Design Directions for 2026: Trends in Wellness, Modular Architecture, Interiors, Sustainability & More
2026
Trends.
As we move into the exciting year of 2026, the world of design is pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity. This year, we forecast a big focus on sustainability, wellness, mindful interiors, unique materials, and an elevated connection to the outdoors. Read on to learn about what we predict will be big in 2026.
Architecture: Purposeful Design
Architecture for Purpose: As society evolves, purposeful design becomes crucial. In 2026, expect homes tailored for multi-generational living and aging in place, accessible for all. With universal design principles, these spaces will remain functional and adaptable to meet families’ changing needs. See our Cambridge Multigenerational House here.
Modular: Modular architecture will continue to rise, allowing for a streamlined and more sustainable building processes. This approach will enable homes and commercial spaces to adapt easily to changing needs while minimising waste. View our completed modular homes here and in progress projects to get inspired.
Open and Flexible Layouts: The demand for open and flexible layouts will drive architecture in 2026. Spaces will be designed to facilitate movement and multipurpose usage, promoting a sense of community and fluid living. View our range of crafted set designs and floorplans here that maximise flexible living.
Wellness: Gyms, Saunas, and Plunge Pools
Home Gyms, Saunas, and Plunge Pools
In our busy lives, wellness is becoming a key focus in home design. In 2026, we expect home gyms, saunas, red light therapy, magnesium pools and cold plunge pools will become essential for many, catering to our need for convenient health features.
Expect high-tech gym equipment, smart, connected devices that monitor health metrics and personal wellness retreats that turn homes into relaxing retreats for both mental and physical well-being.
Healthy Home Architecture
Healthy home design emphasises natural light and air quality with large windows, skylights, and open layouts. Low-VOC materials keep indoor spaces free from harmful emissions. This approach creates a healthier environment that enhances mood and productivity.
Neuro-Inclusive Environments
Designing for sensory needs with circadian lighting, soundscaping, tactile materials, and clear zoning to support mental and emotional health, especially for neurodiverse individuals.
Image: Sauna and Magnesium Pool
Image: The Lake House / Biotope Architecture + Interiors. Image © Peter Mathew
Sustainability
Radical Efficiency & Fabric-First: Achieving net-zero through airtightness, superior insulation, heat-pump readiness, and integrated smart systems, with a focus on in-use performance.
Localised Resilience: Designing with climate-appropriate native species, integrating biodiversity, and creating resilient, local infrastructure to manage changing climates.
Smart, Responsive Buildings: Facades and materials that provide live data, adapt to conditions, and integrate with energy monitoring, turning buildings into interactive assets
Regenerative & Living Systems: Moving beyond just being “less bad” to buildings that heal and enhance ecosystems, incorporating water-sensitive design (rain gardens, wetlands) and First Nations knowledge.
Architecture to Order: Ready to go template designs and floorplans will help make building a home easier, quicker and more affordable. At Arkular, our prefabricated architectural modular set designs are well loved, requiring minimal modifications for home design and build made easy. View set designs here.
Image: The Lake House / Biotope Architecture + Interiors. Image © Peter Mathew
Image: Nicholls Rivulet Passively Designed Home: 8 star energy rating, 140 mm thick stud walls for high-grade insulation, heat recovery system, air tightness at Passivhaus standard (0.6ach @50Pa) + Aluminium clad UPVc frames with triple glazing.
Colour is Back! Embracing Vibrancy in Home Design
Play with Colour
Interior designers are ditching neutrals for “colour drenching” in 2026, painting walls, ceilings, and even furniture in a single bold hue. The idea? A unified aesthetic that feels immersive and expressive. Earthy reds, coastal blues, and forest greens are especially popular.
Pinterest has also released its much anticipated colour palette of 2026, with cool blue, jade green, plum noir and wasabi.
Metallic Accents
Metallics like brushed nickel, matte black, and gold will add a touch of elegance. These finishes will be incorporated into fixtures, furniture, and decor, balancing contemporary design with classic sophistication.
Repair & Integrate
Reuse has also had an impact on the objects we put into our houses. Designer furniture retailers, such as Living Edge and Cult, have launched programs to buy back, repair and resell their products (or recycle if they are beyond repair).
Integrated furniture is becoming increasingly popular, with built-in sofas and banquette seating stealing the spotlight. These space-saving designs are not only functional but also help create a cohesive and intentional space, cut lead times and reduce transport carbon.
Image: Pinterest Colour Palette 2026
Garden and Landscaping
Elevated Outdoors
More Garden in 2026! Living spaces will be re-imagined to deepen our connection to nature, placing the garden at the heart of the home. Outdoor living areas will be enhanced with multi-functional designs, creating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments.
“We used to just shove a bit of landscape around a building,” says Adam Haddow, a director at SJB Sydney and the national president of the Australian Institute of Architects. “Now it’s making a garden that happens to have a house in it.”
By incorporating edible gardens, biodiversity, and sensory plants, homes will promote not only aesthetic beauty but also mental well-being and sustainability.
Sustainable Materials
In 2026, sustainable construction will prioritiae circularity, low-carbon, and bio-based materials.
Cardboard-Confined Rammed Earth: New RMIT innovation combining cardboard, soil, and water for low-carbon, reusable, recyclable walls, reducing concrete’s footprint.
Hempcrete: Offers high sustainability, excellent insulation, and a negative carbon footprint by sequestering carbon.
Mass Timber (CLT): Cross-Laminated Timber acts as a strong, renewable substitute for concrete/steel, storing carbon.
Low-Carbon Concrete: Uses fly ash and recycled aggregates (e.g., Pixelcrete) to significantly cut cement use, a major carbon source.
Bio-Based Materials: Growing interest in using hemp, seashells, and other organic waste for new products like tiles and countertops, sometimes via 3D printing.
Eco-Insulation: Natural options like sheep’s wool, cork, and cellulose (recycled paper) provide thermal performance.
Image: Mycelium Bricks The Hy-Fi Pavilion in New York © Cecil Barnes V
