Home design is always evolving, but the most interesting shifts often come from the past. As 2026 approaches, many familiar styles are returning with updated looks. These revivals offer plenty of inspiration for upgrades, renovations, and styling changes.
This guide explores the key home design trends making a comeback, what they look like today, and why they are resonating again. If you are planning changes to your home this year, these returning styles are worth knowing.
After years of warm, matte finishes ruling interior spaces, chrome and silver are stepping back into the spotlight. This time, they are more refined and are paired with softer textures such as timber, stone, and fabric.
You are likely to see these finishes on lighting, furniture accents, tapware, and decorative pieces. They reflect light, add contrast to warmer tones, and suit both modern and retro-inspired interiors.
For homeowners, this trend works well when applied with restraint. A few well-placed metallic details can lift an entire room without overpowering it.
Glass-block walls are reappearing as a practical way to divide spaces while still allowing natural light to travel through the home. Modern uses lean towards subtle, sculptural designs rather than purely retro statements.
They are increasingly used to separate living areas, stairwells, and home offices while keeping spaces open and connected. This trend suits both renovations and architectural updates where light flow matters.
Because these features involve structural and finishing work, most homeowners choose to engage experienced builders and glaziers to achieve the right balance of style and safety.
Botanical and Audubon-style prints never truly disappeared, but they are now returning in a more streamlined form. Instead of heavy gilded frames, today’s versions favour simple, modern framing that highlights the artwork itself.
Birds, foliage, and scientific-style illustrations bring softness and calm into living areas, bedrooms, and hallways. They suit both contemporary homes and classic interiors looking for subtle character.
The return of chrome and cool finishes is now balanced by an increase in warmer colours. Shades such as terracotta, rust, sage, burgundy, warm browns, and ochre are gaining popularity again.
These colours bring depth and comfort into a space and work especially well with natural materials like timber and stone. Warm palettes are now favoured in flooring, cabinetry, and feature walls.
This shift supports a more grounded and lived-in feel rather than stark, clinical interiors.
The 2023 quiet luxury trend is making a comeback, but it is no longer about logos or bold statements. In 2026, it reflects quality craftsmanship, natural materials, and long-lasting finishes.
Expect to see more solid timber, natural stone, linen, wool, and handcrafted detailing in homes. Spaces are designed to feel layered, considered, and built to last rather than overtly styled.
For homeowners, this trend often aligns with sustainable choices and careful investment in quality building and finishing work done by experienced professionals.
Wood panelling is making a strong return in 2026, but not in its older, flat form. Today’s designs focus on real timber planks, fluted panels, and textured finishes.
You will see panelling used on feature walls, ceilings, and built-in spaces. The aim is to add architectural warmth and visual interest while keeping things refined.
This is a popular trend for renovations and extensions where homeowners want to add character and depth to their home.
Lighting is no longer just functional. Statement lighting is returning as a key design feature across Australian homes.
Pendant lights, sculptural fixtures, and bold shapes help anchor a room and create atmosphere. These pieces often serve as visual centrepoints in kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms.
Good lighting design also improves how a space feels and functions, which is why homeowners often involve electricians and lighting specialists for the best result.
Patterns are coming back in fresh ways. Checkerboard, stripes, and geometric prints are being reintroduced with updated colours and finishes.
Patterns are showing up on:
They bring personality to minimalist spaces and amplify energy in colourful rooms. The key is thoughtful placement rather than overuse.
Wallpaper is enjoying another comeback thanks to new printing techniques, richer textures, and bold pattern design. It is now appearing in:
Wallpaper adds story and atmosphere quickly, which makes it appealing for homeowners wanting strong visual impact without changing entire layouts.
Many of these returning trends involve building work, cabinetry, tiling, electrical upgrades, or structural changes. Working with skilled professionals ensures that finishes look refined and function as intended.
If you are planning to update your home using any of these home design trends, finding reliable trades through a trusted platform like ServiceSeeking can help you compare services, read reviews, and move forward with your project.