This year's WOW!house, held at the Chelsea Design Centre, was filled with standout spaces, from immersive installations to bold celebrations of color, culture, and craftsmanship.

But while every designer brought something unique to the showhouse, we were curious to know which rooms resonated most with the industry's rising stars. So, fresh off the back of their private tour, we asked our Next in Design 2026 winners to choose the one space they found most inspiring.

With more than 21 rooms and outdoor spaces, choosing a favorite is no easy task. Yet when we asked our cohort of winners which room stayed with them long after they left, a clear theme began to emerge...

The Turnell & Gigon Group Drawing Room by Albion Nord

'There were a few spaces that were wonderful, but my favorite was the Albion Nord Drawing Room, created in collaboration with Turnell & Gigon,' says Ailsa MacConnell of Studio Mac. 'The room was full of curiosities, ranging from beautiful artwork to its striking octagonal shape. While it took inspiration from the Georgian and Victorian eras, the fresh and unexpected elements that had been introduced really made the space sing.'

'I particularly loved the handmade patchwork rug, which paired beautifully with the eclectic antique furniture. Softening the room were the incredible plush sofas, layered with beautiful textiles. An unexpected twist came in the form of the fringe trim on the cornice, complemented by the fabric-covered walls.'

'All in all, the room was full of inspiring details and delightful little quirks.'

'My favorite room was the drawing room by Albion Nord,' Filippo Calvagno of Studio Calvagno agrees. 'The domed ceiling and octagonal shape of the room were really impressive, and I loved how they made each area of the space work so well. There was an immediate feeling of warmth and relaxation when I walked in.'

'I loved the color palette chosen throughout the room, particularly across the fabrics, and how everything blended together so nicely. The wall covering worked beautifully with the architecture of the space, enhancing the shape of the room while introducing subtle colour and texture,' Filippo continues. 'The vintage elements were also integrated really well and added a real sense of character.'

'I’ve been a fan of Albion Nord’s work for a while, so it was great to be standing in one of their designed spaces and experience it in person. Overall, the room felt grand and elegant without being overwhelming, which I thought was a great achievement.'

The Garden Folly Room by Studio Enass

'I’d say my favorite was Studio Enass Garden Foley room,' says Ayisha Onuorah. 'I really liked the conceptual details of the space, for example, how she used the color red to represent the traditional clothing from her Sudanese heritage. It was bold, detailed, and well considered.'

The Misia for Casamance Group Bedroom Suite by Henri Fitzwilliam

'My favorite space within this year’s WOW!house was Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay’s bedroom suite,' says Abbie Downey of Feather & Fossil. 'The room had a wonderful sense of culture, travel, and eclecticism, creating a space that felt both deeply personal and effortlessly sophisticated. Richly layered and full of discoveries, it encouraged exploration at every turn, with pieces from different eras and influences coming together in a way that felt collected rather than curated.'

'I was particularly drawn to the hand-carved furniture, the beautifully detailed wood-block moldings, and the patina of the substantial statement doors,' Abbie continues.

'While these elements were undeniably bold, they also brought a sense of warmth and grounding to the scheme. The space perfectly demonstrated how craftsmanship, history, and personality can coexist to create an interior that feels timeless, characterful, and genuinely lived in.'

'I found it to be an accomplished, original, and globally inspired take on what a relaxing and luxurious bedroom could be,' agrees Chizitera Pennington of Chizitera Interiors.

'It was inspiring because it felt relaxed and comfortable whilst drawing on modernism and the geometry and hard textural elements of Art Deco (such as the wooden headboard),' Chizitera continues. 'The lines, shapes, and textures from these design eras can be quite harsh and are not natural bedfellows in bedroom design.'

'However, the designer successfully brought them into the space through a generous and impactful use of fabric (such as behind the headboard and on the window treatments) alongside a restrained color palette,' Chizitera adds. 'Ultimately, my key takeaway is that sleek lines, hard finishes, and geometry have a place in the bedroom.'

The Nucleus Immersive Room by Russell Sage Studio

'A room that I found particularly intriguing was the Nucleus Immersive Room by Russell Sage Studio,' says Irfana Ahmed. 'I found this room so fascinating because it perfectly demonstrates the intricacies of interior design and how thoughtful design will resonate with all five senses as well as emotion.'

