It's Time To Say Goodbye To This Decor Trend In 2026

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Unfortunately, some of our favorite interior design trends are just that — fleeting fads destined to fall out of vogue sooner or later. As a new design style takes hold, it grows more and more present in popular design until it loses its initial charm. This is just the natural trend cycle. So, what can we expect to part ways with this year? It appears that scalloped edges might be dating your home and are on the chopping block in 2026.

"Scalloped edges can easily look juvenile and unsophisticated, and their ubiquity in the market has made the detail feel predictable," Madelaine Mayer, founder of ADROIT Architecture & Interior Design, shared with Real Simple. There was a season when this trend was seen everywhere — furniture, picture frames, lamps, ceiling molding, and beyond. In classic fashion, this once unique feature has verged into the realm of oversaturation. What was once seen as a unique, feminine flourish now feels like a completely outdated decor practice. So what now? Let's discuss the future of scalloped edging and how to either let it go or evolve your relationship with this texture.

When one trend dies, another rises. Now that scalloped edges are out, it's time to find a new decor style to replace them. If you were a fan of scalloped detailing, you may gravitate towards current trends such as organic, sculptural decor. These pieces offer a similar curved detailing that may scratch the same itch as scalloped decor. But all is not lost if you can't bear to part with your favorite scallop detailing. There's still a way to sneak it into your home if you understand how to balance your overall design. Oftentimes, the difference between a timeless and trendy design lies in how you incorporate certain pieces.

"Scallops had a real moment, and in the right application, they can still be charming," Sara Swabb, founder of Storie Collective, explained to Real Simple. "A scallop used with intention is lovely. A room filled with scallops starts to feel more like a theme than a design." While scallops aren't necessarily trendy at the moment, using them sparingly can still lend to a timeless, grounded design. 

Pair this texture with a warm, earthy color palette and natural materials to better fit your overall interior style to the current trends of 2026. Likewise, you could pair your scalloped decor or detailing with timeless, architectural elements. Think a scalloped painted wall alongside an archway or a scalloped-edge mirror set above some classic wainscoting. You have room to play when you're working with a grounded, layered design. As long as you don't overwhelm a room with multiple scalloped pieces, you can still enjoy this detail while maintaining a refined aesthetic.