If there’s one word that’s being thrown around a lot this year is ‘whimsy’. We can’t get enough of it. Whether we’re trying to add whimsy to our daily routine or adorn our homes with whimsical decor, ‘whimsymaxxing’ is emerging as one of the biggest trends of 2026. But what exactly is it? And how can we apply it to our interiors?

The biggest and longest-lasting home decor trends always have a human focus. Many we’ve seen in the interiors world have been hinged on the idea of ‘nostalgia’ and unsurprisingly, whimsymaxxing is no different.

Lighthearted and playful, the definition of whimsy is: ‘unusual, funny, and pleasant ideas or qualities,’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary. But here’s how interior designers say it translates in the home.

What is Whimsymaxxing?

Adding -maxxing to words to form a verb is a distinctly 2026 trend. It’s basically internet slang for optimising a specific area of your life. I’ve seen health influencers talking about Fibremaxxing, which is essentially focusing on eating enough fibre, and of course Lookmaxxing is the Manosphere ideal that’s been made mainstream and sees men ‘optimising’ their physical appearance.

By this definition, Whimsymaxxing is simply the practice of making your life feel more whimsical. If you’ve been wondering if your home is weird enough, Whimsymaxxing is here to make your interiors feel that little bit more magical and playful.

‘In a world where true creativity can sometimes feel threatened, whimsical interior design means the designer has taken full control of the creative process to build their own unique, imaginative world. To me, ‘whimsymaxxing’ is simply about filling your home with what you love. It’s a gorgeous, eclectic mix of personal pieces that reflect the true soul of whoever lives there, says interior designer and winner of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters, Lia Gold.

Whimsymaxxing is about choosing things that spark joy in our lives. Whether that’s via your favourite paint colour, fragrance or trinket. It’s a growing trend that’s been gaining further momentum online, too.

‘The rise of ‘whimsymaxxing’ reflects a growing desire to bring more delight into everyday life. As people move away from perfectly curated interiors, they’re embracing nostalgia and playful design in ways that feel much more personal,’ explains Etsy trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson.

‘We’re seeing that shift reflected in what people are searching for on Etsy too, with searches for whimsical jewellery up 84%, beginner needlepoint kits up 175% and polka dot phone cases soaring 835% as shoppers look for little moments of joy in everything from their accessories to their homes. More than anything, it’s about giving yourself permission to decorate more freely and choose pieces simply because you love them.’

How to use Whimsymaxxing at home

‘Whimsy isn’t a formula or a Pinterest board you can just copy; it’s a feeling you create by surrounding yourself with joyful objects. It’s the silly trinket you found that always makes you smile, or the art print from a tiny shop abroad that you probably didn’t need but absolutely wanted. You make a home whimsical by choosing items that evoke a memory or a spark of happiness,’ says Lia.

Given that the definition of whimsymaxxing is a little vague, there’s no clear instruction manual for adding more whimsy to your home. Think about the things that make you happy first.

Then see how you can embrace that in your home. For example, if your favourite colour is sunshine yellow, opting for a bold yellow lamp (such as this Addison Ross Bobbin Lamp) or a sun-shaped rug (£349, Ruggable) is an easy way to put an instant smile on your face.

‘While many people imagine whimsical interiors to be spontaneous, dusty or a little ditsy, today’s interpretation is far more considered. It’s all about playful intentionality. Carefully layering pieces that evoke joy and nostalgia while still feeling stylish and contemporary,’ says Natalie Evans, founder and CEO of home styling and staging company Little Barn Door.

‘Mixing patterned soft furnishings, pleated lampshades and vintage-inspired accessories with a modern base is the perfect way to embrace the look without it feeling dated. The key is restraint. Rather than turning your home into a complete time capsule, introduce a few carefully chosen statement pieces that capture the essence of the trend without overwhelming the space.

‘Whimsical living isn’t about clutter or chaos. It’s about creating interiors that feel playful, imaginative and delightfully unexpected, while remaining beautifully curated.

The whimsy edit

Here are some of my favourite ‘whimsical’ homewares I’ve spotted online right now.

I think there’s something magical about choosing joy wherever we can, and it’s easy to see how whimsymaxxing can contribute to a happier home, too. Start small, and soon your passion for whimsy will grow.

Traditionally, advent calendars are reserved solely for the winter, opened every day of December in the lead-up to the big day – Christmas day. But have you heard of summer advent calendars? That’s right, they’re a thing now as Diptyque’s Summer Essentials calendar lands online and in stores – and I got my hands on this very special and luxurious box of goodies retailing for £235.

