Redecorating Your Living Room in 2026? These Are the Trends Designers Want to See You Use in the New Year

While not every home needs a refresh with each new wave of interior design trends, keeping an eye on where things are heading can really help get your creative juices flowing.

As designers look ahead to 2026, the emphasis for living room trends is less on fleeting fads and more on comfort, characterful details, layered materials, and a sense of personality that feels both curated yet lived-in. There's a renewed appreciation for imperfection and a growing confidence for decorating boldly in the year to come. Sound exciting? We think so.

So, whether you're looking for some ways to update your dated space, a total overhaul, or just simply after some inspiration, here are the ten trends set to define living rooms in 2026.

11 Living Room Trends 2026

From characterful pattern trends (it's set to be a print-heavy year!) to moody living room color schemes and playful furniture trends, these are the looks set to define living rooms in 2026 – and inspire spaces that feel warm, expressive, and entirely on trend.

1. Tapestry Print

Decorating with tapestries is nothing new. In fact, it's centuries old. We saw the return of the tapestry in 2025, with lots of designers embracing an antique wall hanging in their designs. But in 2026, it's all about the tapestry print.

Richly patterned and inspired by vintage textiles, this pattern trend feels worlds away from the flat, minimalist, quiet luxury prints du jour, instead offering a layered look that instantly adds character.

'I’ve noticed a resurgence of tapestry fabrics that feature layered botanical patterns and rich, earthy hues,' says designer Kathy Kuo. 'And it’s a trend I believe will grow stronger in 2026.' These verdant prints nod to heritage design while still feeling relevant in contemporary spaces, particularly when paired with modern silhouettes.

'This kind of pattern looks amazing on throw pillows, ottomans, and armchairs – smaller accent pieces that infuse plenty of visual interest without overpowering the overall look of a room,' she suggests.

2. Texture-Maxxing

Rather than relying solely on color or pattern, designers are leaning into texture, layering materials to create depth, comfort, and visual richness. From plush upholstery and nubby weaves to tactile flooring and soft accessories, texture-maxxing is about engaging the senses and making spaces feel genuinely inviting.

Rugs play a pivotal role in this shift. Lizzie Mosley, creative director at Hug Rug, explains that they are 'the perfect way to add warmth by introducing a softer feel underfoot.'

'Our living rooms are sanctuaries,' she continues. 'In 2026, designers will be embracing ways to maximize this by layering rugs with each other and over carpet, over hard floors, or to effectively zone open-plan living rooms, to add comfort and visual interest throughout the living room. Paired with other plush accessories like cushions and throws, living rooms feel welcoming and lived-in; a space to truly relax and unwind.'

3. Leopard Print

Leopard print is shedding its reputation as a risky choice and stepping confidently into the spotlight as a surprisingly versatile living room trend for 2026. When used with intention, classic animal prints will add depth, warmth, and a sense of edge.

'Think of leopard print as a neutral with personality,' say Liz and Sarah Hellmers of design studio Lathams. 'The key is confidence. Use it in soft furnishings, lampshades, cushions, and footstools to add flair without overpowering a room.' They suggest pairing it with classic textures like velvet, linen, or aged leather to anchor the look.

'Whether it’s one bold armchair or subtle accents throughout a room, leopard print brings cohesion and edge when styled with intention,' they continue. 'It’s all about mixing elegance with a bit of wild.'

For those new to the pattern, starting small is key. Rebecca Hughes, founder of The Fibery, recommends experimenting with 'window treatments, paying attention to scale and tone, and choosing colors that feel true to your style. When a pattern truly resonates with you, it becomes timeless in your home, no matter the trend cycle.'

4. Layered Antiques

The mood for 2026 is that we're moving away from overly polished, showroom-perfect schemes in favor of homes that feel collected over time. At the heart of this shift is a renewed appreciation for decorating with vintage.

