2026 is here, and there’s a lot to look forward to: It’s a rare Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac, the Winter Olympics are happening in Italy, and a new wave of design trends will soon be washing over our Instagram feeds and design magazines. We checked in with Andrew Fisher, our Central Oregon design manager at Pahlisch Homes, to get his predictions about design trends for this year, as well as tips on how to incorporate them into our homes. Below, we’ll recap last year’s trends and then get the inside scoop on what to expect next.

Recap of 2025 Interior Design Trends

Last year, we bid adieu to sparse decoration and clean lines in favor of natural colors, lush plants, and personal expression. Like our design team predicted, biophilic design and maximalism were two defining trends of 2025. Here’s a little recap:

• Biophilism is all about connecting with nature by bringing elements from the natural world indoors. That means using natural materials like stone and wood and earthy shades like sage, tan, and warm orange. And yes — it also means the more house plants, the better!
• Maximalism really boils down to a more-is-more mindset, and it’s an antidote to the sterile, gray rooms that have been popular for years. Think vibrant colors, bold patterns, and walls filled with art. This free-spirited design trend is all about embracing personal expression.

Dark Wood Tones: Welcome Warmth

Step aside pale, ashy shades. Our design team is predicting that dark wood tones, like ebony, charcoal, and chocolate, will take the spotlight this year. Not only do these tones have depth and character, but they’re also an easy way to add warmth to any room. If you want your interior to make you feel like you’re sitting by a fireplace, you’re in the right part of the color spectrum.

Dark wood tones are also part of a cultural pushback to the sad beige house, which has dominated interior design, and our Pinterest boards, for years. If you’re not sure what we mean by that, let us paint a mental picture: Imagine a room. It has light wood floors and beige walls. The couch is pale and the accent blankets are white. Of course, there’s an off-white rug to tie it all together. This use of top-to-bottom taupe may be an easy way to decorate your Airbnb, but it’s also, well, sad. We’re excited to say goodbye to bland rooms and welcome in more color this year.

Tip: You don’t have to do a full room reno to get in on this trend. Try adding dark wood accent pieces, like coffee tables, dressers, or a deep-chocolate kitchen table.

Slow Design: A Thoughtful Approach

Slow design is as much a philosophy as it is a design trend. Like the name suggests, it’s all about making thoughtful, intentional choices instead of buying into shifting trends (and the consumerism that comes with them). The idea here is to choose items you’ll enjoy for years instead of just buying mass-produced furniture that you’ll want to replace next season.

From handcrafted furniture to found objects displayed on your surfaces and walls, slow design creates spaces that are unique to you. In a world where fast furniture devoid of character has been at the forefront for years, we’d say it’s quite the breath of fresh air.

Tip: Slow design favors quality and longevity, so go ahead and take your time choosing new pieces. Head to local vintage shops or check out your local furniture craftsmen (of which the PNW has many!)

Home Wellness: Healing at Home

Last year’s biophilism trend emphasized peaceful, healing spaces, and we predict the focus on wellness will continue to grow this year. That’s what the “home wellness” design trend is all about.

Think of this trend as built-in self care. It’s about making design choices that support your well-being and help you feel good every day, from incorporating amenities like water and air-filtration systems into your home to building out at-home saunas and gyms. According to The Guardian, “saunas are the new place to socialise” in 2026. But why join a sauna club when you could have one just down the hall?

Layered Lighting: Create Your Own Vibe

Have you ever found yourself sitting in the lobby of a boutique hotel or in the booth at a fancy restaurant and noticing that the atmosphere just feels nice? You feel warm, cozy, and maybe even inspired to take a selfie or group photo in the soft, flattering glow? That ambience has a lot to do with layered lighting, which we predict to be another growing trend in 2026.

Layered lighting means using different hardwired locations to curate your lighting vibe. Gone are the days of bright, recessed overheads. Now, it’s all about ambient and accent lights that add warmth and sophistication to your space. This trend also emphasizes adaptability. As the natural light in your home shifts throughout the day, layers of light let you create moods to match.

Tip: With this trend, you have options. Explore a variety of fixtures like sconces, pendants, and lamps, or see what you can do with smart, dimmable technology.

Dusty Jewel Tones: Saturation Returns

By now, maybe you’ve noticed a common thread with all these trends? Yep, that’s right. People are craving warmth in 2026, and our final design prediction follows suit. Dusty jewel tones are gaining popularity, bringing warmer, richer colors back into the cultural landscape. (Bye-bye cool gray).

According to Fisher, “We as a society are becoming a bit more comfortable with color again, and this is a soft launch into what I imagine will become more saturated in the coming years.” Muted versions of classic jewel tones (think emerald, sapphire, or ruby) have a warm, organic feel and plenty of luxurious depth.

Tip: You can integrate this trend into your interior in countless ways, from accent rugs and lighting fixtures to glossy bathroom tile.

Follow Pahlisch Homes for More Design Tips

While no prediction is perfect, we’re so grateful to have Andrew Fisher’s keen eye looking ahead for us. We can’t wait to see the warm, softly lit spaces that come to life in 2026! As you explore design ideas and dream about revitalizing your space, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for more inspiration. Happy designing!