The Popular Home Design Trend That We Hope To Keep Seeing In 2026

New year, new you, and new home décor to boot? As we say goodbye to 2025, we can't help but wonder which styles will dominate the next 12 months — and the home trends to avoid falling for in 2026. However, if you want to start the new year on the right foot, designers are not-so-secretly hoping pattern play, i.e. styling different patterns in your home, is here to stay. 

Apartment Therapy just released its sixth annual State of Home Design report, where the publication asked 140 designers their predictions for 2026's biggest and most game-changing trends. With mentions of hand-painted accessories, curved furniture, and bold pigments like espresso bean and martini green, the incoming year is all about embracing your bold side. Per the report, 14% of participants predicted mismatched patterns will continue to be big in the new year. 

Truthfully, it's not hard to see why many professionals are pro-mixing different patterns. With color-drenching being the painting tend that can boost the tranquility of your room and Pinterest revealing that next year's home trends veer towards statement looks, the 2026 design pendulum firmly sits on the maximalist end of the spectrum. Juxtaposing multiple patterns in one space can give your home a personable, one-of-a-kind flair that's all the rage these days.

If you want to learn how to perfectly mix patterns in your home décor, it all starts with your color palette. While mixing and matching several prints in a rainbow of colors might feel chaotic, sticking with a more refined palette can bring some decorum to your décor. Not sure where to start? Select a rug or wallpaper repeat with at least three different hues to anchor the area and act as the jumping-off point for its color scheme. That way, your room will have lots of depth, but won't feel disjointed.

Shades might give your space ample cohesion, but don't discount scale. After all, having all oversized prints or too many petite patterns will throw off your pad's proportions. For a healthy mix, cover smaller pieces like throw pillows, ottomans, and armchairs in a large-scale repeat. Meanwhile, a bigger piece such as a sofa or wallpaper repeat are less overwhelming when covered in a smaller print. Once you have a plan for colors and scale, it's time to choose your patterns. Florals, stripes, and geometrics — the options are endless. That said, if you're looking for extra inspiration, here's how to personalize your space with patterns.