'With curated maximalism's continued rise throughout 2025 and amid many economic shifts, more homeowners and designers are turning to antiques as their foundation in decorating,' says Lauren Andersen, interiors photographer and founder of SEN Creative. 'A pre-loved, patinated piece adds instant depth and warmth to a space that you can’t pull out fresh from a box.'

From small vintage objects and thrifted items for your living room, like vintage art or mirrors, through to bigger items like vintage rugs and furniture, collecting antique and secondhand pieces over time brings a real sense of story to a space.

Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors also highlights the emotional resonance of older pieces, noting that antiques 'bring soul and a sense of history into living rooms. These elements add contrast and authenticity, grounding modern spaces and creating interiors that feel storied rather than new.' Materials play a key role here too: rough-hewn wood, burnished metals, distressed leather, and patinated finishes introduce texture and tone, resulting in living rooms that feel layered and lived-in.

5. Statement Trims

It’s the finishing details that are making the biggest impact. From fringe and contrast piping to decorative borders, statement trims are being used to elevate furniture and soft furnishings, adding a little something special.

'Fringe accents add a pop of visual and tactile interest to any piece of furniture,' adds Kathy Kuo. 'This detail may feel historic and traditional, but it can embellish chaises, accent chairs, ottomans, and sofas of any style. It’s the kind of unexpected touch that brings a hint of wow factor to your living room.'

Used thoughtfully, trims introduce texture and movement, lending depth to both classic and contemporary living rooms alike. A fringed ottoman or a couch with piping can become a focal point in an otherwise pared-back space, while ruffles and braids bring a vintage edge to traditional and maximalist homes.

6. Extra-Special Cabinetry

Built-in cabinetry is stepping out of the background and becoming a defining feature of the living room. Rather than defaulting to flat-front doors and minimal hardware, designers are embracing decorative millwork, statement trims, and fabric-lined panels that add softness and personality.

'What's especially exciting is seeing designers play up a home's unique attributes instead of erasing them, especially in living areas,' says Sabrina Ramkhelawan, owner of Yorkville Studio. 'There are so many ways to add interest beyond traditional applications. Curtains aren't just for windows – you can use pencil-pleat cafe curtains behind cabinet doors and china cabinets, or skirted drapes to hide tech or appliances.'

'We have a 1925 cottage-style home, so I'm very intentional about preserving what was original – the doorknobs, brass fixtures, and moldings,' Sabrina adds. If you aren't lucky enough to have historic features to work with, look to upgrade your living room storage with statement hardware, cornicing, lighting, or adding softness with fabric panels and skirts.

7. Mismatched Furniture

Living rooms are moving away from perfectly coordinated sets (a surefire way to date your home) toward interiors that feel personal and curated over time. Mismatched furniture – whether mismatched side tables, pattern-mixed armchairs, or a variety of vintage-style and contemporary sofas – adds character and individuality, allowing rooms to tell a story rather than simply display a catalogue of products.

'Living rooms are moving towards a more layered, lived-in feel rather than overly curated,' says interior designer Sean Symington. 'Mixing patterns in a softer, more considered way to create depth without overwhelming, and mismatched furniture to bring character and individuality, favoring collected pieces over perfectly matched sets.'

By combining pieces that might not traditionally match, you can create a space that speaks to your personality, rather than perfection. '"Eclectica" is a strong theme for 2026, whereby furnishings harmonize but don't necessarily match,' agrees designer Benji Lewis. 'We've not enjoyed a 3-piece suite for a while, opting instead for a sofa in one style and a pair of armchairs in another – but your armchairs shouldn't necessarily match either.'

This approach also encourages a more sustainable way of decorating: instead of starting from scratch with a full matching set, you can curate from inherited pieces, thrifted finds, or bespoke furniture, layering them for a cozy and collected look.

8. Moody Color Washing

This key color trend for 2026 sees walls treated in deep, saturated hues that create warmth, intimacy, and a sense of cocooning. From earthy greens to chocolate browns and plum tones, this moody color palette replaces all-white spaces with personality and depth.

