospital corners' and leaning into imperfection. Think mixing ruffled sheets with a thrifted patterned quilt, embracing the wrinkles, and adding collected pieces over time.

"We've become so accustomed to the language of luxury hotels — immaculate symmetry, identical cushions and perfectly pressed linens — but home should offer something different," says Romanos Brihi of Studio Vero. "A vintage quilt picked up on holiday, an antique textile draped across the end of the bed, or cushions in colors that deliberately don't quite match all help create a space that feels lived in and deeply personal."

Liz Hoekzema, director and co-founder of KLH Homes, echoes this sentiment. "Mismatched patterns, asymmetry, and pillows that feel more like a beautiful piece than purely functional are all lovely ways to create a bedroom that feels personal."

5. Pattern Pairing

Last, but definitely not least, pattern. You don't have to go packing pattern onto every surface for this to look beautiful; rather, it's about using a discerning eye and playing with pairs and repetition.

A great way to approach this style is by beginning with a more geometric base, such as stripes, before adding more organic and whimsical patterns, like florals or those found on vintage throws and quilts. Color comes into play too, and Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND recommends working from a palette to "tie everything together," and building from there.

If you don't have quite the eye for pattern play, however, Nicole Forina says color blocking is the best place to start. "Start with a simple, solid-colored duvet and then introduce another color or pattern through your sheets. It creates interest without feeling busy and allows you to switch up the look with your mood," she says.

And there you have it: five antidotes to bland bedding. When it comes to dressing a bed from top to tail, designers often have foolproof bed 'recipes' they rely on, including color, pattern, and material combinations that work best, like pairing rattan furniture, jute rugs, and linen bedding.

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If you’re about to start a bathroom reno or refresh, it’s too easy to reach for a tin of bright white paint and a stack of pure white tiles. But I get it, white is classic, it won’t date and it’s a foolproof blank canvas for any style of accessories.

However, stark white isn’t (and shouldn’t be) the only option, say the experts. And there are plenty of bathroom color ideas that should be on your radar for a stylish space that you’ll still love in years to come.

The key is to pick your palette wisely, so you don’t end up with a trendy color you’ll hate in ten years.

"The bathroom colors that will still feel elegant and relevant in ten years’ time are those rooted in nature: soft stone, warm ivory, chalky taupe, sage, dusty blues and earthy clay tones," says Anna Hill, brand director and color consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. "While trends will inevitably come and go, bathrooms that layer soft, nature-inspired colors tend to age gracefully, creating spaces that feel just as sophisticated a decade from now as they do today."

All the experts agree that it’s the colors we associate with nature that will stand the test of time. Think blue, green, warm neutrals, clay tones, and rusty hues.

"You want shades that offer an innate sense of calm and wellbeing and transform your space into a sanctuary," says Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore. "Soft, gentle colors make spaces feel serene and naturally confident, inviting you to pause and unwind, while remaining timeless for years to come."

But with hundreds, if not thousands, of different paint colors and tiles available in every shade of the rainbow, where to start? Fear not, we’ve gone straight to the experts for their words of wisdom.

So here are five timeless bathroom colors to transform your space — which crucially will still be stylish in ten years’ time.

1. Warm Neutrals

Neutral hues like warm beige, stone, ecru, and off-white are classic bathroom colors that will never date, say the experts.

And why? Well, a neutral palette is calm, restorative, and elegant, whether you choose a traditional bathroom scheme or a super modern space.

"Soft neutrals are effortlessly timeless in bathrooms because they create a calm, understated backdrop that transcends trends," says Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish.

"Limestone, sand, taupe and soft greige shades have longevity because they’re rooted in nature rather than trends," adds Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors. "They create a calming, hotel-inspired feel that rarely dates."

But it’s important to choose the right sort of neutral, say the designers, if you want a bathroom with serious staying power.

"If you want a bathroom that still looks beautiful in ten years, keep it simple: beige and white. But it has to be the right beige and the right white," explains Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director of Lisa Hensby Design & Studio Build. "I always go for a soft, warm beige with undertones of brown in it, never a yellow one. And the white should be an off-white, never stark or bright. Softer, warmer tones sit quietly in the background and let the room breathe."

"Warm white is one of the most timeless choices for a bathroom because it creates a clean, bright foundation without feeling sterile," agrees Jackie Armour at JMA Interiors, who recommends White Dove from Benjamin Moore. "Unlike cooler whites, which can feel dated as trends change, warm whites offer softness and versatility and can help bathrooms feel larger, brighter, and more inviting."

For Simon Mayhew, founder and interior designer at TXTURED it is Bauwerk’s Hoar Frost limewash that he keeps returning to. "It’s not quite white and not quite gray," he says. "Limewash is a mineral finish, breathable and slightly porous, so it absorbs and reflects light unevenly across the surface. That’s what gives it depth rather than flatness."

And the real beauty of a neutral bathroom is that it gives you flexibility to change your accessories for a fresh new look in the future.

"You can update brassware, towels, mirrors, or lighting over time without needing to rethink the entire room," adds Waleed Shahid of Royal Bathrooms.

2. Terracotta

Terracotta has been on the interiors radar for a little while now, but it’s a color that’s set to stick around, especially in our bathrooms.

"Natural terracotta is one of the few bathroom colors I can genuinely see feeling as relevant in ten years’ time as it does today," says Damla Turgut, founder and creative director at Otto Tiles & Design. "Unlike trend-led shades, it isn’t really a color at all. It’s tied to a material that’s been used in homes for centuries, which gives it a sense of timelessness."

