The Beautiful Vintage Design Trend That'll Be Making A Big Splash In 2026

For years, we've fully accepted a neutral, minimalist color palette and interior style. But it looks like 2026 is going to be characterized by an infusion of rich color and personality. In the spirit of embracing a more soulful, unique style, vintage and antique pieces are set to be a central facet of interior design in the New Year. As we take on more meaningful, sentimental decor, hand-blown glass is something you might want to consider incorporating into your home.

Hand-blown glass is a tradition dating back thousands of years. These artisan pieces are painstakingly crafted by hand using a technique that's very similar to the one that was used when this craft first emerged. Each piece is one of a kind, sturdy, and built to last. Hand-blown glass has woven its way in and out of style for ages now. In 2026, we're going to see more and more of this storied piece of decor once again. If you're looking for colorful, quirky vintage decor, it's an excellent option to consider. "It can be small, like a vintage Murano bowl, or as large as a hand-blown lamp. Think of places that could use a small dose of color or character," the founder and creative director of Marika Meyer Studio, Marika Meyer, shared with Martha Stewart. You'll find that this versatile, vintage design trend is fairly intuitive to incorporate in your home, either as a colorful collection or simply a statement piece to brighten up an otherwise bland area.

How to identify hand-blown glass and add it into your decor

Just like so many other treasured vintage and antique items, you can find plenty of hand-blown glass pieces in thrift and antique stores. You may also be able to track down some great options online on platforms such as Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Since machine-blown glass is similar to hand-blown glass, it's important to carefully inspect vintage products for authenticity. One key indicator is a dimple or mark on the bottom of the craft called a pontil mark. This is where the artist snapped off the glass handle after blowing the piece. Small imperfections such as bubbles or varied textures are another indication that a piece is hand-blown.

There's a diverse array of vintage glass pieces for any style, ranging from understated to loud and brash. They offer a subtle yet impactful addition of color to your interior decor. There are more opportunities to add these pieces into your home design than you may assume. "We're seeing more fun in the form of glassware and glass decor such as candlesticks, trinket dishes, and more," founder and principal designer of Gem & Clay Interiors, Allison Smith, told Martha Stewart. "Clients can have fun displaying a mix of collected Depression glass or shop for fun, brightly colored martini glasses for their next dinner party," the designer explained.  Whatever style you lean towards, you can pepper in hand-blown glass in a number of creative ways. Find pieces that represent your personality and add a dose of color and fun to your home. 

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