In a world where our news feeds are filled with turmoil happening around the world and we are constantly questioning what is real and what is fake, people are craving comfort, familiarity, and security now more than ever.
Spaces that calm your nervous system and help you recharge after a long day of staying hyper vigilant are on the rise and these Spring/Summer 2026 interior design trends echo these sentiments with the use of grounding materials, nostalgic treasures and playful details.
If 2025 was the year of “playing it safe,” then 2026 walked in, flipped the table, and said, absolutely not. This year’s trends are layered, expressive, and—thankfully—done pretending that everything needs to be white, beige, or “barely there.” People are designing their homes for how they want to feel and live.
This is Part 1 of the Best Spring and Summer Design Trends.
Hollywood Cottage
Hollywood Cottage is the hot trend right now for Design Styles, but make no mistake, it is very different from Cottagecore. Cottagecore was soft, pastoral, and looked like you might churn butter for fun. It’s charming, yes—but also a little “I live in a meadow and write poetry with a feather pen.”
Hollywood Cottage, a term coined by Shea McGee of McGee & Co., takes that cozy foundation and gives it a glow-up. Think: relaxed, lived-in charm with polish, intention, and just enough drama to make it interesting. This Design Trend isn’t about buying a whole room from a website; it’s about the “collected” feel. Think reupholstered furniture, thrifted and vintage items, patterns, florals and linens. Everything should have a “lived in” look
Here are 3 of Shea’s designs that totally encapsulate the “Hollywood Cottage” look.
Hollywood Cottage Design Ideas
Sustainability
We are no longer tossing furniture like it’s fast fashion.
Reupholstering is having a moment—and honestly, it’s about time. That vintage chair your grandmother had? It probably has better bones than anything you can order online at 2 a.m. while stress-scrolling.
Same goes for vintage decor. 2026 is leaning hard into pieces with history, character, and a story. Bonus: your home won’t look like a showroom clone.
Pattern Drenching
Minimalists, look away.
Pattern drenching is exactly what it sounds like—layering patterns on patterns on patterns until your space feels like it has a point of view. Florals with stripes? Yes. Block prints with gingham? Also yes. The key is cohesion in color palette, not playing it safe. You can even match your walls with your furniture.
Done right, it feels curated. Done wrong, it feels like your sofa lost a bet.
Non White Kitchens
(A moment of silence for the all-white kitchen era… okay, that’s enough)
Listen. White kitchens had a run. A long one. An aggressive one. But 2026 said, “We’re ready for something else.” And that “something else” is color, warmth, and personality.
Painted Cabinets
Color is back, and she’s not whispering.
Deep greens, moody blues, warm taupes, even muted terracottas—painted cabinets are taking over in the best way. They add depth and make your kitchen feel like an actual part of your home, not a sterile showroom.
Sherwin Williams’ Universal Khaki is the only color you need this year if you just can’t tear yourself away from the neutrals. But you owe it to yourself to check out the following colors.
Warm Woods
This is the trend of the year. Warm wood is officially reclaiming its throne, and frankly, it never should’ve left. Natural wood tones bring warmth, richness, and a sense of grounding that white cabinets just can’t compete with.
And no—we’re not talking about orange-toned 90s cabinets. This is refined, elevated, and very intentional. Think soft walnut, light oak, and beautifully grained finishes that make you want to cancel takeout and actually cook.
Global Style
(Because your home deserves more culture than your Pinterest board)
The Global Aesthetic trend is all about pulling inspiration from around the world and actually committing to it—not just sprinkling in one “ethnic” pillow and calling it a day.
This is layered, soulful, and deeply personal design.
Afrohemian
Afrohemian style is where rich cultural influence meets relaxed, bohemian ease. It’s bold, it’s textured, and it’s unapologetically expressive.
We’re talking earthy tones, handcrafted pieces, sculptural furniture, and decor that actually means something. Nothing feels mass-produced—and that’s the whole point.
Architectural Digest – Aurora James
Maximalism
Yes, she’s still here—and she’s thriving. Global Maximalism isn’t just “more stuff.” It’s intentional abundance. It’s collecting what you love from your travels or your heritage and displaying it like you meant to do that.
Gallery walls, layered textiles, books, objects, art—it all comes together to tell a story. Your story. Not the algorithm’s.
Textile and Fiber Art
Textile and fiber art are stepping in to add dimension, warmth, and texture in a way traditional framed art just can’t. Think woven pieces, macramé (but elevated—this is not your college dorm), and handmade textiles that feel globally inspired.
If there’s one thing tying all of these trends together, it’s this: personality is back.
2026 is rejecting cookie-cutter design in favor of spaces that feel layered, collected, and real. Whether it’s Hollywood Cottage charm, globally inspired interiors, or kitchens that finally have some depth—this year is about making your home feel like you actually live there.
Oh, and we’re not done. In Part 2, we’re diving into even more 2026 trends that are redefining interiors—from bold architectural details to the unexpected materials showing up everywhere (and yes, some of them will surprise you).
Get ready. It only gets better from here.
See ya next time.
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