Looking to give your home a fresh new look in 2026? You don’t need a full renovation. Simple updates to key areas, like your staircase or walls can transform a space quickly and stylishly. Warm, Earthy Colours Cool greys are making way for warm neutrals. Embrace tones like: Khaki, clay, tobacco and greige – perfect for a cosy base Terracotta, olive, ochre – add warmth and personality Jewel tones like teal, plum and midnight blue – for subtle drama Warm black and espresso – sophisticated accent colours Easy ways to introduce these colours: Our paint ready wall panelling kits make it easy to match your desired colour palette Textures 2026 is all about texture. Natural, sustainable materials that add character. Popular textures include: Wood & timber: reclaimed wood and irregular grain finishes Stone: raw, veined or soapstone surfaces for statement pieces Fabrics & finishes: brushed wool, limewash and patina metals How to add in texture at home: Decorative mouldings or PaintReady Panelling Kits introduce depth and architectural interest to walls. A combination of timber and glass or metal reflects the growing trend for mixed materials and high contrast. This pairing blends the natural warmth of wood with the sleek, airy feel of glass or metal. Timber and glass align with the warm minimalist trend, creating light-filled, refined spaces as seen in the Elements Inset Glass collection. Timber and metal embody the industrial chic trend, offering bold contrast and definition as showcased in the Elements with Loop collection. Trends You Can Actually Live With Some of the biggest design trends for 2026 focus on how we use our spaces. Quiet luxury, layered maximalism and wellness corners are all about making your home feel both stylish and lived-in. Even small changes, like updating a staircase or adding wall panelling can help bring these ideas to life. Explore our full range of products here.

When it comes to home design, stairs are often viewed as a practical necessity but they’re so much more than that. A staircase is a central feature that connects spaces, creates flow and often makes a visual statement. But beyond aesthetics, one factor should never be overlooked: safety. Why Stair Safety Matters Every year, thousands of household accidents occur on stairs, often due to uneven surfaces, worn treads or slippery finishes. Over time, natural wear and tear can cause steps to become unsafe, particularly in busy family homes. Ensuring your stairs are level, sturdy and finished with the right materials helps reduce slips and trips, protecting both your family and your home’s longevity. Introducing StepUp Stair Cladding That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new StepUp Stair Cladding range, a simple, stylish solution that makes stair renovation both easy and safe. Designed for both practicality and aesthetic appeal, StepUp cladding allows you to refresh tired stairs without the need for a full replacement. Each component is precision-engineered for a perfect fit, providing a smooth, secure surface underfoot. Available in durable materials and contemporary finishes, it’s the ideal way to enhance both the look and safety of your staircase. Benefits of StepUp Stair Cladding · Enhanced Safety: StepUp provides a consistent, stable tread surface, reducing uneven edges and improving grip. · Effortless Installation: With an easy-fit design, StepUp makes stair upgrades accessible to both DIY enthusiasts and professionals. · Modern Aesthetic: Transform dated steps into a sleek, stylish feature that complements any interior. · Durability: Crafted with quality materials and a precision finish, our cladding is built to last. The Perfect Balance of Form and Function Good design is about balance and with StepUp Stair Cladding, you don’t have to choose between safety and style. Whether you’re looking to modernise your hallway or refresh a family home, StepUp delivers a professional finish that’s as dependable as it is beautiful. Explore the full range here

