Given that Americans are into retro and grandmacore designs, it’s no surprise that the hottest new trend is about combining history with modern style. Modern heritage is set to be the reigning design style of 2026, according to several designers.
Modern heritage design is characterized by natural materials such as solid wood, brick and stone, as well as muted color palettes that feel timeless and calming. It includes antiques and vintage furniture, but also believes in the functionality of modern design with functional features. Modern heritage also emphasizes well-made furniture that is designed to last.
To learn more about what homeowners really want in their spaces, we asked 15+ professional designers what type of interior design will be most popular in 2026, and most had the exact same answer. People are looking for places that respect the past but still embrace the modern way of living.
Designers Barry and Jordan of The Brownstone Boys even coined a name for the new style: Modern Heritage. “Think reclaimed wood paired with a contemporary sofa, or antique lamps next to playful wallpaper. People are looking for spaces that feel rooted in history but live today—designs that feel personal and durable,” say Barry and Jordan.
First, we discuss what modern heritage is, why it’s so popular, and tips on how to participate, all from interior designers who have seen this new trend come to life.
What is Modern Heritage?
As mentioned above, modern heritage combines the old and the new for a personal, collected space. “It’s all about honoring the past while designing the way people actually live today. It’s a balance of preservation and play, keeping the architectural spirit of the space intact but covering it with contemporary comfort, vivid color and personality,” says The Brownstone Boys.
And Barry and Jordan aren’t the only ones who have noticed this trend lately. Other designers agree. Designer Betty Ann Gilrain of Betty Ann Gilrain Studio says the trend has been around for a long time, but now, homeowners have easy access to the heritage pieces they need to pull off.
“It’s been a throwback trend for decades! Partly because of the love of many different types of designs and not wanting to be confined to just one, but also because there are more ways to present vintage and vintage pieces than ever before online and with retailers like 1st Dibs and Chairish,” says Gilrain.
For designer Maryline Damour of Damour Drake, modern heritage encourages homeowners to create a home that doesn’t look like anyone else’s—a personal space that tells their own story.
“As an interior designer, it’s exciting to see many artists creating these unique pieces, whether it’s furniture, ceramics, or lighting. I think this isn’t just a trend; it’s a creative approach that connects people with their environment and reflects who they are at home,” says Damour.
How to Get Involved
According to designers, today’s heritage is a style with real staying power. “After many years of minimalism and “one look”, people want to celebrate imperfection, crafts and history again. Modern heritage is not about repeating the past, it is about moving it forward. Because of that flexibility and emotional connection, we believe that it will always be there,” says The Brownstone Boys.
Fortunately, there are many ways to get involved if you’re new to modern heritage. Check out any heirlooms that have been passed down to you, take a trip to the thrift store, or just get to know the places in your home that tell a story. Here are a few tips from professional startup developers.
✔️ Keep the main features: “Keep the trim, moldings or tiles that tell the story of your home and let them be the foundation of your design,” say Barry and Jordan.
✔️ Rely on what you have: “I love that my grandmother’s floor lamp was given to me, at first it felt out of place until I added a nice shade,” says Gilrain.
✔️ Layer thoughtfully: ” Combine an antique mirror with a modern light, or a simple sofa with antique prints. It’s about balance, not uniformity,” says Barry and Jordan.
✔️ Add color and pattern with confidence: “Rich, unexpected hues (like green or oxblood) and statement wallpaper bring warmth and depth that make a space feel lived in, not just decorated,” say Barry and Jordan.
✔️ Search Facebook and Etsy Markets: They are both old and new treasures. However, you have to be willing to dig in,” says Gilrain.
Laura Millar (she) is the assistant editor of the life of Good Family Carewhere he covers local planning. Before mixing Good Family Care in 2024, he wrote for NBC’s TODAY.comwhere he talked about everything from entertainment to pop culture trends.
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