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We always look forward to Pinterest’s annual trend report, and the 2026 edition does not disappoint. Apparently, cool blue “glacier aesthetic” is in, lacy details are catching eyes, and there’s a modern twist on Art Deco style happening. But what really caught our attention this year is that searches for “circus interiors” are up 130%, including a spike in queries for “circus nursery,” “striped ceilings,” and “vintage circus aesthetic.”
So what exactly is circus style? To get to the bottom of it, we circled back to some of our favorite British homes, because it turns out, designers in the U.K. have been playing with this look for awhile now. Their take is more “fun house” and a little less “clown.” Think: sculptural shapes, bold stripes, and playful ceiling details. Here are some tips for bringing the trend Stateside.
Fake a Circus Tent with a Bed Canopy
The twin bedroom in this English manor is beyond fun—a striped ceiling gives off a bit of a tent-like optical illusion but the bed canopies are more literal interpretations.
Swath the Entire Ceiling in Fabric
According to designer Emma Ainscough, the trick to nailing this bed nook‘s tented ceiling was gathering the fabric at a central point with a pendant lamp. The rest of the bedroom’s whimsy comes from the interior curtains (they can be drawn for a cocooning effect) and the floral stripe wallpaper.
Dive Into Wonderland Right Away
The first step into this London home is a masterclass in circus maximalism. The red-and-white striped ceiling is a dead giveaway, but the supporting characters can be found in the tasseled trim, painted floor, and a vintage suzani that conceals the washer-dryer.
Use Quirky Rooflines to Your Advantage
Simply running a striped wallpapering up an angled ceiling can make it feel like you’re at a grand show (Farrow & Ball’s name for this pattern is literally Tented Stripe). Homeowner Sarah Corbett-Winder kept the playful vibes alive by displaying artwork as low as the baseboards.