Design Trends for 2026
We’re three-fifths of the way through 2026, which means I feel pretty confident making a few predictions.
At the beginning of the year, we can call something a trend. By September, we’ve had enough time to see what actually has staying power—and what was simply having a very good moment on Instagram.
And here’s what I’m seeing: design is getting its personality back.
After years of ultra-minimal, perfectly styled, somewhat-too-perfect interiors, homeowners are craving spaces that feel collected, comfortable, layered and, most importantly, like them.
So, what’s sticking around? And what are we happily leaving behind?
WHAT’S STAYING
Wallcoverings
Wallpaper is not going anywhere. And honestly, why should it?
We’re seeing everything from bold patterns and beautiful botanicals to subtle textures, grasscloths and more unexpected applications. Wallcovering adds depth, personality and a sense of completion that paint simply can’t always provide.
And no, you don't have to wallpaper every room—or commit to a pattern that announces itself from the driveway. A thoughtfully chosen wallcovering can be the difference between nice room and ohhh, this room.
Wallpaper is officially more than a trend. It’s part of the design toolbox.
Window Treatments
The naked-window era is coming to an end.
Well-designed window treatments add softness, warmth, privacy, light control and an unmistakable sense of polish. They also make a room feel more finished without necessarily making it feel decorated.
And let’s be honest: beautiful drapery can do for a room what a great haircut does for a person.
It just makes everything look better.
Warm Woods
Warm wood tones are having a very welcome comeback—and this is one I hope sticks around for a long time.
We’re moving away from interiors where every wood finish has to match perfectly and toward spaces that mix tones, textures and materials. Oak, walnut, vintage woods and beautifully aged pieces bring warmth and depth that manufactured perfection simply can't replicate.
The goal isn't to create a matching wood showroom.
The goal is to create a room that feels collected over time.
Colored Glass
Colored glass is another detail I’m excited to see sticking around.
Whether it's lighting, accessories, cabinet inserts or decorative accents, a little color in the glass adds another layer of personality. It catches the light, creates interest and brings a bit of playfulness into a space.
And isn't that what good design should do?
Old + New = Much More Interesting
Perhaps my favorite “trend” of 2026 isn't really a trend at all.
Mixing old and new.
Vintage pieces, antiques, family heirlooms and furnishings with a story are finding their way back into interiors alongside contemporary pieces.
And thank goodness.
A room where everything was purchased at the same time, from the same few stores, can look beautiful—but it can also look like it was delivered Tuesday.
I want interiors that make you wonder:
Where did that come from?
Who owned that?
Why is that piece here?
And why does it work so perfectly with everything else?
That's personality.
That's character.
That's your home, rather than a showroom.
WHAT'S OUT
Sterile White, Cookie-Cutter Interiors
Let's talk about the elephant—or perhaps the white boucle chair—in the room.
I'm not saying white is bad. Far from it. White can be incredibly classic and beautiful.
But an interior where everything is white, perfectly coordinated, completely devoid of contrast and suspiciously similar to every other house you've seen online?
I'm ready to move on.
Homes should have warmth. They should have texture. They should have color, pattern, art, history and the occasional piece that makes you smile.
Looking Exactly Like Everyone Else
This might be the biggest shift I'm seeing.
People are tired of asking, “What’s trending?”
They're starting to ask:
“What feels like me?”
And that's a much better question.
Your home doesn't need to look like your neighbor's, your friend's or the latest luxury home tour on social media. It should reflect how you live, what you love and the things you've collected along the way.
The “Everything Is New” Look
New furniture is wonderful.
All new furniture is not necessarily wonderful.
When every piece is brand new, perfectly coordinated and purchased for one particular room, you can lose the sense that an actual human being lives there.
Bring in the antique chest. Keep Grandma's chair. Buy the weird little piece of art you couldn't stop thinking about. Mix the beautiful new sofa with the vintage table.
The magic usually happens somewhere in the mix.
Over-Accessorized Perfection
There is a difference between a room being finished and a room looking like someone accessorized it with a tape measure.
Not every surface needs a stack of books, a bowl, a vase, a candle and a strategically placed object that nobody is allowed to touch.
Leave a little breathing room.
A home should look styled—but it should also look lived in.
HARDWARE + PLUMBING: A LITTLE MORE NUANCE
Finish trends are shifting, too.
We're seeing the continued popularity of warm metallics—gold, brass and the various beautiful iterations in between.
And then there is polished nickel.
If you're looking for a finish with serious staying power, it's hard to argue with a classic. Polished nickel has been around forever for a reason: it can feel traditional, contemporary, tailored and timeless depending on how you use it.
But if you're after something darker and moodier, I'm seeing more interest in gunmetal.
It's softer and more nuanced than a stark black finish, with a depth that gives plumbing and hardware a more sophisticated presence.
Which brings me to…
Goodbye, Black Hardware.
Black hardware has had a very successful run.
A very successful run.
But when the same black faucet, black cabinet pull, black shower frame and black light fixture started appearing in every kitchen and bathroom on the planet, it was probably time to reconsider.
I'm not saying black is banned.
I'm simply saying there are other finishes in the world.
And I'm ready to see them.
The Bigger Trend: Personality
If I had to sum up what I'm seeing in 2026, it wouldn't actually be a color, material or furniture style.
It's individuality.
We're welcoming back color.
We're welcoming back pattern.
We're welcoming back antiques.
We're mixing old with new.
We're embracing imperfections, character and the things that make a home feel collected rather than manufactured.
The best interiors aren't the ones where you can identify every trend.
They're the ones where you walk in and immediately think:
“Of course this is their house.”
So here's to personality, color, character and a little bit of individuality.
Goodbye to cookie-cutter.
Goodbye to sterile.
And, most importantly, goodbye to looking exactly like your neighbor.
Your home should look like you.
And frankly, that's a trend I'm happy to keep.
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