We’ve just got back from Spring Fair, the January Furniture Show and Paris, and we’re feeling very inspired. After walking miles of show halls and seeing hundreds of new pieces, one thing really stood out, interiors are getting warmer, more textured and much more characterful.
From sculptural lighting to rich wood finishes and beautifully curved furniture, these are the ideas we kept seeing again and again and the trends we think will shape homes in the months ahead.
Nature, But Elevated
Natural materials were everywhere this season but in a much more refined, sculptural way. Instead of rustic or overly relaxed looks, we saw woven textures, soft ceramics, light woods and organic shapes used in a more considered, design-led way.
It’s about bringing warmth and calm into a space without it feeling overly styled. Pieces felt tactile, layered and grounded, the kind of materials that make a room feel instantly more inviting.
Shape Is Everything
While the overall mood felt softer, shapes are definitely getting bolder. We saw so many pieces where the form did all the talking, chunky legs, oversized curves, thick edges, and silhouettes that felt almost sculptural. Tables weren’t just flat surfaces anymore; they had weight and presence. Sofas had rounded corners and generous proportions. Even cabinets and sideboards had carved fronts, ribbed details, or deeply framed doors. It’s less about decoration and more about the actual structure of the piece being the feature.
Texture Is the New Colour
One of the biggest things we noticed across all the shows was how much texture is doing the heavy lifting. Instead of bold colours, designers are layering different finishes to create interest in a much more subtle way.
There was so much burl wood, with its swirly, natural patterns bringing warmth and character to cabinets and tables. Stone and marble surfaces felt chunkier and more organic, often with softer edges and visible veining. We saw ribbed wood, woven fronts, boucle fabrics, linen blends, plaster-style ceramics… everything had a tactile quality.
It’s less about matching and more about mixing- smooth next to rough, matte against polished, soft upholstery paired with solid, grounded materials. Rooms felt calm, but never flat.
Lighting as Sculpture
Lighting was doing so much more than just, well… lighting.
Across the shows in both the UK and Paris, we saw statement pendants and lamps that felt like artworks in their own right. Oversized woven shades, clusters of glowing glass globes, textured ceramic bases, sculptural floor lamps, every stand seemed to have at least one piece designed to be a focal point.
Instead of bright, harsh lighting, everything leaned towards a soft, ambient glow. Light diffused through woven materials, frosted glass and textured finishes, creating warmth and atmosphere. It’s less about flooding a room with light and more about layering it, table lamps, floor lamps and pendants all working together to make a space feel inviting.
Lighting right now isn’t just functional. It’s part of the design story.
Warmer, Earthier Colour Palettes
Alongside all the texture and sculptural shapes, colour palettes felt noticeably warmer. The cool greys that dominated interiors for so long were largely replaced with softer, earthier tones that make a space feel instantly more relaxed.
We kept seeing shades like clay, terracotta, mushroom, taupe and muted olive greens. Even when rooms were neutral, they had a warmth to them- layered beiges, sandy tones and soft browns rather than stark whites.
These colours work beautifully with natural materials and textured finishes, creating spaces that feel calm, grounded and easy to live in. It’s less about contrast and more about gentle depth and harmony.
Bringing It All Together
Walking the shows, the overall feeling was clear- interiors are becoming warmer, more layered and full of quiet character. It’s less about stark minimalism and more about homes that feel inviting, tactile and personal.
From sculptural lighting and rich wood finishes to soft curves and earthy tones, everything we saw pointed towards spaces that are designed to be lived in and loved. These are the kinds of pieces that don’t just look good, but actually change how a room feels.
We’re already seeing many of these influences filter into new collections, and we can’t wait to start bringing some of these ideas into upcoming projects and pieces at Tides.
If you’re thinking about refreshing a space this year, these are the trends we’d keep in mind, warm, textured, and beautifully considered.
