Flat furniture is fading fast. Texture is carrying the heavy lifting in 2026 when it comes to interior design. Clean lines are still important but smooth surfaces now feel incomplete. Enter fluting − those little dominant channels that provide texture, a sense of style and some hushed drama to interiors. Their level of freedom adds visual interest without having to resort to vibrant colours or complex mix of patterns. Which makes them perfect for homes which are aiming for that peaceful but deliberate look.
Get a matching look without the overly staged appeal by pairing a ribbed TV console with a slatted coffee table − if done right. It’s subtle. It’s modern. And it works.
Fluting: The Texture Trend to Know for 2026
Fluting adds interest without chaos. Vertical lines attract light as the sun moves over them throughout the day and give furniture a sense of motion − even when everything else stays the same.
Designers love it because:
- Textured without loud colour
- It fits both modern and traditional homes
- It softens large furniture pieces
So, what is you will start to see it all over the place − in minimalistic apartments and in family living rooms layered with visual detail.
Ribbed Consoles and Slatted Tables − Another Natural Match
The ribbed and slatted might echo too closely at first. Truth be told, they counterbalance each other sweetly.
Ribbed TV units are designed with vertical grooves that you can use to visually anchor your room. The slatted coffee tables are typically horizontal in nature and offer contrast with the rest of the room but stay in the same texture family. Together, they feel intentional.
And this is why designers preach a matching coffee table and TV unit approach, but have different orientation − same texture, different orientation.
How to Get the Balance Right
And the objective is not to duplicate but to have the coordination. Do not use the same scale or detailing for your pieces.
Smart pairing tips:
- Select a hero piece (most often the TV console)
- Let the coffee table be supported, but not overbearing
- Keep colours in the same shading family
Such as a deep oak fluted console works in tandem with a light slatted coffee table in the same wood family.
Choosing Materials That Age Well
Texture is only good when you can fill it with a solid background. It’s all about tactile surfaces versus high-gloss finishes for homeowners over the next five years.
Popular choices include:
- Timber with matte sealants
- Wood veneers with visible grain
- Soft-touch laminates with depth
An entertainment unit coffee table set should feel good for more than just photographically.
What About Small Living Rooms?
Texture doesn’t mean bulky. In fact, for fluted furniture, it actually creates a light appearance as it breaks the visual mass.
For compact spaces:
- Choose low-profile consoles
- Choose narrow slatted tables with legs that you can see through
- Don´t stray from neutral or warm colour tones
A matching coffee table and TV unit go a long way in making the space feel more curated, not cluttered, even in a smaller room.
Styling Without Overdoing It
Textured furniture needs breathing room.
Keep styling simple:
- One or two ceramic pieces
- Something more tactile than the lines: a soft rug
- The console surface is merely decorated
Fluting becomes less chic with excessive accessorising.
Final Thoughts
Fluting isn’t a trend − it’s an evolution. Gone are the days of furniture making a statement, and in 2026, homes will embrace furniture that adds dimension to spaces without taking centre stage.
Fusing ribbed TV consoles with slatted coffee tables harmonises texture, not trend chasing. This entertainment unit coffee table set shows you don’t need in-your-face hues or major styling to make it pop.
A room feels done − almost effortlessly − when texture is doing the heavy lifting. The kind of design that feels intentional, not over-cooked. That unpretentious confidence is precisely what contemporary interiors are striving for.
