6 Home Trends All Stylish Homes Will Have in 2026, According to Designers

Who doesn’t love playing a game of design “this or that”? As part of our annual State of Home Design survey for 2026, we asked 140 designers to choose their favorites among popular home trends. Below, we’re sharing their answers on their preferences for wallpaper, metal finishes, furniture shape, and more. These are the trends that will define the most stylish homes of 2026.

Curvy furniture isn’t falling to the wayside anytime soon, with 69 percent of designer respondents noting they prefer curves to clean-lined pieces. If you’re excited to embrace this trend but aren’t in the market for a new sofa at the moment, you could always try a shapely entryway table, nightstands, or a storage bench. But if you are looking to upgrade your living room, take note of this pretty space by designer Laurie Blumenfeld. I love how fresh the curvy pale blue sofa feels here.  

If you’re wondering whether to install a graphic patterned wallpaper or to use a wallpaper mural instead, make like 59 percent of designers and go all-in with an all-over print. Even if you’re a renter, you can find so many chic peel-and-stick wallpaper options these days. One benefit of patterned wallpaper is that it truly speaks for itself. You don’t then need to hang as many art pieces on the walls as you might otherwise. One look at this striking powder room by designer Sarah Swabb of Storie Collective, and that’s all the proof I need. 

When it came down to color drenching versus pattern drenching — two of home’s hottest trends — a whopping 66 percent of designers were more inclined to go the route of color. In case you’re unfamiliar with this term, it’s when the walls, ceiling, and trim are all painted in the same color to create an enveloping, immersive effect. The hue you go with is entirely up to you, but the result is super-transformative in both large rooms and smaller ones, as evidenced by this gorgeous office, also by Sara Swabb of Storie Collective.

Even though silver has popped up in recent trend reports from companies like Pinterest, brass substantially took the lead over chrome when we asked designers which finish they’re most partial to using. The 79 percent of designers who prefer brass will use it on everything from drawer pulls to lighting to faucets and beyond, just as you see in this gorgeous kitchen by designer Thayer Orelli of Thayer Woods interiors.

Just like last year, brunette wood (76 percent) once again took a commanding lead over blonde wood in Apartment Therapy’s polls. So whether you’re selecting cabinetry, flooring, or case goods, keep this in mind (but ultimately, you have to do you — given the expenses and labor involved, flooring and cabinetry in particular are elements that you’ll want to be happy with for years to come!). I, for one, would be very happy to cook in this moody kitchen by designer Courtney Batten of Paige Studio, though!

The maximalist aesthetic will reign supreme over the course of the coming year, pros say. Seventy-three percent of designers polled indicated that they prefer it over minimalism! Don’t mistake a maximalist space for a cluttered one, though. Maximalism is all about combining different colors, patterns, and accessories in a space, but thoughtful curation is still key. Keep this example by designer Mary Kathryn Wells in mind as you decorate your own space.