As we look ahead to 2026, the world of interior design is set to undergo exciting transformations. WGSN’s latest report on Walls & Floors forecast trends offers invaluable insights into the key directions that will shape our living spaces. Let’s dive into the 12 trends that are poised to make a significant impact in 2026, aligned with WGSN’s overarching themes for A/W 25/26 and S/S 26.
Overarching Themes
Before we explore the specific trends, it’s important to understand the three main themes that WGSN has identified for the upcoming seasons:
- S/S 26 Replenish (evolving from A/W 25/26 Re/Generations): This theme focuses on healing, calming, and versatile products that give back more than they take. It honors nature’s ingenuity and beauty.
- S/S 26 Extra-Ordinary (evolving from A/W 25/26 Intelligent Simplicity): This direction emphasizes time-tested classics and better-quality basics, with a focus on circular products and designs that can disappear or blend into their surroundings.
- S/S 26 Playful Paradox (evolving from A/W 25/26 Alt-Optimism): This theme celebrates joy and pleasure, inspiring deeply sensorial products with tactile, handcrafted qualities and fun textures.
Now, let’s explore the 12 key trends that align with these overarching themes:
1. Natural Solutions
Description: This trend prioritizes regenerative materials and repurposes waste into circular products.
Market Implications: Expect a surge in demand for ethically sourced, low-impact materials that align with consumers’ growing environmental consciousness.
Design Applications:
- Rustic and untreated finishes in wood, paper, or bast fibers
- Performance fabrics in neutral tones for outdoor living spaces
- Naturally cooling solutions such as stone, clay, and earth
Materials/Colors: Freshly Salvaged designs, recycled materials (e.g., repurposed denim), natural dyes
2. In/Visible
Description: This trend aligns with the concept of “Designed to Disappear,” developing walls and floors that conceal and offer quiet surface interest.
Market Implications: Growing demand for adaptable, multi-functional spaces that can transform according to needs.
Design Applications:
- Lightweight voiles for layered privacy solutions
- 360-degree drapes to disguise fixtures
- Frosted, lacquered, or glossy finishes in glass and Perspex
Materials/Colors: Clear and semi-transparent materials, tone-on-tone designs, fabrics trapped in transparent materials
3. Industrial Futurism
Description: This trend builds on futuristic industrial aesthetics with refined and digitally inspired elements.
Market Implications: A blend of utilitarian functionality with forward-thinking design, appealing to both residential and commercial markets.
Design Applications:
- Soft Brutalist looks with smooth concrete flooring
- Large slabs and tiling, including glass block tiles
- Brushed aluminium sheets for a futuristic feel
Materials/Colors: Concrete, wood, brushed steel, metallic applications, high-shine yarns
4. Shape-Shifting
Description: This trend renews Digital Intricacies with surface construction and patterns to evoke a futuristic and sci-fi aesthetic.
Market Implications: Growing interest in designs that blur the line between digital and physical, appealing to tech-savvy consumers.
Design Applications:
- AI-generated patterns and textures
- Raised relief or pleated constructions
- Tiles that trick the viewer’s perspective
Materials/Colors: Hand-embroidery at macro scale, color-shifting designs in carpet tiles and panelling
5. Feel Appeal
Description: This trend focuses on restorative softness with super-tactile designs that have acoustic properties for healing spaces.
Market Implications: Increased demand for products that contribute to wellness and create calming environments.
Design Applications:
- Shag-pile styles or spongy short-pile across rugs and carpets
- Flexible partitions and wall hangings with sound-absorbing properties
- Rounded forms or wavy patterns
Materials/Colors: Dense relief in flooring, soft walls, acoustic materials
6. Bold Functionality
Description: This trend evolves the “FUN-ctional” concept, empowering consumers to curate purposeful, individual constructions.
Market Implications: Growing market for customizable and multifunctional design elements.
Design Applications:
- Bold cabana stripes, polka dots, geometrics, and scallop detailing
- Color contrasts for wayfinding solutions
- Panelling to enhance versatility
Materials/Colors: Statement Primaries, vinyl and tile constructions
7. Retro Replay
Description: This trend brings dynamic geometrics and wooden panelling inspired by different design eras, providing a comforting dose of nostalgia.
Market Implications: Appeal to consumers seeking familiar, comforting aesthetics with a modern twist.
Design Applications:
- Supersized repeats in carpets or wallpaper
- Statement borders to elevate simpler designs
- Custom wood cladding for feature or accent walls
Materials/Colors: Wood panelling, metallic accents, richly toned wood types with refined grain
8. Mystical Archaeology
Description: This trend leans into the ongoing fascination with ancient wellness and mystical crafts.
Market Implications: Growing interest in products that tell a story and connect consumers to traditional craftsmanship.
Design Applications:
- Wood-carved details
- Block-printed wallpapers
- Handpainted motifs or ceramic tiles made with hand-sculpted moulds
Materials/Colors: Elemental Neutrals, natural pigments
9. Hothouse
Description: This trend evolves Hyper-Nature narratives to create products and spaces that offer Biophilic Immersion.
Market Implications: Increasing demand for designs that bring nature indoors and promote wellbeing.
Design Applications:
- Supersized flora and fauna motifs
- Mural artwork in single or repeat placement
- Abstract placements renewing camo-inspired patterns
Materials/Colors: Hothouse Brights, nourishing greens
10. Terra Forms
Description: This trend updates Graphic Grains with textures and patterns that highlight the rawer side of nature.
Market Implications: Appeal to consumers seeking a connection to natural landscapes within their living spaces.
Design Applications:
- Hand-painted or printed artwork translated into carpet tiles and embossed wallpaper
- Distorted holistic marbling or ikats
- Semi-transparent materials with concealed lighting fixtures
Materials/Colors: Earthy mid-tones, glass, plexiglass, resin
11. Country Rustic
Description: This trend continues nostalgia narratives with newness coming from holiday scenics, chintz, and cabincore influences.
Market Implications: Growing interest in designs that evoke a sense of escape and connection to rural aesthetics.
Design Applications:
- Checks and ginghams in printed ceramic or carpet tiles
- Etched-edge flowers in drop-repeat designs
- Scenics of mountainscapes, lakes, or forests in printed wallpaper
Materials/Colors: Reclaimed wood, natural textures
12. Dark Romance
Description: This trend evolves Rebellious Pleasures with multisensorial darks featured in romantic patterns and influences from fashion’s #ModernGoth.
Market Implications: Appeal to consumers seeking dramatic, moody interiors with a touch of luxury.
Design Applications:
- Layered tinted darks and metallics
- Contrasting gloss and matte finishes in repeat patterns
- Reworked damasks and vintage lace-like designs in deeper tones
Materials/Colors: Foil printing, embossed or embellished detailing, deep romantic tones
Conclusion
As we look towards 2026, these 12 trends offer exciting possibilities for walls and floors in both residential and commercial spaces. From the calming influence of Natural Solutions to the dramatic flair of Dark Romance, there’s a trend to suit every taste and need. Designers and manufacturers would do well to consider these directions as they plan their product lines for the coming years, keeping in mind the overarching themes of Replenish, Extra-Ordinary, and Playful Paradox. By embracing these trends, we can create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, sustainable, and in tune with the evolving needs of consumers.
