Key Takeaways
Micro-trends such as the wavy look and oversized cloud sofas are going out of style.Other living room looks on the way out are matching sets and ultra-minimalist beige and white themes.Instead, designers are expecting warm, welcoming, rich, and cozy living room designs to trend in 2026.
Trend predictions for 2026 are starting to roll in, and now is the ideal time to think about redecorating your living room.
Knowing what’s going to be “in” can play a big role in deciding on which new furniture pieces and paint colors to invest in—but what’s on the way out can be just as important.
If you’re ready for a refresh but not sure where to focus your energy, the experts are here to share their takes on the living room trends going out of style next year (and what to replace them with, of course).
Meet the Expert
Alice Moszczynski is a New York-based interior designer at design software platform Planner 5D.
Kimberly Tosi is the principal interior designer at Gather Home Design.
Kathy Kuo is an interior designer, and the CEO and founder of design and decor company Kathy Kuo Home.
Wavy Decor
Credit:
Canart7 / Getty Images
Buying into micro-trends is an instant way to date a space, and the biggest culprit right now are those wavy and scalloped looks seen across sofas, tables, soft furnishings, and decor items all over socials.
“Nothing screams 2020s so far more than wavy furniture,” designer Kimberly Tosi says. “If you want to invest in one piece as an accent, great, but stick to classic shapes with straight backs or gradual curves that will get you years of mileage.”
Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!
Oversized Cloud Sofas
Credit:
gremlin / Getty Images
Much like the wavy furniture trend that’s taken our feeds by storm, we’ve all undoubtedly seen a plush, oversized white couch while scrolling.
“Those sprawling, cloud sectionals that dominated social media are starting to feel bulky and unrefined, and sometimes even look sloppy,” interior designer Alice Moszczynski says. “They overpower smaller spaces and prioritize size over structure, making living rooms look visually heavy.”
If you’re head over heels for the sculptural feel of a cloud sofa and want to get the look without overwhelming your living room layout, look for statement items you can pair with a more classic sofa, such as a love seat or coffee table.
White and Beige Color Palettes
Credit:
Oleksandr Shcherban / Getty Images
Although white and beige are both timeless tones to decorate with, our designers are getting tired of seeing them styled on their own and are craving more depth in color palettes.
“I think the overly beige, tone-on-tone quiet luxury look will finally lose steam; it reads as flat and lifeless, lacking contrast or personality,” Moszczynski says. “People are moving toward more expressive palettes that still feel sophisticated, but lived-in and human.”
If you can’t see yourself saying goodbye to neutrals, don’t worry. Our pros recommend pairing softer shades of beige and white with rich, earthy tones such as chocolate brown, olive green, rust, and clay—especially in cozy textures and materials like linen and velvet.
Ultra-Minimalism
Credit: Astronaut Images / Getty Images
On a similar note, our designers are ready to say goodbye to ultra-minimalistic furniture being used exclusively in living room spaces, and are hoping to see these pieces styled with more variety in 2026 and beyond.
“While I love modern, streamlined furnishings, I like them best as one part of a whole design, paired with curved silhouettes and traditional details,” interior designer Kathy Kuo says. “It’s the mix of both that really takes the design of a room to the next level.”
Matching Furniture Sets
Credit:
tulcarion / Getty Images
Although curating complementary furniture pieces and decor is the key to an effortlessly chic living room, Moszczynski believes that full-blown matching is a step too far, and have been making living rooms look outdated for years now.
“They make a space feel overly staged and rob it of individuality,” she says. “Instead, try eclectic layering by mixing vintage and contemporary pieces, combining materials like wood and metal and balancing structured and soft shapes.”
Non-Functional Design
Overall, the living room trends that our designers plan to leave behind in 2025 are those that have been taking the heart, coziness, and personality out of the room we gather, snuggle up, and socialize in the most.
“Living rooms shouldn’t act as show houses,” Kuo says. “While aesthetics are a part of the equation, enjoyment and functionality should always be major factors in the design process.”