The Top Interior Design Trends Experts Predict for 2026

At the top of this new year, it's evident that the design world continues to shift from cool to warm, minimalist to maximalist, neutral to color-filled. "If 2025 has been the year of rediscovering warmth and personality, then 2026 is shaping up to be the year we fully commit to it," says Ashley Rose Walsh, interior designer at Mojo Stumer Associates. "Two movements in particular are gaining remarkable momentum: a renewed reverence for authentic, naturally aging materials, and the rise of fully immersive, color-saturated environments."

Here are the top 10 trends design industry experts say we can expect to see this year.

1. The "Cocoon" Bedroom

Bedrooms are getting a cozy, chic update in 2026 with the "cocoon" trend. "Think padded, upholstered, and layered," says interior designer Zoë Feldman of Zoë Feldman Design. She says people are looking for intimacy and a reprieve from technology and stark minimalism, and the cocoon bedroom trend delivers a more soulful and comfortable atmosphere. Instead of the strict lines of hyper-modern design, Feldman says the trend gives way to softer, sculptural shapes.

"We're using pieces with curves, asymmetry, and evidence of the hand that made them," she says. "Silk, mohair, and washed linen add depth and tactility, softening acoustics and giving the room a quietly tailored finish." Use enveloping headboards and upholstered wall panels to create a sense of calm and intimacy in a bedroom.

2. Metals that Age Beautifully

"The quiet return of unlacquered brass marks a broader shift in the industry, one that embraces imperfection as a form of beauty," Walsh says. She shares that homeowners are no longer seeking finishes that look pristine forever. Instead, 2026 will be all about materials that gracefully evolve over time.

"Unlacquered brass, aged bronze, hand-rubbed metals, and even unfinished woods all fall into this new wave of honest, expressive materiality," Walsh adds. The good news is, this design trend is easy to incorporate into your space and doesn't require a full renovation; "A simple switch to brass cabinet knobs or a faucet can add depth and warmth—its patina will naturally develop, adding character without any effort."

3. Natural Wall Treatments

As for 2026 wall treatment trends, natural materials will be at the forefront, says Elliot March, architect and founding partner of March and White Design. "We are seeing growing demand and interest in natural materials—raw woods, organic fabrics, and the like." March shares that there is growing priority and education around low VOC wall treatments and paint, which he says are better for both the home's resident's health and the planet.

4. Patterned Textiles

Patterned textiles with provenance are something Feldman says we'll be seeing on things like drapery and canopies in 2026. "These patterns bring soul, story, and longevity to the room; they never feel manufactured," Feldman explains. She suggests incorporating block prints, hand-loomed stripes, and antique-inspired florals to channel the trend and mixing the scales of the patterns to add visual rhythm without chaos.

5. Curated Maximalism

After years of stark minimalism dominating design trends, 2026 is embracing the "more is more" mantra of maximalism. "Expect layered textures, patterns, bold colors, vintage heirlooms, collected art, and sculptural furniture that tell a personal story," says interior designer Marianne Jones of Marianne Jones.

Jones adds that this "curated maximalism" trend is fueled by post-pandemic fatigue with minimalism; people are craving self-expression and want unique homes that feel lived in. "Curated maximalism can be achieved through millwork, the accumulation of unique one-of-a-kind pieces, vintage or antique, the use of layered textures and patterns in fabrics, pillows, upholstery and trims," Jones says.

6. Hospitality-Inspired Design

March, whose global studios design residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces, says home design is taking cues from hotels. "We are seeing greater fluidity and interest in hospitality design, with residential design transforming to incorporate more hospitality elements—after all, who wouldn’t want to live in a hotel, with all the services and amenities that elevate the magic in everyday living," he says.

7. Layered Interiors

"For 2026, people want richer, layered interiors that exemplify quality and character," says Maria Viola-Kuttruff, interior designer at Viola Interior Design. Her take is that people are realizing this approach to design better stands the test of time. "In five or ten years, it's still going to look as good as it does today," the designer says. She expects we'll see warm neutrals used as base layers, color and dimension will be brought in through furniture and window treatments, and foliage patterns will replace geometric prints for timeless, layered spaces.

8. The "Fifth Wall" Trend

"Another trend gaining momentum is treating the ceiling as the 'fifth wall', using textured or patterned wallpaper or paint in contrasting colors to add dimension and surprise," says Jasmin Reese, founder and creative director of Jasmin Reese Interiors. It's a great way to create an unexpected design moment and add visual interest without overwhelming a room. "To try the 'fifth wall' trend, experiment with wallpaper or paint on the ceiling; This transformation requires little effort but dramatically elevates the room’s ambiance," Reese says.

9. Cozy Color-Drenching

Designers say color-drenching, which is extending a paint color from walls to trim to ceilings, isn't going anywhere in the new year. "Saturated blues, aubergine purples, deep greens, and burnt spice tones are creating rooms that feel cocooning, cinematic, and deeply personal," Walsh says. The designer believes it's no longer just about choosing a paint color; it's about creating an atmosphere.

"Color-drenching can start in a contained space: a bedroom, a study, or even an entryway," Walsh suggests. She recommends choosing a hue that speaks to your personality, then pairing it with textured finishes like limewash, clay-based paints, or raw woods for an elevated and layered effect that feels custom and timeless. "Together, these trends reflect a wider cultural desire for spaces that feel soulful, warm, and intentionally crafted," Walsh says.

10. Celebrating Craftsmanship

2026 will celebrate tactile, natural, and artisanal materials: "Tactile finishes such as limewash or Venetian plaster walls, woven naturals, reclaimed wood, raw silks, leather, and irregular organic forms," Jones says. The designer notes pieces with a patina will continue to rise in popularity as well as traceable, low-impact materials like recycled textiles or artisanal ceramics. "This is a direct reaction to fast furniture and flat surfaces, people are wanting spaces that feel alive and age gracefully," Jones shares.