Considering the dynamic nature of interior design, regular assessments are essential. October, the month that marks the start of the last quarter of the year, invites us to look back at what happened in 2025, absorb trends, launches, and innovations, and reflect on how these elements can inspire projects yet to come. Evaluating the present allows professionals to anticipate the future, understand changes in taste, and interpret signs that will shape interior design in 2026.
As 2025 draws to a close, assessments become more strategic. Each trend, development, and event informs and inspires 2026, inviting us to design spaces that combine sophistication, functionality, and authenticity.
In this article, we highlight the month's major news, anticipated trends for next year, key international events, and we introduce Inspiring Three. Tomorrow we celebrate Halloween, and it's an opportunity to reflect on the "biggest scares in interior design": seemingly innocent choices that can compromise a space's aesthetics, functionality, or experience. Identifying these mistakes allows professionals to avoid unpleasant surprises, learn from the unexpected, and create more sophisticated and memorable designs.
This month, we launched the video “The Essence of ALMA de LUCE”, which invites design and decoration professionals to discover what drives our brand. More than just showcasing pieces, it reveals the purpose and passion behind each creation: the careful selection of noble materials, attention to every detail, and the transformation of objects into stories of memory and timeless beauty.
Each ALMA de LUCE piece is born from a narrative that connects nature, culture, and legacy, offering aesthetic inspiration and insights on how to create meaningful spaces. The video is a reminder that design goes beyond functionality: it's emotion, identity, and experience.
By watching, professionals can reflect on how each element of a project contributes to a cohesive and memorable space, reinforcing the importance of creating spaces that combine sophistication, comfort, and authenticity. But how do these stories and details translate into contemporary design that can inspire the projects of tomorrow?
With Halloween approaching, it's the perfect time to reflect on the real scares in interior design: those choices that seem harmless at first glance, but can transform a promising project into an unexpected (and unpleasant!) experience. Just like in Halloween stories, what you don't foresee can scare your clients a lot.
Analysing these "scary mistakes" helps designers plan better, anticipate problems, and create elegant, functional, and memorable spaces. Among the most common pitfalls are:
Overly large furniture: huge, disproportionate sofas or tables can overwhelm the space, making movement difficult and the atmosphere suffocating. A real "monster" in any room.
Negligible lighting: relying on a single light source or poorly positioned lamps leaves the space dark and lifeless, like a haunted house without a spirit.
Disproportionate rugs: a rug that is too large or too small can throw the entire space off balance, making it look chaotic or sloppy.
A "cursed" colour palette: unbalanced combinations or tones lacking contrast can create cold, monotonous areas, where the project's personality is lost.
Excessive detail without cohesion: too many or poorly combined decorative objects create visual confusion; it's a real "horror scene" for attentive eyes.
Poor-quality furniture and accessories: flimsy or poorly finished pieces can quickly undermine the harmony and durability of the space, a financial shock for any client.
Forgetting functionality: a beautiful but impractical layout transforms any space into a labyrinth of frustrations. The shock no one wants to experience when living in the project.
These setbacks are more than just minor flaws: they are strategic warnings for designers. By acknowledging these setbacks, designers can craft thoughtful, elegant, and memorable projects that transform potential disasters into innovative solutions that astonish and delight.
As we approach 2026, interior designers are beginning to anticipate the colours that will define next year's projects. These choices reflect culture, emotions, and aesthetic priorities, and offer new possibilities for creating sophisticated, welcoming spaces full of personality.
According to ELLE Decor, three major trends are observed:
Warmer, richer neutrals are replacing 'millennial grey,' with earthy tones like tobacco, terracotta, and charcoal leading the way.
More "dusty" jewel tones, such as soft emeralds, deep blues, and earthy greens, gain prominence, bringing depth and elegance to spaces.
Unexpected colour combinations: Palettes once seen as risky are now trends, such as periwinkle with chocolate or matte tangerine with metallic moss.
Interior designers are pointing to the ceiling (rather than a feature wall) as the new element that captures attention and adds personality to spaces.
Today, interior designers are shifting their focus from the so-called "accent wall" to the ceiling, also known as "the fifth wall". Despite its largely ignored status, the ceiling has the potential to create subtle and sophisticated impact.
This movement has practical implications for the work of a designer or decorator:
The ceiling becomes an active architectural element, capable of visually "lowering" a high-ceilinged space or creating a sense of intimacy.
New techniques are applied: full colour wash up to the ceiling, decorative wallpaper applied to the ceiling, or defined mouldings that cross the wall and ceiling.
Instead of highlighting a wall with colour or pattern, the option is to envelop the entire space or direct the gaze upwards, creating ambiance and identity with subtlety.
November is a strategic month for interior designers seeking innovation, trends, and new perspectives. International design fairs and weeks offer ideas, contacts, and hands-on experiences that help shape memorable projects and anticipate what will be in vogue in the coming year.
Brussels Furniture Fair (Brussels, Belgium) from 02 to 05 November
The Brussels Furniture Fair is a key meeting for professionals, offering insight into the evolution of European furniture and interior design. The fair showcases forward-looking trends and innovative techniques, influencing upcoming design directions. Attendees can discover emerging brands and practical inspiration for projects.
Dubai Design Week (Dubai, UAE) from 04 to 09 November
Dubai Design Week transforms the city into a global hub of creativity and innovation, setting the stage for trends that echo throughout the design world. The event launches new collections and groundbreaking materials, offering designers a rare chance to network and access global perspectives.
Esprit Meuble (Paris, France) from 15 to 18 November
Esprit Meuble is a leading European trade fair for contemporary furniture and interior design. The event lets designers observe handcrafted finishes, fine materials, and innovative proposals for creative projects. Participating is a way to anticipate trends and integrate solutions into spaces.
The 'Inspiring Three' are essential elements that are gaining strength in the interior design community. They capture the essence of current customer preferences and the influences of major industry events, providing a guide for professionals to create spaces that combine sophistication, comfort, and a touch of nature.
1. Colour of the Month: Deep Amber
A warm and enveloping tone, inspired by the soft light of autumn, suggesting comfort and elegance. This colour creates depth without resorting to obvious elements, giving rooms a subtly dramatic and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Material of the month: Soft Velvet
Soft velvet stands out for its rich texture and silky feel, evoking luxury and comfort. Ideal for upholstery, cushions, or decorative details, it offers sensory experiences that enhance the sophistication and intimacy of spaces.
3. Detail of the Month: Geometric Profile
Delicate geometric lines, like those seen in the Al-Hijr Coffee Table, add a subtle touch of refinement to furniture and architectural elements. This meticulous detail lends personality and distinction without compromising the harmony of the space.
Design is storytelling and detail. The video “The Essence of ALMA de LUCE” reminds us that each piece has a purpose and a story, while colours like Deep Amber, materials like Soft Velvet, and details like the Geometric Profile offer concrete inspiration for sophisticated and memorable designs.
Between colour trends, fine materials, subtle geometric details, and international events, professionals can transform each space into a memorable experience. Key takeaway: Applying these elements ensures intentional, sophisticated, and standout interior designs.
Halloween serves as a reminder: even in the smallest details, there are potential "scares" that, if not anticipated, can compromise the final result. Recognising these challenges, from colour choices to furniture proportions or lighting, allows designers to plan better, create intelligent solutions, and positively surprise clients.
By following global trends, absorbing inspiration from events, and learning from potential scares, each project can become a sophisticated, welcoming, and memorable space.
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