'As we look toward 2026, living room design continues to move away from white sterile perfection and toward spaces that feel layered, personal, and deeply comfortable,' Jennifer Davis continues. 'I predict we will see more color washing in rich, saturated hues. Deep olives, moody blues, warm browns, and softened plums are replacing flat neutrals, often extending across all walls and onto the ceiling. This approach creates a cocooning effect that instantly makes living rooms feel more intimate and inviting.'

Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN adds that 'moody, transformative color palettes' go hand-in-hand with 'sculptural furniture with soft edges, lots of layered textures, oversized statement lighting, and a focus on personalized design.'

9. Color Capping

While color drenching will always reign supreme, color capping, the younger, cooler sister of the paint trend, is going to be big news in 2026.

To explain, this technique uses varying tones from the same color family to create a layered gradient that draws the eye upward, adds dimension, and subtly shifts the mood of a room.

'Unlike color drenching, which relies on a single bold hue across all surfaces, color capping introduces subtle depth by enveloping the room in a tonal gradient that intensifies toward the ceiling,' Benjamin Moore's Helen Shaw explains. 'This works beautifully in both period and modern homes. In older properties, it can highlight architectural features such as cornices and picture rails, whereas in newer or more minimalist spaces, it adds dimension, making flat surfaces feel more dynamic and visually interesting.'

From soft neutrals to richer jewel tones, color capping offers a sophisticated way to elevate the often forgotten ceiling. 'The ceiling – often referred to as the fifth wall – is becoming a true design moment,' adds Jennifer. 'Painted ceilings, subtle plaster finishes, grasscloth wallpaper, and millwork treatments are being used to complete the room rather than fade into the background. It’s an impactful yet understated way to elevate a space and add depth without introducing visual clutter.'

10. Curved Lines

Curved furniture continues to define furniture trends, softening spaces while encouraging a more natural flow, creating intimate conversation areas, and fostering a sense of ease.

At High Point Market this year, designer Jennifer Davis identified this as one of the strongest trends she spotted. 'Curved furniture continues to play a key role, softening spaces both visually and functionally. Rounded sofas, sculptural chairs, and organic tables encourage conversation and create a more welcoming flow.'

'Bring more sculptural pieces to the home to allow it to feel like works of art,' Alexis Vitale, of the Vitale Design Group, advises. 'Replacing bulky sectionals with more curved architectural profiles. Furniture is becoming true conversational pieces and more intimate, prioritizing connection.'

In the 1stDibs 2026 trend report, it notes that: 'Curvy and irregular-shaped furniture continue to be popular, with 43% of designers identifying them as trends for 2026. Meanwhile, wicker and rattan furniture maintained their appeal, cited by 27% of designers, followed by the skirted furniture trend at 24%.'

11. Organic Botanical Prints

Prints continue to hold a vital place in living rooms, with floral and botanical motifs leading the way. According to the 1stDibs Trend Report, 22% of designers cited these organic patterns as a top choice for the year ahead, reflecting their enduring appeal alongside maximalist and eclectic interiors.

While geometric stripes and more rigid patterns continue to wane, softer, nature-inspired prints are being layered thoughtfully to create spaces that feel lively, approachable, and timeless. 'Used thoughtfully in upholstery, drapery, or accent pieces, stripes, florals, and plaids add rhythm and personality while still feeling timeless,' Jennifer Davis adds. 'The focus is on softened palettes and imperfect patterning that feels organic and livable. '

Sabrina Ramkhelawan highlights how these prints should be used with confidence by pattern drenching or clashing. 'Much like interior trends from the ’80s and ’90s, you choose a pattern you love and fill the room with it,' she advises. 'The modern take is that we’re curating more by layering prints with textures, mixing vintage and modern, old and new.'

Shop On-Trend Living Room Decor

Whether you’re dipping a toe into one of these trends or reimagining an entire space, the overarching message is clear: the living room look of 2026 is lived in, loved, and layered with personality.