Though there will always be design trends to chase, at the end of the day, you have to remember to focus on your personal vision for your home. You can take inspiration from numerous sources, but you should never have to feel like you have to stay at the cutting edge of fashion. Comfort and personal style trump ever-changing trends.
According to House & Home, some of the biggest design trends and movements expected at the start of 2026 included the revival of Art Deco. In short, there was a move away from quiet luxury toward a “more expressive maximalism characterized by bold geometry, high-contrast palettes and a decadent mix of lacquer, brass and rich woods.”
#5 Painted My Upstairs Doors To Add Some Colour To A Very Gloomy January
Another design trend noticed at the start of 2026 was the move away from accent walls toward so-called color drenching. Put simply, color drenching is a technique that takes a single monochromatic shade (often warm and soulful colors) and paints the entire room in it.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, there’s a turn toward dark and mid-tone wood aesthetics. And checkerboard floors, a classic, are returning to different parts of the house.
House & Home notes that there’s also been a shift toward having an “integrated wellness system” in your home. In other words, a space dedicated to your well-being.
“While the home gym remains the primary focus, recovery rooms like saunas, steam showers, cold plunge pools, and meditation spaces are gaining traction.”
#11 My Bedroom (And Closeup Of Fully Custom Shelf I Built With My Dad!)
The Spruce also emphasizes the importance of using a uniform paint color in your home.
For example, interior designer Emilie Fournet suggested that you “paint your skirting boards the same color as your walls.”
This way, you cut back on visual clutter while increasing the perception of height of your walls.
#15 A Piece Designed To Honor The Place Husband And Wife Fell In Love, With Little Nods To Their Birthplaces
Meanwhile, interior designer Lisa Gilmore told The Spruce that you should focus on what you want and need right now, instead of worrying about reselling your property.
“I hear homeowners say ‘oh I love that, but if we ever sell, someone else might not like it,’ Don’t make decisions for the home you live in and love now for some fictional person of a future scenario. When people buy a home, they are likely going to want to put their own spin on it.”
#16 I Didn’t Take A “Before”, But Here’s The “After” Of My Little Powder Room Under The Stairs
Furthermore, designer Laura Brophy urges homeowners to design for their lifestyles.
“Every choice should reflect the way you move through your day—how you gather, unwind, work, and recharge. Once the function is defined, begin layering in beauty with intention: rich materials, thoughtful textures, and meaningful pieces that feel authentic and enduring.”
