If the new year has awoken your interior decorator, now is the perfect time to ponder, plan, and prepare for small yet highly effective home improvement projects…
And if you don’t want to commit to an expensive renovation right now or are looking for simple updates, below, we’re rounding up a bunch of budget-friendly design tweaks that will give your home a new lease of life.
Starting in the kitchen, there are lots of exciting ways to refresh your space. Consider, for example, repainting your units as a cost-effective, high-impact option to ripping out your existing cabinetry (of course, if their condition allows for this decorating trick).
Switching your old splashback is another quick way to update your design. Upgrading your handles and lighting will also help offer your space a fresh new look, while installing open shelving will provide the perfect spot for adding a personal touch through décor.
For more kitchen updates and inspiration, click here.
Also on my radar…
Colour was a prominent trend back in 2025, and it will continue to reach new heights in 2026, with renovators and designers using paint creatively to add pattern and personality to interiors. From colour drenching and colour blocking, to highlighting architectural details and sprucing up ceilings, click here to get inspired for your next home update.
As for the bathroom, scouring vintage fairs and shops to find a dresser, a sideboard or a small cabinet to replace your old vanity is a great, affordable way to infuse your space with charm. This simple swap has grown in popularity over the last year, thanks to the unique look it offers.
But can you simply pick up a second-hand piece of furniture and convert it? How exactly does plumbing work? Georgina has written all about it here.
What’s trending?
- Calacatta Viola is the marble of the moment, and it’s easy to see why. Adorned with rich purply-red veins, it instantly adds luxury to a space. Plus, it is unexpectedly pretty versatile, too, and can be used across a range of applications, from vanity tops, wall cladding, to decorative architraves.
- While browsing through Spring Summer 2026 look books, I’m sensing interiors becoming more personal this year, influenced by global travels and international design. Picture Mediterranean-inspired pieces, bohemian décor, eclectic patterns, and playful colour combinations.
- With the return of Bridgerton to our screens this January, a style that’s currently on the rise is Regencycore. Get the look with ornate mirrors, Art Deco fittings, fluted finishes, lustrous lighting, and plush furnishings.
Spotted on social
I predict tile work going all the way up to the ceiling is going to be big in 2026, whether it’s a fully-clad bathroom or a statement kitchen wall dressed in glossy slabs. This design idea feels luxurious, opening up a room and giving the illusion of a more ample space, too.
Painting wall and door frames in daring colours, like in this stunning project by Palmer & Stone, is another budget-friendly yet impactful way to update your home.
Why stick to one stone when you can have two? This vanity design beautifully pairs Calacatta Venato marble with curved Calacatta Viola detailing.
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