Pattern play
Colour, contrast and character
Alongside a return to refinement is a more playful direction that embraces individuality. Graphic stripes, unexpected forms, and offbeat detailing create areas that are alive with energy.
The look leans into opposition, with the understanding that a statement piece lands best against a quieter backdrop. The approach is curated - bold moments animating otherwise grounded interiors.
At the centre of it all is colour. The 2026 palette moves beyond beige and soft neutrals towards shades with greater presence. Deep plum, earthy reds, rich greens and cool blues are appearing across joinery, upholstery and feature stone, bringing warmth and depth.
Art Deco redefined
Glamour without excess
Art Deco references are returning in subtler, more contemporary ways. Arches, chevrons, and crisp linear repetition run through joinery, stonework and lighting, with edges finished in chrome or brass.
Lighting has become one of the clearest signatures of the trend. Searches for pendant lamps have increased 40% year-on-year, reflecting a growing interest in sculptural pieces that visually anchor a room. Interest in antique bar carts has surged by 100%, while searches for red marble bathrooms are up 80%, according to Pinterest’s 2026 design insights.
Taken together, they signal a collective hunger for spaces that feel considered, layered and a little indulgent.
Wellness by design
The home as sanctuary
For many homeowners, the question of how a space looks is now inseparable from how it feels to spend time in.
At Jellis Craig, we are seeing a rise in recovery and wellbeing features in homes, from infrared saunas and cold plunge pools to reformer studios, meditation rooms and quiet retreat areas integrated within the home.
The shift reflects wider lifestyle changes, but also changing buyer expectations within the premium market. Spaces once considered a luxury outlier are now being woven into the architectural brief from the outset.
The demand is backed by data. According to realestate.com.au, searches for ‘sauna’ have increased 43% year-on-year, pointing to a shift towards homes that support wellbeing as much as aesthetics.