Design trends for 2026: what’s next in interiors

Timeless design has power, but it’s also fun to take a look at the design trends that will shape the year ahead. While we may not be completely redecorating our homes year after year, staying on top of design trends can lead to some unexpected inspiration. After all, the design trends of 2026 are an indicator of what we collectively crave at home. Who doesn’t need to look at their space with a new perspective and fresh eyes? You’ll probably be spending quite a bit of time at home this winter, so the new year is a perfect time to take stock and start coming up with new projects for your space.

The aesthetic changes that are coming

According to experts, the design trends of 2026 are rooted in comfort, tradition and homes as personal as the people who live in them. We continue to move away from formal living spaces and instead embrace cozy, lived-in, vintage-inspired rooms that give us all the feels. Gone are the days of cool neutral tones and stark minimalism – these are the trends designers expect to see everywhere in 2026.

“Houses are becoming homes again.”

– Alex Thies, owner and creative director of Adelyn Charles Interiors

Pattern

One way to tell that the minimalist aesthetic is on its way out is the rise of lush textures and patterns. “Pattern is becoming a major player heading into 2026,” said Audrey Scheck of Design by Audrey Scheck actions. “Layered textiles, bold wallpapers and mixed prints add lots of personality.”

“Houses are becoming homes again, and there is a big emphasis on a look that feels collected over time rather than staged and brand new,” Alex Thies, owner and creative director of Adelyn Charles Interiorsduck. “This lends itself to layered patterns, colors and textures.”

Dousing patterns, or covering an entire room in the same print, made a splash in 2025. The trend continues, but this time in a way that goes beyond just one style. “Instead of pattern-matching, we’re embracing combinations that feel curated and lived-in. We’re creating homes that look beautifully put together without feeling precious,” says Scheck. This also goes beyond the walls. “Printed sofas are back!” Lina Galvão Selected nest interiors he exclaims.

Multifunctional spaces

Since the pandemic, homeowners want spaces that can do it all. Instead of going out, we collectively stayed home. Guest rooms are becoming hobby spaces, garages are becoming home gyms, and the like. Scheck sees it with his design clients and doesn’t think the trend will go away anytime soon.

“We’re seeing a big shift towards multi-functional spaces. Customers want rooms that actually work in real life, and thoughtful designs, smart built-ins and flexible furniture make this possible,” he explains. “Think offices that double as guest rooms, folding beds that disappear when not in use, or playrooms that can easily be converted into a second living room.”

ornate furniture

With the rise of patterns and personality, it makes perfect sense that ornate furniture is gaining popularity. “In 2026, get ready to enhance your furniture with embellishments and prints,” Autumn Pochiro, founder and lead designer of Autumn sunrise designsays. “Upholstered furniture with fringes, metallic details and vibrant patterns is making a big comeback!

Whether you’re hand-painting a console or purchasing one with an ornate pattern, infusing a little personality into your space is easy with embellishments.

“The resurgence of vintage prints is ushering in a new era of design, showcasing a casual yet luxurious style, embodying the comfort experienced with vintage style,” adds Pochiro.

English-inspired interiors

If you love the cabin in the holidaysor perhaps your heart skipped a beat at the thought of a curved sofa with a skirt trim, you’ll be pleased to know that English-inspired interiors are making a comeback in a big way. “Hopefully we’ll see a strong return to a familiar, comforting aesthetic rooted in English country style, but with a modern take,” Liz Livingston and Meredith Page of Page House Study say. “This includes upholstered, skirted furniture, decorative trim, piping, layers of subtle patterns, and brown furniture and deep wood tones that provide warmth.”

Galvao agrees, noting that Grandmillennial and British-inspired styles can be achieved in a variety of ways. Think checkerboard floors in various colors, moody finishes, darker wood, and traditional-style designs that use architectural moldings or panels. If you want an inexpensive look, you can also add details. “The decoration will continue with details such as ginger jars, chinoiserie and embroidery,” says Galvao.

vintage pieces

Take this as a sign to start exploring vintage and antique stores, because quick furniture is still out of favor. Instead of buying mass-produced furniture from big box stores, we collectively look for sustainable, unique pieces that have a story to tell.

“Vintage and vintage pieces have developed a certain cachet and cool factor, especially among younger customers,” Galvao notes. “Personalization, history, meaning, heritage, narrative, craftsmanship, vintage, reuse! These are all terms that come to mind as a key trend, reflecting a shift in mindset among luxury consumers who favor personal expression over resale value or what your friends have.“

Scheck says vintage silhouettes add a sense of romance that feels more collected than formal. “Overall, we’re moving away from absolute minimalism and toward spaces that feel layered, full of stories, and full of character,” he says.

Texture as the new neutral

Warm neutrals aren’t going anywhere. Warm creams, browns, ochres, and whites still dominate (goodbye cool neutrals!), but according to Page and Livingston, those warm neutrals only tell part of the story. They advocate going beyond color theory and focusing on texture theory, and embracing movement, texture and depth.

“A neutral room without tactile finishes, moving objects, and gathered layers fails. True style is in textured, intricate accents,” the two share. “Designers are embracing lime wash, plaster and natural materials such as ironstone and handmade vessels to add dimension where color once dominated.”