Innholdsfortegnelse for Trends 2026 i South African Home Owner

The overarching trend for 2025 was about personalising your home. While 2026 still focuses on personalisation, there is a nudge towards homes that function as a sanctuary. When putting the Trends 2026 issue together, it became clear that we all crave a reprieve. So, it is only natural that we create homes that bring us calm and serenity. With that as one of the broader design elements for this year, there is also a focus on materials, designing with sustainability in mind and using lighting that is no longer just functional, but emotive. Kitchen designers, for example, are looking towards creating spaces that offer an enhanced tactile experience. Bathrooms are becoming smarter and more spa-like, giving us the serenity we desire. Overall, the interior reflects a personalised and gentle approach…

Bathrooms are evolving from functional spaces into refined sanctuaries of style and wellbeing. In 2026, design trends blend innovation with intention, where colour, material and technology converge. Sustainability and serenity guide every choice, from earthy palettes to conscious craftsmanship. The result is a new era of bathrooms that balance beauty, comfort and care for the planet. GOOD TO KNOW “In terms of bathroom tech, using thermostatic shower mixers to regulate water temperature and flow is redefining bathroom comfort, ensuring you’re never scalded when opening the shower valve.” – Kirsten Stigling, LAVO Bathroom Concepts NATURAL MATERIALS In 2026, designers are set to make use of more natural and sustainable materials like stone and eco-friendly ceramics for tiles and countertops. Shazeen Jooma, executive director at Classic Luxury Tiles & Bathrooms, says brass…

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Just outside Stellenbosch lies the Gerbi family’s three-generation architectural salvage yard, Build Antique. It’s a treasure trove where local and European heritage meet. At Build Antique, stories are everywhere. Its curated collection of reclaimed doors feels almost alive, each piece chosen for its character and history. Build Antique’s recently imported batch of reclaimed European doors sits alongside its well-loved South African teak and Oregon selections, creating a truly diverse and soulful assortment. “Watching a moth turn into a butterfly, that’s what it’s like when we strip a vintage door in our workshop,” says co-owner Giovanna Gerbi. “Our imported oak doors reveal the most exquisite patinas and hand-carved details once the thick layers of paint come off.” She and her brother, Antonio, continue the family legacy with an eye for beauty…

With interiors, the goal in 2026 is to use the Woverarching trends as inspiration but interpret them to suit you. Leanne Van Niekerk, creative director at LVN Interiors, believes that in 2026, there will be a move away from “perfectly finished” interiors towards spaces that feel real – tactile, personal and softly layered. For her, “modern organic meets quiet luxury” will provide inspiration for the year. “Think natural materials, sculptured furniture and a tonal palette that feels calm but not cold.” FIND YOUR INSPIRATION Whether you are after something bold and out there or prefer a more understated, softer look, the trends for 2026 allow for all tastes. “2026 is all about quiet confidence. We are moving away from trend-chasing and towards a deeply personal, curated aesthetic that blends form,…

Bursting with imagination and artistry, South Africa’s creative community offers exceptional art and décor for those wishing to elevate their interiors with originality and flair. We spotlight two remarkable talents: ceramicist Mellaney Roberts and interior and furniture designer Walter Train, whose culturally infused, thought-provoking creations are reshaping the landscape of contemporary art and design. As a creative, I work at the intersection of memory, materiality and land, drawing deeply from ancestral narratives to explore how personal history folds into collective history. My practice is rooted in slow looking, excavation and listening to what is carried in silence. The stories or memories I choose to make visible are the ones that were never given a formal archive – the fragmented, overlooked or erased histories of the Baviaanskloof coloured community. I am…

FUSION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING Current architectural trends in South African high-end luxury properties, such as at Steyn City Golf Estate, The Aloes Polokwane and Val de Vie, reflect a seamless fusion of indoor and outdoor living. These homes emphasise bold architectural statements with sculptural facades, double-volume spaces and custom finishes that create dramatic, timeless aesthetics. Sustainability is integrated as a key luxury feature, with solar-ready structures, water recycling and green roofs complementing refined elegance. Spacious terraces, infinity pools and entertainment zones enhance lifestyle experiences, transforming homes into personal sanctuaries that balance privacy, wellness and social interaction. Stricter rules and regulations in luxury estates largely determine the types of aesthetics allowed. Architectural guidelines cover design principles, materials, colours, building height, setbacks, roofing and landscaping to maintain neighbourhood appeal and…

RECONNECTION AND RENEWAL JENNY STRUMPHER, SENIOR BRAND MANAGER, DURAM In 2026, the design world continues its steady move toward colours that restore balance and bring a sense of calm. After a decade dominated by grey, the new neutrals take their cue from nature. From the soft stillness of sage to the enveloping richness of olive and forest tones, greens reflect a renewed desire to reconnect with nature, our home and ourselves. And, when paired with today’s rising neutrals – soft off-whites, warm browns and earthy beiges – it bridges modern minimalism and organic warmth, lending harmony to both contemporary and classic interiors. Globally, design trend forecasts point to a single, resounding theme – green is the new grounding tone. Soft sage greens lay the groundwork for a serene, contemporary home.…