From unexpected colour combinations to the return of decorative details, interiors are getting a little more interesting.

There's a definite shift happening in interiors, and I'm rather enjoying it. After years of beige-on-beige minimalism, we're seeing more colour, character and beautiful design details. Not necessarily more stuff, just more thought going into how a room looks and feels.

Here are five trends catching my eye this spring, and how I'd use them in a real home.

1. The Fifth Wall Is Finally Getting Some Attention

For years, we've treated ceilings as an afterthought. Paint them white, pop in a downlight and move on. But designers are increasingly treating ceilings as an extension of the room, using colour to change how a space feels.

I'm particularly loving soft blue ceilings in bedrooms, or a warm, muddy pink carried from the walls right up overhead. It can make a room feel beautifully enveloping rather than smaller, as people often assume.

My design tip: In a room with high ceilings, try painting the ceiling a shade darker than the walls. It visually lowers the height and creates intimacy. In smaller rooms, use the same colour on walls and ceiling to soften the boundaries. It's a clever trick that can make a space feel more cohesive.

2. Goodbye White Skirting Boards!

One of the more interesting developments in colour is happening somewhere rather unexpected: our architraves, doors and skirting boards.

Rather than automatically painting all the trim white, designers are using contrasting colours to highlight a room's architecture. Think pale blue walls with chocolate-brown skirting, or creamy walls framed by olive-green doors.

It's a small detail that can make a fairly ordinary room look incredibly considered.

My design tip: Choose a trim colour that appears elsewhere in the room, perhaps in an artwork or upholstered chair. That repetition makes the scheme feel intentional. And remember, a satin finish on timberwork against matt walls creates another subtle layer of interest.

3. High Gloss Is Making a Comeback

After years of chalky, matt finishes, we're seeing a return to lacquered furniture and glossy surfaces, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I love the contrast of something shiny against softer, more tactile materials.

A burgundy lacquered side table beside a linen sofa, or a glossy chocolate-brown console against a pale wall, can give a room that wonderfully polished, almost European feel.

My design tip: Don't confuse glossy with glamorous. The most successful interiors balance finishes. If everything is shiny, the effect can feel rather like a hotel lobby from 1987. One lacquered piece against natural timber, wool or linen is far more sophisticated.

4. Furniture Is Getting Dressed Again

Skirted sofas, pleated lampshades, tailored upholstery and even a little fringe are returning to interiors. And before you picture your grandmother's floral lounge suite, the new interpretation is much more refined.

What I love about this direction is that it softens the hard edges of contemporary furniture. A beautifully tailored skirt on an armchair can bring warmth and elegance to a room without making it feel old-fashioned.

My design tip: Look for a straight, tailored skirt rather than lots of fussy gathers, particularly in a contemporary home. A simple linen slipcover can completely transform a tired armchair. Pair it with a modern floor lamp or sculptural coffee table to keep the look fresh.

5. Brown Is Becoming the New Neutral

And I don't mean the beige-brown interiors of the early 2000s. I'm talking about rich chocolate, tobacco, espresso and deep walnut tones, often paired with unexpected colours.

One combination I'm particularly drawn to is chocolate brown with powder blue. It has a beautiful balance of warmth and freshness. Burgundy with pale pink is another favourite.

These deeper colours give a room visual weight, something that very pale interiors can sometimes lack.

My design tip: You don't need to repaint the entire room. Try a dark timber side table, chocolate-brown upholstered dining chairs or a rich brown frame around a large artwork. The darker element acts as an anchor, helping the lighter pieces around it feel more balanced.

My final thought

The thing I love most about where interiors are heading is that they're becoming less formulaic. We're moving away from rooms where everything matches and towards spaces with contrast, personality and a little surprise.

My advice? Don't decorate your home according to a trend forecast. Use the trends to discover something you love, then make it your own. That's where the magic happens.