2026 Interior Trends: Anti-Fingerprint to Antibacterial Materials are Increasingly Being Pursued

The latest concept "AICA FIGURA: From Sheets to Figures" at the INDOBUILDTECH 2026 event (Photo: VOI/Adelia)

JAKARTA - Choosing interior materials is no longer just considering interesting colors or motifs. As the needs of the community develop, materials are also required to have functions that can support comfort, cleanliness, and durability for long-term use.

If previously the visual aspect was the main factor in determining the material for residential and commercial spaces, now consumers are increasingly paying attention to the quality and performance of materials in daily activities. Ease of maintenance, resistance to intensive use, to technology that supports cleanliness are increasingly sought-after added values.

Lifestyle changes are one of the factors that drive this shift. Housing is no longer just a place to live, but also a space to work, rest, and gather with family. Therefore, the selection of materials is an important part of creating a comfortable and functional space.

Materials with technologies such as anti-fingerprint (anti-fingerprint) coating, antibacterial, and easy-to-clean surfaces are now increasingly in demand. In addition to keeping the appearance clean, these technologies also help reduce the intensity of maintenance so that materials can maintain their quality for longer.

On the other hand, the development of manufacturing technology allows materials to present textures that resemble natural materials. As a result, the interior looks more authentic without sacrificing the practicality aspects needed in everyday use.

Not only the surface of the material, the finishing details also play an important role in determining the quality of furniture and interior. For example, the finishing on the edge of the panel, not only makes the appearance more neat, but also helps protect the material from moisture and prolong its life.

This shows that choosing interior materials should be done thoroughly. In addition to considering aesthetics, consumers also need to pay attention to the quality, function, and durability of materials so that the investment made provides benefits in the long term.

In line with this trend, PT AICA Indonesia introduced two new material innovations at the INDOBUILDTECH 2026 event, namely AICA EDGEPRO and HPL CELSUS LUX. This launch is also part of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the AICA Kogyo Group which has presented various interior material innovations globally.

AICA Indonesia Sales & Marketing Manager, Kevin Octavius said the celebration was an important momentum for the company to continue to present innovations that are relevant to the current industry needs.

"This celebration is a reminder that innovation must continue. As part of the group, we are proud to be able to celebrate this achievement in Indonesia while introducing two of our latest innovations that we believe can answer the needs of an ever-evolving market," said Kevin Octavius at ICE BSD Tangerang on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

According to Kevin, consumer needs today have changed. Materials are no longer chosen based on their appearance, but also based on the benefits that can be felt in daily use.

"When choosing materials, people certainly want it to look attractive. But now aesthetics alone is no longer enough. Materials must also have functions that support daily activities, such as being easier to maintain, resistant to fingerprints, to having antibacterial technology. So it's not just beautiful to look at, but also provides added value in long-term use," he explained.

One of the products introduced is HPL CELSUS LUX, a premium High Pressure Laminate collection that combines anti-fingerprint, antibacterial, and synchronized pattern technologies so that the surface texture is in harmony with its visual motif. This technology presents a more natural look while making maintenance easier.

Meanwhile, AICA EDGEPRO is a material edging that is designed to have color consistency with the AICA HPL collection. In addition to producing a more neat and precise furniture appearance, edging also helps protect the edge of the panel so that it is more resistant to daily use.

Kevin added that material innovation should be seen as a solution that can support the quality of the space as a whole.

"We want to be known as a company that provides solutions, not just selling materials. When architects, interior designers, contractors, and the community build houses or other projects, we want to be able to provide material options that meet the needs, both in terms of design, quality, and function. " concluded Kevin.

Through the development of material technology, the selection of interior materials is increasingly prioritizing the balance between aesthetics and function. Colors and motifs are still important, but quality, ease of maintenance, durability, and comfort of use are equally important in creating the ideal space.