If 2026 was the year you decided to transform your home, where would you start?
Would you be decisive and daring, or does every decision stop you in your tracks?
There are few things more satisfying than creating a beautiful home to live in; one that reflects your lifestyle and expresses your personality.

The lead-up to the budget in November seemed to make people afraid to commit to big decisions, especially when it involved spending money. Now the new year has begun, is it time to deliver your dream of living in a beautiful home?

Fresh ideas for 2026

Starting one room at a time is certainly a good approach, and wherever you decide to start, here are some fresh design ideas you could turn to for first class inspiration and a bolder, more exciting scheme in 2026.

Ditch the neutrals when it comes to doors and ceilings. Try wallpapering your ceiling; it gives a beautiful feel to a room having wallpaper above, rather than on the walls. You can go for a patterned paper, or try Lincrusta, painted; then paint the coving in a colour that tones. If you want to use wallpaper on the ceiling but don’t have any coving as a natural border, painting a stripe around the edge can work as a great alternative.

Giving depth and character to a room

Lincrusta is a fabulous product developed in Victorian times as an alternative to ornate plaster work. It gives depth and character to a room in the same way that panelling does. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, try Anaglypta.

Painting your doors in a saturated colour gives a fabulous effect, especially in hallways. Doors don’t have to be painted the same colour on each side either. Treat the doors and architraves as another element in the room, giving yourself more scope to bring in tonal or contrasting colours. Apart from being practical, darker colours on woodwork catch the eye and lead you through a room to discover what lies beyond.

Adding interest in a way few other things can

Finally, try tiling a wall in your living room, whether it’s a chimney breast from floor to ceiling, a full-height wall, or decorative tiles below a dado rail. Tiles add depth and interest to a scheme in a way few other things can.

Whatever’s going on in the world around you, make 2026 the year you resolve to create a fabulous home to live in.

Happy New Year!