'The play between soft and grounded, provided by the wash of layered curtains and circular daybed, and palpable and crisp sound and visuals, provided by Nucleus’ technology, forces you to become completely immersed in the room,' Irfana continues.

'"The Momantarium" is so inspiring because it is a reminder that even with ever-progressing state-of-the-art technology, spaces will always feel human through the magic of human memory and emotion. I love that while I was sitting on the daybed, I felt as though I could be absolutely anywhere – a giant daydream.'

The Parlour by Martin Kemp Design

'The Parlour was the room I couldn't leave,' says Zoe Willis of Zoe Willis Design.

'Martin Kemp let the darkness do the work, enveloping tone, soft suspended fabric, a 1970s glamour reworked with real restraint, and the effect was a cocoon rather than a showpiece,' Zoe continues. 'What I loved was the layering: a floral armchair, a sculptural pendant, handblown glass, vintage finds, each one a piece you want to inspect closely, yet none of them competing.'

'It wasn't decorated, it was directed. My takeaway is that luxury is felt, not announced. The room rejected spectacle and rewarded attention, and that is exactly why I was still thinking about it long after I'd left.'

The Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh

'I found the energy of Young Huh and Benjamin Moore's Minhwa Salon magnetic,' says Jasmine Fisher. 'Its contemporary interpretation of Korean folk art felt alive; a playful reminder that tradition can be a powerful source of innovation.'

The Shepel' Library by Roisin Lafferty

'Our favorite space at WOW!house was the Shepel' Library by Rosin Lafferty,' says Frankie Pritchard and Indie Robinson of Thirty Stories. 'It felt completely different from the moment you stepped inside – rather than feeling like part of a showroom, it transported you to a beautiful, intimate space of its own.'

'What inspired us most was the layering of materials and the attention to detail,' they continue. 'The contrast between the metal framework, textured glass, warm burr wood and sumptuous mohair velvet was incredibly effective, with each element bringing a different quality and texture to the room.'

'It was a great reminder of how much depth and character can be created through thoughtful combinations of finishes and materials.'

'My other favorite would be the library by Roisin Lafferty, which felt like a space reimagined,' adds Ayisha. 'The use of materials and shape that form the space felt fresh, new, inventive, and inspired a real master class.'

While each designer was drawn to a different room, together, these spaces reveal that the rooms designers remember most aren't always the ones making the biggest statement.

More often, they're the spaces that linger – rooms with a strong point of view, a sense of authenticity, or an ability to evoke emotion. From intimate libraries to richly layered bedroom suites, the standout spaces at WOW!house 2026 demonstrate that the most successful interiors balance creativity with connection.

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The week that WOW!house opens its doors is always an exciting one at Homes & Gardens. Twenty-one rooms make up this year's showhouse, created by leading interior designers and iconic brands, and while each felt distinctly unique in design and message, a few hero colors really stood out.

We gathered an idea of what's hot in almost every aspect of interior design (striking Art Deco lighting and luxe curved seating were common themes throughout the WOW!house 2026 trends), but five exciting color trends were really clear this year. Out of all the twenty-one rooms, these five color trends excited us the most, providing a glimpse of the power of color in its many forms, from bold to subdued.

1. Deep Burgundy

The Parlour by Martin Kemp Design was woven with moody colors, namely deep plums and burgundies. 'The palette came from an unexpected moment. I walked past a small boutique that was completely color-drenched and was struck by the confidence of it. It wasn't something we'd explored before, but I was intrigued by the idea of immersing a room in a single, rich tone. Around the same time, one of the team was wearing Rouge Noir nail polish, and I immediately thought, that's the color. It's such a classic and iconic shade. It felt entirely in keeping with both the room's intimate atmosphere and our inspiration, Grace Jones, whose style is fearless, glamorous, and timeless.'

'While we're certainly seeing a renewed appreciation for richer, more enveloping colors,' explains Martin. 'I think these shades have always had a place in interiors. Deep burgundies, chocolate tones and inky hues are classics for a reason; they bring depth and a sense of permanence. Trends may ebb and flow, but these colors remain enduringly relevant.'

'Moody colors work particularly well in smaller, more intimate spaces where conversation and atmosphere are the priority,' continues Martin. 'That's exactly why they suited the Parlour Room so well. Rather than trying to brighten everything, embrace the cocooning quality of darker tones and lean into the sense of comfort and intimacy they create. In the right setting, they can feel incredibly welcoming and sophisticated.'

