Home and interior design shows bring together hundreds of exhibitors each year, showcasing furniture, decor and interior design. These events reflect market trends, from material choices and color palettes to spatial layouts. In 2026, two clear themes are emerging: a move towards simplicity and growing consideration of a home’s energy performance in decorating decisions.
Designing a living room with thermal comfort in mind
Competitors cover decorative styles extensively, but overlook a factor that shapes every design decision: the living room’s thermal comfort, in both summer and winter.
Energy-efficiency recommendations now include solutions such as solar shading for windows and ceiling fans. In a living room, this means that the placement of seating and airflow take priority over the choice of textiles. Positioning a sofa in front of a south-facing picture window without a blind or sunshade can make the space unbearable for several months of the year.
Events such as those listed on https://www.salondelamaison.fr/ bring the decor and home improvement sectors together, helping people approach living room design as a complete project rather than a series of unrelated purchases.
Another point to check before starting work or redesigning a home: the energy performance certificate (DPE) calculation changed in 2026, and some electrically heated homes may receive a different rating without any work being done. Owners can request an updated certificate for a DPE that is still valid. Checking your DPE before redesigning helps you avoid discovering a lower rating after the fact.
Natural materials and muted colors: what home decor shows reveal in 2026
The dominant trend at home shows this year centers on simplicity. Clean, cozy decor fills most of the stands, with a color palette that moves away from bright shades in favor of muted tones: terracotta, sage green and sandy beige.
Wood remains the star material, but the way it is used has changed. It appears less often in all-wood interiors and more often paired with mineral materials (stone, polished concrete) or natural textiles (linen, bouclé wool). The stated aim is to create a warm atmosphere without cluttering the space.
- Heavy linen curtains and cushion covers are gradually replacing printed cotton, considered too visually busy for understated interiors
- Reconstituted stone and travertine coffee tables are gaining ground over lacquered or glass models
- Handcrafted ceramic decor with irregular finishes is replacing standardized, mass-produced accessories
Material harmony matters more than the number of furniture pieces. A living room with a textured fabric sofa, a solid wood table and two ceramic objects feels more thoughtfully designed than a space filled with mismatched furniture, even if it is expensive.
Living room decor and energy requirements: an increasingly direct connection
The link between interior design and energy regulations is significant. In mainland France, homes rated G have no longer met minimum habitability standards since early 2025. Homes rated F will follow in 2028. For landlords considering redesigning a living room, the question is no longer just aesthetic but regulatory.
Renovation grants have also changed. In 2026, the MaPrimeRénov’ single-measure pathway was restricted: some work, such as insulation or window replacement, now falls under the comprehensive renovation pathway. Owners looking to replace their windows to bring more light into the living room must therefore consider this as part of a broader project, not as a standalone decor upgrade.
What this means for furniture choices
A better-insulated home changes indoor conditions. Humidity, perceived temperature and natural light all change after building-envelope work. Furniture and material choices need to adapt accordingly.
A living room that has just been insulated from the inside loses a few centimeters along each wall. Custom-made or compact furniture becomes a better fit than large, standard bookcases. Modular corner sofas that adapt to smaller layouts are among the most widely featured pieces at home shows this year.
Living room layout: common mistakes seen at home shows
Professionals at decor shows regularly point out the same flaws in visitors’ homes. Three mistakes come up particularly often.
- Centering the entire layout around the TV at the expense of sociability. U- or L-shaped arrangements facing a neutral focal point (fireplace, window or textured wall) create a more versatile space
- Overlooking ambient lighting by relying on a single central ceiling light. A well-designed living room combines at least three light sources at different heights
- Choosing a sofa that is too large for the room, blocking movement and making the space feel cramped. The open space around the furniture shapes the atmosphere just as much as the furniture itself
These observations are not tied to any particular style. They apply equally to a designer living room, an ethnic-inspired interior or a vintage space. Room proportions and circulation are technical considerations to address before choosing colors or materials.
The decor trends presented at home shows in 2026 point to the same conclusion: a successful living room brings together thermal comfort, well-proportioned furniture and understated materials. Purely aesthetic choices come last, once these fundamentals are in place. Changes to energy regulations reinforce this hierarchy, making it essential to treat decor and home performance as parts of a single project.
