This season, as we look forward to the holidays, one color is poised to make a dramatic entrance in our homes – a compelling preview of what is predicted to be a huge, defining trend throughout 2026: rich, sophisticated red room ideas.

This enticing and enveloping color trend is set to transform interiors, adding a luxurious, confident aesthetic. We will first see this trend emerge in this year's Christmas decorating ideas, but to understand its profound, year-round potential, we must look to the archives of actress Salma Hayek. Her older Instagram post showcasing a beautiful red scheme proves she was ahead of her time with her bold, passionate color choice.

Despite outdated negative connotations, decorating with red is unequivocally one of the most passionate, life-enhancing, and historically significant colors in existence. It offers a luxurious bank of positive energy, capable of transforming interiors and creating distinct moods – from refined to playful – depending on its application. Historically, red has always been associated with wealth and status.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, illuminates its deep provenance and impact: ‘We have been using red to decorate the walls of our homes from the beginning of human existence. We find red on the walls of the earliest cave dwellers, and red pigment was used in Neanderthal burials as a symbol of life. It has the longest visual wavelength of any color, which makes it the most impactful, and it is famous for stimulating the appetite, good conversation, and love, making it an enduring favorite in the dining room and the bedroom.’

Designers today are captivated by its versatility. Brandon Schubert, Director of Brandon Schubert Studio, shares this adoration for red rooms: ‘I love deep red hues and use them often in my projects. It’s a room color that can take on loads of different attitudes depending on what you pair it with. It’s that versatility that makes deep rusty reds a perfect choice for joinery.’

Choosing how and where to use red can create completely different effects. Color drenching a room with red walls and matching upholstery offers a fully immersive, enveloping effect – a key trend for 2026. Conversely, dialing down the red percentage to a discreet trim on white bedlinen or to the leading edge of a curtain can be equally as thrilling and provides a chic, modern accent.

Red is definitely not just for Christmas; be brave and use this sophisticated color trend throughout the coming years.

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Get ahead of next year’s biggest color trend by styling your Christmas this year with a carefully curated selection of my favorite red ornaments, wreaths, and garlands.

There is no combination more timeless than green and white. The soothing pairing evokes the tranquil image of a water lily, stones in a river, or a birch tree swaying gently in the wind.

Green wallpaper and white bedding are especially striking in Salma Hayek's bedroom. The actress shared a headstand shot to her Instagram, but we couldn't stop staring at the background. Leafy fronds on the wall are the perfect contrast to a crisp linen duvet, evoking a sense of elegance. A dark wood side table grounds the look.

Experts say decorating with green walls is the best choice if you are hoping to build a tranquil space. Anne Pukko, Co-Founder of artisan wallpaper design house Feathr tells Homes & Gardens: 'Green works beautifully in any room, whether it’s a tranquil bedroom with olive-toned furniture or a vintage-inspired kitchen featuring mint cabinetry and rustic wooden countertops.'

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The grounding qualities of green walls make them primed to become an interior design trend for 2026. Anne explains: 'The beauty of this trend lies in its ability to transform spaces into peaceful sanctuaries that feel connected to nature. It’s a gentle reminder that a touch of green can go a long way in making a space feel alive, inviting, and timeless.'

However, the real beauty of Salma's green bedroom idea is how she amplifies the earthy shade with stark white. The actress has created a monochromatic bed with white pillows, white sheets, and a white duvet. White is known as a natural brightener, so it automatically makes the green walls pop. The crisp texture of the cotton also feels like a modern contrast to the more antique-style wallpaper.

Salma uses a textured cream quilt to add interest to the single-color bed. If you are interested in recreating the look, integrating these subtle differences is a great way to make your space stand out. Whether it's a textured wallpaper with smooth furnishing or a patterned wallpaper with flat bedding, variety is the spice of interiors.

Green and white is utterly timeless. It's especially perfect when used in a bedroom, as seen in Salma Hayek's home.

There really is no better time to embrace bold, expressive decoration than at Christmas, and actress Salma Hayek's Christmas tree is no exception.

The maximalist Christmas decor trend is all about embracing excess. It involves large doses of color, exuberant patterns, and plenty of kitschy ornaments that are almost certainly a talking point in the home. We expect this trend to play a large role in how we decorate our homes in 2025, even beyond Christmas.

While 'more might be more', the current trend for maximalism doesn’t equal mess or chaos. Think of your Christmas tree ideas as a carefully curated Aladdin’s cave of treasures, with each ornament on display even more fascinating than the last. It is, after all, what Christmas is all about, and Hayek never disappoints. Her previous trees have been equally delightful, exciting, and bright!

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The key to this interior design trend is decorating with maximalist colors, kitschy pieces and exuberant patterns. The right color trends are key to our mood and how likely we are to feel connected with our homes, especially during the holiday season.

