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The meaning of home continues to evolve, and in 2026, we’re seeing spaces that reflect personality, comfort, and a lived-in kind of luxury. The era of copy-and-paste interiors is fading fast. Instead, individuality and craftsmanship are taking center stage.
This year, homeowners and the rest of us are leaning into color, texture, and storytelling, layering vintage finds with new pieces that feel intentional, not impulsive. Think cozy English countryside charm, heirloom details, and moody hues that ground a room. At the same time, some of yesterday’s staples are on their way out. Overly minimalist spaces and waterfall countertops are giving way to bolder design choices, richer materials, and homes that feel warm, collected, and deeply personal.
We spoke with top designers and trend forecasters to uncover what’s in, what’s out, and how to create a space that feels timeless — no matter the year.
Scroll for the 2026 home decor trend predictions!
Trend #1: European-Style Craftsmanship
Public 311
Cookie-cutter interiors pulled straight from your scroll are a surefire way to create a home that feels outdated fast. "Homes are moving away from the model home look and the furnishings that feel mass manufactured," says Lindesy Colhoun, founder of celeb-loved design firm Lindsey Colhoun Design and the California-based store Haven. "Cooler grey tones and anything that reads overly crisp or sterile no longer feel aligned with how people want to live."
Instead, lean into trends your way. Freshen up your home with pieces that speak to you — and if you want to feel fresh and new for 2026, seek out those pieces rooted in European craftsmanship that only get better with time.
"There is a clear return to heirloom quality woods, hand-worked metals, natural fabrics and objects that feel as though they could be passed down rather than replaced. People are craving spaces with a history patina and soul, a home that feels collected, loved and lived with for generations rather than styled for a moment," adds Colhoun.
Trend #2: Heirloom Hues
Design: Francesca Grace | Photo: Gavin Cater
"Beige, tans and khakis are back as colors that consumers are considering timeless," says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. "Khaki, such as Universal Khaki (HGSW6150), specifically has been emerging as a fresh alternative to white, offering a warm and grounding backdrop that helps transform homes into inviting sanctuaries. Teals and watery sage greens, like Still Water (HGSW6223) and Hazel (HGSW6471), have emerged as versatile hues that add a sense of calm through their connection to nature. Earthy rich tones such as Cordovan (HGSW6027) and Reddened Earth (HGSW6053) are gaining momentum as muted reds that feel rooted and grounded."
Trend #3: Homebody Wellness
Design: Francesca Grace; Photo | Gavin Cater
According to Zillow, the spa bathroom trend is still on the rise, with spa-inspired spaces up 22% and wellness-focused features like rainfall showers, deep soaking tubs, and heated floors are up 33%. Heated bathroom floors are GOALS!
Trend #4: Hollywood Cottage
Shade Degges for Studio Mountain
The Nancy Meyers aesthetic continues to shine in 2026 with a few fresh updates. In her trend forecast, designer Shea McGee dubs the look “Hollywood Cottage." It’s cozy yet sophisticated, blending comfort and polish in true Meyers fashion.
Trend #5: Pattern Drenching
Lula & Georgia
Pattern is here to stay — and lots of it — as seen in the modern bedroom collection by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu & Georgia. Drawing inspiration from the timeless tradition of drenching a room in a single print, Samuel gives the concept a fresh, contemporary twist perfect for today’s homes.
"Wallpaper has come a long way. This isn’t your grandmother’s floral wallpaper anymore. Today’s designs are stunning and offer such a wide range, for every taste and design," says Gil Walsh, principal at Gil Wash Interiors. "I love intricate hand-painted and embroidered silk and linen wallcoverings – they elevate a room to an entirely new level."
Trend #6: Wellness Spaces
Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash
Homeowners are also transforming their backyards and spare rooms into personal fitness zones — from pickleball courts and batting cages to yoga studios and basketball courts.
WHAT'S OUT
Waterfall Kitchen Islands
Photo by Pixabay
"As for a trend that I think could go: waterfall countertops and islands have run their course," says Walsh. "This overused design is ready to retire. We’ve seen it in nearly every builder-grade home for years."
Stark Rooms
Photo by Jean van der Meulen
Stark white spaces that feel cold, flat, and overly sterile are definitely out. Designers are moving away from these ultra minimalist rooms in favor of warmer, more layered palettes that feel lived-in and personal. The problem with an all-white bath or kitchen? It lacks depth and character — the blank-canvas look just doesn’t cut it anymore. Expect to see richer materials, natural textures, and nuanced color stories replacing the stark whites of the past.
Flat Walls
Flat dry wall is starting to feel lifeless next to the movement and character that plaster and limewash bring. Whether it’s Venetian plaster, troweled clay, or even fabric wall coverings, the trend is all about creating walls that feel hand-touched and storied rather than flat and forgettable.
Recessed Lighting
Those big open spaces with recessed lighting? Gone. We’re heading back to old-world charm with intimate rooms and layered lighting that bring warmth, personality, and flavor to every corner.
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