DESIGN TRENDS OF 2026

Innovation meets responsibility: from adaptive furniture and tactile linens to sustainable bathrooms, smart lighting, and timeless stone surfaces, D+A explores trends set to shape design in the coming year.

- Text by Amy Van and Eris Choo

As the design world looks ahead to the new year, the conversation is not only about aesthetics but about responsibility, resilience, and reinvention. Homes and spaces are expected to comfort, inspire, and endure - and brands are responding with innovations that fuse design with purpose.

Design is also setting the stage for a future where sustainability and sophistication are inseparable. Think furniture that adapts to evolving lifestyles; linens that heighten sensory comfort; bathrooms reimagined for wellness; lighting systems that merge technology with sustainability; and natural stone surfaces that balance heritage with forward-thinking craft.

redefining the bathroom sanctuary Biophilic design, tactile materials, and customisation are reshaping how we think about wellness and comfort at home.

The bathroom is more than a functional space in many cultures. It represents purification, renewal, and solitude - a retreat where one can pause, reflect, and reconnect with oneself. Today, this idea of the bathroom as a sanctuary is increasingly shaping interior design trends, according to Katharina Klotz, Villeroy & Boch's Head of Marketing, Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Thailand.

"While luxurious clean design and minimalism remain relevant, we're observing a growing preference for matte or textured surfaces resembling natural stone, which bring tactile richness to the bathroom. We also see a clear trend to softer shapes and designs," Katharina says.