There’s a lighter side to it too. The DFS Interiors Theatre, hosted by Jo Linehan, has an excellent line-up of speakers on all things interiors. Prepare to be informed.
1970s glamour trend with animal print furniture from DFS
“The home has become an antidote to everything that’s going on in the world,” says Claire Rushton of DFS. Her talk (Friday, April 24, 2.40pm) will focus on the top three trends of 2026. “That’s why the trends are the way they are. Escapism, nostalgia, and return to nature. They’re all about retreat.”
People are overwhelmed by digital media, convenience culture, and hectic lifestyles, not to mention the general awfulness reported in the news. The natural reaction is to bolt for home and bunker down.
Interior design by Jenny Coughlan. Photo: Barbara Egan
Trends are often justly accused of being fleeting and superficial but, Rushton explains, they can offer a shortcut to identifying your style. “People want their homes to reflect themselves and the younger generation also want them to look good on social media. For under-40s, their home is an important part of how they’re perceived in the world.” In social media, your personal style underpins your brand (apparently we all have one) and these are the measures by which the world defines us. Terrifying but true.
People want their homes to reflect themselves and the younger generation also want them to look good on social media
Some people – a small minority, in my opinion – have an innate sense of style that extends from their fashion sense to their home. The rest of us need guidance. The received wisdom is to look inside your wardrobe, see what colours and patterns you’re drawn to, and lean into the same look for your interior. That’s helpful advice for those with an eye for fashion but not so great if you’re clueless about clothes.
Interior design by Jenny Coughlan. Photo: Barbara Egan
“At DFS we’ve partnered with fashion brands like Joules and French Connection,” Rushton explains. “If you like that brand from a fashion perspective, you’ll probably like their sofas too.” Both collections are exclusive to DFS: French Connection has a mid-century modern vibe; Joules is a punchy version of British country style.
The trends Rushton identifies include “back to nature”, expressed in fresh greens, earthy tones, living plants, botanical prints, and natural materials. “It’s been around for a few years and it’s not going anywhere.” Often tagged as biophilic design, it’s more than an aesthetic.
Filling our homes with nature, and natural-looking things, can reduce stress and lift the spirits. Woo-woo as this sounds, it’s backed up by solid scientific research. Nature is good for us. Who knew?
Interior designer James McNamara will share his ‘top three design secrets to transform your home’
Ruston’s other trend “nostalgic glamour” is based on the long-running revival of 1970s style. “It’s glamorous and cosy with warm rich colours like chocolate brown, burnt orange and rust, curved occasional pieces, and a generous sofa or upholstered headboard.” To up the ante, she suggests a pop of animal print. The DFS Wylde accent chair in leopard or tiger print costs €699. The Zanetta sofa (€2,209) comes in a tonal velvet, also in leopard and tiger patterns. They’re reflective of a wider trend for animal prints which is migrating from fashion to interiors faster than you can say zebra.
The line-up of talks includes James McNamara (Saturday, April 25, 2.20pm), a young interior designer from Co Mayo, who’s going to share his “top three design secrets to transform your home.” These tips, he explains, can be applied to any project on any budget. “If you’re renting you may not be able to change the colour on the wall, but you can always introduce texture.
Design by James McNamara
“Cushions and throws are easy and affordable but there’s so much more to texture than soft furnishings. Experiment with displaying tactile objects – a marble ball or a brass dish. Even a plant adds texture to a space. It’s quite literally introducing feeling.”
Even a plant adds texture to a space. It’s quite literally introducing feeling
His next secret is to pay attention to proportion. “When lights and rugs are too small, the room looks incomplete. Larger pieces look cooler and more intentional. Affordable pieces look more expensive when they fit the space. Measure twice and buy once. Go big or go home!”
Back to nature trend with French Connection Carlisle sofa from DFS
If you’re renovating, he recommends playing around with architectural detailing. “Most new builds are very cut-and-paste. Before you start picking colours, think about raising the height of the skirting boards or introducing moulding.” This can include, but is not limited to, wall panelling and comes in traditional and contemporary styles.
For those who feel that architectural detailing requires an experienced and expert eye, Jenny Coughlan of the Interiors Association will talk about the benefits of hiring an interior designer (Sunday, April 26, 1.10pm).
Interior design by Jenny Coughlan. Photo: Barbara Egan
“We need to get over the myth that hiring an interior designer is an unnecessary expense. It’s a very smart investment.” If the budget is tight, she suggests bringing the interior designer in for the spatial planning phase. “We’re trained to create a coherent plan and vision for the space, both now and going forward.”
Jenny Coughlan of The Interiors Association
Initially, an interior designer will look at how you inhabit your existing space. “Please don’t tidy before I come!” Coughlan says. “If you’re living around piles of boxes there’s a storage issue that needs to be addressed.”
You may still be living in the home when you’re in your 80s, so it’s important to think about future proofing
She will also consider the future. A family home, for example, will not always include small children. They will become large children and cause a different level of chaos. Eventually, they’ll fly the nest. “You may still be living in the home when you’re in your 80s, so it’s important to think about future proofing.”
Back to nature trend with furniture from DFS
An interior designer can also look at changes you may make in the future. “If you’re thinking that an area will one day be used as entertainment space, we make sure the electrics are in the right position.
”The key is to bring in the interior designer at the earliest possible stage. If there’s an architect involved, the two professionals can work alongside each other. They have different areas of expertise.
“Often we get pulled into a project when it’s too late. Once a wall is in the wrong place it can’t be changed.” Another really strong reason for working with an interior designer is that they will have a list of professional tradespeople who are known to be reliable, competent, and available.
See idealhome.ie, dfs.ie, jmcstudios.ie, theinteriorsassociation.ie, and studiojennycoughlan.com