Interior design mirrors the fashion world as each year ushers in new trends.

Some movements explode in popularity, becoming the latest “in” thing. Others gain momentum in certain areas of the country, but not all. For example, the latest design trends in large urban centers aren’t necessarily going to be adopted in Central Florida.

What trends can homeowners expect as 2026 unfolds? We asked local interior designers Sheila Blue, a senior interior designer with Babette’s Furniture in Leesburg and The Villages, and Leah Conner, ASID, a Florida-licensed interior designer. Her business Leah D. Conner Interior Design is based in Eustis.

“Some of these design trends have already been on the upward trajectory and continue to gain momentum in 2026,” Leah says. “If you’re building a new house right now, you can do any of these. If you’re already in a house, you can incorporate some trends as you move into the new era.”

Look for the following trends to take off this year.

RICH COLORS

Warm, earthy neutral tones are all the rage. Think chocolate, rust, terracotta, moss and olive greens.

“Brown is back in a big way; brown is the new gray,” Leah says. “Fortunately, we’ve moved on from gray. Rich colors are still in and will be more and more popular. The Ralph Lauren look is back—greens, browns, golds and plaids.”

“We are seeing a significant trend shift toward warm, earthy tones, particularly in beige and camel-toned upholstery fabrics and leathers,” Sheila Blue says. “People are moving away from the cool, stark gray and white trends of past years and embracing warm-toned wood furniture and natural stone elements. That said, at Babette’s, we have a regular clientele who still love soft blues and greens. The modern coastal or lake house design is a timeless style that will always remain relevant.”

Color Drenching

The trend continues of painting an entire room—walls, trim and ceiling—in the same color, adding depth and moodiness. 

If you’re nervous about color drenching a large room, try it in a small space, like a powder room, pantry or library.

“I personally painted my guest room and ceiling the same warm cocoa color to create a cozy, cocoon-like feel,” Sheila says.

“It gives a real finished look to paint all the surfaces,” Leah says. “You can use deep, dramatic colors or go lighter so it’s more subtle. Even though color drenching utilizes the same color on walls, ceiling and trim, you can paint all in the same sheen or change it up by painting the walls eggshell and the trim glossy. My personal favorite is gloss everywhere!”

Leah finds many of her clients these days are open to painting trim and walls the same color. 

“It’s become much less popular to have white trim,” she says.

Statement Stone

Stone (both natural and manufactured) adds drama and movement in an organic way. Marble is expected to make a powerful return.

Look for natural stone to make an impact in kitchen countertops and backsplashes, bathrooms, even fireplace surrounds and furniture.

“We’re going to start seeing more exotic looks in countertops with different colors, grains, veining and stone variations,” Leah says. “You will see whole walls covered in the exotic stone look.”

Mixed Metal

This prevailing trend allows homeowners to combine polished metals (think chrome and stainless steel) with warm aged metals (like bronze and brass). The sleek, polished look has a bit of a 1970’s feel.

“Black fixtures are trending out, while the understated elegance of silver and brass finishes is coming back in,” Sheila says.

Wallpaper

“Wallpaper continues to grow in popularity, largely due to its visibility on home improvement shows,” Sheila says. “Homeowners enjoy having an element of surprise in small spaces like a powder bathroom, laundry or mud room. Nature-inspired designs are popular for bringing the outside into the home. Some of the most beautiful spaces I’ve seen recently are wallpapered dining rooms, where the walls feature a pattern and the ceiling is painted a neutral color.”

“People are putting wallpaper everywhere; it’s especially popular in bathrooms and laundry rooms,” Leah says.

Curves

“Hard lines are taking a backseat to softer curves,” Leah says. “Arches are back and we’re seeing softer lines on cabinets and furniture.”

Think arched doorways, curved or scalloped edges on cabinets, sculptural and irregularly shaped furniture, like curved sofas and rounded seating. 

Shapely mirrors are another way to add curves and an artistic element while reflecting natural light.

Texture

Incorporating a variety of textures gives your home a comfortable, lived-in, “collected” feel. Think velvet, tweeds, nubby, touchable. 

Bring in texture with accents like pillows and throws, layered area rugs, plants (real and faux), woven baskets, pottery and unique woods. Subtle texture can also make an appearance in wallpaper and plaster finishes.