"And when you build a scheme around colors found in nature, it naturally stands the test of time," agrees Isabel Fernandez, director at Quorn Stone, meaning look to other naturals as colors that complement terracotta. It all comes down to the warmth that terracotta naturally brings to a bathroom, something we’re all craving in 2026.

"After years of cool grays and clinical white dominating interiors, homeowners are gravitating towards earthy, grounding tones that make a space feel lived-in and human," says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. "Terracotta does that instinctively – whether it appears as the material itself or a color reference."

It’s the perfect color for both contemporary and traditional bathrooms. But the key is to layer terracotta with natural stone, linen or raw timber for a considered and grounded look.

"Keep it too flat or too clean, and you lose the very quality that makes it so appealing," adds Louise.

3. Dusty Blue

Blue bathrooms have a strong track record for timelessness. They're calm, restful and rooted in nature.

"Blue has an obvious association with water, making it particularly well suited to bathrooms," says Paul Dwyer at Thomas Crapper. "It’s not tied to a specific trend cycle, which is why homeowners return to it time and time again."

But it is soft, mineral blues — and airy blues with a blackened or gray undertone – that create timeless bathroom schemes you’ll still love in 10 years’ time. So steer clear of blues that are too poppy, too pastel, or too bright.

"A soft, airy blue brings a refreshing energy to any bathroom," says Helen at Benjamin Moore. "It taps into basic psychology and mimics the soothing qualities of water and the sky, so it will never go out of style."

"And unlike bold blues that can feel trendy, a muted blue-gray acts almost as a neutral, adding just enough color to create interest without dominating the space," explains Jackie at JMA Interiors.

Dusty blue-gray pairs effortlessly with natural materials and brushed metal finishes or crisp white accents if you love the coastal-inspired look.

If you want a pale blue gray shade with staying power, Patrick O’Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, recommends Calming Skylight. Or for a cosy country house vibe, try Oval Room Blue, a deeper, historic blue hue.

"The key is to avoid colors that feel overly saturated or trend-led," adds Anna at Fenwick & Tilbrook, "and instead choose nuanced complex tones that shift beautifully with the light throughout the day."

4. Sage Green

Using soft heritage tones like sage green won’t let you down in the bathroom, say designers.

"Green is a timeless bathroom color," says Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Calypso Bathrooms. "And its enduring appeal comes from its strong connection to nature, helping spaces feel calm and grounding."

Stick to green bathrooms that sit from pale to mid strength for a serene and refreshing retreat. So muted sage, olive tones, or a whispery green gray.

"Unlike stronger greens that come and go, a soft sage has proven remarkably enduring," says Kunal at Touched Interiors. "It introduces color while remaining subtle and restorative."

"If you want color with longevity, look to nature," adds Waleed at Royal Bathrooms. "Muted sage and olive tones feel timeless because they are restful and familiar. They bring personality to a bathroom without overwhelming the space."

5. Earthy Pink

Soft blush pink has been a popular pick for our homes recently. And according to the experts, pale pink is tipped as a timeless bathroom color you’ll love for years and years.

The trick is to use an earthy pink or a plaster-like hue that adds depth and subtle character to your space, instead of a bright pink bathroom.

"Beyond flattering to the complexion and exuding gentle warmth, earthy pinks like our classic Setting Plaster are a natural choice for the bathroom," says Patrick at Farrow & Ball.

Whether you choose soft pink paint or a muted blush tile, earthy pink is a perfect complement for materials such as natural stone, timber, and brass

"Neutrals will always be the most popular colors, but if you do wish to stray away from these, I believe pink, peach, and yellow will all be up there as they are warm, welcoming, and make us feel happy," says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May.

So what about plain white bathrooms? Should we be avoiding this at all costs? Well, yes and no, say the experts. Choosing an off-white or a soft cream is perhaps a better choice than stark white and will look sophisticated layered with woods, natural stones, and soft textures. Even a butter yellow bathroom can be a good alternative to a pure white design.

"An ecru shade, something akin to a warm canvas color is one of the most timeless choices for a bathroom," says Damla at Otto Tiles & Design. "It’s an incredibly versatile foundational color and works in almost any bathroom, regardless of its size, its style or the amount of natural light the space receives."

And there’ll always be a place for a classic black and white bathroom scheme — but the key is to use the contrast carefully. “A monochrome bathroom can look incredibly elegant, especially softened with texture, warmer lighting and simply, unfussy fixtures," adds Waleed at Royal Bathrooms.

And for more inspiration for your bathroom, why not sign up to the Livingetc newsletter?

The only thing that I love more than good food is good food presented on a beautiful table. As we head into summer, we look to embrace colorful salads, bright glassware with fruit-flavored cocktails, and meals enjoyed outdoors.

But the summer tablescaping trends we're seeing this year go above and beyond the expected. For stylists, a central vase of flowers and a folded napkin simply won't cut it anymore. Instead, the styling experts are looking for the finer details: curated collections of summer table decor, embracing organic pieces as art, and elegantly clashing styles, to name a few.

So, if you're ready to knock back the traditional tablescape, here are five summer tablescaping trends stylists are actually embracing this year.

1. The Unexpected Centerpiece

Instead of placing a big bouquet in the center of your table, this summer, the experts are urging us to think outside the box. While they're not shunning flower trends altogether, there are more interesting ways to do things.

