While everyone has their own taste in interior décor, every homeowner and tenant has one thing in common: they want their home to reflect their personality and promote wellbeing. With that in mind, the CSi Property Group has put together a list of 2026’s hottest home décor trends. If you’re looking to breathe new life into your space over the holiday season or in the new year, let this be your guide.
Warmth, layers and deeply personal spaces
According to SA Décor and Design, the top trend for 2026 isn’t a single look. It’s rather layers and emotions. Stark minimalism is giving way to warmth, with décor being centered around tonal neutrals and natural textiles. From cosy linen sofas and warm timber to understated objet d’art and a relaxed ambience, warmth is the common denominator.
Every year, the Pantone Institute reveals their Colour of the Year, and the 2026 hue, Cloud Dancer, showcases the commitment to warm minimalism. Described by Pantone as a “billowy, balanced white imbued with a feeling of serenity”, it is a versatile neutral that can act as a soothing backdrop and pair beautifully with other interior colours.
When it comes to making your home a personal space, this will mean different things for different families. Perhaps you have a wall of block-mounted pictures from your travels or a corner dedicated to your children’s artwork. You can also mix textiles like linen, wood, wool and ceramics to reflect your comfort preferences and lifestyle.
Bold colour pops and earthy elements
Warm minimalist looks are often finished with bursts of colour, and in 2026, the colours we’re expecting to see include deep blues, greens, browns and terracotta shades. These accents will round off the serenity of warm minimalism with a joyful touch. When it comes to textures, 2026 is the year to go tactile. Bamboo, stone, linen, rattan and handcrafted ceramics are all trending, adding talking points to the warm neutral colour palette.
Global trends to take note of
According to Decorilla, one of the biggest trends in 2026 interior décor is emotional drive. Our interiors will reflect our heritage and narrative, while reflecting deeper connections.
Tech will also meet tactility in a combination of smart systems and sumptuous materials. Feature walls will contain hidden climate control, solid wood kitchens will be equipped with touchless automation and stone-clad bathrooms will be plumbed with intelligent water systems.
An amusing trend to add to the list for 2026 is “fat furniture”. Think oversized, comfortable chairs and couches that become more than just functional – they’re also sculptural elements within a room. With a carefully chosen set of soft accessories (remember Pantone’s off-white and the deep blues, greens and earthy shades set to dominate 2026), your furniture can become your living room’s focal point.
Another trend taking hold globally – among those who can afford it – is AI-powered indoor gardens. In apartments where space is scarce, homeowners are installing sleep wall panels with hydroponic tubes and AI-timed LEDs to sprout herbs and other microgreens. These are being sold as “plug and play kits” which are removable, making them suitable for homeowners and tenants alike.
Monochromatic colour schemes are back in 2026 – but they’ve gone bold. A room might be decorated entirely in blue, with shades ranging from powder blue silk to navy blue, finished off with blue-grey metallics. If you prefer warm colours, you could create a powerful colour scheme with warm terracotta, rust, clay and burnt sienna.
From advancing technology and upsized furniture to indoor gardens and monochromatic colour schemes, 2026 has plenty of interior décor surprises in store. If you’re looking for a new home to buy or rent and then decorate in Gauteng, get in touch with the CSi Property Group.