Design on Ceilings and Floors

Using ceilings and floors as “fifth and sixth walls” adds character to a room.  

Checkerboard floors have increased in popularity, with classic black-and-white always in style.

“The flooring or area rug is essential to grounding the room’s design,” Sheila says. “It adds texture and color and helps to tie in all the other elements in the room, defining the space.”

“Some homes feature tray ceilings painted in two- or three-color tones,” she says. “However, here in Central Florida, ceilings are mostly still a soft white.”

“Beams will stay popular on ceilings, but I like using grass cloth wallpaper on a ceiling, which looks especially good with a tray ceiling,” Leah says. 

“In older homes being remodeled, we are seeing tongue-and-groove slatted boards and beams used in more rustic-feeling homes,” Sheila says. 

Classic and Traditional

“We’re seeing a ‘classic goes modern’ look where homeowners incorporate classic elements like columns outside with a warm modern interior with ashy blond woods, warm textures and layers,” Leah says.

Blond finishes are in demand in flooring and cabinets. Think ashy or rosy blond woods, not white blond.

Add warmth and craftsmanship with arched range hoods, paneling, and detailed millwork, all of which carry a timeless feel.

Photos Courtesy Babette’s Furniture

Pattern Drenching

“Pattern drenching is the combination of multiple patterns—such as stripes, geometrics, dots or checks—all within a unified color scheme in one room,” Sheila says.

This style is often seen in cottage or “grandma chic” designs. 

“As long as you maintain a cohesive color palette, the look will tie together,” she says. “For example, you might use stripes on wallpaper or window coverings, geometrics on bed linens or rugs and dots or florals on an accent chair.” 

Animal print is considered neutral and can add patterned spice to a room.

Layered Lighting

“We are seeing a return to creating ambiance using layered lighting from various height lamps and different wattages throughout the room, rather than relying solely on overhead lighting,” Sheila says. “This creates a comfortable atmosphere that homeowners won’t want to leave.”

Kitchens and Personality

The kitchen may be one of the most practical rooms in your home, but it doesn’t have to be purely functional.

It’s become trendy to inject more personality in kitchens. For example, hang artwork normally found in living areas, add layered lighting and bring in textiles for softness.

Wellness Features

Saunas, workout rooms and outdoor recreation areas are trending. These features add convenience and can increase home value.

“With everybody being health conscious since COVID, I’m seeing more indoor and outdoor saunas, work out rooms, even having a pickleball court in the yard,” Leah says. 

“One of my clients in The Villages converted a potential guest bedroom into a space for a sauna and gym equipment,” Sheila says. “Today’s health-conscious market looks for these features, similar to how some buyers seek a home with a pool. While not every homebuyer will be interested, which may slightly limit the buyers, 42 percent of home buyers find them desirable, and they do add value to the home.”

Speaking of home pickleball courts, Leah says outdoor living spaces are exploding in popularity, especially with landscaped pathways and faux grass areas around pavers or tiles.

Cozy Spaces

Many builders went all-in on the open plan concept, but cozier spaces are making a return.

“People are going to multi-purpose ‘bonus’ rooms and there’s a return to formal dining rooms,” Leah says. 

 Rooms designed around specific activities are trending. Think game rooms, reading nooks, hobby and crafting rooms.

Incorporating Technology

“Furniture technology has advanced considerably,” Sheila says. “Most people are now interested in smart features such as hidden charging stations, smartphone technology to program a reclining piece and seating with Bluetooth music capability.” 

What’s Out?

There are few absolutes in design. Personal preference still carries weight, but these former major trends are no longer popular: 

• All-white kitchens and bathrooms
• White subway tile
• White shaker cabinets

“While the all-white kitchen felt fresh and clean for years, people are now moving toward kitchens with warmer white or beige tones, medium-toned wood cabinets and often a complimentary color on the island,” Sheila says. “Pale neutrals are in, replacing stark white.” 

“Shaker cabinets have softened into what I like to call modified shaker; this is where we start to see those hard lines give way to more scalloped edges,” Leah says. “White cabinets will never truly go out of style, but we’re going back to browns and blond wood is a really good way to do that.”   

Photos: Provided