Liz Hoekzema, creative director and co-founder of KLH Homes, says summertime is full of inspiration. "We love to take advantage of these months with unexpected pairings on display: tomatoes for table toppers, lanterns doubling as a light for the backyard and informal decor," she says. "As the season slowly shifts to cooler days, turning to dynamic mixes of both dried and fresh-found branches and stems is equally impactful."

Likewise, interior stylist Olivia Gregory recommends being generous with beautiful ingredients piled up high on footed bowls or platters as an interesting alternative to flowers. Plus, you can eat them at the end of the meal!

2. Clashing Elements

Another summer tablescaping trend stylists have picked out for the table is one we're seeing in our interiors, too: clashing. Colors, patterns, even styles — pairing the imperfect makes for a relaxed, carefree dining experience.

To nail the style, interior designer Lisa Burdus recommends pulling from the surrounding palette. For example, outdoors might mean pinks and purples, depending upon what is flowering in your garden. "Nature has such a wonderful way of providing a backdrop and inspiration for the colors I use," she says.

"Don’t be afraid to clash patterns and colors," she says. "Raw materials such as a stone plate stand and terracotta bowls also add to the earthy tones and feel."

3. Food as Art

Food has escaped our plates and now finds pride of place all over the table. Think still life, but... real life. These feasting tables are romantic, whimsical, and feel straight out of a painting.

"This idea celebrates abundance, joy, and the new season," explains Genevieve Rosen Biller, founder of Bed Threads. "Scatter mini bunches of grapes, tomatoes, citrus, or stone fruit. You can pair these with arrangements of flowers like cosmos, snapdragons, or poppies for added impact."

Another summer tablescaping trend in this same vein is elegantly presented dishes — especially desserts, shares stylist Kayla Gex. "Quirky little cakes or pretty pavlovas that look almost too beautiful to eat," she says. "For example, they can be really simple meringues topped with cream and an edible flower or a twisting vine from a snap pea plant just to give it that artful appearance."

4. The 'Unset' Table

Much like in our homes, our tables have come to reflect the less formal, more relaxed lifestyle most of us seek. This is reflected in what experts are calling the 'unset' table. It's casual, yet still elegant, and it invites a 'help yourself' approach.

"By prioritizing quality fabrics and artisan craftsmanship for each piece, styling can remain simple and unfussy yet still be considered and impactful," says Rebecca Udall, founder of the eponymous homeware brand.

"The tone is set with a beautiful linen tablecloth as the foundation, layered with woven placemats, napkins to complement, hand-painted ceramics, colorful glassware, and an urn filled with seasonal blooms," she explains. "Cutlery and condiments easily placed in rattan holders complete a table that feels collected but not contrived."

5. 'Everyday' China

Along with color and pattern, we are also seeing another kind of clashing: new and old. Again reflective of interior trends, designers and stylists are contrasting vintage collections with new finds. It's about bringing out the sorts of pieces that might once have been reserved for special occasions, every day.

Genevieve Rosen Biller recommends leaning into nostalgia with mismatched glassware. "Mixing soft pinks, greens, blues, and etched crystal adds texture, color, and charm to the table," she says. "Bonus: it feels elevated without being too formal, and it’s a great way to showcase heirloom or charity shop finds."

Likewise, stylist Kayla Gex suggests pairing vintage serveware with contemporary candlestick holders. "Anything that visibly looks out of the ordinary to create a point of difference is very clever," she adds.

With these summer tablescape trends in your back pocket, it's now time to curate your own dining space. If you're taking things outdoors, take heed of our Design Lab by Livingetc stylist's approach to a more elevated outdoor dining experience.

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We love to see a good redemption arc, and no material has gone through quite so much of a transformation as Veneer. Once the object of snobby disdain, looked down upon as the budget replacement for the real deal, veneer finishes were seen as far from a luxurious choice. When we heard "veneer," our minds instantly conjured images of cheap, flimsy MDF cabinets with a peeling layer of wooden veneer on top. And although that stereotype still exists, it's not what we're talking about today.

See, over recent years, designers have given a new meaning to veneer cabinets, and we're seeing this kitchen cabinet trend pop up in some of the most striking, intriguing design projects around. These finishes are bold, sporting swirling, often psychedelic patterns. They're eye-catching, yet still elevated, feeling at once completely unique and still subtle enough to live with every day. But it's not just their pleasingly transfixing patterns that have triggered the veneer renaissance. In this age, designers are as concerned with the sustainability of the materials they use as they are with their appearance, and luckily for us, these patterned wood veneers are scoring tens across the board.

Unlike a traditional solid wood design, a veneer cabinet receives its signature finish from one thin sheet of wood, stretched out across an alternative, durable inner core. With brands like ALPI leading the way, we're ushering in a new age of wooden veneers, one marked by innovation, exploration, and pure joyous design creativity. And these spaces show exactly how to put the material to work for kitchen cabinets that make a serious style statement.

1. Burl and Blue

Perhaps the precursor to this trend, for the past year or so, burl wood has been the hottest material in interior design. Seen in all the chicest restaurants in London and all the most desired design collections, designers are enamored by the vintage nostalgia evoked by this swirling, patterned wood.

