2026 Commercial Trend: Purposeful Play
ABOUT THE TREND
In a world where functionality often takes a backseat to fun, Purposeful Play brings the joy, imagination and creativity back into interiors. This trend redefines utility, blending practicality with playfulness to create products and spaces that uplift, engage and inspire. It offers everyday opportunities for expressive surprise and delight.
At its heart, Purposeful Play transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary through colour, tactility and humour. In this age of polycrisis, play becomes an essential tool for connection and wellbeing — inviting both designers and users to find happiness in small, thoughtful details that spark joy in daily life.
Longevity and creativity merge in customisable, adaptable and repairable designs. Product and interior designers are encouraged to create pieces and spaces that feel personal and meaningful, built with sustainability and purpose in mind, ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with responsibility.
PROOF POINTS
YoY Google Trends global searches for “bold colours” are on the rise
An Oracle report found 80% of global consumers are likely to repurchase from brands that embrace humour.
COLOUR AND STYLING CONSIDERATIONS
Maximalist brights
Combine vivid brights, saturated primaries and joyful mid-tones to energise interiors. Use colour blocking, stripes and geometric repeats across functional designs to bring joy and optimism to everyday spaces.
Tactile joy
Balance industrial and raw materials with softer, handcrafted or textured finishes. Explore playful surface reliefs, mixed materials and decorative details that bring warmth and character to utilitarian pieces. Add individuality with freestyled expressive patterns, doodles and hand-drawn motifs that celebrate imperfection.
Enduring design
Prioritise longevity through adaptable, repairable and timeless interiors that balance creativity with responsibility. Play with nostalgia, reimagining vintage classics and embrace modular construction with playful yet durable finishes that stand the test of time.
Get the look
1. Tarkett ProtectWall Gemstone Pastel
2. Shaw Contract Curate Andy Halftone
3. Shaw Contract Accent Cattlemen Denim
4. Regupol Everroll Ultimate Galway
5. Regupol Everroll Ultimate Melbourne
6. Shaw Contract Grounded Accent Cobalt
7. Tarkett iQ Optima Coral
8. Tarkett iQ Granit Red
9. Tarkett Primo Premium Soft Red
10. Tarkett iQ Eminent Pale Yellow
11. Tredsafe Alltac
12. Tarkett Desso Iconic 7164
13. Tarkett iQ Optima Brick Orange
14. Regupol Champion AG Blue