{"id":355737,"date":"2025-12-18T08:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T08:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/355737\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T08:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T08:38:24","slug":"the-decorating-trends-designers-are-leaving-behind-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/355737\/","title":{"rendered":"The Decorating Trends Designers Are Leaving Behind in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sign Up for Domino\u2019s Newsletter<\/p>\n

Your daily dose of home tours, design news, and style inspiration.<\/p>\n

\"bluePhotography by Aim\u00e9e Mazzenga; Design by Lauren Stern <\/p>\n

The end of the year is a natural time to reflect\u2026 and for us, that means taking stock of the best and worst trends. We saw fashion influence interiors more than ever, with a refocus on \u201cquiet luxury\u201d and loud, preppy patterns and colors, meaning people were either declaring allegiance to minimalism or maximalism. We all color-drenched rooms with abandon and if Japandi wasn\u2019t on your radar before, it probably is now. But how do interior designers feel about it all? They have thoughts, that\u2019s for sure. We tapped a mix of emerging and veteran designers for a quick pulse check. Keep reading for their fresh thoughts on what they\u2019re ready to see retired in 2025 and what the new year ahead will bring.<\/p>\n

Out: Unexpected Red Theory<\/p>\n

In: Unexpected\u2026 Hot Pink Theory<\/p>\n

\"pinkPhotography by Amanda Archibald; Styling and Design by Surrounded By Color <\/p>\n

A pop of hot pink can go a long way in decorating, we love this color as it is somehow softer than red while still giving your space the same unexpected pop. Hot pink can instantly make any space fun, bright, and cheery, without leaning too feminine, \u00e0 la Casa Barragan. The color can easily be brought into almost any maximalist or minimalist space through a table cloth, painted wall, piece of furniture, or even a floral. \u2014Robin Heller, cofounder of Surrounded by Color<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Generic, big-box-store art<\/p>\n

In: Works that are personal<\/p>\n

\"greenPhotography by Aaron Bengochea;\u00a0Styling by Randi Brookman Harris<\/a> <\/p>\n

Investing in art is essential to sustaining creativity, history, and culture. There are artists and meaningful works available at many price points like vintage and original prints and if you can\u2019t buy it, make it. Buy what you love, art should feel personal and intentional. \u2014Delia Kenza, founder of Delia Kenza Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Low-profile beds<\/p>\n

In: Beds that bring the drama<\/p>\n

\"fourPhotography by Tim Lenz<\/a> <\/p>\n

The pendulum has been swinging a bit more traditional and maximal, and I love a statement four poster bed, with or without a canopy.\u00a0 They can add height, create a sense of a room-within-a-room, and envelop you to give a real sense of escape. And though it is a classic idea, don\u2019t rule it out if your taste leans modern; these days there are options to suit any style. \u2014Heather Peterson, founder of Heather Peterson Design<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Impersonal decor<\/p>\n

In: Collected treasures<\/p>\n

\"livingPhotography by Judith Kostroski; Styling by Carrie Valentine; Design by Oho Interiors <\/p>\n

Embrace the personal! Displaying things like collections or family heirlooms make a house feel like a home. We especially love showcasing things like homeowners\u2019 travel souvenirs. \u2014Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Chasing a finished product<\/p>\n

In: Embracing the process<\/p>\n

\"coffeePhotography by David Mitchell; Design by Methods of Assembly <\/p>\n

People are craving patience, slowness, and a renewed engagement with the design process as a reward in itself. I think the shift is allowing a space to unfold with intention, rather than trying to replicate a fully realized look overnight. Spend time wandering through art fairs and vintage markets; connect with curators and artists who speak to you. Allow your home to evolve through these small, instinctive encounters. \u2014Omar Aqeel, founder of Methods of Assembly Studio<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Squishy sectionals<\/p>\n

In: Tailored sofas and daybeds<\/p>\n

\"\"Photography by Austin Leis; Design by Emily Thurman <\/p>\n

\"\"Photography by Austin Leis; Design by Emily Thurman <\/p>\n

Not every living room needs to be read as a laid-back lounge. The all-sectional era has tipped too far into casual territory. Designers are craving the return of the sitting room\u2014a space anchored by more formal silhouettes, intentional pairings, and actual conversation zones. A refined\u2014and sorely missed\u2014alternative to the ubiquitous sectional [is the daybed]. Paired with a sofa, a daybed introduces instant elegance and creates more dynamic seating arrangements. \u2014Emily Thurman, founder of Emily Thurman Interior Design<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Boring en-suites<\/p>\n

