breaking news! if you’ve followed the zitozza blog for a while, you’ll know we’ve been vocal about our opposition to the proposed 2023 updates to the uk furniture and furnishings (fire) (safety) regulations.

the proposed changes were, in a word, overkill. they would have expanded open-flame testing to a wider range of products and placed an impossible administrative and chemical burden on small businesses. for a studio like ours, it would have meant permanent labeling and mandatory chemical treatments for any cushion over 45 x 45cm (a move that felt entirely at odds with the move toward a circular economy and healthy interiors.)

well, the entire industry said "no thanks." and it appears we have been listened to!

The Shift Toward Smoulder Testing

the uk government has indicated a significant pivot. instead of the high-barrier open flame resistance (which often necessitates the use of toxic fire retardants), the conversation is shifting toward requiring smoulder testing only.

this is a massive win for natural fibres and independent makers. it acknowledges that the "toxic" approach to safety isn't the only way forward. by focusing on smoulder resistance and batch testing, the government is potentially removing the heavy administrative weight that was threatening to crush the re-upholstery sector and independent textile designers alike.

Why This Matters for Zitozza

we believe in materials that breathe. our hand-block printed fabrics—including our recycled linens and heavyweight cotton blends—currently pass cigarette (smoulder) testing naturally, without the need for harmful chemical coatings. we may even get our jute used for upholstery too!

this regulatory shift means our fabrics can continue to be specified for upholstery projects without compromising the health of the home or the environment. it allows the beauty of the fibre to remain at the forefront.

The Final Push: We Need Your Voice

it is important to note: this is not yet law!

a new, and hopefully final, consultation is now open. the government needs to hear that the industry supports this move toward sensible, smoulder-based safety and away from toxic FR treatments.

responses are expected by 23rd june. please take five minutes to fill out the consultation and ensure we move toward a future that is both safe and sustainable. thank you!

happy new year everyone. i hope you all feel rested and ready to start 2026. as usual by now, we like starting the year on our journal with rounding up the industry trends this year and as we get into 2026, there are shifts we indeed notice getting talked about more. the design conversation feels less about fleeting visuals and more about how spaces actually feel and function.

over recent year there’s been a clear move from insta-ready looks toward interiors that reward touch, proportion and material logic. this is something we appreciate a lot because it resonates with architectural textiles: pattern as structure, not surface decoration; material honesty over effect; and tactile designs, built to live with, not just be seen.

1. lived-in, human environments

with that in mind, the biggest thing in 2026 seems to be about interiors that are being designed for how people actually use them. the “perfectly curated, picture-ready” room is definitely losing ground to spaces that feel genuinely lived-in and personal; places that carry life, use and comfort without compromising on thoughtfulness.

designers note that this lived-in approach is less about clutter but about proportion, atmosphere and genuine engagement with space over time. and for zitozza, this echoes clearly: architectural textiles are decoration as well as reinforcing the logic of a space, so when they age and get lived with, they feel like they were always meant to be there.

2. materials with presence and longevity

sustainability has been “in” since designers realised the importance of it… and in 2026, it first and foremost means materials that remain repairable and have inherent performance; tactile, honest, natural matter that doesn’t hide or disguise itself but interacts with light and wear over time.

expect to see deeper use of bio-based fabrics (seaweed textiles, hemp substitutes) and a continued gravitation toward materials that feel real e.g. jute, linen, stone, wood with grain, and hand-finished surfaces - which we love seeing at zitozza. this is consistent with broader forecasts that interior design is leaning into texture and authenticity over perfectionism.

3. warmth through colour and confidence in palette

the appetite for deep, earthy tones (terracotta, mossy green, chocolate brown) is relentless and does not seem to stop or slow down. designers talk about “earthy vibrancy,” a palette rooted in nature yet energetic and expressive.

in parallel, nuanced saturated hues like rich blues or muted plums are gaining traction for their ability to bring the brighter contrast. earthy colour combinations sit well with structured pattern languages (grids, modular repeats) but of course we’ll be unlikely to abandon the brightness completely.

4. tailored comfort and structural calm

you will know by now that our idea of warmth is not about plush maximalism, but about calmness through order. it is also a trend in 2026 though and watchers have dubbed this period warm minimalism: the softening of minimalism with materials that invite touch (our favourites such as linen, wool, brass, warm wood) without disrupting the order.

this is not some kind of abstract “fuzziness”, and seems to be less about ornament and more about presence: spaces that feel calm because they are designed with intention. architectural textiles fit neatly here: they bring tactility and rational frameworks but with the hand crafted, tactile touch.

5. bespoke, hybrid and adaptive spaces

even beyond traditional interior finishes, we’re seeing a desire for bespoke elements: cabinetry with unique grain and character (think burl wood), hybrid storage systems and modular pieces that respond to how people live and the unique spaces that surround them.

this aligns with a larger cultural shift away from “fast furniture” and toward investment pieces, where customization, whether in architecture, millwork, or (yes!) surface pattern becomes a marker of longevity over trendiness.

from a zitozza perspective, this is what we live for! modular pattern systems and fabrics can flex across scales and speak directly to clients and designers looking for investment textiles that feel both personal and architectural.

6. pattern as structure, not surface

one of the less prominent but still significant threads in early 2026 forecasting is a renewed appreciation for pattern that makes architectural sense rather than just aesthetic sense. interior editors are increasingly pointing to pattern drenching, large prints, and textile wall hangings as ways to give rooms rhythm without ornamentation which we absolutely love to see.

for textiles rooted in block systems, this trend is more than stylistic: it’s conceptual. well-made pattern should operate like a facade grid — clarifying spatial logic, giving scale to surfaces, and reinforcing proportion.

that’s exactly the design proposition behind architectural textiles for modern interiors: patterns that echo the architecture of a room while adding texture and tactility.

so what does this mean for makers and designers?

2026 is shaping up to be a year where purposeful choice outlasts impulse trend, where materials become more honest and tactile; interiors become places for real life.

for a design studio focused on structural pattern, modular logic, and architectural integration, these are trends that we love to see the shift towards across the whole industry. follow us through 2026 as we work towards our new collections and our exciting hyper-customisation tool for unique block printed patterns.

design industry

important update to the UK fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture (spoiler alert: some good news!)