No one decorates their home expecting it to feel outdated within a few months. But with endless interior design trends flooding our social media feeds, it’s easy to mistake a fleeting fad for a timeless upgrade—only to be left with buyer’s remorse. As someone who spends way too much time online, I’ve witnessed countless homes revamped with styles that didn’t stand the test of time. Remember the cow-print obsession during the pandemic and those DIY expanding foam mirrors? Let’s just say those didn’t age well.
Looking back, we can laugh at the more extreme design choices. But when you’re caught up in viral moments and stores are packed with trendy products, it’s hard to tell what will stick and what will quickly fall out of fashion. If you want to curate a timeless home this year, here are 10 interior design trends we’re leaving behind as we head into 2026.
1. The coastal grandma aesthetic
The tide has started to turn on the coastal grandma aesthetic. Instead of lusting after that exclusive summer-in-the-Hamptons vibe, people want their homes to feel a little more relaxed and lived-in. Trying to commit to an aesthetic defined by all-white furniture and hard-to-care-for jute rugs is just a little too restrictive for real life. I think coastal touches are here to stay, but we’ll see more people incorporate them in small ways that feel fresh and personal, rather than copy-and-pasting a specific formula.
2. Millennial gray
Following the Tuscan craze of the ’90s, gray became synonymous with a more “modern” look. But now, after many years of splashing gray on everything (looking at you, millennials), it just feels tired, cold, and boring. This year, trends will continue to steer away from the millennial gray aesthetic as more people embrace bolder colors and warmer neutrals. Beige is the new gray, and other rich earth tones are similarly trending.
3. Scalloped edges
Grandmillennial decor is another trend that blew up in the early 2020s, and with it came an influx of scalloped edges on every type of furniture and decor imaginable. While the style isn’t disappearing entirely, 2026 will bring a shift toward subtler scalloped accents. Instead of going big with a scalloped area rug or headboard, limit this treatment to smaller doses on throw pillows, picture frames, and other understated accessories.
4. Bouclé
Some of you may not be ready to hear this, but bouclé is on its way out in 2026. And—hot take—I’m not really sure why it was ever in. It is uncomfortable to sit on, collects every speck of dust or crumb it touches, and is impossible to clean. It really had no business taking over like it did. There are so many other, more durable fabrics (like linen, velvet, and leather) that are better suited for everyday life. So goodbye, bouclé—you won’t be missed.
5. Blonde wood finishes
For years, ultra-light blonde wood has been the default finish for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and more. But in 2026, it’s finally time to say goodbye to this last vestige of the minimalist Scandi aesthetic. Darker, richer wood finishes have so much more depth, warmth, and character, which is exactly what people are craving in their homes right now. Especially in the form of thrifted or antique pieces, darker woods help create a timeless look that feels collected rather than cookie-cutter.
6. Bows
Over the past few years, it was impossible to miss the influx of bows occupying every head, outfit, and room. This trend finally reached peak saturation in 2025, and now that the holidays are over, it’s time for bows to see themselves out. While you might still see a few trickle into the new year, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner, slapping a bow on absolutely everything is getting a little tired. If you want to add a playful touch to your decor, bring in some fringe, ruffles, or a classic pattern like stripes instead.
7. Strictly gold or brass accents
For the past few years, metal finishes—on everything from furniture to lighting to kitchen and bath fixtures—have been dominated by warm brass and gold tones, with other metals rarely appearing. Now, people are beginning to appreciate silver and chrome more, and mixing metals is becoming increasingly popular. In 2026, we’ll see this grow as people get more creative with their metal finishes and aren’t strictly married to brass or gold.
8. Accent walls
Accent walls have had their moment during the past several years, but if you’re adding paint or wallpaper, why not just do the whole room? Yes, it’s less effort to only do one wall, but it’s also far less impactful. Accent walls can make a room look awkward and unfinished instead of creating a harmonious feel. If you want to add a bold accent in 2026, consider doing the entire room—it’ll feel far more intentional.
9. Open shelving everywhere
Open shelving isn’t disappearing entirely in 20256, but in newer kitchen remodels, its prevalence is fading. These days, fewer homeowners are ripping out all their upper cabinetry in favor of open shelves, and if they are featured, they’re more strategically placed. People have finally realized that open shelves can be difficult to style, a hassle to dust, and prone to making your kitchen look more cluttered.
10. Checkerboard patterns
For a moment there, checkerboard patterns were absolutely everywhere. You couldn’t walk into a store or scroll online without seeing checkered rugs, blankets, and knick-knacks galore. While it may have felt cool and unique a couple of years ago, this pattern is now on its way out. When we look back in a few years, I think we’ll find that checkerboard was to the 2020s what chevron was to the early 2010s.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Feature graphic images credited to: Becca Tapert | Unsplash, Clay Banks | Unsplash, Lisa Christensen | Dupe, Valeriia Harbiz | Pexels, Cora Pursley | Dupe
