Kathy Bates' Rich Living Room Colors Embrace the 'Old Money' Palette Set to Replace Classic Coastal Shades in 2026
Forget about navy and tan; this year, chic people are leaning into a much more cocooning alternative – as demonstrated in the actress's Los Angeles home
Browns are the most popular neutrals in 2026, and blues are always on-trend. However, the specific shades designers are coveting constantly shift. While coastal shades of navy and beige defined the early 2020s, this year, we're shifting towards richer tones of chocolate and teal.
For a masterclass in styling these gorgeous shades, look no further than the colors in Kathy Bates's Los Angeles living room.
The actress's space features bright turquoise shelves and a chocolate-brown sofa in the foreground. Adorned with a damask pattern and strewn with faux-fur pillows, the couch is full of texture, movement, and personality. Unlike the beachy personality of some blue-and-brown rooms, Kathy's space feels much richer and moodier.
The newfound popularity of Kathy's color pairing aligns with the larger shift towards cocooning, characterful spaces across the design world. So, to unpack the interior design trend, Homes & Gardens spoke with the experts. Using Kathy Bates' home as a jumping-off point, we will dive into why teal and chocolate are trending, what other movements it taps into, and how to decorate with the storied shades in your own home below.
Shop The Teal and Chocolate Edit
This set of two tasselled throw pillows is an easy way to integrate a touch of turquoise with some sophistication. They would look very stylish over a chocolate sofa for a rich and inviting contrast.
With its clean lines and rich dark-wood finish, this Italian mid-century coffee table brings depth to a quiet living space. The square top and rounded legs strike that perfect balance between sculptural and sharp, while the natural patina adds story.
We love the glazed finish on this teal vase – a simple yet effective way to add this hue to entryways, living rooms, or kitchens. The undulating curves bring something unique to any unexpected corner that needs a little TLC.
Textural and characterful, this striped pillow cover adds warmth without overwhelming a sofa. The mix of wool and cotton gives it a tactile, handwoven quality, while the earthy brown tones layer seamlessly with both vintage and contemporary pieces.
Ground a room with a dark teal rug. This one features a textured pattern detail and is available in a range of sizes to suit your space, so it looks just as good as it feels underfoot.
Delicate yet sturdy, this floral earthenware serving dish brings an instant sense of nostalgia to the home. The brown tone softens the intricate pattern, making it feel more modern than your Grandma's florals.
The rise of teal comes out of the perpetual popularity of blue; this tone is always easy to decorate with. However, as homeowners seek more characterful, individual spaces in 2026, they are turning to bolder iterations. Enter: the rise of teal.
Magdalena Gierasinksa, Design Expert at Barker and Stonehouse, explains: 'Consistently voted "the most trusted color," blue is a perennial favorite thanks to its timelessness, versatility and universal appeal. When used in interior decorating, sea blue shades have an ability to evoke feelings of peace and serenity. Blue feels equally soothing and refreshing, making it the perfect shade for creating a relaxing atmosphere in any room.
She continues: 'Whilst color trends come and go, the enduring popularity of blue is undisputed, so whether you choose a cornflower blue sofa or a teal vase, your piece will never go out of style.' The timelessness of Kathy Bates' living room look is a testament to the resilience of blue.
Chocolate brown has a similar history. Brown is always popular, but at a time when there is a stronger desire for comfort and emotional security at home, we turn to darker, cozier shades. This logic comes through in Kathy Bates's living room, which looks oh-so homey.
'Earthy tones are resonating because they instantly ground a space,' explains David Wilson Homes’ interior designer, Karl Openshaw of Blocc Interiors. He continues: 'After years of cool greys and stark minimalism, people are craving warmth, depth, and a sense of emotional security. Shades like plum, cocoa, and warm red tones feel familiar and comforting; they wrap a room in softness and depth.'
So, what's the best way to decorate with these inviting tones in your own home? Dark wood and teal accents are one of the easiest combinations.
New York-based interior designer Nina Lichtenstein states: 'Turquoise and natural wood are a match made in design heaven. The warm, earthy tones of wood complement the coolness of turquoise, grounding the color’s vibrancy and lending a more organic, inviting feel to the space.'
As classic coastal palettes fade, Kathy Bates shows how to replace these colors in your home with richer, more grounding shades. You can never go wrong with teal and chocolate.
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