In: Primary bathrooms with pizzazz<\/p>\n

\"wallpaperedPhotography by Emma Lewis<\/a> <\/p>\n

Even in homes where color and pattern are experimented with, we usually find that primary bathrooms are kept neutral. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s because \u201cpermanent\u201d fixtures like vanities, tiles, walls and flooring have largely been thought of as things that should remain neutral and therefore \u201csafe\u201d, but we\u2019re ready to be inspired by bold, unique, one-of-a-kind bathrooms that reflect the personality and likings of the homeowners. So bring on the wallpaper, the painted ceilings, the creative vanities, and vivid rugs\u2026 it\u2019s time! \u2014Isabel Ladd, founder of Isabel Ladd Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Perfectly matched wood finishes<\/p>\n

In: Layered and collected natural tones<\/p>\n

\"neutralPhotography by Sean Litchfield; Design by Vivian Shao Chen <\/p>\n

One of my most commonly asked questions is, \u2018Will that wood finish look ok with that wood finish?\u2019 My response is always to look for a natural palette that incorporates many different wood finishes so that they can all blend together. I find that when everything matches perfectly, it feels forced and unnatural. In this room, we mixed an antique tansu chest, a new custom white oak coffee table, and a reclaimed pine sofa console. The various frames on the gallery wall are yet another layer that add so much warmth to the room. \u2014Vivian Shao Chen, founder of Vivian Shao Chen Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Unlacquered brass<\/p>\n

In: Tarnished silver<\/p>\n

\"kitchenPhotography by Kirsten Francis; Design by Jesse Parris-Lamb<\/a> <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all seen unlacquered brass, but tarnished silver is fresh, and so sharp when paired with deep chocolate brown. Also in: mixing materials. I prefer that every finish in a kitchen doesn\u2019t match. Let a stainless steel refrigerator sit beside a vintage brass sconce. This makes a space feel collected, real and soulful. \u2014Lauren Stern, founder of Lauren Stern Design<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Just cooking in your kitchen<\/p>\n

In: Making it a space to spend time in<\/p>\n

\"greenPhotography by\u00a0Olenka Kotyk<\/a> <\/p>\n

People want to lounge more in their kitchens\u2014and not just on a classic banquette or in a nook, but on extra-deep seating like a pair of lounge chairs in front of a fireplace. Lean in and make it liveable and cozy. \u2014Anne McDonald, founder of Anne McDonald Design<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Accent walls<\/p>\n

In: Color-drenching everything<\/p>\n

\"redPhotography by Ethan Herrington<\/a> <\/p>\n

I am hoping 2026 is the year we kindly retire the accent wall. Instead, I\u2019m leaning into color drenching. Painting everything\u2014the walls, ceiling, doors and moldings all the same color. It makes a room instantly feel warm and playful without trying too hard. \u2014Merissa Haas, founder of Studio M.Haas<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Mass-produced acrylic<\/p>\n

In: Surfaces with an artist\u2019s touch<\/p>\n

\"greenPhotography by Tim Lenz, Styling by Mariana Marcki-Matos<\/a> <\/p>\n

While there\u2019s a time and a place for Kartell and that type of design, we\u2019re in a moment where an artist\u2019s touch really helps warm up a room. Think bubble glass, art glass, seeded and ribbed glass furniture. We\u2019re pulling lots of furniture and lighting that feel more special and less one-note. There\u2019s perfection in imperfection. \u2014Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director at Mazzarini & Co.<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Matching hardware<\/p>\n

In: Knobs and pulls that suit that cabinet<\/p>\n

\"yellowPhotography by Daniel Peter<\/a> <\/p>\n

In a recent kitchen project, we used different hardware on the island from the perimeter and more knobs than pulls. We are looking for more ornate hardware that feels like an antique replica, with living finishes like bronze and unlacquered brass. \u2014Claire Staszak, owner and principal designer of Centered by Design<\/a><\/p>\n

Out: Perfection<\/p>\n

In: Ignoring your Instagram feed<\/p>\n

\"openPhotography by Alicia Waite<\/a> <\/p>\n

I hope we\u2019re moving away from the obsession with \u201cperfect\u201d spaces; homes that feel overly staged, overly coordinated, and so polished that there\u2019s no real life or soul in them. What I\u2019d rather see in 2026 are interiors that actually have a story. Pieces with personality, rooms that feel collected rather than curated, and materials that show their age and texture. \u2014Windsor Dalton, founder of Windsor Dalton Design<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sign Up for Domino\u2019s Newsletter Your daily dose of home tours, design news, and style inspiration. Photography by…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":355738,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[228,226,227,20142,229,88],"class_list":{"0":"post-355737","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-core-home","12":"tag-design","13":"tag-entertainment"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355737\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/355738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}