27th January 2026
Maison & Objet 2026: When the Past Starts Talking to the Future
This January, we packed our bags and headed to Paris for Maison & Objet….one of those trips that’s equal parts work, inspiration and sensory overload (in the best way). Our goals were simple: support our customers, get a clear read on where design is heading, and come home buzzing with new ideas.
The theme for 2026, “Past Reveals Future,” turned out to be more than just a clever headline. It was everywhere! The theme was very evident through the halls, the materials, the colours, even the scents. The big takeaway? The future of design isn’t about chasing what’s new for the sake of it. It’s about revisiting what we already love and reworking it with fresh eyes.
1. The Look: Nostalgia, but Make It Now
One of the strongest threads running through the exhibition was nostalgia, but not in a copy-and-paste, retro way. Designers were clearly using memory, craft and heritage as starting points, then pushing them forward.
What stood out most:
Softer shapes: Lots of curves and rounded silhouettes, moving away from ultra-sharp minimalism toward forms that feel warmer, more human and easier to live with.
Retro references: Art Deco and mid-century influences appeared throughout, reimagined through richer textures and more tactile finishes. A strong thread of seaside nostalgia was also prevalent, capturing both the charm of a classic day trip to the coast and the glamour of destination beaches, particularly those of the Mediterranean. This sense of “looking back to move forward” was further reinforced by subtle circus and carnival references, most notably within gifting, adding a playful and whimsical edge to the overall story.
Materials you want to touch: Cast glass, beautifully aged woods, hand-tufted textiles … pieces that proudly show the hand of the maker and feel alive rather than perfect.
2. The Colour Story: Cloud Dancer and Retro Companions
While Cloud Dancer (Pantone 11-4201) clearly led the palette, it also acted as the perfect canvas for a broader story rooted in nostalgia. This soft, airy white appeared everywhere, quietly anchoring the aesthetic.
Why it works: Cloud Dancer is far from a cold, gallery white. It feels warm, billowy and sunlit, not clinical. It provided a modern backdrop for retro designs, and in many cases it was intertwined with the nostalgic element.
The effect: When paired with retro silhouettes, wood, stone and expanses of glass, spaces felt clean and contemporary yet deeply familiar and comforting. Many designs evoked a gentle “day at the seaside” mood, layered with muted, beach-inspired tones like sun-faded blues and sandy neutrals, and lifted by playful flashes of hyper-bright colour. These bolder notes nodded to the carnival fun, adding moments of surprise without overwhelming the calm, nostalgic base.
3. Fragrance & Wellness: Memory You Can Smell
At Maison & Objet 2026, fragrance felt more important than ever, with many interiors and textile brands incorporating scent directly into their stands. Much like the interiors themselves, scent brands leaned heavily into emotion, memory and a sense of place, creating immersive experiences that went beyond simple aroma.
Several clear directions emerged:
Gourmand & Edible Inspirations
Perfumes and home fragrances blending culinary notes such as vanilla, nuts, caramel, pistachio and fruit were prevalent throughout the show. These align with broader 2026 trends that favour gourmand profiles with refined depth rather than overt sweetness. An example is Voluspa Vanilla Sunday, a layered scent combining velvety plum butter, airy freesia, whipped vanilla, and praline mousse, with subtle hints of orris, amber, and skin musk.
Rich Woody Nostalgia
Fragrances featuring sandalwood, mahogany, cedar, oud and resinous notes echoed the furniture trends, grounding scents in warmth and solidity. Many of these compositions felt architectural, almost like the olfactory equivalent of a handmade chair. A prime example is Ladenac Milano Bois de Russie, a woody, elegant scent with notes of sandalwood, nutmeg, cedar, oakmoss, and petitgrain, evolving into a rich yet refined structure.
Coastal, Citrus & Airy Notes
Salt, sea breeze and mineral accords brought a lightness to many collections, evoking specific destinations and memories of windswept coastlines, sun-warmed skin, holidays by the water and lemon groves. An example is Paddywax Lush Palms, blending sea salt, dewy melon, lemon, and driftwood to conjure a fresh, breezy atmosphere.
Kitchen Garden
There was a strong celebration of garden-fresh, back-to-basics scents, reflecting a desire for simplicity and connection to nature. These fragrances incorporated green, leafy notes, sun-ripened tomato leaves, fresh herbs like basil, thyme and rosemary, with subtle floral touches, evoking the impression of a living garden or herb patch. A standout example is Plantes & Parfums’ Garden of Eden diffuser, which combines tomato leaf, basil and soft florals to recreate the essence of a thriving, aromatic garden. Paddywax also had a range that captured this theme.
Overall, fragrance at Maison & Objet 2026 felt deeply connected to wellbeing and storytelling. It is no longer just about how something smells, but how it makes you feel, shaping spaces, memories, and experiences in ways that resonate far beyond the nose.
Final Thoughts
Walking through Maison & Objet this year felt like being reminded that progress doesn’t always mean moving faster. Sometimes it means slowing down, looking back and reworking what already resonates, with a more human touch.
Nostalgia has always been a staple in fragrance, but it’s definitely evolving. Instead of the youthful, saccharine memory notes of ‘birthday cake,’ we’re seeing a turn toward lived-in memories that feel genuinely personal. Think less about the party and more about the afterglow of a day at the beach. Or sweeter citrus lemon groves, a shift toward ‘atmospheric nostalgia’ fragrances that capture the bracing sea air and the tactile warmth of sand, making the scent feel less like a costume and more like a memory you’ve actually lived.
Paris did what it always does: sent us home inspired and full of ideas we can’t wait to explore further.
GET IN TOUCH
Maison & Objet showcased the breadth of ideas driving the fragrance world today. At Fragrance Oils, our Scentmakers understand these evolving themes and offer a broad fragrance portfolio that reflects them, blending familiar influences with a modern point of view. Get in touch with your Scentmaker in Sales for more information on how we can support your brand with captivating and market relevant fragrances.
