How interior designers approach trends in 2026 reflects a broader shift in client expectations. While clients actively follow new aesthetic directions, they still demand solutions that are functional, timeless, and easy to justify. This is where insights from Pinterest Predicts 2026 become particularly relevant, as they are grounded in real user behaviour and long-term changes in preferences rather than short-term fashion.
Trends such as Neo Deco, Funhaus, and Afrohemian Decor do not represent fleeting visual statements. Instead, they signal a move away from uniform, neutral interiors toward spaces with a clearer identity and stronger character. In professional practice, the key is not to replicate trends, but to interpret them intelligently – selectively, conceptually, and always in relation to the project context and the client’s profile.
When used thoughtfully, elements of Neo Deco, Funhaus, and Afrohemian Decor can strengthen the overall design concept, streamline communication with clients, and contribute to interiors that maintain their value over time.
Neo Deco: Contemporary Luxury Through Structure
Neo Deco draws on the principles of historic Art Deco while eliminating decorative excess. The result is a style that feels refined, structured, and unmistakably contemporary. In professional interior design practice, Neo Deco should be understood as a system for working with geometry, materials, and contrast rather than as a decorative aesthetic.
Applying Neo Deco in Interior Design Practice
Maintaining control over scale and intensity is essential. Neo Deco performs best as a considered accent rather than a dominant, all-encompassing theme.
In practice, this means:
- working with rhythm through grooves, panels, or geometric detailing
- combining glossy and matte finishes within a restrained colour range
- placing visual emphasis on architectural elements instead of surface decoration
Densy tip – colour palette:
Emerald green, navy blue, burgundy, cream, brass (as an accent material).
Funhaus: Emotion and Memorability in Space
Funhaus emerges as a response to the long-standing dominance of neutral interiors. It is not about uncontrolled maximalism, but about the deliberate introduction of playfulness and energy into an otherwise composed space. For professional application, Funhaus must be clearly defined and carefully positioned within the overall concept.
Applying Funhaus in Interior Design Practice
From a long-term perspective, Funhaus elements should remain flexible. Ideally, they are easy to replace, clearly separated from the core architectural concept, and independent of structural interventions.
A proven approach includes:
- defining a single dominant element or zone
- keeping the surrounding architecture calm and restrained
- using colour as an accent rather than a foundational layer
Densy tip – colour palette:
Sunshine yellow, royal blue, warm red, ochre, neutral beige (for balance).
Afrohemian Decor: Authenticity, Materiality, and Layering
Afrohemian Decor is not a decorative trend in the traditional sense, but an approach rooted in materiality, texture, and cultural context. In professional practice, it offers a compelling alternative to visually sterile interiors, enabling designers to create spaces with depth and atmosphere without visual overload.
Applying Afrohemian Decor in Interior Design Practice
At its core, Afrohemian Decor prioritises natural materials, tactile surface quality, and layering over ornamentation.
In practice, this approach benefits from:
- starting with materials and textures rather than colour schemes
- incorporating handcrafted elements with visible character
- contrasting smooth and textured surfaces to build visual dept
Densy tip – colour palette:
Terracotta, sand beige, warm brown, indigo, black (as a graphic accent).
Trends as a Tool for Professional Decision-Making
In professional interior design practice, trends add value only when they support the architecture of a space, help structure design decisions, and provide contemporary relevance without locking a project into a time-specific style. A selective approach to expression, materials, and colour allows designers to respond to current market preferences while maintaining control over functionality, budget, and long-term sustainability.
The trends shaping 2026 clearly point to a move away from visual uniformity toward interiors with stronger identity and character. This does not signal a return to chaos or excessive expression. On the contrary, contemporary design is once again embracing expression – but in a measured, deliberate way, with an emphasis on order, detail, and context. This approach enables the creation of interiors that feel relevant today and remain resilient in the years to come.
