The 2026 Home Styling Forecast: What Helps Homes Sell Faster In Adelaide

Continuing on from recent years, 2026 issues warm invitation to create cosy, welcoming, interior spaces bursting with personality and lived-in vibes.

Bye bye vanilla, colour is back, baby! This year we’re saying no thanks to white-on-white and greige alongside minimalist styling. In their place are rich and vibrant earthy tones like chartreuse, chocolate and ochre complementing organic textures, dark timbers and vintage-inspired materials loaded with character.

Of course, bland and breezy Scandi style is great for selling homes, as the neutrality and uncluttered spaciousness allows buyers to envisage themselves in the space. So now we are styling homes to reflect our energy and personality, but when we’re putting our property on the market with the best real estate agents in Adelaide, we’re paring back some of our more quirky stuff so that buyers aren’t distracted or overwhelmed.

From Scandi-style one-look-fits-all interiors to emotive interior spaces reflecting our personality and journey… in 2026 the shift in style is significant.

We don’t want show-home neutrality any longer. We want comfortable, curated spaces that reflect who we are and how we’re feeling. Our spaces are blending moody with lively and a splash of the dramatic – if that’s who we are.

Of course, the point is that the style is personalised, so if our tastebuds prefer vanilla to chocolate, we’ll match our beloved vanilla with muted accents, adopt soft florals over bold stripes, and choose mid-tone timbers over dark oaks.

Those family heirlooms that you’ve dug out of the cupboard when Nanna comes to visit can stay out now, as we revisit our history and heritage and bask in its emotional depth. Interior styles are re-embracing patterned upholstery, wallpaper, coloured glass, dark wood tones and combined textures such as leather and velvet in a nod to history and heritage.

If you love browsing in second hand or antique stores, your favourite pieces will fit perfectly into your home in 2026.

Our environmental conscience isn’t abating: the emphasis on using eco-friendly materials and sustainable products continues. Responsibly grown and sourced timbers and materials continue to feature in Adelaide home design, construction and interior styling.

Dulux predict a rise in the use of emotionally soothing colours such as warm and earthy neutrals along with burnt oranges, rich caramels, deep pinks and calming greens like sage and moss.

Last year saw curves making their way back into our homes. Curved island benches, plush sofas with rounded ends, and even exterior architecture showcased smooth, rounded edges on feature walls in a nod to the art deco era.

There is a shift this year towards more intimate living spaces, not necessarily losing the open plan concept but curating it to create more intimacy and connection within defined areas through the clever use of colour, texture, shape and design.

When incorporating these trends into Adelaide real estate, a home you intend to sell needs to invoke “wow” moments not “ouch” moments in the eyes of buyers if you want your home to sell faster.

Showcase a home brimming with warm personality without assaulting the senses. Buyers will find an emotional connection with homes they can see themselves living in, so leave room for them to experience that feeling by finding the balance between bland and bold.

Need help preparing your home for sale in 2026? We have the best real estate agents in Adelaide happy to provide guidance and advice. Give our friendly agents a call – we would love to help.