Believe it or not, retro home design trends are making a significant comeback in 2026. Over the past few years, everything old has become new again, and many people are becoming interested in adopting and using the styles and trends of decades ago. Many homeowners are ditching minimalist, stark white spaces in favour of those with more character and warmth. Here’s what they’re doing.
Adding terrazzo to everything
One of the biggest changes we’re seeing this year is that homeowners are adding more terrazzo to their interior spaces. They’re bringing this mid-century feature, originating in Italy, back to their properties after a long hiatus.
Terrazzo is popular because it’s a speckled composite material that is traditionally used on flooring but is now popular for kitchen countertops and bathroom backsplashes. People like it because of its colourful and maximalist appeal, as well as the effort that goes into making it. It adds personality and a lot of warmth to interior spaces, which is hard to achieve through other methods.
Warm wood panelling
Do you remember warm wood panelling? For the last 30 to 40 years, it’s been basically absent from most interior designs and new build constructions, but in 2026, it’s making a strong comeback, updated from its heyday in the 1970s.
Slatted walls create rich walnut tones, and vertical mid-century-style panelling creates attractive skirting accents that embolden and add personality to interior spaces. Many people report feeling that their living rooms and bedrooms are instantly cosier as soon as they add this type of wood panelling.
Bold, colorful bathrooms
When was the last time you could say that the color in your bathroom was bold? It was probably a long time ago. In recent years, bright white spotlights, white paint, and beige accents have dominated bathrooms and prevented them from becoming more stylish and individualised. That’s all changing. In 2026, the colourful bathrooms from the 1950s and ’60s are making a significant comeback, thanks to mint green tiles, pastel pink sinks, and vibrant wallpapers.
This year is an era of experimentation. Many bathrooms have unexpected pops of colours with geometric wall tiles that are the best way to embrace a cheerful retro aesthetic.
Rattan and wicker furniture
Rattan and wicker furniture was once relegated solely to porches and sunrooms, but now these materials are moving indoors. More people are using them to create boho themes and get rid of rigid architectural lines. What’s more, they help to soften other architectural elements like breeze blocks, enabling entire spaces to be quickly drawn together.
Statement velvet upholstery
Finally, statement: Velvet Upholstery is making a comeback, although the form it’s taking is slightly different. Velvet was a symbol of the 1970s and often came in a range of garish colours like bright purple and deep green. Now it’s being reimagined, and new colours like sapphire blue and mustard yellow are being used. Velvet is an incredibly tactile material and an inviting surface that encourages comfort, especially if you’re planning on sitting in the same space for a long time.
