Wondering what material to use in your next decorating project? Look no further

Interior design trends move fast, and 2026 has brought a wave of materials that feel genuinely fresh, not just recycled from a previous decade. Although some are rediscoveries, there are also some clever crossovers from commercial interiors.

A few have been quietly gaining ground for years and have finally hit their moment. What they all have in common is that designers keep reaching for them, not just once, but project after project.

Limewash paint

Limewash has been around for centuries, but its current popularity is very much a 2020s trend. It gives walls a layered, slightly uneven finish that feels aged and warm; quite different from the flat coverage you get with standard emulsion. Designers are using it in bedrooms, living rooms, and even hallways, to add depth without adding clutter.

It’s also relatively forgiving to apply, which has helped it take off with DIYers as well as professionals. Brands like Bauwerk and Portola Paints have put it firmly on the mainstream radar, and it pairs well with natural materials like linen, travertine, and raw oak.

Fluted wood panels

Fluted or ribbed wood panels have become one of the most copied looks in interior design over the past two years. They add texture and shadow to flat surfaces, and they work on everything from kitchen islands to bedroom headboard walls. Designers tend to use them as a focal point rather than covering a whole room, which keeps the look grounded.

MDF versions are more affordable and widely available, while real timber options in oak or walnut add a premium feel. Either way, the effect is similar; a surface that catches the light and gives a room a sense of architectural detail that paint alone can’t achieve.

Hygienic PVC wall cladding

This one might raise eyebrows… PVC in a design-forward interior? Hygienic wall cladding has come a long way from its clinical, hospital-white origins. UK suppliers like Simply Cladding now offer the product in a wide range of colours and finishes, from muted satin tones to bold gloss options, making it a genuinely versatile choice for bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchen splashbacks.

What designers value is the practicality. These sheets are waterproof, wipe-clean, and don’t need grouting, which removes the biggest maintenance headache that comes with tiled walls. For rental properties or family homes, that’s a significant advantage. The fact that it can look sleek and considered is almost a bonus at that point.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo never really went away, but it’s shifted from a retro novelty back into serious use. Designers are applying it to floors, worktops, bathroom walls, and even furniture pieces. The speckled, composite finish works in both minimalist and maximalist schemes, which is part of why it keeps coming back.

Porcelain terrazzo tiles have made it more accessible, since genuine poured terrazzo requires specialist installation and a bigger budget. But even the more budget-friendly tile versions can give a room a grounded, tactile quality that standard ceramics struggle to match. It photographs well too, which doesn’t hurt its popularity on design platforms.

Read more – the delights of parquet flooring

Venetian plaster

Venetian plaster, or polished plaster as it’s sometimes called, creates a smooth, marble-like finish that adds a level of luxury to walls that paint simply can’t replicate. Applied in thin layers and burnished to a sheen, it picks up light differently at different times of day which gives a room a quality that’s hard to define but easy to notice.

It’s a specialist finish that requires a skilled hand to apply well, and the cost of the material and application reflects that. But for feature walls in reception rooms or bathrooms, designers can’t keep themselves from recommending it. Colours range from bone white to deep charcoal, and the depth of the finish means even neutral shades feel rich rather than flat.

To summarise

These five materials all offer something beyond surface-level style. Limewash adds character. PVC cladding adds practicality. Fluted panels add architecture. Terrazzo adds texture. Venetian plaster adds depth.

However, none of them are quick fixes. Each one requires a degree of commitment, whether in budget, installation, or care. That’s probably why designers keep returning to them. They’re the materials that actually make a room feel considered rather than just decorated.