2. Matcha Green

Sage green is the quiet color designers are using to create calm. From the matcha green range oven to the muted marble countertops, soothing pale green brought the serene Martin Moore Kitchen designed by Samantha Bartlett to life.

'We wanted the cooking space to feel calm, grounded, and connected to nature rather than overly clinical or trend-driven,' explains Samantha. 'The overall palette was inspired by natural materials and muted, earthy tones – colors that reference Mother Nature. The green acts as a soft anchor within the room, bringing warmth and depth while still feeling light and fresh.'

'The aim was to create a room that feels timeless, welcoming, and lived-in, somewhere that feels like home,' adds Samantha. 'Our work is deeply inspired by Mother Nature, so these softer greens are part of a much broader design language rather than a seasonal color decision. Greens have been used in interiors for centuries because they're inherently calming and versatile, sitting beautifully alongside natural materials such as timber, stone, linen, and clay.'

'Perhaps what's changing is not the color itself but the wider cultural desire to bring nature indoors. As people increasingly seek spaces that support wellbeing and connection, palettes rooted in the landscape naturally resonate. That's why we believe sage and matcha greens have a timeless quality: they reference something enduring rather than something fashionable.'

3. Warm Neutrals

The Turnell & Gigon Group Drawing Room by Albion Nord gave new meaning to decorating with neutrals. Threaded with deep browns, warm beiges, and an unexpected yet soothing duck egg blue, the sitting room balanced comfort, tranquillity, and richness.

'We always try to play with texture and materiality when using neutral tones in a room,' explains Hero Dalrymple, Creative Director at Albion Nord. 'We often use a specialist paint on walls, as this immediately adds a subtle depth and warmth to a neutral color. When considering neutral fabrics, mixing textures such as linens, mohairs and velvets helps make the material palette more visually exciting and layered, especially when offset by richer timbers and antique brass.'

While blue can sometimes feel cold, the domed roof provides ample daylight in the space, bringing an openness that pairs beautifully with the palette. The hand-painted alcoves are painted in a bespoke Benjamin Moore blue, matched with coordinated fabric walls and ceiling that soften the room. Each brings an added layer of thoughtfulness to the overall design.

The warm browns and beiges are a clever move against the blue backdrop, providing an all-important punchy dose of richness that counteracts the cooler walls and coffered ceiling. Albion Nord 'Fenton' sofas provide a sense of comfort and neutrality, and the chocolate brown slipcovered armchairs tick the richness box.

4. Playful Primaries

The Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh made a compelling case for the return of primary colors. While the room featured a neutral backdrop of Chantilly Lace, each wall was covered in lacquered inset boxes, painted in a vibrant hue or embellished with a hand-painted mural inspired by Korean folk art.

The colorful boxes (reminiscent of lacquer trays) acted as murals in their own right, each slotting into a portion of the room's walls. From bold Galápagos Turquoise to the lime-meets-lemon Citron, Young didn't hold back on the acidic hues. A fiery orange called Picante sang against deeper plums and jade greens, like Jade Garden.

5. Seafoam Blues

'My concept is a quiet, uplifting analogue sanctuary; a room that resists the velocity of modern life – a fantasy really,' says interior designer Sara Cosgrove on the Phillip Jeffries Morning Room. 'The space references couture thinking – proportion, drape, tension and finish. It is also informed by nostalgia for slower rituals, such as reading print magazines and long conversations.'

It was the seafoam color palette that made Sara's serene morning room truly come to life. A sense of calm was palpable instantly, made possible with such a delicate, grounded palette of muted greeny-blues and creams. From the abstract walls reminiscent of waves (created by the room's sponsor, Phillip Jeffries) to the architectural ceiling painted in a green-tinged blue, the muted seafoam palette only added to the calmness of the design.

Organic textures and neutral tones (colors that go best with pale blue) bring a grounded touch, transforming the morning room into a space that combines two inherent qualities – function and emotion.

From nature-inspired greens to luxurious burgundies, this year's WOW!house was filled with exciting color trends that have inspired us until the next one comes around.

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WOW!house, at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, has returned this June for its fifth year, bringing together the world's best designers – both emerging and established – and iconic brands to create a 'house' that is a creative hub and a must-have on the calendar for anyone passionate about beautiful design.

