Ep. 450: Trend Report 2026

How to Decorate Podcast – Ballard Designs
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Caroline (A), Taryn (C), Liz (D), Ballard Designs Team Member (B)
Guests: Will Turner (E), Hillary Park

Episode Overview

This special episode presents Ballard Designs' annual Trend Report for 2026. The Ballard product design team shares in-depth insights on upcoming colors, materials, patterns, and broader movements in interior design. They discuss how these trends both reflect and steer consumer tastes, influenced by broader cultural shifts, nostalgic throwbacks, and the evolving desire for personalization and comfort in home spaces. The conversation is lively and authentic, sprinkled with personal anecdotes, notable market sightings, and reflections on challenges the home industry faces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of "Trends" Today

(01:39–03:27)

• The team acknowledges that the idea of "trends" is fluid and that most consumers want homes that feel personal, not simply "on trend."
• Trends serve as a lens for forecasting and inspiration, not as mandates:

  “Trends are not so specific. There’s a lot of fluidity…no one wants anything on trend. They want to feel like they’ve created their own thing.” —Taryn (C), 01:39

• Research sources include shelter magazines (e.g., Veranda), Pinterest, high-profile trend agencies (WGSN, Pantone, Trend Union), and real-world market shows.

2. Color Forecasts for 2026

(04:14–19:44)

Broad Palette:

• Transformative Teal: Deep and bold teal shades continue. (05:00)
• Wax Paper: Creamy, inviting off-white (05:02)
• Fresh Purple: “Purple crayon”/grape juice—vivid and electric
• Cocoa Powder: Brown is back and everywhere
• Green Glow: Acidic, almost “Nickelodeon slime” green (05:58)

Key Trends:

• Return to more complex, earthy colors—nothing is “pure” or “cold.” Warm neutrals replace gray and stark whites.
• Browns run the spectrum: khaki, camel, espresso, chocolate.

  “We are on trend—pro-brown. Khakis all the way to dark espresso-y browns…what is trending.” —Taryn (C), 10:35

• Greens “get acidic”—chartreuse, olive, and lime have a moment; emerald is fading out (09:45–10:21)
• Blues: Striking, deeply saturated like cornflower and electric blues gain favor (13:18–14:27)
• Dirty lavenders and soft, faded pinks with brown undertones (“ballet pink,” “fleshy pinks”) are rising (18:18)
• Black, white, and graphic contrasts receding in favor of softer, blended pairings (15:22–16:36)
• “Butter yellow,” vibrant reds, and nods to 80s/90s colors are making waves.

Notable Quote:

"Everything's a little fleshy. Does that make sense?" —Taryn (C), 18:59

Paint Company Picks:

• Pantone: Cloud Dancer (white)
• Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus
• Sherwin Williams: Khaki
• Benjamin Moore: Silhouette (espresso/charcoal)
• Behr: Hidden Gem (smoky jade)
• Glidden: Warm Mahogany (oxblood)
• Little Green: Plum “Adventurer”
• Dutch Boy: Ivory
  (20:30–21:55)
  All point to earthy, natural shades, deep colors, and rich jewel tones.

3. Textures, Materials, and Finishes

(22:05–26:38)

• Honed Stones: Matte, heritage finishes replace glossy “glam”
• Plaster: Celebrated for its imperfect, artisanal quality
• Natural Rattan & Wovens: Used in more and unexpected places, e.g., case goods (23:16)
• Leathers: Earth-tones and deep dyes, including colored leathers (but still natural and “blendable”)
• Colored/Stained Woods: Subtle stains, e.g., soft blues, lavenders (24:40)
• Texture Mania: Boucle is finally receding after overuse; people want “hand” and not “flat”
• Mixed Materials: Products increasingly combine weaves, leather trims, multiple veneers

Notable Quote:

“It’s really all about texture again…every person we've interviewed is like, 'texture, texture, texture.' But I think this year, you'll see a lot of our products just have some sort of texture.” —Taryn (C), 25:52

4. Patterns & Details

(33:35–54:11)

• Checks & Plaids: Colored checks, gingham, buffalo check (with debates on what defines each). Tonal applications dominate.
• Stripes: Often with embroidered or double-stripe details (34:08)
• Toile & Paisley: Both enjoying comebacks.
• French/European Influence: Antique shapes, Marie Antoinette inspiration, “dandy equestrian,” and refined details (35:16–36:49)
• Lattice, Ribbons, Bows: Oversized bows and lattice work seen in many places.
• Chintz & Florals: Chintz is “still there,” casual and lived-in rather than precious. Florals become more geometric, vine-like, and stripe-adjacent.
• Celestials: Stars, moons, and other “North Star” symbols appear in hardware, textiles, and motifs, feeding into a cultural craving for hope (43:02–44:51)
• Wood on Wood: Layered wood tones but caution against “matching” floors and tables (AI-generated advice dismissed at 48:12)

Memorable Moment:

“There’s nothing as magical as a fully toile room—bedding, wallpaper, drapery. Oh my gosh.” —Caroline (A), 51:25