If you’re unsure, start by looking at your closets as we’re usually better at expressing ourselves with fashion choices than our homes. Is it a riot of color and pattern? Then you’ll probably love decorating with bold room color ideas that excite.

Recreating a Hayek's playful look in your own home this Christmas is easier than you think. 'There are no rules to pattern or color mixing – the more eclectic the collection, the more interesting and fabulous it will be,' says Anna Spiro, interior designer. 'The most important thing is to make sure your decor is personal to you and your family.' Remember to have fun when decorating for the holiday season – even if that means bringing out the 'kitschmas' decor.

So what are you waiting for? Adorn your Christmas tree with colorful, novelty Christmas ornaments to make your holiday decor sing.

Winter blues are no match for colorful decor, and the color blue itself can be an excellent mood booster in the home. Just ask Salma Hayek, who is an ambassador of blue via a statement furniture piece.

The Mexican-American star of films such as Frida and From Dusk Till Dawn shared a photo of herself lying on a lush, blue velvet couch, which stands out in contrast to classic wood floors, white walls, and plenty of green house plants.

Not only is blue visually pleasing and highly compatible with pretty much all neutrals, but it's something of a supercolor; it actually works wonders for our minds and bodies, too, as experts explain. 

Studies show that any blue bedroom color promotes relaxation, calms the nervous system, and supports a tranquil atmosphere,' author and wellness expert Mar De Carlo explains. 'When our eye registers blue, it causes the hypothalamus to produce more melatonin and the adrenal glands to reduce cortisol.'

With a sea of shades to choose from, Mar recommends being strategic about the mood you want to evoke and the room you want to decorate. For example, bedrooms are naturally places of rest, so a calming blue hue is highly suitable for that space. Meanwhile, darker shades can work well in a moody living room.

'While a darker blue can work well for a bedroom color, it is more intense than a lighter shade and may encourage reflection,' he explains. 'While not stimulating, reflection can in and of itself become a distraction. However, a softer, lighter shade of blue seems to have the best effect because it mimics a soothing daytime sky or the calming waters of a peaceful tropical ocean.'

Mar even handpicked the perfect blue to fall asleep to, and we have to say: it's a winner.

'If I had to choose just one, it would be Resolute Blue [by Sherwin Williams] because I feel it beautifully falls right in the middle of the blue shade spectrum—not too light or too dark,' he says.

Below, find a round-up of some essential blue decor pieces to capitalize on this cool yet calming trend.

The material used for the cabinet doors in your kitchen is a key design consideration, given that the door and drawer fronts usually make up the single largest element of the room. While many of us are tempted to have painted kitchen cabinetry and joinery for its wipe-clean ease, varnished natural wood, with its innate beauty, sets an artisanal and interesting tone. 

'The demand for wood kitchen ideas is growing to meet the desire for a connection with nature indoors,' says Paul Welburn, senior designer, at Roundhouse.

The use of natural materials has increased considerably during the pandemic and will strengthen in appeal as unpainted kitchen cabinets become a firm fixture. Not only do they have a rich aesthetic quality, but they are increasingly being recognized for their health benefits (reducing the amount of chemically treated items in the home). 

With this beautiful yet simple design, Mexican-American actress and film producer Salma Hayek demonstrates how oak cabinet kitchen ideas can add warmth and depth to a kitchen. The latest wood kitchens are forgoing painted cover-ups and revealing their true beauty.

The freshest way to do wood? As natural as possible. Wood kitchens have always waxed and waned when it comes to kitchen cabinet trends. Now, rich walnuts and the unusual linear patterns of wenge and zebrano are making way for paler textural timbers. Wood suits contemporary and classic schemes, from smooth flat-fronted modern cabinetry to rough-sawn country-style cabinets, so there is a timber look for everyone.

Unpainted kitchen cabinets have fallen out of favor in recent years, yet they can bring warmth and character to a space that may otherwise feel cold and clinical. However, take care not to overwhelm the space with wood finishes – consider adding painted elements, and contrast tones and textures to prevent the space from looking homogenized, as in this design by Sims Hilditch.

‘Consider ways to bring interest to the kitchen with lighting, hardware, and countertops. This way you will still have some personality in your space,’ says Georgia Zikas, founder of Georgia Zikas Design.

If you're considering investing in wood kitchen cabinets for your kitchen remodel, you're in good company. Many experts believe we'll be seeing this kitchen trend in 2025. Wooden kitchens are a simple blank canvas from which you can experiment with your décor. 

‘As a natural material, the tone and pattern of wooden cabinets may vary from the samples you first saw. You should allow for this when planning your scheme,’ says Leila Touwen, co-founder of Pluck Kitchens. ‘Also the color may change subtly over time.’ Celebrate these differences as they’ll make your kitchen unique.

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