This year's showhouse is made up of 21 rooms. Visitors move through it like a real home, from the front garden and facade to the back terrace, passing through drawing rooms, libraries, home bars, salons, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. It's a true source of inspiration, with the designers behind each space on hand to discuss the concepts and ideas that shaped their rooms.

It's also an opportunity to see some of the biggest emerging design trends, from bold uses of color and interesting textures to new patterns and innovative approaches to space and layouts. Seeing these ideas in situ is a delight, as you move between rooms that both contrast and complement one another, creating a truly immersive experience.

These are this year's biggest takeaways from our sneak preview of the showhouse.

1. Tassels, Trims and Fringe

Fringe has come in and out of style countless times. It was the height of maximalist sophistication in the 1800s, came back with the flapper girls of the 1920s, and returned again in a more relaxed, boho form in the 1970s. At WOW!house 2026, fringe, tassels, and trims were back, quietly adding interest to sofas, drapes, throw pillows, and even furniture.

Stepping into the Garden Folly Room by Studio Enass (left) – our Next in Design 2025 winner – the opulent deep red room was layered with texture, with an emerald green bullion-fringed cocktail table at its center. Elsewhere, tassels and passementerie could be found on the bolster cushions, the blinds, and, unexpectedly, hanging from the glass wall sconces.

Elsewhere, fringe could be found on sofas, replacing last year's major trend for skirted sofas – notably in the serene sea-blue Philip Jefferies Morning Room by Sara Cosgrove (right) and the cleverly named Withdrawing Room by Zardi & Zardi and Sean Symington Design, which also featured tassels on the drapes.

2. Playful Primary Palettes

Color was abundant this year. There were lots of moody, deep purples and uplifting pale blues and greens, but of course, a real showcase of color was seen in the Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh (above).

The salon really does burst with color and pattern. It's a glorious contrast to the moody darkness of the Shepel' Library by Róisín Lafferty that you step out of. The concept for the salon was to create an exhibition space for a collector who loves to host, with lacquered walls covered in 55 inset boxes, each painted in a bold hue or filled with a hand-painted decorative mural by Fromental, inspired by Minhwa (Korean folk art).

You won't find many of Benjamin Moore's well-known neutrals in here (although the classic Chantilly Lace was the perfect backdrop for making the bold colors pop). Instead, its most playful hues come together – Galápagos Turquoise sits alongside the zesty green Citron, while the vivid orange Picante clashes beautifully with Jade Garden.

3. Shells and Sea-inspired Shapes

Shells have been on our radar since summer collections started to launch earlier this year. This classic summer motif has experienced a resurgence in 2026, with more elegant, subtle interpretations appearing in many new collections, so it wasn't a surprise to see sea-inspired shapes scattered throughout WOW!house.

First, in the Garden Folly Room by Studio Enass (right), blink, and you'll miss them, but as you turn to leave the room, you're met with a beautiful shell mosaic framing the doorway. The bespoke Reverie pendant by Gladee Lighting, which hangs in the center of the room, was also inspired by the fluted shape of a scallop shell.

Shells and sea-inspired motifs also appeared in the Philip Jeffries Morning Room by Sara Cosgrove (left). Most obviously, they take the form of a piece of artwork and a shell-shaped ornament on the coffee table, but there are more subtle aquatic references too, such as the Aura mural, which wraps the room in an ethereal, water-like print. The milky glass Fiore wall lights by Pure White Lines also resemble a shell-like form

4. Beautiful Bookcases

‘Bookshelf wealth’ may be a new way to describe the aesthetic of a meaningful, slightly disorganized, personal collection, but the concept itself is far from new – and it's one that appeared throughout the rooms of WOW!house.

The first example can be found in the Salvesen Graham The Collection Primary Bedroom by Salvesen Graham (left), which offers real insight into the person who inspired the room. There's no color coordination here – just a lived-in, layered bookshelf that adds even more texture to the space.

When asked to describe the room in one word, Mary and Nicole immediately chose ‘layered’, so naturally, the bookshelves needed extra layers too. Artwork doesn't simply sit among the books; it's hung directly on the shelves, creating even more visual depth.

