2025 Trends That Will and Won't Make It Into 2026, according to an interior designer

Every year comes with its own rhythm when it comes to home design. Some ideas carry forward because they simply make sense. Others slowly fade even if they made a big splash for a season or two. And right now, we are in such an interesting moment in the design world. The trends that are staying in 2025 have a lot to do with comfort and soul. They speak to longevity and warm style. They are deeply influenced by what people want their homes to feel like rather than what they think they should look like.

At the same time, there are a few trends that are saying their final goodbyes before we move into 2026. And the transition is actually refreshing. For anyone planning a renovation or thinking about updating their space in the next year, understanding which trends will stay and which ones will not helps you make choices that last.

This is my take as a designer who works with real clients and real lived-in homes. It is also shaped by what we keep seeing across reliable design publications like Good Housekeeping, Homes and Gardens, and Real Simple. All of them are noticing the same shift many of us feel in our day-to-day work. Homes are becoming layered once again. We are moving into richer palettes. Timeless choices are beating out quick trends. And at the same time, some of the crowd favorites from the past years are quietly stepping aside.

Let us break it all down.

The Trends Staying for 2026

Now, let us talk about the trends that are here to stay in 2026. These are not just fleeting fads. They have proven their staying power because they bring warmth, personality, and lasting beauty to a home. They create spaces that feel intentional, comfortable, and deeply lived in. Homeowners are seeking designs that offer more than just style; they want homes that feel personal, functional, and timeless. The trends that remain are those that elevate the everyday experience of living, giving each space a sense of soul and enduring appeal.

Warm Neutrals

Warm neutrals have been quietly rising for a few years, and they are finally getting the appreciation they deserve. These are colors that feel soft and lived in. They do not scream for attention but they anchor a space so beautifully. Warm whites, soft beiges, mushroom tones, and gentle taupes feel like a natural progression from the stark white era that dominated for too long.

Good Housekeeping noted earlier this year that warm neutrals offer a sense of calm and familiarity that homeowners are searching for. Homes and Gardens also mentioned that these tones pair well with both modern and traditional interiors, which is exactly why they have staying power.

What makes warm neutrals special is how adaptable they are. They work with stone. They work with wood. They work with high contrast moments. They work with soft layered textiles. They simply allow a home to feel grounded which is something people really want right now.

And these neutrals are not boring. When you layer them with texture, subtle pattern, or natural materials, something interesting happens. The room feels dimensional and warm without ever feeling busy.

Warm neutrals will absolutely continue into 2026 but it will be a more textured and intentional version of what we have been doing. Think less flat color and more depth through plaster finishes, grass cloth wallpapers, heavy linen, and stone with real variation.

Soft Traditional Design

This is one of the biggest trends that has truly reshaped interiors. The return of softer traditional design is something almost every major design publication has acknowledged. House Beautiful talked about the comfort people find in classic shapes. Southern Living noted that traditional elements make a home feel collected rather than staged.

People want rooms that feel familiar. The sharp modern edges of the past decade created homes that looked great in photographs but sometimes felt cold in person. The curve of a rolled arm sofa, a pleated lampshade, or a skirted table instantly softens the energy in a room.

Soft traditional does not mean heavy or dated. It is a gentler and more refined interpretation of classical style. Everything is cleaner and more approachable. Florals are smaller. Silhouettes are simplified. Fabrics feel fresher. The palette is airy and elegant.

The beauty of soft traditional design is that it works across many types of projects. It blends beautifully with more contemporary pieces. It also plays well with the new warm neutrals that people are gravitating toward.

This is not going anywhere. In fact, I expect it to grow even more. Soft traditional design is going to be one of the defining looks heading into 2026 because it simply makes people feel at home.

Marble and Stone with Character

Marble is always a classic but the approach to stone is shifting in a very specific way. People are choosing marble with movement and personality instead of perfectly uniform slabs. Homes and Gardens highlighted the rise of dramatic veining earlier this year. They explained that homeowners want natural variations that feel authentic and grounded.

What is interesting is that even clients who lean more minimal are asking for stone that has depth. They want their kitchens and bathrooms to feel special. They want countertops that look expensive. And they want materials that will age gracefully.