Looking to refresh your home without committing to a full renovation? DIY timber projects are the perfect solution. With just a few simple materials and a little creativity, you can instantly transform your living space, adding both functionality and style. From clever storage solutions to charming décor accents, timber is versatile, easy to work with and endlessly rewarding. The Power of DIY Timber Projects DIY projects allow you to personalise your space while making the most of your home’s existing layout. Even small updates, like new shelving or a custom frame for your indoor plants, can have a big impact on the overall feel of a room. By choosing the right materials and keeping projects manageable, you can achieve professional-looking results in just a few hours. Handy Packs: Your DIY Starting Point For those ready to dive in, our Handy Packs’ of timber provides everything you need for a quick project. Ideal for small furniture, decorative accents or practical home improvements, these packs include pre-cut timber pieces that save time and simplify the building process. Whether it’s crafting a stylish shoe rack for the hallway or a floating shelf for the living room, our Handy Pack makes it easy to get started immediately. Ready to use Pine Boards For larger projects or those who want more flexibility, our premium Pine Boards are the perfect choice. Manufactured from high-quality softwood and planed to a smooth finish, these boards are ideal for shelving, furniture making, boxing in and general joinery. Their smooth surface makes them easy to sand, stain or paint, allowing you to create a look that perfectly complements your home décor. Whether you’re building a rustic coffee table, a chic storage unit or a charming indoor planter box, these pine boards offer both durability and aesthetic appeal. Quick Ideas to Transform Your Home · Floating Shelves: Maximise storage and add a modern touch by installing shelves on unused wall space. · Storage Boxes: Create practical yet stylish storage solutions for toys, laundry or pantry items. · Indoor Planter Stands: Showcase your greenery in custom timber stands that fit perfectly with your décor. · Picture Ledges: Display artwork and photos without the need for nails or permanent fixtures. Explore our range of timber products here

At Archwood Group, the wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that we’ve been awarded the prestigious ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ Gold accreditation by Investors in People for the third consecutive year, recognising our ongoing commitment to employee health, wellbeing and personal development across all our sites. The ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ accreditation celebrates organisations that create a culture of wellbeing excellence. Achieving Gold status reflects the proactive steps we take to foster a supportive, inclusive and empowering workplace. Our wellbeing strategy ensures every team member has equal opportunities, dedicated spaces to work and socialise and access to initiatives that promote mental health and overall welfare. With an average employee tenure of 15 years, Archwood Group places significant emphasis on staff development, retention and wellbeing, ensuring long-term stability and success. As a family-run business with a 150-year heritage, our commitment spans our headquarters in Chirk, North Wales, operations in Scotland and our nationwide team. As a local, family-owned business, we are committed to leading, supporting and enhancing wellbeing across the organisation. This Gold accreditation is a reflection of that ongoing commitment and a milestone we’re incredibly proud to share.

