2025 Interior Design Trends We’re Taking Into 2026

(And the Ones We’re Leaving Behind)

Every year, the design world releases a new list of “must-have” trends. Most of them peak on Instagram, then quietly age out before the paint even dries. At FIVETWENTY, we look at trends differently—not as surface-level aesthetics, but as signals of how people want to live.

2025 wasn’t about reinvention. It was about correction. And the trends worth carrying into 2026 are the ones rooted in longevity, comfort, and architectural logic.

1. Architecture-First Interiors (Not Decor-First)

The biggest shift we’re keeping is the return to architecture-led design. Instead of relying on furniture and styling to create interest, spaces are being shaped by ceiling details, wall articulation, built-ins, and proportion.

This doesn’t mean renovations are mandatory—it means decisions are more intentional. Even rentals are being designed with a clearer spatial hierarchy rather than layered décor trying to do all the work.

Why it lasts: Architecture doesn’t expire. Trends do.

2. Warm Minimalism Is Evolving, Not Disappearing

Minimalism didn’t die in 2025—it matured. The cold, hyper-curated look has given way to warmer palettes, textured finishes, and softer forms. Think fewer objects, but richer materials: plaster, limewash, aged wood, stone, and textiles that feel lived-in.

In 2026, this becomes less about “minimal” and more about edited living—keeping what matters, removing what doesn’t.

Why it lasts: It adapts to real life without sacrificing clarity.

3. Personality Over Perfection

Homes are moving away from showroom energy. Pattern, color, and nostalgia are coming back—but with control. Florals, checks, and bolder finishes are being used intentionally, not as statement overload.

This trend reflects confidence. People are designing homes that feel personal, not algorithm-approved.

Why it lasts: Personality doesn’t go out of style when it’s rooted in intention.

4. Comfort as a Design Metric

Furniture in 2025 finally stopped pretending comfort was optional. Deep seating, supportive dining chairs, upholstered headboards, and multi-functional layouts became baseline expectations.

In 2026, comfort isn’t a bonus—it’s part of the brief.

Why it lasts: Livability is now a non-negotiable, not a luxury.

5. Fewer, Better Pieces

Fast furniture fatigue is real. Clients are opting for fewer purchases, but with higher quality, better scale, and longer lifespan. Vintage, custom, and investment pieces are outperforming trend-driven buys.

This shift changes how homes evolve—slower, more curated, more sustainable.

Why it lasts: It aligns with both budget intelligence and environmental awareness.

6. Anti-Trend Thinking

The most important “trend” we’re carrying forward is resisting trends altogether. Design decisions are increasingly guided by lifestyle, architecture, and long-term value rather than what’s currently viral.

In 2026, the most elevated spaces won’t look trendy. They’ll look resolved.

What We’re Leaving in 2025

Highly themed rooms with no flexibility.
Over-styled shelves that don’t function.
Design choices made purely for social media performance.

These age fast—and usually require expensive corrections.

How This Informs Our Work at FIVETWENTY

At FIVETWENTY, we design with a long horizon. Our approach prioritizes structure, material integrity, and a clear design narrative so your space can evolve without constant overhauls.

We don’t chase trends. We pressure-test decisions against how you live now—and how you’ll live next.

If you’re planning a 2025–2026 project and want design that still feels right years from now, let’s talk.