5 dated decor trends interior experts are falling for again in 2026 and beyond – these looks from the 80s and 90s are officially back in fashion

While our homes are meant to be a lived-in reflection of our own unique tastes and personalities, seeking inspiration in popular trends can be a very helpful way to work out our own sense of personal style. But as with many things, decor trends that go up in our estimations, often must - eventually - come down.

Countless home decor trends may once have dominated our homes, but have since fallen out of favour. For example, who doesn’t remember net curtains? But that said, no trend is ever really gone. In fact, many ‘trends’ eventually come back around, even decades after being considered unfashionable, outdated and no longer desirable.

So I spoke to interior experts – including interior designers, decor buyers, and creative directors – across the country to get their take on the ‘outdated’ interior trends they are falling for once more, and how to incorporate them with a more modern slant, for a hint of personality in your home.

1. Chintz

It’s easy to imagine that the overly intricate patterns, soft but plentiful colours, and maximalism that the vintage decor style of chintz represents is a thing of the past. But the interior experts we spoke to convinced us that, for them, it was on the up.

'After years of restrained, minimalist, beige interiors, the 80s style staple chintz is enjoying a triumphant return,' Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village, says. And there’s no need to wonder about what has inspired this revived interior trend. 'Shows like Rivals and Bridgerton have played a role in the revival of chintz, which was considered outdated in the 90s and 00s, thanks to the classically bold and floral designs seen in the home of the Bridgertons themselves, or in Freddie and Val’s kitschy Bella Vista property in Rivals,' Magdalena Gierasinksa, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse says.

Georgia Metcalfe, Founder and Creative Director at French Bedroom, agrees that this is one interior trend from days gone by that she is loving playing around with again. 'Chintz still has that magical ability to bring visual sunlight and character to a room, but the key is to use it with intention.' The experts we spoke to agreed that these days, chintz decor requires a little refining to bring it up to modern standards.

For Georgia, incorporating the chintz trend into your home in the modern day can be as simple as a few select accessories. 'Start with smaller accents like a decorative cushion or a pretty pouffe to introduce its pattern gently,' she suggests. 'Or for something more dramatic, chintz works beautifully on a sweeping headboard, ruffled cushions or full-length curtains to create a space that feels considered and romantic.'

2. Geometric patterns

Geometric design - which essentially involves repeated patterns made up of different shapes, lines and curves - is one interior trend making a positive comeback for Claire Bromley, interior design director at Claire Alexandra Designs.

As with many decor trends, this pattern-clashing favourite has had a few revivals over the decades. 'Geometric design was first popular in the art deco era of the 1920s, and it re-emerged again in the 80s,' Claire says. 'But I think geometric fell out of favour during the later half of the nineties due to an overwhelming preference for minimalism returning; the busy lines and shapes of geometric pattern were too far removed from that aesthetic.'

However, with more of us than ever looking to add interest back into our homes, geometric prints are a great decor option. 'Geometrics are certainly making a comeback; I’m seeing them more and more frequently,' Claire says. 'Just don't plaster the pattern all over your walls,' she warns.

The best way to incorporate them in a modern home, she insists, is to keep it subtle. 'Instead, choose a small area such as within panelling ideas, and display it alongside a calm, neutral palette,' Claire explains. 'Or, rather than choosing bold, contrasting colours, go for geometrics in light neutrals which won’t appear too busy or overly dramatic. Herringbone wooden floors and herringbone textured carpets are everywhere at the moment, and a great example of a subtle use of the design.'

3. Purposeful clutter

Interior expert Kate Conrad, founder of Madison and Mayfair, explained that she is seriously falling for the interior trend of ‘purposeful clutter’ at the moment; a return to the cosy, cocooning interiors that dominated the 1980s and 1990s.

'Purposeful clutter is one of my favourite revival trends - displaying books, artwork and meaningful objects that tell your story, rather than creating spaces that feel like showrooms,' Kate says. 'I'm personally pleased to see interiors are moving away from stark minimalism and back towards homes with character and personality.'

She explains that this trend likely fell out of favour in the 2000s and 2010s, 'when decluttering culture told us that empty surfaces meant a well-run home, and anything personal on display started to read as untidy, rather than characterful.

'But now, television shows like Rivals, set in the 80s, alongside the continued popularity of things like vintage fashion, are encouraging people to embrace interiors with a sense of nostalgia,' Kate continued.

Of course, the revival of this particular decor trend doesn’t mean we should all be seeking to indulge our hoarder tendencies. Kate explains, 'to emulate the purposeful clutter trend, the key is being intentional. Add beloved items to surfaces, but leave breathing room between groupings, use trays and shelves to contain rather than scatter, and keep a few surfaces clear, so the eye has somewhere to rest. Done properly, it should feel edited, not accumulated.'

4. Terracotta tiles

You might associate them more with a rustic Spanish villa, but Claire explains that terracotta tiles are one ‘outdated’ tile trend she can’t resist in 2026.

'Terracotta tiles were first popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and came back again in the 80s. This was due to the Mediterranean design boom, when Mexican and Spanish style tiles in a rustic, unglazed finish were popular,' Claire says. 'However, the eighties eventually saw the introduction of mass-produced clay terracotta tiles, which lacked the texture and quality of the original artisanal tiles. These put people off. And in recent years, minimal polished stone replaced terracotta.'

She insists though, that our general desire for more warmth in our homes in recent years means terracotta tiles are an ideal option once more. 'Since Covid, greens and earthy tones have slowly crept back in, as people's tastes move further away from greys, and toward natural, warm tones,' Claire explains. 'And so, the texture of terracotta tiles brings a gorgeous warmth and character to a space.'

We’re sold. Wondering how to add terracotta floor or wall tiles to a modern home? 'Mixing them with light, warm taupes, greens, brass and off whites creates a fresh, contemporary vibe, but with personality, and looks great alongside contemporary style furniture,' Claire says.

5. Colourful bathrooms

Ever present in the minds of most UK residents' are the outdated and seriously colourful (dare we say, garish) bathrooms of days gone by. And according to Yiota Toumba, Senior Designer at The Villeroy & Boch Group, they’re coming back - but not quite in the way you might expect. 'Avocado greens, soft pinks and other colourful suites were hugely popular during the 1970s, when homeowners embraced bold interiors and personality-led design,' she says.

'However, by the early 2000s, trends shifted towards more traditional white modern bathrooms, with people favouring a cleaner, more minimalist look,' she says. 'As a result, colour largely disappeared from bathroom design for a number of years.'

But for Yiota, colour in our bathrooms is something she’s loving once more. And never fear; you don’t have to embrace a green sink, bathtub and toilet to recreate this decor trend. Instead, think splashes of colour but in a more elevated, considered approach. 'Rather than entire coloured suites, homeowners are introducing softer, nature-inspired colour shades through statement pieces, and pairing them with natural materials and textures,' Yiota says.

'For homeowners looking to embrace the trend, introducing colour through a piece of furniture, or a statement colour basin, is a great way to add character, while maintaining a timeless feel.'

Home design is a very personal thing, and while some of use are falling for these trends all over again, there will be some dated trends that never left your home. Trends a cyclical, if we've seen it once there is always a good chance we'll be falling for it all over again in the future.