It was exactly this retro feel that drew designer Piotr Lucyan from ArtUp towards this finish. Reminding him of the opulent design of the Art Deco style, Piotr saw this material as a way to refer back to eras past, without stepping into full period-dressing. "I see it almost as a quotation from history: a subtle reference that brings depth and character without making the interior feel historical," explains Piotr. But as much as this material evokes the past, there is also something strikingly modern about it, too. "As someone passionate about art history, I enjoy incorporating gentle echoes of past eras into my projects in a way that feels relevant today."

In the 19th-century townhouse featured above, Piotr finds a way to seamlessly weave in design features from various periods, while creating a final design that feels undeniably contemporary. Punctuating the neutral kitchen color palette with vibrant pops of an electric Yves Klein blue, Piotr brought life to this open-plan kitchen design.

Pairing the burl wood cabinets with a variety of textured finishes, Piotr shows just how versatile this patterned material can be. "What makes it special is that it creates a very distinctive visual effect while remaining surprisingly predictable in the way it works within a composition," he says. "In design, I think that balance is incredibly important. Although the pattern is rich and expressive, it pairs beautifully with a wide range of materials and color palettes, making it much more versatile than many people expect."

While many may find the boldness of this pattern intimidating, this elegant design shows just how balanced it can look when used with confidence: "When thoughtfully integrated into the overall composition, it can bring warmth, personality, and timeless character without overwhelming the space," shares Piotr.

2. Pops of Red

Of all the ways to include unexpected red theory in your kitchen, this has to be one of the coolest. With the cherry red, swirling pattern of ALPI's iconic Sottsass pattern used across the oven hood, and then again as a punctuating circle decorating the warm, wooden cabinets, this bold design shows exactly how to make a big impact in a small kitchen.

Designed by Wojciech Nowak from Noww Studios, in this project, the material formed the foundation that the design grew out of. "My design process is based on selecting materials that inspire me," he explains, adding, "Marquetry is a beautiful craft, and I wanted to use this technique in this kitchen."

Using the cabinets as his canvas, Wojceich used this material to construct a geometric artwork of types, placing all the focus in the kitchen directly onto the lower cabinetry. "The lower cabinets are the main element of the kitchen, and by using only base cabinet fronts, we were able to keep the visual focus on the lower section. The marquetry is sparing in detail, but it makes a great impact thanks to the large planes of varied veneers," he says.

With the limited space available in this room, it was crucial to maintain balance while also introducing character and intrigue. To do this, Wojciech ensured the accompanying materials and colors were relatively understated. For him, this type of marquetry is at its best when used as a "refined accent," noting, "It acts like a painting, so it needs to be carefully balanced."

3. Colorful Contrasts

Moving away from the neutral color palettes that have dominated the previous designs, in this colorful kitchen by Casale Casale, ALPI's Sottsass brings even more life to the already exciting design.

In this kitchen, designer Federica Demo was keen to create more visual complexity while still maintaining a core minimalism to the architecture of the design. "The patterned veneer offers exactly this: a texture that is already design, not mere finish," she explains.

Unlike other materials, there is a sense of completion behind this veneer finish, speaking entirely on its own, without the need for any supporting features. "We are interested in materials that carry an intrinsic depth, and that shift the perception of space in a subtle, progressive way," says Federica, and in this kitchen, this pattern does just that. "It becomes the internal rhythm of the kitchen, giving the whole its identity without the need for embellishment."

By incorporating such a bold, vivid material into the core structure of the design, Federica removed the necessity for further embellishment. "The surface introduces movement, creating a dynamic yet discreet presence. The overall effect is that of a composed, tactile, and layered kitchen, where the material becomes the primary expressive element rather than an added ornament," she explains.

4. Faded Italian Glamour

A brilliant example of how to pattern clash in your interiors without it feeling overwhelming — in this kitchen, psychedelic swirled cabinets pair beautifully with gorgeous terrazzo floors, for a design that feels layered and bold, yet still chic.

"For this kitchen, we wanted to create a unique concept that would resonate with the solid terrazzo flooring in this area of the apartment," explains designer Marie Deroudilhe.

Inspired by her client's love for the bold, whimsical style of the Memphis movement, in this kitchen, "This wood veneer designed by Ettore Sottsass emerged as the obvious choice."

Ettore Sottsass, the mind behind the patterned veneer seen in so many of these designs, was a leading figure in the Memphis movement, and this patterned veneer captures the fundamental essence of this era of design.

Punctuated by the shiny, blue-glazed lava stone used on the kitchen worktop and backsplash, this gentle color brings a refined elegance to the room. To Marie, this combination felt nostalgic, capturing the energy of faded Italian glamour, "The effect is almost cinematographic," she says.

5. Mid-Century Modernism

In this minimalist mid-century modern kitchen, the patterned veneer cabinets bring just enough movement and intrigue to elevate the design, without detracting from the natural beauty of all the warm, wooden finishes.

"For me, patterned veneer is interesting because it sits somewhere between a natural material and a graphic surface," explains Krzysztof Matuszewski from Matuszewski Studio. "It has the warmth and tactility of wood, but at the same time it brings a stronger rhythm, almost like a textile, stone pattern, or architectural drawing."

In this kitchen that is so dominated by wood, the patterned veneer brings something new to the table, while still feeling close enough to the surrounding materials. It brings a decorative touch to the space, without removing any of the all-important functionality, and in simple kitchens, this becomes all the more important.

"What is unique about patterned veneer is that it gives depth and movement to very simple forms," notes Krzysztof. "Even if the kitchen fronts are flat and minimal, the surface itself creates a visual layer. It can make a kitchen feel warmer, more bespoke, and more expressive without adding unnecessary details."

