Decorating & Design
The Decorating Trends We’re Most Excited About This Year
Updated on March 9, 2026
Every year, we predict the biggest decorating trends for the year ahead. See what’s hot for 2026!
1. Interior Windows
Open-concept floor plans aren’t going anywhere but, in some cases, it’s nice to have boundaries. Quebec designer Audrée Kemp Bélanger advocates for glass enclosed pantries instead of traditional drywall for her clients. Glass allows light to travel through space, but it also provides privacy when required.
In a living and dining room by Milan architectural design firm Valencia Biscottini, blue iron doors with interior windows are striking with their strong vertical lines and symmetrical curves.
2. Art Deco Revival
Get ready for the return of bold geometrics, glam lacquered and mirrored finishes, burled-wood and cool metals including chrome and stainless steel — all are hallmarks of the decadent Art Deco era. Consider this trend a luxe antidote to the minimalist, neutral interiors of recent years.
1. Swanson Scallop fabric in Olive, pricing upon request. Schumacher. 2. Burled-wood vanity by Pierce & Ward, $2,549. West Elm. 3. Small Orsay Single sconce in Polished Nickel by Paloma Contreras for Visual Comfort. $845. Elte. 4. Nathalie Barrel-back armchair in Sienna Finish and Camby Spice Fabric. $3,220. Ethan Allen. 5. Mak rug in Avorio + Oxblood by Athena Calderone. From $900. Beni.
3. Slow Decorating
It’s not always easy to pump the brakes on impulsive purchases, but slow decorating encourages a mindful accumulation that prioritizes patience, sustainability and intentionality. Designers are noticing clients gravitating toward antiques or artisan-made items that tell a personal story instead of big-box purchases. “
We began an extensive search for special pieces and antiques to make sure every element was right,” says Les Ensembliers’ principal designer Richard Ouellette of this Montreal home. “It was an undertaking to rework the layout and create a flow, and make it feel as if it was always like this from the beginning.”
4. Patterned Sofas
“Your grandma’s sofa is getting a glow-up!” says designer Elyssa Maldoff of Design State. For decades, design pros cautioned clients about committing to a patterned sofa but, oh, how the tide has turned. Buy one off the shelf or use your own fabric and reupholster an existing piece. “The classic cream sofa is taking a break, and bold patterns, graphic motifs and timeless checks are stepping in,” says Canadian-born designer Amanda L. Hoyle, who is now based in London, U.K. “Used thoughtfully, they bring personality and turn the sofa into a standout design moment.”
1. Etre sofa in Lotus Flower Fabric in Multi. $4,999.CB2. 2. Modern sofa in Claremont Tree of Life Fabric. $6,800. Nickey Kehoe. 3.80″ Emmy sofa in Well by Egg Collective. $13,700. Design Within Reach.
5. The Return of Mid-Tone Wood
There’s been a shift from airy white oak toward darker options such as walnut, white ash, teak, cherry or even elm. Mid-tone woods anchor strong patterns and pair well with crisp whites, moody blacks, stone and soft textiles, resulting in layered interiors with an inherent cosiness.
6. Wireless Rechargeable Lighting
The wireless lighting category is coming in hot, whether it’s a high-end offering or budget-friendly find. That same technology is being applied to sconces and floor lamps, freeing up homeowners to place a lamp anywhere in a room without requiring an outlet or an unsightly cord snaking across a table or down the wall.
1. Wireless pendant kit and 14″ Straight Empire lampshade for Cordless Lamps in Printed Linen Ikat Fabric in Heraldic.$190. Pooky. 2. 21″ Lucia Cordless sconce in Celadon by Julie Neill for Visual Comfort.$947. Union Lighting Montreal. 3. Medium Nevis Rechargeable floor lamp in Black by Sean Lavin for Visual Comfort. $477. Robinson Lighting & Bath.4. 13″ Jeanne Wicker cordless accent lamp by Aerin. $429. Visual Comfort. 5. Nödmast LED table lamp.$20. Ikea.
7. Bedscaping
The bed has evolved into an opportunity for personal expression with the use of thoughtfully layered textures, ruffled shams, patterns and colours. Try using the linens as a jumping-off point, add a contrasting textural coverlet as a foil for an upholstered headboard, then fold in punchy pillows for a rich, layered look. “I addition to sleeping pillows, I love styling the bed with one longlumbar pillow,” says designer Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio. “It adds a luxe, tailored look without overcomplicating the everyday.”
8. Painted Pools
A swimming pool is a blank canvas for Vancouver artist and industrial designer Zoë Pawlak, who’s experienced an uptick in requests for custom-painted pools. “It’s unique to have an immersive piece of art that people experience with their bodies,” she says. Zoë creates the design by digitally printing custom tiles or hand-painting concrete, and takes water into account, as the colours change according to its depth. “We’re seeing more bravery in design; people have the courage to actualize their taste and values, and artists are benefitting.”
9. Pattern Drenching
The next logical evolution of colour drenching? Taking the trend beyond paint. Enveloping a room in one pattern conjures drama, depth and texture to make a space feel intentional and immersive.
10. Well-Designed Wellness
Home saunas, cold plunge tubs, meditation sets and weights are becoming elevated and attractive enough to be displayed in home spas and gyms. “Wellness is the new luxury; clients are asking for saunas, steam showers and backyard pools,” says Elyssa Maldoff of Design State. “The focus is on feeling calm and including things in the home that make you happy.”
1. A sleek sauna by Simone Ferkul Projects is accented by LED lighting. 2. The Original Meditation cushion and mat set in Clay. $451. Walden. 3. Prestige cold plunge tub in Black. $7,999. Nordik Recovery. 4.The Stakt weights in Midnight. $171. Stakt.
Francesca Ióvene (feature)
House & Home
Valencia Biscottini