With just 11 Mondays to go until summer, it’s hard not to start thinking about what’s ahead. A season of sport, outdoor catchups, long evenings, and bringing the social energy back home feels firmly on the horizon. Naturally, it’s made me reflect on how the hospitality industry will respond and more specifically, how this shift will show up through interior design.

As we move towards Summer 2026, I expect restaurants and bars to increasingly reflect the way we want to spend our time. Interiors will feel more relaxed, more social, and more flexible designed for lingering conversations, shared moments, and an easy transition from day to night. Design is moving away from perfection and polish, and toward spaces that feel welcoming, expressive, and rooted in real life.

1. The Rise of Emotional Architecture

For me, one of the most significant shifts we’ll see is the continued move away from sterile, industrial interiors. In 2026, I believe hospitality design will fully embrace what’s often referred to as Emotional Architecture, spaces that genuinely feel good to be in. Comfort, warmth, and sensory richness will take priority over cold minimalism, creating environments that encourage guests to slow down and stay longer. Natural materials such as wood, clay, and stone will dominate surfaces, seating, and feature details. These tactile elements add depth and character, helping spaces feel grounded, human, and intentionally designed for connection rather than quick turnover.

2. Acoustic Comfort & Sensory Balance

As hospitality comes alive again with full summer energy, I expect designers to pay much closer attention to how spaces sound, not just how they look. Acoustic comfort is becoming an essential part of the guest experience, particularly in busy bars and open-plan restaurants where noise can quickly overwhelm conversation. Textured wall panels, soft furnishings, and considered ceiling treatments will increasingly be used to absorb sound and reduce echo. These elements create environments where guests can relax, connect, and enjoy the atmosphere without sensory overload. In Summer 2026, good design won’t just be seen it will be felt and heard.

3. Flexible & Modular Layouts

Summer hospitality demands adaptability from relaxed brunch services to lively evening entertainment and flexibility in layout will be key. I expect modular furniture systems to play a bigger role, allowing operators to reconfigure seating for casual gatherings, large groups, or intimate dinners without compromising the overall aesthetic. This adaptability also supports hybrid use, where dining spaces double as event venues, late-night bars, or social hubs. It reflects a wider move toward interiors that work harder and respond to the changing rhythms of the day.

4. Maximalism, Brand Identity & Visual Storytelling

Bold design is making a confident return. I see maximalism rich colours, layered materials, playful textures, and expressive patterns gaining real momentum, especially in restaurants and bars that want to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. Rather than neutral, anonymous interiors, hospitality spaces are leaning into strong visual identities. Custom murals, thoughtful signage, eye-catching upholstery, and tactile wall finishes are being used to tell a story and reinforce brand personality. These details create memorable, Instagram-worthy moments that guests want to share, extending the experience far beyond the physical space.

5. Colour as Experience: Dulux Colour of the Year 2026

This shift toward emotion led design is reflected perfectly in Dulux’s Rhythm of Blues Colour of the Year 2026. Rather than a single shade, the palette offers a versatile spectrum of indigo-inspired blues that work across different moods and moments.

From calming daytime brunch spaces to vibrant evening bars, the Rhythm of Blues provides designers with an emotional colour language that supports how hospitality spaces function throughout the day. For me, it reinforces the move toward human centred, experience led interiors that mirror how we live and socialise.

As Summer 2026 approaches, I believe hospitality interiors will increasingly move in step with the way we want to live more connected, more relaxed, and more experience-driven. From emotionally led layouts and acoustic comfort to flexible furniture, expressive colour, and bold brand storytelling, restaurants and bars are becoming extensions of our social lives rather than just destinations. This season is set to be defined by spaces that invite us to stay longer, feel comfortable, and truly enjoy the moment. Interiors that don’t just look good, but genuinely feel right.