Always Keep Your Heirloom Furniture. The More Authentic Trend Replacing Shabby Chic

Trends are always changing; that's the nature of them. If you thought that shabby chic was the pinnacle of home decor, it's time to think again. As a new year begins, homeowners and interior decorators alike are trying to find ways to breathe fresh energy into the home space. The inspiration for the newest trend, however, isn't anything new it all — it's your heirloom and antique furniture. While heirloom furniture might feel worn out, heavy, and dusty to some, it's finally coming back around and is expected to replace shabby chic in 2026.

The trend towards handcrafted pieces is replacing the tired shabby chic trend because the latter consisted of items that were made to look old, as opposed to authentic antiques. "We're moving away from rustic farmhouse and overly distressed looks, toward refined craftsmanship," Hillary Cohen, of HCO Interiors, told Better Homes and Gardens. Heirloom furniture is easy enough to dismiss for some individuals. Just because your grandparents enjoyed an item it doesn't mean that you have to; while this is perfectly true, their old-world pieces prized characteristics that mass-produced modern furniture simply cannot replicate in a true fashion. 

Before it fell out of style, antique and heirloom furniture was expensive to buy due to its high quality, so it made sense to invest in pieces that you'd keep and then pass down to future generations. This is in direct contradiction to the fast-fashion, cheap homewares culture we find ourselves in today, and is a big part of why heirloom pieces are trending. An antidote to decor faux pas of the past decade, it's also a furniture trend that will set your descendants up for success.

Just because something is trending doesn't mean that it's easy to know how to pull it off. Antique and heirloom pieces in the home are no different: It requires discernment and some degree of skill to implement them in your space. The good news is that this new authentic trend of embracing heirloom furniture doesn't demand that you overhaul your entire space, but rather that you embrace decor that makes any room feel chic and balanced. 

This means that it's fine to have an antique chest of drawers in your bedroom alongside your modern, mass-produced king bed. If anything, pulling heirloom furniture into your home's current decor will create a balanced aesthetic, rather than making the space feel like you stepped out of a time machine. Use the heirloom items as accents, rather than anchors, in your home and you'll likely strike an inspired, timeless balance.

It's worth noting that just because something is an heirloom does not mean that you have to keep, cherish, and showcase it in your home. There is much to be said for selecting items that resonate with you and your personal style. If an upholstered chair that was in your grandparents' house doesn't appeal to you, it's not worth sacrificing your inner sense of cohesion to make room for it. In the same breath, however, it's worth asking yourself if any low-lift updates could transform the piece into something you'd love — a furniture rule that HGTV's Hilary Farr swears by. Reupholstering a chair, for example, can transform it into a fresh piece. You can also consider refinishing wooden furniture covered with dark and heavy stains that simply don't work in your space.