Interior Design Trends for 2026

What's out, what's in and what's next? Professional interior designers in the Triangle are forecasting fresh concepts, including:

Maximalism
If you think more is more, this year’s for you! Highly saturated colors, bold designs and over-the-top décor have taken over from stark and bare. That means lots of deep colors and textures. Think eclectic, playful, exuberant, even ornate or chaotic. It’s go big or go home. Your home.

Wellness Vibe
Natural, sustainable materials and other elements that highlight the home as sanctuary are in vogue. Examples: lighting that simulates sunlight; spa-inspired fixtures; antimicrobial surfaces; appliances that protect indoor air quality; textiles that feel good; and outdoor living spaces that seamlessly flow indoors.

Rich Colors
Deep hues are all the rage. Just look at the colors of the year from leading paint companies. Benjamin Moore crowned Silhouette, an espresso brown with charcoal undertones; Valspar anointed Warm Eucalyptus, a muted green; and Behr installed Hidden Gem, a smoky jade. Forget about quiet, white walls – bold, earthy and moody are in. Even wood is getting the treatment as darker varieties, such as walnut, mahogany and smoked oak, take center stage.

Vintage Finds
Have you ever picked up furniture at a yard sale or secondhand store? You’re so in style! This year sees a move toward reclaimed furniture and antique items. Reworking old pieces with updated fabrics or new finishes is a great way to focus on sustainability. And it replaces sterile spaces with cozy comfort.

Animal House
Early in her career, our publisher was thrown this question at a job interview: "If you could be any animal, which would you be?"

Hmmm, the lion's the king of the jungle. But maybe she should be a more cooperative creature, a team-player like an elephant. Time was ticking and she didn't know the right answer.

Job seekers should prepare themselves for off-the-wall questions such as these. Employers want to determine how different candidates respond to challenges, and those who react well may have the edge when it comes to receiving a job offer.

Exercise Financial Smarts
Resolving to work out is a healthy move. If you put money toward it, use your bucks wisely. Before you sign up as a member of a health club, advises the N.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants, ask these five questions:
Can I start on a trial basis?
Can I have some time to read the contract?
How busy is the facility?
What's included in membership?
What's the club's reputation?

Find Your Voice
At Carolina Woman, we're in a battle against speaking tentatively. It's part of a quest to stop ourselves and other women from prefacing opinions with qualifiers. These include "I think," "Correct me if I'm wrong," "Maybe this doesn't make sense," "I'm no expert but" and "I hope you don't mind my saying." After all, everyone benefits when ideas are communicated in a straightforward manner.