The design details everyone’s adding to their homes right now
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If you’ve been busily saving home inspo to your Pinterest board, you might have noticed that the little details are doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
From curved joinery to compact plunge pools and sculptural showers, homeowners are leaning into thoughtful design choices that make spaces feel calmer, more practical and a little more luxurious. These are the design details quietly appearing in homes everywhere right now.
Curves everywhere
After years of straight lines and sharp corners dominating interiors, curves are making a serious comeback.
Arched mirrors, rounded kitchen islands, fluted cabinetry and curved shower screens are softening spaces and bringing a more relaxed feel to modern homes. The look works particularly well in bathrooms, where curved glass screens and rounded vanities help create a more spa-like atmosphere.
It’s a subtle design shift, but one that instantly makes a room feel warmer and more inviting.
Micro-pools and plunge pools
Not every Canberra backyard has room for a sprawling resort-style pool. Enter the plunge pool. Compact, stylish and designed for smaller spaces, these micro-pools are becoming a go-to feature for modern backyards.
Experienced local pool builders ACT Pools partners with Plungie, Australia’s leading plunge pool brand. These pre-engineered concrete plunge pools can be installed over 74 per cent faster than a traditional pool, making them an increasingly popular option for anyone wanting the benefits of a pool without the long build timeline.
Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern pool or a family-friendly backyard oasis, ACT Pools can design a custom solution to suit your home and lifestyle. Start planning now so next summer looks a whole lot cooler.
Wet room layouts and minimal framing
Bathrooms are continuing their evolution into personal wellness spaces, and Canberrans are increasingly embracing renovations that combine natural warmth, clever space planning and calm, spa-inspired luxury.
Local renovation specialists The Bathroom Co, who have been delivering bathroom renovations across Canberra for more than 30 years, say open, walk-in shower designs with frameless glass screens are among the most requested features for bathroom renovations in 2026.
One design approach gaining popularity is the wet room layout – where the shower area flows seamlessly into the rest of the bathroom without a traditional shower tray or raised step. The result is a more open, streamlined space that can make even smaller bathrooms feel larger.
Frameless shower screens help enhance that sense of openness by maintaining uninterrupted sightlines across the room, while also being easier to clean and maintain.
Wet room layouts can also offer practical benefits. For households with older family members or anyone with mobility concerns, the step-free design provides safer and more accessible bathroom access.
Skylights and solar tubes
Natural light has become one of the most sought-after features in home design – and for good reason.
Skylights and solar tubes are appearing everywhere, from bathrooms to hallways and kitchens, helping flood interiors with daylight even in rooms that don’t have direct access to windows.
Beyond aesthetics, the benefits are practical too. More natural light can reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day and instantly make spaces feel larger and more uplifting.
Textured finishes
Smooth white walls are giving way to richer textures that add depth and character to interiors.
Limewash paint, micro cement, fluted timber panels and natural stone finishes are all popping up in kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. These materials bring warmth and visual interest while still maintaining a neutral palette.
The result? Spaces that feel layered and tactile rather than stark or overly minimalist.