Unlike the traditional best advent calendars which come with 24 or 25 little gifts – including the luxury ones like the Diptyque and Jo Malone advent calendars – Diptyque’s summer advent calendar includes only 10 products, three of which are some of the best scented candles – the new, limited-edition 70g Pinede (pine grove) candle, a mini Citronelle (lemongrass) candle to keep the bugs away and a mini Figuier (fig tree) which is one of the brand’s bestsellers and classics, perfect for summer.

Several of the included products are full-sized but still very travel friendly which is what we all need for our summer holidays. The £235 price point does seem rather steep at first glance – but it’s essentially £23.50 per product which is not that bad in my opinion, especially since they’re all Diptyque products which are beautiful, high quality and are known to be on the higher end of the spectrum.

Even though this is the first time I’ve heard of Diptyque’s summer advent calendar, it turns out this is not the first time the brand has done one in recent years. But I must admit they managed to fly under my radar until now.

Each year, the box features a different design which is a work of art in its own right, this year’s included. For this summer collection, Diptyque partnered with mosaic artist Mathilde Jonquière who created a design inspired by the concept of a water garden (jardin des eaux) paved with multicoloured, cut stones arranged into beautiful patterns. It’s Mathilde’s mosaic pattern that covers both the outside and the interior of the summer calendar, which is also fitted with a black leather and brass carry strap and a closing tab.

The calendar arrives in Diptyque’s branded dust bag which is a lovely touch and shows attention to detail which is again very Diptyque. I own one of these dust bags, it hangs in my bathroom and collects my skincare and makeup empties intended for recycling.

I love the idea of making your chosen summer period a little special with a calendar like this – perhaps you can use it as a countdown to your next holiday to make the wait a little sweeter and more bearable. It’s undoubtedly a splurge but if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, I highly recommend the Summer Essentials calendar.

Alternatively, you can just treat yourself to one of the Diptyque candles included in the calendar. But instead of a mini version, you’ll get a full-sized one.

All in all, the idea of summer advent calendars gets a thumbs up from me. What are your thoughts on them? Are you on board or do you think they should stick to December only?

Everyone has one IKEA product they just can’t get enough of – from the viral BILLY bookcase to the simple but effective KALLAX units. But my standout has always been the RÅSKOG storage trolley. And its latest design upgrade has given me yet another reason to love it.

IKEA’s RÅSKOG storage trolley is a fan favourite, and for good reason. The slim design features three tiers of deep storage, perfect for smaller spaces or homes with limited surface area. And the easy-to-manoeuvre castor wheels help it slot seamlessly into any room.

I have a dark grey RÅSKOG trolley as storage in my small bathroom, housing everything from toothpaste and toilet paper to skincare products and makeup wipes. And, when I was at university, the trolley (complete with a NORRÅVA bamboo lid) was a game changer in my tiny accommodation.

I had a white trolley tucked neatly into a corner in my dorm room, where I stored a plethora of student essentials, from textbooks to make up. When the top shelf wasn’t in use, the bamboo lid transformed my trusty trolley into an extra surface.

As much as I’ve always loved the RÅSKOG, I often found myself longing for a colour that suited my style a little bit more than just black or white. And now, I’m spoilt for choice, as the RÅSKOG has launched in 4 new colourways.

IKEA’s products are often a go-to when it comes to transforming tiny homes, and it’s no secret that the brand makes storage fun. The new and improved RÅSKOG is proof of this, with 4 new colours – beige, light turquoise, pink, and red-brown – that are guaranteed to put a summer-ready spin on your storage solutions.

The pastel pink colour was the first to catch my eye. It feels fresh and fun, without stealing too much attention from the rest of your scheme. Pink kitchens are having a moment right now, and I think this subtle trolley would be a perfect kitchen companion – whether you use it to house those cupboard essentials you always find yourself reaching for, or stock it full of drinks and nibbles when hosting.

Or, for those who prefer a deeper shade, the red-brown trolley is a timeless piece that will elevate your storage from cluttered to chic. The terracotta style dropped earlier this month, making it IKEA’s latest RÅSKOG launch, and it’s one to consider when upgrading your small living room storage ideas if you’re searching for something both classic and practical.

The beige trolley is a great choice if you want your storage to be an extension of your scheme. It will subtly blend into your scheme, without the stark nature of the other monochrome colours. But, I have my eye on the light turquoise design for a fun pop of colour.

Alongside these new colour upgrades, IKEA have also introduced a slightly larger version of the trolley which is designed to suit every space. With prices starting at £19, you won’t want to miss out.

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