The Once-Tacky Vintage Decor That's Making A Major Comeback In 2026 (With A Twist)

Home design trends sometimes feel cyclical, with many styles and specific furniture coming back after some time and finding their place in a modern home. One such piece looking to make a comeback in 2026 is mirrors. However, we're not just talking about any old reflective surface. There are specific ones you should look for when you want a statement piece, and that is a gilded mirror.

They were once so popular that cheap reproductions were prolific. This is when big, gold statement mirrors went from being elegant design choices to feeling tacky and cheap. For a while, because of their overly decorative motifs and cheaper materials (gold paint instead of gold leaf, for example), these mirrors were considered gaudy, and they were gradually replaced by mirrors with simpler frames with clean lines.

Thankfully, these beautiful pieces are making a comeback, so long as you focus on finding a piece that is high-quality, authentic, and elegant. "The most sought-after examples today are those with hand-carved wooden frames, gilded with real gold leaf," said the founder of Fleamapket and Flea Market Insiders, Nicolas Martin, when talking to writers on Martha Stewart's website. "They have a depth and softness that modern reproductions simply can't replicate." They also add a sense of luxury, even in more contemporary homes. At least, so long as you avoid the worst places to hang a mirror anywhere in your home.

Instead of sleek and minimal designs, maximalist decor is now taking over. And gilded mirrors fit in perfectly with this new switch in trending design styles. Mirrors are ideal for small or dark spaces, to make a room feel bigger or brighter, and adding an antique gilded option can bring a bit of character and draw attention to the space. On Instagram, R Higgins Interiors notes: "A gilded mirror can do what few things can — expand a room, anchor a vignette, and bring a bit of storied opulence into the present."

Antique gilded mirrors aren't only elegant. By buying secondhand, you are also making efforts to support sustainable design. Plus, antique accents are trending for 2026. The other perk of antique furniture, like gilded mirrors, is that these unique accents can become a stunning focal point for any room. "I love anchoring a scheme with a characterful antique — a marble-topped commode, a patinated mirror, or a grandfather clock can give a room real gravitas," said Laura Hammett, an interior designer, when interviewing with members of Martha Stewart's website.