2026 Design Trends: A Return to Warmth, Character & Collected Living

Maverick Design explores the colors, materials, and design details shaping the next chapter of home design.

Design is becoming more personal. After years of restrained palettes and minimalist interiors, a warmer, more expressive approach is taking shape. Rich wood tones, natural materials, softened architecture, and thoughtful details are creating spaces that feel less curated for perfection and more connected to the people who live in them.

At our annual Maverick Design Trends Summit, our in-house team came together to explore emerging styles, evolving buyer preferences, and the ideas influencing residential design in 2026.

Here are six key design directions we're watching for the year ahead.

Overall Design: Collected, Not Perfect

Softened architectural details, including arched doorways, rounded niches, and subtle curves, are replacing rigid lines and creating more inviting spaces. Neo Deco reinterprets Art Deco influences through sculptural forms, rich palettes, and refined geometric details. Cozy Nostalgia embraces vintage references, layered patterns, and collected pieces that make a home feel personal and naturally lived-in. While visually different, both celebrate individuality over perfection.

Photos: Brooke Wagner Design, Joey Kendall Brown, Ludovic Balay

Color: A More Grounded Palette

Building on last year's butter yellow trend, the palette is evolving toward earthier variations like ochre, umber, and lemon vanilla. Richer greens are also making an impression, with Behr's Color of the Year, Hidden Gem, introducing a sophisticated smoky jade. Blue is being reimagined, too. Softer, nature-inspired shades paired with rich woods, earthy browns, and burgundy accents create a more layered, inviting aesthetic.

Photos: Anson Smart, Design for Living, Yoshihiro Makino

Kitchens: Richer, Warmer & More Expressive

Darker wood cabinetry, including walnut, stained oak, and mahogany, introduces natural depth, while dusty blues, muddy greens, and pepper reds bring personality back into the kitchen. Expressive stone surfaces with bold veining and organic movement add another layer of character. Details are becoming more intentional, too. Furniture-inspired hardware, decorative backplates, and softened, curved Shaker profiles offer a fresh take on traditional cabinetry. Meanwhile, backsplashes are taking a quieter approach. Simple 4–6-inch stone splashes paired with plaster or textured walls allow cabinetry and countertops to take center stage

Photos: Davonport, Nicole Franzen, Dudam, Haris Kenjar Photography

Finishes: Natural Texture Takes Center Stage

The shift toward warmth extends well beyond color. Natural materials like travertine and limestone continue to gain momentum, with honed and tumbled finishes celebrating texture, variation, and organic character. This direction also reflects a growing appreciation for Modern Heritage, where timeless materials and traditional influences are thoughtfully reinterpreted for contemporary living.

Photos: Zasoby Studio, Bangia Agostinho., Chase Daniel

Bathrooms: Softness Meets Architectural Detail

Bathroom design is embracing a more refined, architectural approach, where texture and materials create interest without relying on dramatic contrast. Monochromatic palettes and furniture-inspired vanities bring warmth and cohesion, while freestanding glass showers introduce a greater sense of openness. Metal-framed shower enclosures add craftsmanship and architectural definition.

Photos: Geri Designs, Anjie Blair

Exteriors: A Softer First Impression

The movement toward warmer, nature-inspired design is making its way outdoors.

Stark black-and-white exterior palettes are giving way to softer neutrals, earthy browns, and colors that feel more connected to their surroundings. Thoughtful material combinations and subtle architectural details create a welcoming, timeless aesthetic, proving that curb appeal doesn't always require dramatic contrast.

Photos: ORCA, Terremoto, Paul Dyer

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