This year, we once again travelled to Asuntomessut, Finland's annual Housing Fair, held in Lempäälä, just outside Tampere.
Unlike a traditional exhibition in a convention hall, Asuntomessut allows visitors to walk through an entire newly built residential neighbourhood. Every home is fully completed and furnished, offering a unique opportunity to explore real architecture, interior design and technical solutions.
This year's exhibition features 34 different properties, including 18 detached houses, row houses, an apartment building, and the new Saikantalo community complex, which combines an elementary school and kindergarten.
Compared to last year, the homes felt noticeably simpler and more understated. Large gardens with elaborate spa areas were less common, while interiors remained beautifully minimalist but introduced more pattern, texture and carefully selected colour accents.
During our visit, we also had the opportunity to see several of the Finnish brands we proudly represent, including Tulikivi sauna heaters, Drop outdoor design spas, Cariitti sauna lighting, and sauna accessories from Rento and Luhta Home.
Our Top 5 Trends from Asuntomessut 2026
- Sauna is increasingly designed as one seamless wellness space together with the bathroom.
- Light, natural timber and wide floating sauna benches continue to dominate.
- Lighting is becoming almost invisible, with concealed LED solutions taking centre stage.
- Neutral earthy tones are complemented by bold accents in textiles, artwork and accessories.
- Small, low-maintenance gardens featuring ornamental grasses, mulch and evergreen plants.
Interior Design Trends for 2026
Natural Materials Remain the Foundation
Wood continues to be the defining material throughout Finnish homes, both indoors and outdoors. It is frequently paired with natural stone, matte finishes and tactile textures that create warmth without feeling overwhelming.
Glossy surfaces and excessive decoration are becoming increasingly rare.
One detail we particularly appreciated was how timber no longer stops at the sauna door. Wooden ceilings often continue seamlessly through the shower room, WC and even the hallway, creating a cohesive architectural language throughout the home.
Warm Earth Tones
The era of crisp white minimalism is slowly giving way to a warmer, more inviting palette.
The most common colours included:
- Sand and warm beige
- Clay and soft greys
- Olive green
- Dark brown and black accents
At the same time, interiors featured more confident pops of colour than in previous years. Rather than dominating entire rooms, these appeared in cushions, artwork, lighting or statement furniture.
Olive green, burgundy, deep purple, blue and even soft pink were among the most noticeable accent colours.
Patterns Are Making a Comeback
Patterns have returned—but in a much calmer and more refined way.
Popular choices included:
- Stripes
- Checks
- Graphic cushions
- Abstract artwork
These subtle details add personality while preserving the calm Scandinavian atmosphere.
Less Decoration, More Quality
Finnish interiors remain minimalist, but never feel cold or sterile.
Instead of filling spaces with decorative objects, homeowners choose a few carefully selected design pieces—a striking lamp, a beautiful chair, a quality artwork or thoughtfully chosen textiles.
There are fewer objects, but each one has a purpose.
Sauna Remains an Essential Part of Finnish Living
Naturally, we spent most of our time exploring the saunas.
Once again, we were reminded that in Finland, a sauna is not considered a luxury—it's simply a natural part of everyday life. Every home we visited included a sauna, including the apartments.
Electric sauna heaters continue to dominate. Not because Finns lack firewood, but because electric heaters offer greater flexibility. They require smaller safety clearances, can often be controlled remotely, and are ideal even for compact home saunas.
One of the strongest trends this year was how the sauna is increasingly designed as part of one unified spa area together with the bathroom. Glass walls, continuous timber ceilings, coordinated materials and carefully planned lighting create beautifully harmonious wellness spaces.
Sauna Trends We Noticed
- Wide floating sauna benches
- Concealed LED lighting
- Minimalist glass walls
- Natural stone details
- Black fixtures and fittings
- Darker timber finishes in selected projects
Small Gardens, Beautifully Designed
Although most plots were relatively compact, the outdoor spaces were exceptionally well designed.
Ornamental grasses, hydrangeas, evergreen trees and shrubs, natural stone compositions and mulch-covered planting beds were recurring elements throughout the exhibition.
The gardens never felt overcrowded. Instead, they complemented the architecture and terrace areas effortlessly.
It was another reminder that creating a beautiful garden doesn't require a large property—careful plant selection, varying heights and thoughtful composition matter far more.
Five Ideas Worth Borrowing from the Finns
- A smaller home doesn't mean less comfort.
- Quality materials will always outlast luxury for the sake of luxury.
- The sauna is designed together with the house, not added as an afterthought.
- Natural daylight and the view outside are just as important as the interior itself.
- Timeless design always outperforms short-lived trends.
What We Took Home
Every year, Asuntomessut leaves us inspired, but what makes the exhibition truly special is seeing how Finns actually live.
This year's homes reminded us that the best design isn't necessarily the biggest or the most expensive. Instead, it's thoughtful layouts, carefully chosen materials and details that genuinely improve everyday life.
This philosophy is exactly what we strive to bring into every Nordic sauna project—creating saunas that are not only beautiful, but also functional, durable and designed to be enjoyed for many years to come.
During our three-day trip, we didn't just explore the exhibition—we also visited three different Finnish saunas. It was the perfect opportunity to experience authentic Finnish sauna culture, embrace its calm, unhurried pace, and return home with not only new ideas but also a little more of that uniquely Finnish peace of mind.
Save These for Your Next Trip to Finland
If you're planning a visit to Finland, these sauna destinations are well worth adding to your itinerary:
- Kaupinojan Sauna and the unique Saunatemppeli wigwam sauna for an authentic local experience and a refreshing swim in the lake.
- Pereensaaren Sauna, a beautiful modern lakeside sauna with a lovely café.
- Löyly Helsinki — one of Finland's most iconic architectural landmarks and a must-visit for every sauna enthusiast.
🖤 We're proud to be part of the Nordic sauna community and to bring a little piece of Finnish sauna culture home to Latvia.