7 DESIGN TRENDS

TO WATCH FOR 2026

As we head into a new year, we’re seeing design and culture being shaped by a deeper pull toward individuality, craft, and intentional living. From a resurgence of retro motifs to a renewed passion for homestead couture, these ideas will influence how we dress, decorate, and design our lives—now and well into 2026.

1 GETTING THE BLUES

2026’s top contender marks a tonal shift from 2025’s color of the year, Mocha Mousse. Now, deep blues and teals are taking the lead. Cool yet rich, these hues evoke calm while still being bold. Jewel tones, electric purples, and pops of elemental cobalt blue are gaining ground in home and in fashion. Craving a more muted version? Go for a silvery gray or a eucalyptus hue—it's subtle but still moving with the current.

2 RETRO COLOR PAIRINGS

“Retro” can mean lots of things, so let us be specific. This trend is all about unexpected color pairings, ones we haven’t seen since the ’90s, ‘70s—or maybe, ever. Think burnt orange with yellow, baby blue with chocolate brown, or denim with brown leather

3 THE FARMER'S MARKET PALETTE

Feeling hungry? It might be the “farmer’s market palette” being served up across fashion and home decor. We’re seeing dill green, butter yellow (still thriving after its summer spotlight), and tomato reds—pairings that feel fresh but with a bit of retro inspo. These combos lean toward warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. These tones also serve up craft-forward quirk, rebel against sterile greys of the past, and touch on another strengthening trend: homestead couture.

4 HOMESTEAD COUTURE

In a digital-first world, homestead-inspired living is flourishing. Rooted in nostalgia and self-sufficiency, the aesthetic spans interiors, fashion, and food. Think handcrafted ceramics, heritage patterns and produce-as-decor that looks good enough to eat—like fresh strawberry or stonefruit centerpieces, and blueberry-shaped candles. New brands, from cult launches to more mainstream celebrity-backed lines, have embraced the look, though not always authentically. Soul wins over spin. If something feels too staged or saccharine, consumers will pass.

5 ANIMAL HOUSE

This season and beyond, self-expression takes the lead—and animal prints are on the move, prancing across fashion prints and home fabrics with fresh energy. While leopard, zebra, and snakeskin remain staples, Dalmatian is the one to watch; it’s graphic, modern, and surprisingly versatile. At home, animal style jumps out on cushions, accent chairs, and rugs. Pair these patterns with neutral tones and natural textures for a look that feels eclectic and grounded.

6 CRAFT CORE

Coastal and country-core influences reach a crescendo with a wave of richly textured, hand-touched designs. Pervasive across home decor and fashion accessories, this aesthetic leans into individuality (and sometimes, even imperfection). Passion for typography that looks like real handwriting, unique illustrations, and tactile design elements reflect a growing rejection of algorithm-driven, mass-produced, you-have-what-I-have sameness. Consumers are craving detail, texture, and pieces that feel one-of-a-kind—or at least one of a few.

7 SOLARPUNK

Part Burning Man ingenuity, part eco-conscious utopia, Solarpunk is the revved-up engine driving trends like Craft Core and Homestead Couture. Both a design and lifestyle movement, Solarpunk blends tenets like sustainability and true community with of-the-moment tech. In fashion, it's expressed in biodegradable fabrics like hemp and mycelium leather, repair-friendly construction, and nature-inspired motifs (yes, animal prints count). In home decor, this movement shows up as solar-integrated lighting, reclaimed wood furniture, and biophilic design. It prefers DIY over add-to-cart and longer-lasting designs over mass-produced waste. At its heart, Solarpunk is a hopeful, hands-on vision of the future. We can get on board with that