Designers Agree: These 15 Home Trends Are Officially Out in 2026
1All-White Kitchens Joe Hendrickson//Getty Images“All-white kitchens are on their way out in 2026. Design is moving toward more layered, atmospheric spaces that embrace depth and warmth—think deep greens, inky blues, and soft taupes.” — Corinne Ekle, C2 Design2Scallop HeadboardsDeekens//Getty Images”Scallop-top beds will start to feel less relevant. Their playful, romantic profile suited the post-pandemic craving for softness, but the pendulum is swinging back toward tailored, architectural headboards with stronger lines and natural materials.” — Christopher Boutlier, Christopher Boutlier InteriorsAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below3Waterfall Kitchen Islandssheilasay//Getty Images”One design element we’re seeing phase out heading into 2026 is the waterfall island. While it once signaled a sleek, modern look, it’s become overdone and, depending on the material, can feel cold or one-dimensional. Today’s homeowners are looking for more warmth, personality, and visual interest in their spaces. We’re seeing a shift toward mixing materials like wood, metal, or natural stone to create depth and a more custom, personal feel. Ultimately, the heart of the home should reflect who you are—not just the latest trend.” — Colleen Lettich Hyde, ODE DesignRELATED: 10 Kitchen Design Upgrades Realtors Say Are Worth the Investment4Millennial GrayWestend61//Getty Images”Interiors are feeling more warm as people are abandoning the millennial gray era for warmer neutrals, saturated colors, and bolder design.” — Amber Guyton, Blessed Little BungalowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below5Oversized, Statement Pendants jodiejohnson//Getty Images”Lighting is becoming more refined: smaller, thoughtfully scaled fixtures that complement the room’s architecture and craftsmanship rather than overpower it.” — Corinne Ekle, C2 Design6Traditional Dining RoomsJoe Schmelzer//Getty Images”As hosting has become more relaxed and informal, the traditional dining room is getting less attention. Many clients now prioritize expanding their eat-in kitchen areas while finding new purposes for the formal dining room. The hyper-stylized dining room that once hosted just a few gatherings a year is evolving into something more useful—home offices, cozy movie rooms, or intimate libraries designed for adult entertaining and quiet moments in a busy household.” — Jamie Lyn Smith, Smith Home StudiosRELATED: 90 Gorgeous Dining Rooms Guaranteed to Strike up ConversationAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below7Understated CraftsmanshipJohn keeble//Getty Images”Understated craftsmanship is a thing of the past! We are hearing more and more requests for detailed woodwork. We are seeing a desire for “comfort” in homes and expect trends like ceiling treatments, paneling, and detailed crown molding to make a comeback. People miss having something that is tailored and unique to them versus the fatigue of every home looking the same and lacking character.” — Liz Fraser Wooten, Ashdown Studio8All-Neutral RoomsJohn keeble//Getty Images”We have noticed our 2026 clients craving more depth in colors and natural materials. Requests for crisp white walls and fabrics like bouclé are staying in the past! We expect to see a lot of limewash, stone tables, and fabrics with pattern in 2026.” — Liz Fraser Wooten, Ashdown StudioAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below9Modern Farmhouse StyleJoe Hendrickson//Getty Images”The modern farmhouse style will hopefully be officially out in 2026. Interiors and exteriors that are primarily in white and black are boring and look builder grade. Finishes and fixtures in black metal draw the eye to them, making them stand out as opposed to coordinate with the rest of the design elements in the home. The look doesn’t feel intentional. It feels lazy, and the result is a home that is beginning to look very dated.” — Liz Potarazu, LP & Co.10BoucléKristen Prahl//Getty Images”As for bouclé, it has been the darling of design for nearly a decade, but its ubiquity has dulled its impact. Designers are rediscovering depth through other tactile materials such as brushed wool, slub linen, and matte chenille that offer the same sense of comfort but with more dimension and less déjà vu.” — Christopher Boutlier, Christopher Boutlier InteriorsAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below11Minimalism Saiful Islam//Getty Images”Maximalism is back, and it’s here to stay. We’re seeing a bold embrace of color, pattern, and layered design and when done well, it creates a space that truly stands out. Clients are craving that balance; they want their homes to feel calm and livable, but they’re also not willing to sacrifice the ‘wow’ factor. Maximalism gives them permission to be expressive and personal — and that energy is resonating.” — Eleanor Tate Trepte, Dekay & Tate Interiors12Matching Wood TonesProCreators//Getty Images”We’re seeing more and more clients embrace the beauty of mixing wood tones throughout their homes, from architectural finishes to furniture pieces. In the past, many preferred a more uniform look, where floors, cabinets, and furniture all matched. Now, there’s a growing appreciation for a layered, more natural feel that brings warmth and depth to a space. Designers have embraced this for years, but I sense clients are catching up.” — Sierra Schmitt, S-SquaredAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below13Flat Drywall sheilasay//Getty Images”Textured walls and ceilings are defining the year. Flat drywall is giving way to plaster finishes, fluted details, and fabulous wallpapers and murals that add warmth and dimension.” — Rosa Stantiago Zimmerman, RSZ Design + Development14Catalog-Inspired RoomsJoe Hendrickson//Getty Images”Clients want homes that feel like them—not like a catalog or a showhouse, but like a reflection of their story. They’re asking for spaces that show confidence and a bit of restraint at the same time—rooms with personality, but not cluttered chaos.” — Cheryl Stauffer, Crimson Design GroupAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below15Café CurtainsWlad74//Getty Images”By 2026, a few beloved details will quietly step aside as interiors evolve toward cleaner lines and more authentic materials. Café curtains have had a long run, offering charm and privacy, but they tend to interrupt the architecture and break up natural light. The movement now is toward fuller, floor-length drapery or simple linen shades that feel intentional rather than nostalgic.” — Christopher Boutlier, Christopher Boutlier InteriorsMonique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”Watch Next Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowReaders Also ReadAdvertisement – Continue Reading BelowAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below More
