The calendar year might not be over just yet, but designers already have their sights set on what are going to be the biggest interior design trends for 2026. That’s because they’re already booking clients for January and beyond, so they’re ready to tackle those renovations and decorating projects with a batch of fresh ideas. Some of these looks are already popping up in homes, but designers are always refining their palettes, exploring new materials, and looking to the past to get creative in the present—and for the future.
If you’re wondering what to keep your eye out for in 2026, you’ve found the right list. These 8 home interior design trends are the ones to watch if you want to be ahead of the curve. On the whole, it’s shaping up to be another year of more maximalist interiors, as designers celebrate the return of color and pattern in a major way alongside charming architectural features and touches of traditional decor. Here’s what made our list of the top 2026 interior design trends.
1. Modern Countertops: Quartz, Composite & Bold Stone Surfaces
Stone slabs with colorful, prominent veining definitely make a statement, and you can expect more of that drama to unfold when it comes to countertops next year. Carrara marbles will always be classic, but homeowners are choosing creamier varieties with striking purple and rust accents that create a lot of visual movement in kitchens and bathrooms. You can really see the natural beauty in these stones on full display.
If you prefer more solid surfaces and composite stones for their low maintenance qualities, you’ll be happy to know those are trending, too—particularly quartz. Designers are embracing these materials for what they are though; you’ll find people installing quartz because they like the visually soft, quiet look of quartz (rather than installing a version that mimics marble, for instance).
If you want to go dark, consider soapstone. This moody natural stone can be easier to live with than marble but just as high-impact and maybe even more of a neutral in some cases, since its visual interest tends to come from its color versus its patterning.
2. Earthy Colors: Neutrals, Blues & Greens
Palettes have warmed up significantly over the past few years, and all of the color trend reports—and paint companies’ color of the year selections for 2026—point to zero signs of this warming trend slowing down.
For neutrals, this means you’ll see fewer cool, crisp whites being used. Instead, creams and taupes have gained a foothold. Black is also taking a backseat to chocolate brown with plum undertones and almost-black deep greens.
Don’t be mistaken, though; color isn’t just about white, brown, and black derivatives right now. Blue and green are enjoying a moment in the spotlight, too, thanks to their relation to the natural world. Think about it: Sages and olives reference the color of plant life, while blues are seen in the sky and the sea. Turquoise, the in-between blue and green shade, is also popping up as a popular shade again and is definitely a color family to watch.
3. Pattern Drenching: Florals, Verdure, and Stripes
Maybe you’ve heard of color drenching, where the walls, trim, and ceiling of a room are all painted in the same shade to create an enveloping effect. Well, next year, color isn’t the only design element that’s going to get used in this all-encompassing way. With the rise of maximalism, pattern-on-pattern room schemes will be dialing up the drama in bedrooms and bathrooms in particular. In many cases, it’s often the same print that’s getting repeated on the walls with wallpaper, on drapery fabric, and sometimes even on lampshades, bedding, or other upholstered pieces. The result? A bold pattern play that’s still visually soothing on some level, since there’s so much matching within a space.
Whether a pattern drenched look is for you or not, if you’re wondering what patterns you’ll see on repeat come the new year, you can expect some of the usual design darlings, including stripes, florals, and even striped floral combos. And keep your eyes on verdure prints. Tapestries have been popular art pieces as of late, and verdure’s tree-forward motifs and repeats reference that historical style. Expect tree prints to move onto walls, chairs, and sofas in the near future.
4. Statement Backsplashes: Zellige Tile, Marble & Patterned Surfaces
Backsplashes will be all about going big in 2026—big with seamless stone, big with patterned tile, and big with shine. There’s something for every style and budget, and a backsplash is a great place to go with a luxe material, since it’s generally a smaller surface than your countertops or floors. A little investment can go a long way here, and backsplashes can be a focal design element in any room where there’s a sink, including bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Love marble and other natural stones? Consider going with a seamless slab-style stone backsplash instead of a mosaic or tiled version. This suits a warm minimalist space, and the lack of grout lines creates a clean look.
For a more traditional-leaning backsplash that still makes a statement, Delft tile could be a striking alternative. These typically blue and white pictorial tiles first date back to the 17th century and have a distinctively vintage look, even when handmade by craftspeople today. They’re a charming addition to any kitchen, and you don’t even have to install them as your entire backsplash. They’re a perfect accent over a stove or behind a bathroom faucet.
The last type of tile that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon? Zellige. Originally made in Morocco by hand using age-old techniques, these glossy rectangles and squares can be a wonderful way to introduce an artisanal touch to an otherwise sterile-feeling space. They’re also a nice alternative where subway tile would be the default choice.
6. Sustainable Design: Eco-Friendly Materials & Finishes
Easy on the earth building materials and finishes are not only the responsible way to design, but they’re also seriously stylish. One hero eco-friendly material that’s coming on strong for 2026? Cork.
Used on the walls, ceiling, and bookcase of a living room at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in New York City, cork is tactile and has tons of warmth and visual variation. Cork wall coverings and flooring also connect an indoor space to the outside, considering that this material is made of bark from the cork tree. Even plain lighting and AC units can be wrapped in cork to make them look less utilitarian! The best part? Cork is a totally renewable resource, so it can be used liberally without worrying about it taxing the environment.
Cork is just one example of the eco-friendly materials gaining traction in homes. You’ll also find lots of interest in reclaimed woods for beams, furniture, and flooring as well as a slew of recycled materials like steel and cotton (ex: denim insulation). Eco-friendly paints and stains are great ways to try this trend on in small but still impactful ways. These products either emit low or zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so you can breathe easier in your all rooms and style enjoy color.
8. Warm Wood Cabinetry: White Oak and Natural Finishes
The cool all-white and millennial gray cook spaces that have dominated kitchen design for so long are finally waning in popularity. The newest neutrals for cabinets are much cozier (think: ivory, taupe, and greige). And many designers are skipping painted finishes altogether in favor of warm wood cabinetry.
These cabinets might remind you of the honey yellow and medium brown wood styles of the ‘90s, but these 2026 designs go against the grain, literally. White oak is dominating high-end kitchens right now, and designers are choosing stains that highlight the natural beauty of the knots and swirls of wood’s materiality.
Warm wood cabinetry pairs well with cooler colors like soft blues and sage greens for contrast. Or choose a creamy beige for a more harmonious, tonal look. No matter the palette, this type of cabinetry plays well with biophilic design and many different aesthetics, from minimalism and Scandinavian design to rustic or transitional interiors.
How Interior Design Trends Come Together with DesignShop
Every one of the interior design trends on this list can be recreated with a little bit of help from DesignShop. You can order paint, countertop, wallpaper, and tile samples that speak to each of these fresh ideas so you can try them on for size in your home before committing to them. Decorating is a process, but it should always start with seeing materials, patterns, and finishes in real life. Let DesignShop be your one-stop resource for all things decorating.