Stair safety is one of the most critical and frequently underestimated aspects of building design. Each year, thousands of accidents occur on domestic and public staircases, often due to poor construction, missing handrails or inadequate guarding. According to recent research by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and the BWF Stair Scheme, 43% of UK adults reported experiencing a stair-related accident within the last 12 months, with around 60% of these incidents occurring in the home. The most common causes included slippery surfaces and the absence of continuous, accessible handrails. These figures highlight a vital truth: a well-designed staircase is about far more than aesthetics. It’s a functional safety feature that must meet regulatory standards, provide stability and ensure accessibility for users of all ages. The role of the balustrade in safety and design A balustrade’s primary purpose is to prevent falls but it can also serve as a striking architectural feature. The best systems combine form and function, ensuring compliance without compromising on looks. In domestic properties, building regulations require handrails to be positioned 900 mm above the pitch line on stairs and 900 mm on landings. In public or commercial environments, that height increases to 900 mm on stairs and 1100 mm on landings to provide additional security. Any drop exceeding 600 mm must be guarded and no gap within the balustrade should allow the passage of a 100 mm sphere. This rule is designed to prevent young children from slipping through or becoming trapped. Equally important, balustrades should not be designed in a way that encourages climbing, which is why horizontal rails or ladder-style layouts are unsuitable in homes with young families. Strength tested for safety and reliability All Richard Burbidge balustrade systems are independently tested and, when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, conform fully to UK Building Regulations. Every component is engineered to meet the 0.36 kN horizontal load requirement specified in Approved Document K, which ensures the balustrade can safely withstand everyday use without deflection or failure. For contractors, this provides an important reassurance. Using components from a single, tested system eliminates the risk of incompatibility and guarantees a consistent level of safety and performance. Each Richard Burbidge system is designed, manufactured and strength tested as a complete unit, giving installers and homeowners peace of mind that the finished staircase is compliant, robust and built to last. The importance of continuous handrails Handrails are often the first line of defence in preventing stair-related accidents. To be effective, they must run continuously along the flight, be positioned within easy reach and allow users to steady themselves quickly if they lose balance. Wall-mounted handrails have become increasingly popular in enclosed staircases and they are particularly valuable in homes with older residents or people with limited mobility. Every Richard Burbidge handrail design can be wall-mounted, offering flexibility and a unified appearance across both open and enclosed stair sections. “Safety and accessibility are at the heart of everything we design,” explains Kris, Technical Sales Support at Richard Burbidge. “Our handrails are crafted from timber, a naturally warm, tactile material that allows for a smooth, continuous run between posts. It gives users confidence and control while also complementing the overall look of the staircase.” Lighting, surfaces and overall safety Beyond the balustrade and handrail, other design elements can significantly affect safety. Good lighting ensures that users can see tread edges and changes in level, while non-slip step surfaces reduce the risk of slipping. Builders should aim for even light distribution and avoid excessive glare or shadows, particularly in enclosed stairwells. Adding contrasting nosings or finishes can also help to make edges more visible, improving both safety and accessibility. Design support for professionals Richard Burbidge recognises that even experienced contractors and designers benefit from expert technical support. To help ensure safe, compliant and visually cohesive results, the company offers a dedicated design service for the trade. This bespoke service provides professionals with tailored advice, design drawings and product recommendations for any project, whether it’s a domestic renovation or a large-scale commercial build. The design team works closely with builders and specifiers to ensure that every installation meets UK Building Regulations while achieving the desired aesthetic outcome. To contact the technical support team call 01691 678 232 or click here

When it comes to transforming your interiors, sometimes the simplest additions make the biggest difference. Wall panelling is a classic design feature that brings depth, texture, and style to any room and now, with our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits, creating a stunning feature wall or an entire panelled room has never been easier.  An incredibly easy and cost effective option for home improvements. Classic Style for Complete Flexibility  The PaintReady® Classic collection features four distinctive wall panelling kits, significantly expanding design possibilities and DIY projects. Within these kits, versatile squares, elongated rectangles, and half-wall variations provide endless creative opportunities for homeowners to install easily. Users can experiment with various kit combinations to achieve the desired look, designed to allow you to effortlessly blend different kits and create a unique aesthetic ranging from traditional to contemporary or even eccentric styles. Shaker Style Made Simple Shaker style panelling is loved for its clean lines, timeless appeal and versatility. It combines simplicity with striking visuals, making it the perfect choice whether you’re going for modern minimalism or a more traditional look. Our newly launched PaintReady® Shaker Style Wall Panel Kits offer four distinct options, giving you the freedom to explore a range of design possibilities. Each kit contains six precision-cut ready primed MDF panels so you can easily achieve a custom look that suits your space. Why Choose Our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits? Easy Installation: Designed with DIYers in mind, our kits come with everything you need to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY pro or a first-time paneler, you’ll appreciate the straightforward process. PaintReady® Primed Finish: Each panel comes pre-primed for a faster, smoother painting experience, simply choose your favourite colour to make your walls pop and complement your decor perfectly. Versatile Style: The designs work beautifully as a bold feature wall or can be used throughout an entire room to add both architectural interest and a touch of sophistication. Saves time: All primed and ready to paint, speeding up your project and delivering a flawless finish every time. Bring Your Walls to Life Whether you want to add subtle texture to a hallway or make a statement in your living room, our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits make it simple to elevate your interiors whatever the room. The clean, classic lines allow your chosen paint colour to shine while adding depth and dimension to your space.  It’s an ideal way to revitalise spaces on a budget. Discover our full range of Wall Panel Kits here.