ELLE Decor has covered many trends this year. From the rise of “cluttercore” (which may be better than you think) to the revival of Art Deco in time for its 100th anniversary, 2025 was full of ideas about what was in style when it came to interior design. But by their very nature, trends come and go, so in honor of the new year, we asked top designers what they think will be in 2026. See what they had to say below.
The Modern Farmhouse Look
The oh-so-popular modern look offers comfort and convenience, combining modern lines with traditional, rustic styles. (Think reclaimed wood beams or shiplap walls.) However, this trend may have had its time. Having recently created a glossy, lilac-lined staircase and landing at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York, Cathy Purple Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects says the style is on its way out. “The modern farmhouse aesthetic is fading—and I’m relieved to see it continue,” she tells ELLE Decor. “A modern farmhouse I can would be great if done with real substance and thoughtful restraint, but unfortunately, this was rarely achieved. ”
Unforgettable Ruins
Rugs play an important role in bringing a room together. They can draw on the surrounding color scheme for added visual intrigue or, in the case of natural materials such as jute or sisal, create a neutral base for the decoration to take center stage. Atlanta-based designer Laura W. Jenkins chooses the former. “A few years ago and in projects going forward, I was really into patterned rugs or soft natural fibers,” she says. “While these solids and textures still have a place, consider using a patterned rug to bring out the colors and touches of your aesthetic. She points to a custom rug by Christopher Farr that she installed in a multi-colored dining room as a testament to the power.” good ground covers.
Great Built-Ins
Bespoke furniture was everywhere in 2025 – and it’s easy to see why. They add space (which is very important in many urban areas) and help keep your rooms clutter-free without being too cluttered. But developer Ariel Okin, who recently renovated a Brooklyn brownstone for a new family, says the tide is turning. “Recently we’ve been seeing consumers forgo a lot of built-ins in favor of vintage and vintage casepieces,” he tells ELLE Decor. “While there is still a mill plan, cutting back on some cases and instead using a piece with a patina for storage is a great trend we’ve seen lately.”
Assembling a Model
Designer Phillip Thomas of Phillip Thomas Inc. she is a master of masterful rooms with bright colors and furniture. Next year, however, he hopes that designers will move away from the maximalist look that has been around lately. “Combining the model must stay in 2025!” he tells ELLE Decor. “I like a well-made, well-organized period, but there must be a purpose in the composition of the pattern—parts, colors, fabrics—with elements that unite.” Otherwise, the resulting space may appear as visual clutter. “The goal should be to have spaces that feel like we’ve combined old elements with new elements for a collective feeling.”
White-Box Rooms
Don’t tell Pantone, but it looks like the company’s 2026 Color of the Year, an off-white color called Cloud Dancer, may not be generating excitement among interior designers. When asked what she hopes to leave behind by 2025, Sag Harbor developer Allison Babcock has a simple answer: “White rooms!” Indeed, although Babcock is known for beautiful beach interiors that often use neutral shades, he hopes that rooms with a lack of color will not be common in the coming year. “You can still have your Pantone ‘Cloud Dancer’ moment, but create a calmer atmosphere by putting different shades of your neutral color on the walls, trim and ceiling.” He also recommends adding “natural materials such as wood and stone as well as soft materials such as cashmere and wool – faux are fabrics – to create warmth in the white.”
Designer Melissa Bowers of MA Bowers, Inc. he agrees. His hope for next year? He says: “I want the design of 2026 to go beyond the white box towards a permanent, well-designed future. For him, Jenkins feels that the spaces without color have an unfinished feeling. He says: “I think there is a myth that color has to be all or nothing. “There are many ways to bring color into your home, whether it’s through art, a patterned rug, or even better, a colorful or patterned sofa.” I often hear clients say, “what if I get tired of it?”
Geoffrey Montes is an ELLE Decor associate editor with a deep love for all things real estate and design. Before that, he was working Architectural Digest, Galilee, and Conservation covering everything from jaw-dropping bands to world-renowned architects and design events such as Salone del Mobile and Homo Faber.
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