Because of this, the finish works particularly well in kitchens with clean, simple architecture and minimal detailing. "The material is already strong, so I would usually pair it with simple cabinet forms, calm proportions, and precise junctions," explains Krzysztof. It can work beautifully in modernist, contemporary, mid-century inspired, or slightly eclectic interiors."

6. Elevated Simplicity

In this bright, airy kitchen, the burl-veneered island brings some texture and warmth to the space, providing a more grounding presence.

With its curved edges and terrazzo countertops, this island was already a focal point of the design, but for designer Ewa Soboczynski, the material was the finishing touch that took the island to the next level. "We were looking for a material that would not simply cover the form, but actively engage with it," she explains. Deciding on a vintage-inspired burl pattern from ALPI, Ewa says, "The structure and rhythm of the ALPI veneer wrap around the island in a very natural, almost sculptural way, allowing the material and the geometry to complement one another perfectly."

The veneer wrap brings a greater sense of weight and presence to the kitchen island, transforming it into a true centerpiece for the design. "It becomes a warm, tactile, and luminous object: expressive, but not overpowering; decorative, yet deeply architectural," says Ewa.

We're all for materials that combine eco-friendly benefits with bold, striking design; it's exactly what we love about so many of the sustainable material trends we're seeing at the moment. To stay up to date with all the newest, hottest materials and design trends, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

No room plays quite as significant a role in your daily routine as the bathroom. The first place you enter in the morning, and the final stop before retiring to bed, your bathroom design has to strike the balance between energizing and relaxing, and no shade achieves that quite like a lick of butter yellow paint.

The standout shade in both fashion and interiors last summer, the sunny hue felt practically inescapable in 2025. But now, one year on, the color is finding new life as the designer's go-to for bathrooms. Warmer and more characterful than a flat off-white, yet still comfortingly neutral, having a butter yellow bathroom is an easy way to add brightness and personality to your space without becoming overwhelming. With its joyful connotations of childhood summers and sun-soaked, ice-cream-filled days, there's an undeniable happy factor to the hue, and who doesn't want a bathroom that brings a smile to your face?

As interior designer Pernille Lind puts it, "It creates a space that feels instantly warm, inviting, and nostalgic, while still feeling entirely fresh." There's a unique appeal in this shade, and while this sunny warmth would be welcome all year round, in these summer months, it feels particularly appropriate.

Why the Designers Love It

Choosing the right bathroom color isn't always an easy task — you need something that feels uplifting and invigorating enough to get you started for the day, while still being calming enough to provide a comforting refuge before bed.

As color psychology shows, the colors we surround ourselves with can help to shape our moods and daily experiences, and considering the vital role our bathrooms play in our daily routines, bathroom color psychology becomes all the more important. It's with this in mind that many designers are opting for this sunny, bright shade in these spaces.

As Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at Lusso, explains, "Butter Yellow is a mood-boosting color, combining the happiness of yellow with a muted pastel tone. This makes it ideal for bathrooms, as it contributes to the overall mood and wellness."

Reflecting our growing appreciation for earthy color palettes and shades that refer back to nature, there's an obvious appeal to this happy shade. "It makes a space inviting, as it’s associated with sunlight and fresh blooms, which aligns with the interior trend of connecting with nature and bringing the outdoors in," notes Mark. And in the summer months, when natural light will serve to intensify the warmth of the shade, this only rings truer.

There's a specificity to the charm of butter yellow, too — more subdued and creamy than a regular pastel yellow shade, it acts more like an intensified version of an off-white, cream colored bathroom, which can often feel slightly boring or uninspired. Interior designer Amy Stoddart chalks this charm up to the memories this shade evokes, taking us back to a childlike frame of mind.

"The key behind the popularity of these colors is that they’re comforting, nostalgic, and familiar, conjuring warmth, flavor, and texture in a way that flat color codes never could. Butter Yellow feels softer and more inviting than just pale yellow," notes Amy. And this comes down to the subtle depth of the shade.

How to Style a Butter Yellow Bathroom

That being said, butter yellow isn't exactly an easy win; the sunny shade can quickly turn saccharine when styled poorly, so to get it right, you'll need to give it some careful thought and planning.

The key lies in finding ways to counteract the natural tweeness of the shade. As Grazzie Wilson, from Ca'Pietra, aptly points out, "Butter yellow can go wrong very quickly if you let it become too cute, so I would always give it a bit of structure."

You'll need to find ways to bring some texture and movement into the design, and one effective way of doing this is through your bathroom tiling. "In a bathroom, tiles are a much better way to use it than paint because you get variation, shine, shadow, and all those tiny changes that stop the color from feeling flat," says Grazzie. A pale yellow zellige tile can bring just the right amount of warmth and brightness to your bathroom, even if it's only used as a trim or backsplash.

Having said that, a bathroom tile isn't always the best option for those with a tendency to change their mind. As much as you love butter yellow right now, there's always the chance you'll go off of it in the next few years, and opting for something as permanent as a tile could land you in a tricky predicament.

This is exactly why Sandra Baker, known as The Idle Hands on Instagram, says, "Using a butter yellow paint is the best way to incorporate it into a bathroom for commitment-phobes, as it's easily changed if you have a rethink in a few years." And with so many excellent choices out there, this is by far the most customizable approach. But, Sandra adds, "If you're in for the long haul, then I've seen some absolutely amazing vintage WCs and sinks in butter yellow, which would be so fun to use in a bathroom."

