Paul Moody of Havwoods on the interior trends set to shape 2027

As Havwoods returns as Headline Sponsor of the BIID Interior Design Awards, Paul Moody, Global Marketing & Insight Director, explores the growing appetite for authentic, characterful interiors and the trends he believes will shape the way we design in 2027.

What does being Headline Sponsor of the BIID Awards mean for Havwoods?

Our relationship with the BIID is incredibly important to us because it keeps Havwoods closely connected to the UK interior design community. We see ourselves not simply as a supplier, but as a design partner, and working alongside interior designers is fundamental to how our products and collections continue to evolve.

The BIID Awards are a brilliant celebration of the creativity and breadth of British interior design, and we’re very proud to continue to support as Headline Sponsor. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate exceptional design, but also to listen, learn and stay close to what designers are looking for from materials and suppliers.

Looking towards 2027, what changes are you seeing in interiors?

Interiors are becoming warmer, more tactile and increasingly personal, with greater emphasis on how a space feels as well as how it looks.

At the same time, the proliferation of AI-generated interior content across social media and our digital lives is prompting a renewed appreciation for authenticity and the details that make a space feel genuinely individual. I think we’re entering something of an “anti-AI interior” era, where natural irregularity becomes a new signal of luxury and greater value is placed on the craftsmanship, character and individuality of real materials.    

How is that influencing the way we use wood in interiors?

We’re seeing people become much more comfortable with the variation you naturally get with timber. Rather than every board needing to look exactly the same, the natural grain, knots and subtle differences in tone are increasingly being seen as part of the appeal.

Engineered wood flooring is made using real timber, and that timber comes from trees that have grown over decades. Trees respond to changing seasons and growing conditions, and their grain and character tell the story of the environment in which they grew. Those natural differences are real. They’re part of what makes every piece of timber individual and, ultimately, what gives a real wood floor its character.   

What does ‘warmth’ in interiors mean for 2027?

When people talk about wanting a warmer home, they aren’t necessarily talking about a particular colour. Often, they’re describing how they want the space to feel – comfortable, relaxed and welcoming. We see this in our showrooms, where customers might ask for something that feels warm or calm rather than specifying a particular shade.

That sense of warmth can come from lots of different elements, from natural materials and texture to lighting and the way different surfaces work together. Timber can be particularly effective because it helps soften harder materials such as stone, glass and metal. Even a restrained or neutral scheme can feel warm when you introduce natural texture and layer materials thoughtfully.

Where else do you expect to see wood playing a greater role?

Kitchens and bathrooms are two particularly interesting areas. Wood cabinetry will continue to be a key feature as homeowners look for natural materials that bring warmth, texture and character into the kitchen. It doesn’t need to be used across every cabinet either – introducing timber to an island, a bank of cabinetry or a particular area can help break up larger open-plan spaces.  

We’re also seeing bathrooms become softer and more “lived-in”, taking inspiration from rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms. Timber can be incorporated through flooring, cabinetry, wall panels or ceiling cladding, helping to soften hard sanitaryware and connect the bathroom more closely with the rest of the home.    

And what role will texture play in 2027?

Texture is becoming increasingly architectural. We’re seeing growing interest in three-dimensional finishes that bring depth and visual interest without relying on bold colour or pattern.

Fluted, ribbed and sculpted surfaces catch the light in different ways, creating subtle shadow and movement. With timber, these more sculptural finishes can turn the surface itself into a design feature.    

Ultimately, I think 2027 will be about creating spaces that feel individual rather than overly perfected – interiors with warmth, texture, natural variation and a sense of the human hand behind them.

Discover Havwoods’ extensive collection of wood flooring and surfaces and order samples for your next interior project.