Last year was intense. Emotions ran high, life moved fast, and honestly, a lot happened all at once. Design was no exception. Looking back now, some things absolutely deserve a seat at the 2026 table. Others? Time to let them go. Here are the 2026 interior design trends I’m bringing forward, and everything I’m leaving behind as we step into the new year.
2026 Interior Design Trends: What We’re Bringing Forward
Character-Building Contrasts
The magic happens when opposites meet. Old furniture next to new pieces. Smooth surfaces against textured ones. Striking patterns on neutral backgrounds.
This is how your home develops real personality. Contrast gives depth and interest to every room. In 2026, we’re leaning into these tensions rather than avoiding them.
Think about pairing a sleek modern sofa with a vintage Moroccan rug. Or placing contemporary art above an antique console table. The clash is the point.
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Color is Doubling Down
All-neutral spaces, you’ve had your moment. Pops of color are officially back.
We’re talking everything from subtle accent walls to full-blown maximalist rooms. This year arrives with confidence and vibrancy. Bold blues, rich terracottas, deep greens—these 2026 interior design trends are about expressing joy through color.
Start with a single rust-colored throw pillow or a cobalt blue vase on your coffee table. You’ll be surprised how quickly you crave more.
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Unusual Materials Bring the Fun
Cork stools. Metal dining chairs. Beaded lampshades. The 2026 interior design trends are all about playful, unexpected materials.
Why stick with the same wood and fabric combinations everyone else has? Explore what metalwork can do. Look at how beads illuminate the room. Consider what handwoven sisal might bring to your floor.
African artisans have been working with unconventional materials for centuries. Sisal work from the East. Intricate metalwork from North African smiths. Beadwork from the South. These crafts have proven time and time again that unusual materials create unforgettable pieces.
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Statement Lighting Continues the Heavy Lifting
Statement fixtures aren’t going anywhere. But we’re expanding beyond just chandeliers and pendant lamps.
Sculptural floor lamps. Table lamps with personality. And my personal favorite: statement sconces that turn ordinary hallways into gallery spaces.
Good fixtures are art that double as lighting, not the other way round. A sculptural floor lamp turns a forgotten corner into the spot everyone gravitates toward. A pair of wild sconces makes your entryway more interesting than the main rooms.
Lighting is the secret weapon. Use it.
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Art Deserves More Space
Art has never been out of style. Yet so many homes still lack it.
Support small artists. Buy from local galleries. Invest in a piece from a renowned creator. Better yet, frame your own work. You will never regret having more art in your home.
Start by looking around your space:
- Entryways or hallways that are missing something
- Living rooms and dining rooms that need focal points
- Home offices craving a more inspiring feel
- Bathrooms (yes, bathrooms!) that could use character
Choose one wall or shelf. Measure the dimensions. Then hunt for the perfect piece whenever you visit galleries or art events. Building a collection takes time, and that’s exactly as it should be.
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2026 Interior Design Trends: What We’re Leaving Behind
Ultra Modernism Without Soul
Modern on modern doesn’t work anymore. Spaces need heritage pieces that interrupt the sleekness. That’s what brings character.
Modern furniture is fine. Great, even. But not when it’s the only thing in your room. Mix in a vintage piece. Add an antique mirror. Place a sculpted Yoruba panel on that minimalist shelf.
These interruptions are what make a space feel collected rather than catalog-ordered.
Color Drenching Fades Out
Color is back, but I’ve personally outgrown color drenching. If you love it, no judgment. But I’m entering my color diversification era.
Out with rooms painted entirely in one shade. In with varied, interesting accent colors. The 2026 interior design trends lean toward are more dynamic. More layered.
Instead of painting everything sage green, use sage on one wall. Then bring in ochre through textiles. Add warmth with wooden accents. Let colors converse rather than dominate.
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Neutral Minimalism Needs More Life
No more identical white-beige-wood minimalist interiors filling our feeds. The aesthetic has been done to death.
If you love neutrals, don’t create a neutral space with neutral decor. Bring striking pieces into the mix. An African mask with bold carved features. A textured ceramic vase with real presence.
If minimalism speaks to you, keep that approach. But texture is non-negotiable. Don’t fill every room with smooth woods and soft linens. Bring in materials that make you want to reach out and touch them. Woven wall hangings with their individual threads. Rough wooden bowls with tool marks still visible. Hand-carved stools that show the artisan’s hand.
Minimalism without texture is just boring. Add the texture.
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Uninteresting Rugs Get Replaced
Rugs have enormous weight. They ground your room and can take the entire space in an unexpected direction.
Got a plain room? A vibrant rug might be your easiest solution. In 2026, we’re swapping those beige and gray rugs for something with real interest.
Look for pieces with color. Seek out craftsmanship. A handwoven Berber rug from North Africa. A bold geometric kilim from Ethiopia. Something that’s made to be seen every time you walk into the room.
Your rug shouldn’t disappear into the background. Make it count.
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Big Box Store Decor Gets the Boot
Big box stores serve a purpose when furnishing on a budget. I get it. But they shouldn’t be your only source. And please, skip the big box store decor shelf entirely.
You know the one. The shelf filled with identical vases and photo frames straight from the catalog. Everywhere you look, the same mass-produced accessories.
Instead, visit flea markets. Shop secondhand online. Commission pieces from local artists. Buy directly from artisans when you travel.
Anything but the cookie-cutter decor. Your home deserves better.
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2026 Interior Design Trends Reflect Where We’ve Been
This past year taught us a lot. About what matters in our spaces. About what brings us joy versus what just fills emptiness.
2026 interior design trends aren’t about following rules. They’re about creating homes with depth, character, and real connection. Spaces that tell stories. Rooms that feel collected rather than bought.
Bring in those contrasts. Add that color. Fill your walls with art that moves you. And for the love of good design, replace that boring rug.
Your home is your sanctuary. Make sure it reflects the richness of life itself.
