8 Interior Design Trends That Will Define 2026, According to Experts

There’s something about the start of a new year that just makes you want to give your home a fresh look. Especially as you pack away the holiday decor and are faced with more bare walls and empty corners than you’re used to, it’s only natural to want to breathe some new life into your space. The transition from one year to the next also happens to be the time when design enthusiasts and experts alike are looking ahead to the colors, materials, and design styles that will be trending in the next 12 months. So if you’re suddenly feeling the urge to redecorate, now is the perfect time to try something new. I polled experts on the interior design trends they’re most excited about for 2026, and the results are in.

From rich, earthy colors to sculptural decor, these are the biggest interior design trends for 2026, according to design experts:

Source: Bria Hammel Interiors

“Design in 2026 is about connection, clarity, and creating spaces that feel deeply personal. It is less about trends and more about alignment with the lifestyle you want to live.” – interior designer Lauren Lerner

Source: Studio McGee

Source: Bria Hammel Interiors

Source: Studio McGee

Source: @ispydiy

Source: Lauren Lerner of Living with Lolo

Source: BEHR Paint Company

1. Intentional minimalism

The stark-white minimalist aesthetic of the 2010s has long since fallen out of favor. But if Pantone’s pick for color of the year 2026 (an airy off-white called Cloud Dancer) is any indication, people are seeking a respite from the chaos of the world—and interior design is a way to achieve that. “People are craving a sense of grounding,” said Gray Benko, interior designer and star of the Magnolia Network series Anything But Gray. “Life feels very loud, and homes are becoming the place where people look for steadiness.”

Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer of Scottsdale-based design firm Living with Lolo, predicted that this desire for calm will manifest in more minimalist design choices. “Not minimalism in the strict or cold sense,” she clarified, “but a version of minimalism that feels warm, livable, and emotionally grounding. People want homes that help them breathe a little easier. They are craving clarity and spaces that feel supportive, restorative, and connected.”

While this intentional approach to minimalism may manifest in more neutral color choices and pared-down decor, the goal is not to create rooms that feel cold or sparse. “True minimalism is about intentionality, not deprivation,” explained Sabrina Soto, BEHR Paint Ambassador and interior designer. “You can have a curated, clean space that still feels warm and lived in.”

2. Earth tones

As people seek comfort in their interior spaces, they’re reaching for colors that naturally exude warmth and coziness. Several of the experts we spoke to predicted that colors borrowed directly from nature—like earthy greens, rich browns, dusty terracottas, and smoky blues—will dominate interior design trends in 2026. “These colors feel organic and calming, which is exactly what people need right now,” Soto explained.

Earth tones provide a warmer alternative to neutrals like white or gray, while still delivering a sense of calm and timelessness. In shades with enough warmth and depth, even colors like green and blue can act as neutrals. To achieve that earthy, plucked-from-nature feel, look for paint colors with warm yellow or red undertones, which help create a comforting and inviting atmosphere. As Benko put it, “nothing too icy or sharp.”

3. Organic materials

Speaking of nature, color isn’t the only way to bring the outside in. Lerner predicts organic materials will continue growing in popularity in 2026. From warm wood finishes and textured linen fabrics to natural stone surfaces and handcrafted ceramics, materials pulled from nature are a simple way to elevate the design even without the use of color or pattern. “People want depth and dimension, but they want it to feel quiet, thoughtful, and easy to live with,” Lerner said.

According to Soto, the tactile nature of these materials is a key part of the appeal. It’s not just about adding visual interest, but also textures you can see and feel. “People want to touch their homes, not just look at them,” she said.

4. Vintage and handmade goods

Shopping at big-box stores or with just a couple of clicks on Amazon may be convenient, but this impersonal approach to decorating is starting to lose some of its luster. “People are craving pieces with provenance: locally made goods, small-batch textiles, artisan work, and secondhand treasures,” said Fariha Nasir, DIY expert and interior designer. She cited rising furniture costs and ongoing tariffs as driving factors behind the trend toward more intentionally chosen, locally sourced goods. “Instead of buying entire rooms in one click, they are mixing old and new, supporting local makers, and choosing pieces that feel meaningful rather than just functional,” she said.

5. Design for real life

Authenticity is a key theme for interior design trends in 2026, according to several experts we spoke to. The focus has shifted away from creating Instagram-perfect rooms where everything is styled just so. Instead, people want homes that truly support the way they live. They’re prioritizing comfort and functionality with design choices that support their everyday routines. “People are choosing things that matter to them or that serve a purpose, instead of filling a space for looks alone, “ Benko said. “There is more interest in softer light, smarter storage, warm finishes, and rooms that support real life.”

This approach to design prioritizes ease over perfection and accepts a little messiness—or, as Nasir put it, “signs of life”—as part of the appeal. When perfection is not the ideal, there’s more freedom to let real life shine through. “Books stacked high, a TV openly displayed, remotes on the coffee table, and kids’ artwork proudly hung,” Nasir said. “There is something refreshing about rooms that reflect real living.”

6. Block print patterns

The nature-inspired theme is also carrying over into the patterns that will dominate in 2026. Elizabeth Rees, co-founder of wallpaper brand Chasing Paper, said floral block prints are one of the biggest trends she expects to see next year as people lean into more tactile, nature-led aesthetics. “With AI being absolutely everywhere these days, we’re seeing people gravitate towards something that feels hand-drawn and with patina, like it could be handed down over time,” she said.

Block printing is an ancient technique that involved stamping designs onto fabric using a carved wood block. Today, these printed patterns add a touch of cottage charm to throw pillows, wall coverings, curtains, and even rugs. “Their handcrafted charm and timeless nature highlight what we can expect from the interior design industry in 2026,” Rees said.

7. Sculptural decor

Function may be king, but playing with fun forms is a sure-fire way to add some interest and personality to your space. Lerner predicted sculptural furniture and decor—think curved sofas, rugs and mirrors with organic shapes, lighting that looks like art—will be one of the defining interior design trends of 2026. “These forms add quiet drama to a space without overwhelming it,” she said. “It is a trend that makes a home feel more elevated and more soulful.”

8. Personality-driven design

In today’s social media-centric world, the constant barrage of trends and viral aesthetics can be seriously overwhelming, and people are tired of trying to keep up. Soto predicted that in 2026, we’ll see a shift toward authenticity and away from copy-and-paste interiors. “People are tired of trying to recreate someone else’s aesthetic,” she said. “They want homes that feel like them, even if that means mixing styles or breaking ‘rules.’ That’s incredibly freeing.”

Whether that means playing with unexpected color combos, mixing design styles, or decorating with personal mementos, the result is interiors that feel authentic, curated, and far more meaningful than perfectly styled rooms ever could. The same is true for more permanent design choices, like paint colors or tile choices. Choosing elements that reflect your personality and tastes will always have a bigger payoff than recreating what’s “trendy” right now.

“Homes need warmth, character, and individuality, not the same formula repeated in every renovation,” Nasir said. “Design is meant to be expressive. Give yourself permission to play.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor

Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers. Jessica also holds a certificate in interior design from the New York Institute of Art + Design.

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