Decorating & Design
Our Designer Poll Reveals the Top Trends for 2026
Published on January 20, 2026
To kick off 2026, we polled the H&H 100 for the design trends and movements they’re betting on now. Whether it’s committing to a bold colour-drenched room or opting for this season’s patterned sofa, our curated panel of pros break down the year’s most coveted looks.
Art Deco Revival
More than 50% of the H&H 100 have set their sights on an Art Deco Revival for the year ahead. The shift signals a departure from “quiet luxury” towards a more expressive maximalism characterized by bold geometry, high contrast palettes and a decadent mix of lacquer, brass and rich woods.
Colour Drenching
In 2026, the “accent wall” is officially a thing of the past. 76% of our polled designers are opting for total immersion through colour drenching – a technique that wraps a room in a single, monochromatic shade from the floorboards to the crown moulding. Look for the palette to shift towards warm, soulful colours like mossy greens, deep ochres and richly pigmented browns.
The Warm Dark Wood Unfitted Kitchen
While no single trend dominates for kitchens in 2026, the consensus points toward a return to dark and mid-tone wood kitchens with a distinct “furniture-feeling” aesthetic. Designer Emilia Wisniewski calls for, “kitchens that don’t look like kitchens with dining tables or work tables in lieu of islands,” while Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio thinks, “wood kitchens are making a bold return with deeper, warmer tones while painted kitchens are shifting toward rich, earthy neutrals – marking a definitive move away from bright white.”
The Jewel Box Powder Room
In 2026, the powder room continues its reign as the home’s ultimate jewel box. 78% of designers indicate that the” it” look involves wrapping the room in rich wallpaper or textured plaster and anchoring the space with a statement sink like a sculptural stone basin or traditional skirted vanity.
Patterned and Skirted Sofas
The era of the ‘safe’ cream sofa is decidedly over. A resounding 83% of our experts predict that the sofa of 2026 will be a statement piece defined by bold patterns or drapery-inspired skirts and ruffles. This definitive pivot away from the traditional, neutral sofas proves that in the year ahead our anchor pieces are being asked to do more offering texture, colour and visual intrigue. As designer Elyssa Maldoff says, “Patterned and skirted – think your grandma’s sofa is getting a glow up!”
Wraparound Murals
Nearly 63% of the H&H 100 are doubling-down on large scale wallcoverings for 2026. But forget the singular wall of the past. Today’s designers are opting for total immersion. As designer Nyla Free notes, “I love them for all walls, not simply a feature wall.” This wraparound approach transforms a room into a fully immersive experience.
Classic Checkerboard Floors
Forget the ‘fads’; 65% of our pros consider the checkered floor a classic that belongs in the design hall of fame. Whether rendered in crisp black and white or more subtle hues, this pattern is popping up everywhere from mudrooms to kitchens. It’s the ultimate way to inject personality and a touch of Old World elegance to a home.
At Home Wellness Spaces
Say goodbye to the treadmill in the basement. For the H&H 100, 2026 is the year of the integrated wellness ecosystem. While the home gym remains the primary focus, recovery rooms like saunas, steam showers, cold plunge pools and meditation spaces are gaining traction.
Italian Murano Light Fixtures
The must-have fixture of 2026 is characterized by vintage or antique charm and sculptural silhouettes. Leading the aesthetic are Italian Murano Glass chandeliers mentioned by nearly 30% of our polled designers as the single most popular lighting trend of the year.
Colour, Pattern and Texture
Finally, we asked the H&H 100 designers what was on their wish list for interiors in 2026. The most frequently mentioned desire was a widespread embrace of rich and tactile elements with 46.6% calling for more colour, pattern and texture. An additional 22% of designers mentioned collected or layered spaces with a push towards quality and craft. As designer Aly Velji states,” I love how interiors are now being so richly layered with textiles. The focus is on decorating again, which to me has been missing in design for a while. Working with fabrics, details like piping, fringe, skirting, a play on patterns and mixing different patterns. It’s high time that decorating had a moment!”