This trend is staying because stone is one of the few elements in a home that offers both durability and visual richness. It adds immediate luxury and it does not fall out of style. Even when tastes shift slightly, natural stone always finds a way to blend into the next phase of design.

In 2026, I think we will see even more creative uses of stone. Integrated stone shelving. Stone bases for dining tables. Stone wrapped fireplaces. Stone accent walls with softer lighting. There is so much room for innovation with this one.

The Trends Leaving Before 2026

Now, let us talk about what is not making it to 2026. These are not bad trends. They had their moment, and they shaped a lot of beautiful spaces but the design world is evolving. Homeowners want something more soulful and personal. And these trends simply do not offer the experience people crave anymore.

All White Everything is Leaving

This has been a long time coming. For nearly a decade, we saw a wave of bright white interiors. White kitchens. White living rooms. White walls. White trim. White everything. And while the clean aesthetic was appealing when it started, it has become clear that the all white look is not sustainable for most households and not inspiring for designers who are trying to create personality.

Good Housekeeping mentioned that homeowners are looking for deeper tones that feel warm and inviting. That alone marks a shift away from white on white interiors. People are adding color back into their homes because they want spaces that feel personal rather than neutral to the point of emptiness.

This trend is not making it into 2026 in any meaningful way. Designers are prioritizing depth and comfort. And clients are craving color, even if it is something soft and subtle.

Fast Furniture is Leaving

Fast furniture has served a purpose. It made design approachable and affordable for a wide range of people. But the culture is shifting. Sustainability is part of the conversation now. Homes and Gardens reported that more homeowners are choosing investment pieces rather than quick styles that fall apart within a year.

People want pieces that last. They want furniture that feels substantial and well made. They want pieces that fit their lifestyle and not just the moment.

The convenience of fast furniture will always be there. But the trend driven popularity of it will not carry into 2026. The industry is moving toward craftsmanship. That is a much healthier direction.

Overly Minimal Interiors are Leaving

There was a period when everyone wanted extremely minimal rooms. Bare surfaces. Empty walls. Sparse furniture. Everything felt curated to an extreme degree. The issue is that these rooms looked beautiful in images but often felt empty in real life.

People are moving back toward warmth. That alone signals the end of strict minimalism. Homes feel better with layers. They feel better with softness. They feel better with things that have meaning.

Minimalism is not completely gone. But the extreme version of it is fading fast. In 2026, the goal will be calm interiors, not empty ones. People want warmth, texture, and interest.

What This Means for Homeowners Planning in 2025 and 2026

If you are planning a renovation or refresh, this information is incredibly valuable. It helps you invest in the right things. It helps you design a home that feels beautiful today and will still feel beautiful five or ten years from now.

The trends staying in 2025 are the ones that offer longevity. They are grounded in classic style rather than seasonal flashes. Warm neutrals. Soft traditional design. Stone with real movement. All of these elements become part of the soul of a home.

The trends leaving before 2026 were fun while they lasted. But they do not give you the long term comfort or personality that most people want now.

Homes are becoming more meaningful. People are prioritizing comfort and livability. And design is following that path in a very natural way.

If you take anything away from this, let it be this. Choose materials that feel good. Choose colors that make you breathe deeper. Choose furniture that feels substantial. And choose design that will carry you forward.

If you are thinking about renovating your home or refreshing a space in 2025 or 2026, we would love to help you bring your vision to life. At Vergara Homes, we design homes that feel inviting, layered, and timeless. If you want guidance or a full design plan tailored to your lifestyle, you can connect with us anytime through our website.

We would love to help you create a home that feels as beautiful as it looks.

Sources:

• “Experts Predict the Interior Color Trends for 2026” — Homes and Gardens

• “The #1 Fall Decorating Trend Designers Want …” — Good Housekeeping

• “The fall trends you’ll be seeing everywhere this year” — Homes and Gardens

• “6 Interior Design Trends Experts Predict Will Define 2026” — Real Simple

• “The Verdict Is In: ‘Earthy Vibrancy’ Is the New Hottest Color Palette of 2026” — Good Housekeeping