There was so much beauty and inspiration in 2025, so let’s see what 2026 has to offer. According to The Spruce, home design is becoming less minimalist and leaning more to personal expression. There are a lot of fun ways to design your home with gallery walls, upgrading stairs and bathrooms, playful tile, and adding more natural materials inside the home. Wellness spaces and flexible wall systems are also expected to see a big rise in popularity as homes continue to evolve with the way we live.
Gallery Walls
The fun part about gallery walls is the personalization that comes with it. There are so many options from family and pet photos to art pieces and plates. You can make a gallery wall out of literally anything you want, which can often feel overwhelming, but staring with a loose theme, color palette, or frame style can help start you off. Gallery walls can go behind your couch, along your stairs, in the foyer, in a bedroom, and so many more places which makes an easy way to add personality and visual interest to any space.
Upgraded Stairs
Stairs may seem like a boring spot to upgrade, but adding just a simple stair runner or light in the handrail can really add a lot to the space. With the stair runner, you can get creative with fun tile, peel and stick designs, or paint. Adding a little spot of creativity can make your stairs a nice focal point in your home.
Upgraded Bathrooms
According to The Spruce, bathrooms are going back to a vintage style. With clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, and subway tile mixed with penny tile and brass hardware, the vintage bathroom is back in full swing. The Spruce mentions blending a vintage clawfoot tub with a modern tile to make these bathrooms feel full of character and charm.
Playful Tile
Fun colors and textures are coming back in 2026. Tile is an easy way to lean into this trend, whether it’s wrapping a fireplace, adding personality to a laundry room, highlighting stair risers, or elevating the tile already found in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a simple way to add visual interest and personality to your home without committing to a full renovation.
Natural Materials
Natural materials like wood trusses, flooring, and built-ins are making a strong comeback. People are moving away from an all-white everything approach and bringing in warm, natural wood tones instead. Natural materials help create a sense of calm and connection to nature, making spaces feel more grounded, inviting, and comfortable which is exactly the kind of environment people want to come home to
Wellness Areas
Wellness spaces are becoming a true priority in home design, with spare rooms being transformed into intentional wellness retreats rather than a yoga mat tucked into the corner. From steam showers and saunas to dedicated yoga spaces and at-home gyms, these areas bring relaxation, movement, and self-care together under one roof. It’s all about creating a space that supports how you want to feel every day, not just how your home looks.
Flexible Wall Systems
Flexible wall systems are expected to grow in popularity in 2026 as homes continue to prioritize versatility. These designs allow spaces to shift and adapt by using sliding panels, movable walls, or built-ins that can open a room up or create separation when needed. Whether it’s turning a home office into a guest space or closing off a playroom during the workday, flexible walls make it easier for homes to evolve with everyday life.
