2016 is Back on Our Feeds – But Should it be Back in our Homes?
Is 2026 the new 2016? It seems that Gen Z is manifesting it across social media. But was 2016 as great as we remember it to be? People are reminiscing over the fashion at the time but little has been said about the defining interiors of the time. If 2026 really is the new 2016, which nostalgic styles should be back in our homes?
Style Consultant at Shutterly Fabulous, Steven Dempsey, reminds us of what was trending, how they’ve evolved into today’s styles, and which should most definitely be left in the last decade. “We’re seeing a huge resurgence in a desire for 2026 to be the new 2016, with people sharing the reality of the 2016s, in particular their fashion wins and blunders on social media.” Says Steven Dempsey. “What we haven’t seen much of yet is the classic 2016 interiors. Think bohemian tapestries, layered rugs, fairy lights, cool greys and blush pink, all iconic at the time but not mature enough or evolved enough for today’s interiors, but in some ways, it was also the beginning of many of the most popular trends we see in 2026.”
The popular retro brown of 2026 first made its comeback in 2016
Steven says, “Retro brown made its comeback as a ‘beautiful colour’ again in 2016 but quickly fell out of favour for cool greys and Scandinavian whites. However, we have recently seen a big resurgence of warm neutrals and brown, as people are leaning towards vintage style interiors incorporating dark wood and cosy furniture. The greys of 2016 are long gone and bringing them back would certainly make your home look dated in 2026, especially with the popularity of colour drenching and maximalist interiors.”
Scandinavian chic became mainstream
“Scandinavian chic became mainstream for the first time in 2016, and while it has endured, its style has changed.” Steven tells YCB. “The Scandinavian style of 2016 was about clean lines and minimalist neutrals, while today the concept of hygge, meaning warmth, comfort and well-being in the home, has become the norm, introducing more warm, natural materials like rattan, wood, wool and linen, as well as biophilic elements such as plants to create a more inviting space rather than a sparse one.”
Blush and rose gold had its moment, but deeper shades and aged metals are in now
“Blush was one of the biggest shades of the year, with rose gold taking over across both interiors and fashion, contrasting with stark grey and white.” Says Steven. “Going back to blush in 2026 would feel like a step back. Deeper pinks and aged metals, like antique brass – which Pinterest identified as trending this year – that feel warmer, more natural and designed to last – rather than polished – fit better with today’s interior style and feel more intentional. Today’s palettes lean towards cherry red, burgundy and oxblood, reflecting a shift towards escapism and heritage-led trends to create a narrative in our space rather than for visual aesthetics alone.”
Leopard print has returned for 2026
“Leopard print was a defining motif of 2016, appearing widely across both fashion and interiors. Like many statement trends of the time, it fell out of favour throughout much of the early 2020s as interiors shifted towards pared-back minimalism. Its recent resurgence feels almost cyclical, as though the leopard print of 2016 has been forgotten and reintroduced as something new. In carpets and soft furnishings, today’s novelty leopard print marks one of the clearest returns to 2016-style interiors seen this year.”
Boho doesn’t work anymore – it’s all about curated maximalism
“Bohemian décor really summarised the year, with homes embracing a relaxed, expressive aesthetic driven by the rise of Tumblr and Instagram interiors.” Steven tells us. “Spaces were layered with woven wall hangings, patterned tapestries, bead and weave décor, and an abundance of trailing plants, creating rooms that felt personal and collected rather than curated.
“Eclectic accessories sourced from markets or handmade sellers made up a lot of the trending designs we saw, and while influential, this look was highly decorative and slightly cluttered rather than curated. Instead, it has evolved into a more grown-up movement centred around maximalism and biophilic and design, where natural materials, curated collections of patterns and selective colour palettes take priority over excessive accessories.”