Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN
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Interior Designers Forecast in Home Decor Trends 2026
What every homeowner would like to know! Or consider!
Residential interior design this year is showing us an updated approach to maximalism, specifically drenching spaces in a single color or material for big impact. The boldness continued as designers played up walls with tile, wood and painted murals to create drama and sometimes the unexpected. Brown emerged as a go-to hue in all of its iterations, while mingling vintage furniture with modern pieces showed us that the marriage of old and new can create some of the most interesting rooms.
In preparing for next year, designers will build on 2025 trends, while fresh concepts. For a preview, pros from across the country elaborate on what will trend in interior design next year. Everything that's old...can be new again!
SCREEN-FREE TECH-FREE
Are we going back a bit to enjoy what used to be popular?
More and more homeowners are craving rooms–or spaces designed for slowing down. It’s not about going off the grid completely; it’s about creating a room that naturally invites focus, conversation and calm. Lowering the noise and nonsense.
Analog rooms are ideal for puzzles, cards, reading, cocktails and connecting with loved ones through conversation. The goal is a layered, tactile room that feels lived-in, inviting, and intentionally disconnected. It’s a quieter kind of luxury, that you can’t get enough of.
Spaces specifically designed for play have become more in demand, often with game tables as the focus. For instance, the game table has come a long way from days gone by.
The recent obsession with the tile game Mah Jongg has spurred a new round of beautiful game tables by furniture designers and manufacturers. Remember mom's bridge tables?
WHAT? NO MORE WHITE?
While Carrara marble will remain a timeless choice for kitchens and baths, colored and patterned stone will shine bright in 2026, in contrast.
Bold stone as a backlash against the minimalist white kitchens will also emerge. Couple the uniqueness and boldness of each slab, and it’s easy to comprehend the moods that statement stone can make.
White marble and pale engineered lookalikes are always popular and a classic. Add to this classic staple with green and plum, as well as gold-veined cream and “dramatic onyx” in the coming year. Homeowners will want stone that feels like art, if possible. Rich color and movement will give kitchens and baths a bespoke, high-impact edge.
Veiny stone can become a focal point on its own, whether it’s installed in a kitchen, bath or on a foyer floor. Exotic marbles will take center stage, while mixing different types of stone is also on the table for 2026. Not everything needs to match.
Designers are experimenting with various combinations of stone colors, such as limestone and marble, or warmer tones of marble, for example, brown and cream. Statement stone will pop up everywhere, even on door trims and lighting fixtures.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
The coming year will focus on craftsmanship, ranging from architectural detailing to furniture, including custom built-ins that act as an extension of a room’s structure, unlike freestanding furniture, which can be deemed decorative.
Built-in seating is having a come back. This sort of harkens back to the ’70s. Built-ins make a space feel curated for an uncluttered look that’s efficient, sculptural and seamlessly integrated. Also taking care of the much needed storage problems we all seem to have!
Heritage style (or traditional) will also rise to the forefront, spawning tradition and timelessness in interiors. This is a broad term referring to historical design. The style is typically inspired by elements from the Colonial, Victorian and Georgian periods, while refining the aesthetic for 21st-century living. The look is largely marked by darker wood finishes, wallpaper, patterns, heavy layering, and classic materials like brass and marble.
There is a reversion back to traditional molding and plasterwork to add dimension and character to homes. Even modern homes are getting a traditional glow-up with wood paneling, picture molding with interesting profiles and crown molding.
PERSONALIZE WITH PICTURES THAT TELL A STORY
Jumping on the heels of 2025’s personalized spaces, art will likely be more intentional in 2026, as homeowners search for substance and meaning in the pieces they acquire. Collections of your favorite, cozy pieces will be in the forefront of your design.
Home decorators will be choosing the personalized trend, as they seek works that represent their experiences and who they are as individuals.
Homeowners are gravitating toward pieces with soul: flea-market discoveries, hand-thrown ceramics, sketches from travels and things that tell a personal story. Art that feels you discovered it, a wall that feels lived-in, layered, and definitely a little imperfect–rather than the symmetrical galleries seen in years past–will rise to the forefront in the coming year. We are now embracing imperfection, and loving it!
Also, portraiture is making a comeback. Portraits could feature a familiar face or one that has not been seen before, or a cool take on your own pose!
Human curiosity naturally draws us to the faces of others,” Farrell noted. “These images not only serve as stylish decor but also foster legacy and meaningful storytelling, often sparking engaging conversations during dinner parties.
LIGHTING EVOLUTION
My personal and favorite subject that is mostly overlooked!
Table lighting, as we know it, is evolving.
Between custom shades and cordless lamps, lighting has become one of the most expressive parts of a room. Lamps without wires allow flexibility in lighting and layout. “They let us layer light exactly where we need it–on a console, a dining table, a game table–without cords dictating the furniture plan. I think this is particularly exciting!
Custom pleated lampshades have been trending in the UK for several years, who have been fabricating the accessories in myriad styles and textiles. US clients are opting for personality over generic ivory equivalents, and people are now willing to splurge for softness, color, and a sense of intention.
We’re now seeing British makers and designers who have really elevated the pleated-shade moment use beautiful fabrics, hand-finished trims, and unexpected materials on shades. An art statement in and of itself.
Likewise, in the heart of the home, lighting will head in a different direction in the coming year, making way for a cleaner, simpler aesthetic, especially in kitchens with focal points.
We're seeing more and more creative ideas for over-island lighting. For one, some designers are eliminating the typical pendants in favor of preserving the view and sightlines to the main focal point, which is usually the range and hood.
Dressing up kitchen ceilings with surface-mounted light fixtures will also become more popular. These alternatives to recessed lights complement other light sources while adding visual interest. Not only do surface mounts look lovely and add character, but visually they add rhythm to the ceiling, activating the 'fifth wall' and making it an intentional feature within the design.
So much to learn about! So much to choose! So much to consider!
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Judy@JudithSutton.com
COLDWELL BANKER...GUIDING PEOPLE HOME SINCE 1906
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"...the right relationship means everything..."
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