As 2025 draws to a close, Southern interior designers are already looking ahead to predict the living room trends that will define 2026. From deeply personal spaces to bold color choices and curved furniture, these design professionals are forecasting significant shifts in how Americans will decorate their living spaces next year.
The most prominent trend expected to dominate 2026 is the move toward deeply personal and collected spaces. Cate Gutter, founder of CWG Design in Charlotte, North Carolina, explains that living rooms will no longer appear bland and generic. "There's a clear shift toward spaces that tell the story of the people who live in them, rather than a carbon copy of something from a big-box store," she says. This approach means abandoning matching furniture sets in favor of layered rooms featuring heirloom pieces, meaningful objects, and art with personal significance.
MK Smith Boykin, co-founder of Charlotte-based Smith Interiors, supports this prediction, noting that "interiors are moving away from cold minimalism and leaning into cozy, personal spaces that truly reflect the people who live there." Cathleen Gruver, lead designer at Gruver Cooley in Purcellville, Virginia, emphasizes storytelling combined with sustainability as a major 2026 trend, explaining that homeowners want pieces that feel personal, crafted, and built to last rather than mass-produced or trendy.
Dark finishes are making a strong comeback in both floors and furnishings, according to Megan Molten, founder of her eponymous firm in Charleston, South Carolina. "In our light and airy coastal spaces, having that darker piece of furniture against a soft palette is so grounding for the space; it gives it this richness and timelessness that I'm loving lately," she explains. Molten adds that dark wood actually makes vibrant colors pop more dramatically, encouraging designers not to shy away from bright hues when incorporating darker elements.
Chartreuse is emerging as a standout color choice for 2026, with Molten declaring it her new favorite color and using it frequently in current projects. "Whether it's the trim detail on the draperies, the fringe on the pillow, or a pop of paint on the art, it just works with our palette so well, and I'm loving it," she says. This bright yellow-green hue represents a bold departure from the neutral palettes that have dominated recent years.
Warm shades are replacing the stark grays and sterile minimalism that characterized previous design eras. Gruver notes that warmer neutrals including creams, caramels, and clay tones are becoming room foundations, often paired with soft greens or muted blues that now read as new neutrals. This shift reflects a broader movement toward creating more inviting and comfortable living spaces.
Pattern mixing will be all the rage in 2026, according to Alexis Warren, founder of Alexis Warren Designs in Charlotte. "The patterned sofa is back and we are here for it," she announces, encouraging homeowners to mix and match patterns, colors, and textures throughout their living spaces. This trend represents a significant departure from the minimalist approach that has dominated interior design in recent years.
Game tables are becoming essential living room furniture pieces, driven partly by the popularity of Mahjong and similar activities. Jessica Duce, founder of JDuce Design in Houston, Texas, predicts that "in 2026, we will be incorporating multi-purpose coffee tables or accent tables for games." Lauren Robbins, founder of Lauren Robbins Interiors in Augusta, Georgia, confirms this trend among her clientele. Elaina Darden, founder of Elaina Darden Interiors in San Antonio, Texas, explains the practicality: "The square-top tables are usually about 36 to 40 inches wide, and at dining height, work well in living spaces because they are surprisingly multifunctional."
Curved furniture will continue its rise in popularity throughout 2026, with designers expecting fewer sharp edges in living rooms. Christopher Boutlier, founder of Christopher Boutlier Interiors in Washington, D.C., describes the trend: "In 2026 living rooms, sectionals curve like ribbons, lounge chairs have sculptural profiles, and ottomans float in irregular shapes rather than sticking to a predictable square." He emphasizes that "this is not furniture as filler; it is furniture as form," highlighting the sculptural quality these pieces bring to living spaces.
