The Controversial Print That Will Be Everywhere In 2026 (We Aren't Sure How To Feel)

Every year, a design trend comes along that makes everyone think, "Wait... that came back into fashion?" And lately, there's been a growing amount of chatter across home decor sites and fashion reports about one very specific pattern returning to — and staying in — the spotlight: cowhide prints. They have been drifting back into the home decor conversation in that slow way trends sometimes do, showing up in Western-style roundups, in rustic-modern mood boards, and, of course, on fashion runways. It's all enough to make people in design circles wonder if we're about to see a bigger push in 2026 in the world of interior design. We aren't sure how we feel about it, but we have to believe it's the decor item that Chelsea DeBoer swears by for a reason.

One reason the print is resurfacing is simply because homeowners are leaning into anything that feels warm or natural, and with its soft, muddled browns and irregular shapes that look beautiful next to wood, clay, and textured fabrics, cowhide fits the mold. Fortunately, it doesn't have to involve actual hide anymore. Using vegan products can make your home decor more eco-friendly, and that seems to have made the controversial pattern more approachable with faux cowhide rugs, printed cushions, and upholstery alternatives. 

One of the strongest signs that a pattern is headed for a big year is when it starts appearing in places where regular people shop, and we're already seeing that shift. IKEA brought out some cowhide rugs, which gave the pattern a level of visibility it didn't really have before, and other stores have followed along. Now, you can find cowhide pieces scattered across Wayfair, Overstock, and a bunch of mid-range retailers. The print works better than people expect because it isn't uniform; it adds a kind of soft and gentle movement to a room, which helps break up spaces. And because cowhide's coloring also leans neutral, it can fit into warm and minimalist setups alike — a rare flexibility for a print.

This pattern also works in small doses, which is usually how a trend sneaks in before it becomes huge. People start to try a throw pillow here, a smaller rug there, maybe a piece of wall art, and suddenly the look doesn't seem risky anymore. With its flexibility and ability to blend in with all kinds of aesthetics, it really wouldn't be surprising if this print becomes something we see a whole lot more of once 2026 rolls in. And maybe we actually are more than okay with that — as long as it's not real cowhide.