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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME!

Are you ready to give your home a fresh look?

In 2026, home design trends are shifting in some fun ways, leaning into warm, cozy, more personal spaces. Here are some ideas to get you started! For the past several years, the trend in home design has been toward pale colors, whites and grays, boxy shapes, giving homes a sleek, somewhat sterile look. The aesthetic has shifted from this stark minimalism to warmer, more personal spaces, with earthy color palettes, wood tones, lots of textures and curves (as opposed to hard lines)

Jewel-toned colors have come back…plum, jade, olive, forest green, deep blues.
Chocolate brown is the new neutral. These colors are being used not only in the paint color for walls, but also in fabrics chosen for upholstery, window dressings, bed canopies, in the rugs on our floors and the tiles for backsplashes.

For some, there is a return to more classic, heritage furniture – pieces that were built to last centuries and have history and a story. These pieces are being finished with fun, creative, even romantic upholstery fabric. These fabrics are also being used as bed canopies, skirted furniture, panels in cabinets, window dressings, adding movement and whimsy.

Curves are a big design element these days, balancing against the straight lines of
walls and room shapes. We see this design element in things like kidney-shaped sofas, rounded headboards, arched doorways, round dining tables and even rounded corners of countertops. Sculpture is being used in beautiful, artful lighting and also in pieces like lamps, side tables, and decorations. As popular as curves are, it’s important to maintain a balance between curves and straight lines, so as to not look too trendy.

Another big design shift is a move away from open concept spaces to defined rooms, giving an intimate and cozy ambience to your living areas. If your home already has large open rooms, you can create these spaces with rugs and furniture groupings. Personalize your room with vintage objects, personal art, heirlooms that have a history meaningful to you, texture. All of these things add warmth and story to your home.

Speaking of texture, textiles are making a big comeback. Have fun with wall hangings, such as quilts and tapestries. You can find wall treatments that have color and texture to them. Use bright and colorful textures in throw pillows. Don’t be afraid to mix up style elements to add some playfulness in your decor.

Another lovely trend is hand painted details. Instead of wallpaper, consider a wall mural that will create a definite mood for that space. Have fun with hand painted designs on furniture, such as a yard-sale side table. With visible brush strokes, these hand paintings add a distinct and personal touch, as well as texture, to your rooms.

 

Lastly, if you have the room and the interest, a library in your home, with a dedicated reading and study space, preferably a bit unplugged from devices, could be very fulfilling. Creating this quieter environment for reading, writing and reflection encourages slowing down for some personal enrichment. You don’t even need an entire room. Having a comfortable reading nook will provide many hours of quiet pleasure for your whole family.

Of course, you needn’t pay any attention to trends and design suggestions. You should create the home you want and have fun with your own personal stamp and tastes.