Maison et Objet 2026

Maison et Objet returned in January 2026 for its biannual showcase of the latest in design, interiors and lifestyle. After more than 30 years, this iconic Paris design fair has firmly established itself as one of the most significant platforms in the industry.

Each show attracts upwards of 60,000 industry professionals from merchandisers to interior designers, and this January I was one of them. Off I headed to Paris in search of the brightest new ideas, hottest homeware trends 2026 has to offer, and most inspiring material developments. And it's safe to say the show did not disappoint.

Spanning seven halls and six categories, Maison & Objet certainly isn't lacking in scale or variety. Everything from top-of-the-range model boats to dachshund-specific accessories made an appearance, I really did see it all. But the part I was really there for was to discover the brands, trends and ideas that were new and relevant for us back here at Designist. The exciting new products, the ideas that stood out, and to meet the people at the centre of it all.

The overall feeling this year was one of renewed excitement. People seemed genuinely enthusiastic about what they were making and selling, and about the new ideas emerging within the industry.

My focus was on Hall 7: Gift & Play — the heartbeat of gift trends 2026 — which stood in stark contrast to the Design & Decor halls. Wandering through those, I felt that if I saw one more beige couch or abstract ceramic vase, I was going to die of boredom. Gift & Play, on the other hand, offered much more variety and was full of companies with fresh ideas that were just taking off.

One trend that would have been almost impossible to miss this year was stripes. They were bold, bright and absolutely everywhere. Notebook covers, fans, bags, vases, bedsheets and even the walls of the booths were striped. I, for one am in full support of this stripe frenzy. It feels fun, fresh, and, most importantly, it's not beige!

This stripe trend in interiors manifested itself in bold, saturated and starkly contrasting colours. From bright primaries to hot pinks against deep blues, striped home decor was eye-catching and playful. Now, I am aware that stripes are obviously not a new concept, we've had Coco Chanel's Breton tops for decades, and even Dublin's own Poolbeg Towers have been donning stripes since the 1970s.

But I was particularly excited to see wildly colourful stripes at Maison & Objet this year, as it felt like a reaction to the neutral heavy aesthetic that has been in vogue for far too long (in my opinion). Ever since the rise of the "clean-girl-aesthetic" in 2020, the same year Kim Kardashian unveiled her famously minimalist Calabasas home, beige and neutrals have been everywhere, and people have been doing their best to make their homes look as if no one lives there.

Personally, I think it's time for something a bit more exciting. Whether you go all in and decide to wallpaper your entire living room in stripes, or just add a striped vase for a pop of colour, it's a trend that I can definitely get behind in 2026.

Another theme that really captured my attention, and sparked some tentative hope, was the reworking and reimagining of waste materials into new and elevated design items. It wasn't every brand, but the idea was definitely there. Designers seemed to be increasingly experimenting with transforming waste, scrap or byproduct materials into eco-friendly homeware and high-end interior and lifestyle products. SONNENGLAS are turning recycled glass into solar-powered jar lights, Poco a Poco uses agricultural byproducts from rice harvesting to create children's toys and Originalhome with 75% of their collection being made from organic waste materials. This approach to sustainable homeware is one of the most exciting shifts happening in the industry right now. Of course, this shift is happening in response to the uncomfortable reality that our planet is under serious pressure. While we still have a veryyyyy long way to go, it was uplifting to see designers thinking creatively about how to produce desirable products without further damaging the environment.

Across the showcase, another noticeable trend was biophilic design — the blurring of boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Furniture, lighting and accessories were designed for seamless use both inside and out, combining weather-resistant functionality with indoor style aesthetics. While at the same time, plants and organic materials were increasingly being brought indoors, reflecting a growing desire to smudge the lines between indoors & outdoors. Lo Decor and Ateliere Pierre were two brands creating products that can be used both inside and outside, but without any compromise on aesthetics. ILEX STUDIO is an example of designs centred around enhancing plants and natural elements within the home. In a world where many of us spend our days commuting through busy cities, staring at screens and working inside, it makes sense that people are craving spaces that feel calmer and closer to nature. This growing focus on indoor-outdoor living and biophilic design reflects a broader desire to reconnect with nature. As lifestyles increasingly prioritise wellbeing, homes are increasingly being designed to extend into outdoor spaces, while also bringing greenery and organic textures inside.

For us at Designist, these design trends 2026 point towards several thrilling new directions: bold colour and patterns, thoughtful sustainable design and products that help bring a little more nature into everyday life. The overwhelming mood was one of energy and excitement, and we want to bring that straight back from Paris to Designist. While the only stripey thing we have in at the moment is the Poolbeg Salt & Pepper Shakers, we do have lots of reuse items you can browse here. Keep an eye on our New section and on your inbox for some of our favourite Paris finds. Because if Maison & Objet was anything to go by, 2026 is about ditching beige and choosing a bit of stripey excitement!