The Zardi & Zardi Withdrawing Room by Sean Symington Design (right) also embraces layering and features a pair of characterful bookcases, both displaying artwork hung from the shelves themselves. The bookcases are painted in the perfect shade of green – Sage by Benjamin Moore – proving that a bookcase doesn't need to be a neutral backdrop. This muddy green strikes just the right balance, acting as a feature in its own right without clashing with the colorful book spines.

5. Curves

Curves were everywhere. Curved sofas and a burl wood desk appear in the Black Edition at Romo Speakeasy Salon by Studio Duggan; in fact, in this space, there were zero straight lines in sight. This meant the room had a very natural flow, which was key as the salon was designed to have many functions – a room to relax in, a room to work in, and a room to host in – and yet none of the spaces felt zoned off. Instead, they all merged with one another. It felt like a very relaxed, easy space to be in.

The Lalique Home Bar by Elicyon (left) was also all about the curves. Through an arched doorway, you are met with a glowing, soft room with an elegant Art Deco style inspired by Lalique's French heritage.

Perhaps an unexpected room to find so many curves was the Martin Moore Kitchen with Samantha Bartlett (right). The curves in this space are both clear and subtle. Every cabinet edge was curved, as were all the countertop edges, so the room felt very tactile and soft, which can be hard to achieve in such a practical space.

The room was inspired by nature and natural light, with its muted green and dark wood palette, plus the magical Ivy Shadow Chandelier designed by Tord Boontje for Porto Romana that looks like it almost grows from the ceiling. So many curves only added to this very natural feel.

6. Aubergine Hues

If one shade stood out as the shade of WOW!house 2026, it was aubergine. Luxurious, moody, and perfect for drenching a whole room, this deep shade has been a color trend for a few years, moving from a bold choice that felt very brave to a popular selection across all rooms – we are even seeing more aubergine kitchen cabinets than sage green ones in 2026.

At WOW!house, the first room where you meet this indulgent shade in full is the Black Edition at Romo Speakeasy Salon by Studio Duggan (left). Here, you step through heavy, deep purple drapes into a compact room covered in a deep, purply-brown linen-blend wallcovering that has the softest, most subtle sheen. The sofa is upholstered in a luxurious aubergine velvet, and the table lamps that flank it are made of a red-tinged marble. It might sound like an intense space – and in many ways, it is, which is the point – but all the rich, dark shades are unexpectedly offset by a wall-to-wall, almost lime-green carpet.

The deep purple hues continue into the Parlour by Martin Kemp Design (right), where you are met by layers of suspended fabrics that mean the room reveals itself to you slowly as you walk deeper into the space. The more you look, the more you see. A pair of deep purple curved sofas contrast with a geometrically shaped coffee table, and vintage finds mix with contemporary shapes.

You even see a pop of aubergine in the Benjamin Moore Minhwa Salon by Young Huh. Among the bright yellows, oranges, and reds sits Benjamin Moore's Grape Juice, grounding the more primary shades.

7. Vacation Inspired Bathrooms

One thing all the bathrooms at WOW!house 2026 had in common was that each was inspired by a destination. Stepping first into the Samuel Heath Primary Bathroom by Rigby & Rigby (right), you are immersed in a space inspired by the wellness sanctuaries of Scandinavia and Japan. At the center sits a large, round Japanese ofuro bath, and the gentle scent of Japanese cedarwood fills the air. The tactility of the room is a direct reflection of its influences – the timber-clad walls nod to Scandi style, while a lattice motif on the ceiling was inspired by Kumiko, a pattern often found on Japanese shoji screens.

The Ca' Pietra Bathroom by De Rosee Sa (left) offers another escape, this time to the Mediterranean coast, specifically in June, specifically in the 1970s. The color scheme draws from earthy, warm summer shades, featuring Ca' Pietra's honed marble in a beautiful, rose-tinted 'Versailles Rouge' used for the double sink and bath. This is contrasted by a dramatic, dark-veined marble on the baseboards. Glass wall lights from Valerie Wade add even more '70s glamour to the space.

As always, WOW!house is filled with inspiration from the world's top designers and iconic brands, but it's also a place to find very real takeaways that we can implement in real homes. The key trends this year, while stunningly executed, aren't overly exclusive; you can take something from each room that could be used in your own home, whether it's a color, or a texture, a shape, or a concept.

WOW!house is at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour from June 2 to July 2, you can get your tickets here.

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