There is an inherent vintage feel to the color, making it a perfect choice for bathrooms with traditional features, and a butter yellow freestanding tub is an excellent focal point for a vintage-inspired design.

This gentle, antique warmth is what dictates the styling for many designers, picking out materials and bathroom finishing touches that play into this aura. This was certainly the approach that Pernille encourages, saying, "To lean into the era and the softness of the shade, I recommend a styling approach that feels soft, tactile, and subtly feminine." She suggests seeking out sheer linen blinds for your modern window treatments, like these lovely linen cafe curtains from H&M, and layering "plush cream and off-white towels to add texture and luxury."

Perhaps the best way to play up this vintage effect is through your hardware, though. Both Sandra and Pernille recommend using antique brass sanitaryware and accessories, noting the metallic finishes' ability to add even more warmth and texture to your design.

The Best Colors to Pair With Butter Yellow

Whether butter yellow is the highlight of your room or merely an accent color, the shades you choose to pair it with will play a huge role in the overall effect of your space.

Generally speaking, the experts recommend opting for a light, neutral color scheme; nothing that's too harsh a contrast, or that will compete against the yellow for attention. "Instead, keep the surrounding palette lighter and more harmonious," suggests Pernille, adding, "It works best when you keep the accent colors in lighter, neutral tones, allowing the butter yellow to remain gentle and balanced."

Think about the colors you'd naturally find it with for a calming palette. Or, for a vintage look, take inspiration from historical color pairings. "I highly recommend pairing it with creams, rich browns, dusty blues, or other period-appropriate pastels of the same saturation," says Pernille. "These tones complement the warmth of the yellow without fighting it for attention."

Search for muted, subdued shades that complement the gentle warmth of butter yellow and help keep it from feeling too kids' room-esque. "Limestone, putty, soft taupe, pale oak, and old brass all work because they make the yellow feel more grown-up," says Grazzie.

There is also scope to play around with some more vibrant shades, if that's more your style, but this approach will require more care. For example, Grazzie says, "If you want something a bit punchier, a muddy green or chocolate brown is a brilliant partner, but I would use it sparingly, perhaps on a vanity, mirror frame, or painted woodwork, rather than turning the whole bathroom into a color chart."

It's also best to specifically look for muted variations of these colors, with Pernille saying, "I would specifically avoid using vibrant blues or sharp greens, as they can easily clash with the soft, vintage nature of the yellow."

It's not only in the bathroom that this shade shines, though. In fact, one of our favorite places to see this sunny color is in a yellow kitchen — you'd be shocked at just how elegant it can look. And for more design ideas, subscribe to our newsletter.

I grew up in South Carolina. I know that's not New England, but coming from the southern part of the United States' eastern coastline, we have certain preconceptions when it comes to design in the Northeast. Namely, navy blue, preppy coastal, a lot of historical architecture, and those iconic Cape Cod shingles. However true some may be, on their own, I'm the first to admit they're a broad misconception of what New England design really consists of.

New England design is layered. It represents years of history and craftsmanship, with a deep respect for place. Nina Farmer, a New England-based interior designer who specializes in characterful, contemporary homes in the region, tells me it's "less about a specific look and more about a way of living. The homes that inspire me have evolved over generations," she shares. "They feel collected rather than decorated, with architecture and interiors that have grown together over time."

So while modern coastal trends may be front of mind (and still have their place in these homes, of course), there is a lot more to this regional interior design style than its reputation suggests. "There is a quiet restraint to New England interiors that allows natural materials, beautiful proportions, and thoughtful details to take center stage," says Nina. In fact, it's a beautiful way to decorate a home, wherever you are in the world. Below is everything you need to know to master the art.

New England vs Coastal Style

People often bundle New England style in with coastal interior design. The first point to note is that New England is a fairly large region, with semi-different sub-styles as you move inland from the coastline. So while, say, a Cape Cod style home by the water is a slice of New England design, it is not the whole pie.

Moreover, traditional coastal interiors tend to emphasize lightness, bright whites, and overt nautical references. New England interiors, by contrast, are grounded in history. "They embrace patina, antiques, architectural character, and a sense of permanence," explains interior designer Nina Farmer.

And homes near the water are influenced by maritime history, traditional architecture, and generations of craftsmanship rather than beach-house decor. "They feel connected to the landscape without relying on obvious coastal motifs," adds Nina.

So, the takeaway here is that a coastal New England home is not just about decorating with light blue and anchors. "The aesthetic tends to be more layered, tailored, and architectural, with a stronger emphasis on heritage, texture, and permanence," adds designer Blair Moore, also New England-based. And that heritage-rich, layered design extends across all New England homes.

From the storybook singles of Nantucket and Cape Cod to the more rustic farmhouse style influence throughout the Hudson Valley and Vermont, New England design will always hint at what came before. "Patina'd wooden shingles, colonial homes, brick homes with ivy crawling up the sides, white picket fences — there is an understated elegance when building a true New England home," explains Blair Moore.

And while it helps to be grandfathered into a historical home in the region with a strong architectural base, decorating in the New England design style is adaptable. Embrace layering in interior design and intentionality in the right way, and you'll almost be able to smell the salty air and crisp pines outside your home.

How to Decorate Your Home in a New England Style

So let's put this 'characterful' and 'history-rich' style into concrete decorating ideas, shall we? Based on those main descriptions, there are several ways you can go, but there is still further nuance to be known. Certain materials, color palettes, and finishes will help bring a New England-inspired design to life.