5. Broader Movements: Nostalgia, Customization, and the Push-Pull Between Maximalism & Minimalism

(27:02–33:17, 52:52–54:11)

• Cocooning: Emphasis on homes as “safe havens” with enveloping, multi-layered palettes (22:08 & 41:01)
• 80s/90s Nostalgia: Ralph Lauren, “heritage khaki,” maximal forms, and colorways dominate—seen especially among Millennials and Gen Z.
• Maximalism vs. Nancy Meyers/Streamlined Neutrals:
  • Maximalism: Highly personal, one-of-a-kind, layered
  • Nancy Meyers: Relaxed, “California cool,” slipcovers, white kitchens, attainable for younger generations
  • Coexist as parallel moods, both rooted in comfort and nostalgia (28:28–33:17)
• Customization: Growing offerings in custom rugs, shades, valances to help customers tailor their spaces

Notable Quote:

“I feel like maximalism and Nancy Meyers to me feel very antithetical, but both nostalgic…they’re opposites in a lot of ways.” —Caroline (A), 31:02

• Material Availability & Pricing Challenges:
  • Tariffs and supply chain continue to cause delays and price increases.
  • Many designs paused or abandoned due to costs.

  “It’s just been a really hard year for a lot of manufacturers…tariffs, materials. Even if it’s American-made, there’s still a transition.” —Taryn (C), 39:12

  • Resilience and creativity in sourcing highlighted

6. “Funky” and Microtrends for 2026

(41:20–58:13)

• Cabbageware: Featured by Pinterest—whimsical dishes/sculpture

• Vampirecore: Oxblood/burgundy colors, velvet, lace, and “gothic” materials

• Celestial Motifs: Astrology, “North Star” symbols, hope-seeking

• Weird, Personal, and Storytelling Art:

  • Gallery walls become “anything goes”—from vintage matchbooks and records to family relics (fish from Portugal, old cigarette packs)
  • Encourages deeply personal, even odd displays that “tell your story”

  “Anything goes on the wall. If you can mount it… it’s more personal that way.” —Will (E), 54:35

• Micro “Circus” Aesthetic: Stripes evoke big top/circus themes (52:37)

• Grandma Crafts: Paint-by-numbers, needlepoint, embroidery, and other crafts seen as trendy, relaxing, and personal

  “Paint by numbers—I love it. I don’t have to talk to anyone, just me and my music and my candles…” —Will (E), 58:49

• Upholstery & DIY: Workshops on upholstery, refinishing, and furniture skills show a hunger for hands-on home projects, but the team keeps it real about the hard work involved (61:07–63:43)

7. Parting Wisdom & Mindset for 2026

(64:15-end)

• Avoid feeling pressured to embrace every trend—pick what you love and what makes your home feel safe, bold, and personal

  “You don’t have to get on every single trend. Just pick the ones that you like.” —Caroline (A), 64:17

• The Ballard approach remains rooted in encouraging “you do you”—inviting boldness, customization, and embracing the home as a sanctuary (64:22–end)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Fluidity of Trends:

  “Trends are not so specific…there’s a lot of fluidity to it. And…the word trend is out. No one wants anything on trend.” —Taryn (C), 01:39

• On Color Complexity:

  “Nothing is really clean…the colors all have a little bit of a subtle undercolor.” —Taryn (C), 08:52

• On the Resurgence of Browns:

  “We are on trend—pro brown. Khakis all the way to dark, espresso-y browns…” —Taryn (C), 10:35

• On Maximalism vs. Nancy Meyers:

  “Maximalism and Nancy Meyers to me feel very antithetical, but both nostalgic…they’re opposites.” —Caroline (A), 31:02

• On Storytelling in Decor:

  “Anything goes on the wall…if you can mount it, it goes on the wall.” —Will (E), 54:44
  “It’s your personality. It’s not some algorithm you just copy and paste.” —Will (E), 57:47

• On Host Mentality:

  “I know last year we ended with you do you, boo—whatever you love, stay home and stay bold.” —Taryn (C), 64:15

Timestamps: Noteworthy Segments

• Predictions Process & Sources: 01:39–03:37
• Color Trend Deep-Dive: 04:14–19:44
• Paint Company Picks: 20:30–21:55
• Texture & Material Focus: 22:05–26:38
• Pattern Trends: 33:35–54:11
• Maximalism vs. Nancy Meyers: 28:28–33:17
• Challenges: Tariffs & Supply Chain: 38:15–40:10
• Microtrends & Funky Patterns: 41:20–58:13
• Grandma Crafts & DIY: 58:13–63:43
• Final Advice & Mindset: 64:15–end

In Summary

2026 is all about authenticity, comfort, and complexity—layered, personal style reigns. The era of mindless trend-following is over; instead, consumers (and Ballard) emphasize a “mix and match” approach, infusing heritage, story, artisanal textures, and meaningful color. Whether you gravitate toward maximalist nostalgia, fresh neutrals, or a combination, the big takeaway is to craft a home that feels uniquely yours and supports well-being. Ballard’s curated collections for 2026 aim to give you the color, materials, and customization options to do just that.