As coined by a Northwestern University study, the '20 Year Rule' indicates that most trends will recur about every two decades. This means that for 2026, we're looking back to around 2006 for hints on what might be next. Photographs from Elton John's London home in the early 2000s provide a few ideas.
When looking at the 2003 photo of his apartment, the most striking element is the sheer amount of gold. From yellow sofas to gold curtains between rooms, to a mustard silk cushion, nearly all of the fabric in the space comes in this deep, sunny tone. The gold doesn't stop there, with gilded and gold leaf pieces dotted throughout the room. His retro space is a masterclass in decorating with yellow, the early 2000s way.