First of all, natural materials are essential. Wood wall panelling ideas, wide-plank floors, weathered oak and cedar, unlacquered brass, linen, wool, aged leather, and stone are several of the examples that both Nina and Blair say contribute to the warmth and authenticity of a New England home.

When choosing which materials and textures to include, again, layering is key. You can mix them all if you'd like, but Blair says, "New England interiors are built around layers that age beautifully. So, invest in natural materials, prioritize craftsmanship, and don't be afraid to mix old and new pieces." You want the quality to outshine just the aesthetics — this allows your home to grow with you as well.

As for the color palette, Nina "gravitates toward colors found in the New England landscape: soft stone grays, mossy greens, weathered blues, warm creams, muted ochres, and rich earth tones." The palette is layered rather than high-contrast, creating spaces that feel timeless and lived in. It's like an earth-tone-meets-modern-heritage color palette — soft and grounding, but with deep, moody moments.

Then the fun really begins as you collect the decor for a New England-inspired space. I intentionally used the verb 'collect', as learning how to thrift (and thrift well) is essential to a genuine New England home — antiques, vintage finds, or inherited objects instantly add depth and authenticity.

"Books, collected artwork, vintage lighting, and antique case pieces are always wonderful additions," says Blair. They help create the sense that a home has evolved, which is really at the heart of New England style. But this isn't to say your home has to look like a history museum.

Contemporary New England design is not about throwing a few interior design trends into the mix. It is about creating spaces that feel relevant to how people live today. "I honor traditional architecture and craftsmanship but edit away anything that feels overly formal or precious," explains Nina.

Clean-lined upholstery, carefully considered lighting, and a thoughtful sense of balance help create rooms that feel fresh while preserving their sense of history. "That dialogue between old and new gives a room energy without losing its soul," says Nina.

"You want to honor the spirit of traditional New England design without feeling constrained by it," says Blair. "The goal isn't to recreate a historic interior but to create something that acknowledges its history while still feeling fresh and reflects the family within."

Even a blend of designs, like a coastal farmhouse aesthetic, with the right materials and pieces, would call to the spirit of the New England home while keeping things modern.

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Recently, while perusing my favorite homewares brands and scrolling through my inbox filled with new releases, I kept seeing a certain detail. A swirled table lamp, a turned side table, twisted candlesticks, and spiraled vases — is it just me, or are soft serve ice cream-inspired silhouettes having a moment right now?

We're certainly in the era of playfulness when it comes to interior design trends. Rather than sticking to strictly linear shapes, the pieces that bring your interior to life are the slightly unexpected ones. 'Twist' decor feeds right into that whimsicality. We've seen scalloped and fluted details, but twist decor feels somewhere in the middle: it has texture, but it's soft. A subtle swirl makes a piece more visually interesting, but it doesn't shout for attention while doing it.

And there is something about an uplifting swirl on your lamp base or side table that feels fun. Why have a normal table lamp when you could have one that looks like a strawberry soft serve ice cream cone? It's classic decor pieces, with a twist, if you will. Here's why I'm calling twist decor the biggest summer decorating trend, plus fabulous ways to shop the look.

So, why twists and swirls, and why now? Well, there is something to be said for choosing decor or furniture items that add character rather than what's expected. It's the era of silly-maxxing after all.

"People are looking for ways to make their homes feel more playful and expressive without relying on bold colors or busy patterns," Design Lab by Livingetc stylist, Iokasti Sotirakopoulou, tells me. Twist decor is as straightforward as that — rather than simply being a pattern or shape, a twist adds a more tactile element.

"Twisted and sculptural shapes bring a sense of movement to a room, which is especially refreshing when so much of our furniture is made up of straight lines and clean edges," Iokasti adds. A slight swirl helps soften a space and instantly makes everyday pieces feel more design-led and intentional.

"I also love that they blur the line between functional objects and decorative ones," she continues, whether it's a side table, a lamp, or even a laundry basket. There's a handcrafted feel, even when the piece is contemporary, which is very in right now.

Plus, we are seeing a few of these relaxed motifs across interior decorating habits. Stripes are having a major comeback in pattern trends, and even the new wave of decorating with marbled prints feels closely related to the twist decor trend. This spiraled motif is a natural progression of these familiar shapes and prints, and there are several ways to tie them into your space.

When it comes to styling, "Let these pieces be the focal point by pairing them with simpler furniture, natural materials, and a fairly muted palette," suggests Iokasti. "That way, the sculptural form really stands out without the room feeling overly busy." Below are some examples of exactly how to do it.

Good design lies in the details. Twist decor is like a contemporary take on classic stripes and fluting — except a little more whimsical and a lot more fun. And there is so much whimsical decor to shop this season that hits the perfect balance of elevated and artful. Or, you can ask our Design Lab by Livingetc to help you find it.

And for even more inspiration, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

You’ve heard it before, but it's always worth saying again: Scandi design is timeless. If anything, though, that makes the trends emerging from trade fairs and furniture showrooms in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo even more notable.

Typical of Scandinavian design, these new looks are less about ‘wow’ visual statements and more about subtle (but no less thoughtful) shifts in styling. With the biggest interior design trends encompassing everything from tactile surfaces to whimsical embellishments, Nordic style now offers as much for the maximalist as it does the minimalist — all while holding onto its innate sense of calm.

So, what are the Scandinavian design trends to know right now? Read on to discover the latest looks and why they translate beautifully into cool, contemporary spaces.

1. Layers of Texture

Nordic designers love embracing the region’s natural materials. Pale birch and washed oak, plus smooth stone and slubby textiles, are hallmarks of the Scandi look, but there’s a shift toward texture-led spaces as opposed to purely material ones.

“Material remains consistent, but changes in texture add depth, shadow, and visual interest,” explains interior designer Kashi Shikunova, founder of the Scandi-inspired YAM Studio.

“Rather than introducing lots of different materials, it’s about keeping your palette simple and layering textures together to create richness in a more subtle and cohesive way,” says Kashi.

The designer used fluted detailing on the shelving doors in the project above, making the wood a point of interest without introducing additional materials. “Switching the finish creates a welcoming look, especially alongside tactile fabrics that soften the crisp joinery and make the space feel more inviting,” she explains.

2. Sculptural Shapes, Plural

From Verner Panton lamps to Hans Wegner chairs, Scandi decor can look more like art than something purely practical. These pieces have long been used by designers for contrast beside more standard, rectangular shapes, but they’re now becoming a default option rather than an accent.

“In a region that has always celebrated sculptural forms, we’re noticing these pieces combined together rather than working as standalone statements,” says Nanna Liv, creative director of London-based House 44.

“When pieces share a common visual harmony, there’s a greater sense of flow in a space,” the interior designer explains. “This is a shift where forms, materials, and proportions are now more in conversation with one another, working to create an effortlessly balanced look.”

3. Muted Prints

“Stripes have always belonged in Scandinavian interiors,” says Dorothea Gundtoft, the writer, curator, and author of New Nordic Design. “This region loves pattern, but with discipline, and you can’t get more graphic and orderly.”

“What feels fresh now is the stripe being interpreted in a softer palette,” says Dorothea. “Upholstery fabrics in colors like taupe, faded gray, and muted brown are reflecting a new, quieter approach in Scandinavian design.”

These shades allow a piece’s form and materials to share some of the spotlight, softening even the boldest, widest stripes to look and feel more livable in the long term. “Today, the calm, rhythmic, and easy-to-live-with approach feels chic.”

4. Maker’s Marks

Scandinavian design is moving toward a more expressive style. “Nordic interiors value simplicity above all else, but today’s designers are also increasingly embracing visible craftsmanship, irregular finishes, and natural variation,” explains Kai Pryce, co-founder of Att Pynta.

Indeed, this year’s 3daysofdesign fair saw the iconic Danish brand &Tradition focus minds in Copenhagen with an exhibition highlighting ‘the enduring marks of design, craft, and culture’. Elsewhere, we spotted vases handcrafted from steel as well as wooden stools with joints left purposefully exposed.

“This reflects our growing desire for authenticity and individuality,” suggests Kai. “Designers are reacting to this by celebrating organic forms, textured surfaces, and hand-finished details, creating spaces that feel more layered, personal, and lived-in.”

5. The ‘New’ Old

Scandinavian design brands have created some of the most timeless pieces of furniture and lighting, so it’s no surprise that blending these design classics with more contemporary elements works so well. The trend worth paying attention to, though, is less the rise of vintage and more how well these pieces slot in with the ‘new’.

Rather than making a vintage piece the cornerstone of your space, it should be a useful, hard-working element within it. “The ability to combine contemporary architecture and modern furniture with vintage pieces, without anything feeling forced, is key,” explains Sophie Pringle. “Mix periods confidently but edit carefully.”

In the space above, the interior designer has used a classic Utrecht chair and vintage timber sideboard alongside more restrained pieces and other practical essentials. “If your space feels lived-in rather than styled, it will feel complete,” she says.

6. Off the Wall

In Scandi homes, sofas are emerging out of corners and drifting away from the wall. “One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is the sofa being pulled right into the room itself,” says Louise Mengel Læsø, head of design at Wendelbo.

While the Livingetc team noticed sofa islands having a moment earlier this year, you don’t need to have a sprawling space to make a floating sofa work. “Even in smaller homes, this move is about subtly rethinking your layout to make it more inviting and open,” says Louise.

“Rather than treating them as something to sit just around the edge of a space, sofas are becoming the piece to define a room," she adds. "Modular designs are particularly effective as they allow for creative, flexible compositions no matter the size of your space.”

7. Play and Display

Usually prized for its restraint and functionality, Scandi design is showing a little more of its OTT side. “Color and playfulness are important trademarks of Scandinavian living,” says Anders Fardig, founder of Design House Stockholm.

“The difference now is how we use it,” he suggests. “Rather than allowing color and pattern to become white noise, they become something to admire and appreciate because they’re not constantly present. We bring them in through details, every now and then.”

Swedish ceramicist Lisa Larson’s decorative birds, originally created in the 1960s, were showcased as part of Anders’ showcase at this year’s 3daysofdesign and exemplify this use of creativity and color. “They’re a simple way to make someone happy,” he explains.

While the latest Scandinavian design trends retain the cool, calm aesthetic that makes Nordic style such a favorite, they’re gently evolving the look. With individual nudges on layout, pattern, and material, these reflect the region’s wider sensibility. “We don’t buy into quick trends,” explains Dorothea Gundtoft.

Keen to know more? Scandinavian design rules are always a great starting point, no matter your style. And you can always subscribe to Livingetc’s newsletter for even more inspiration.