{"id":652367,"date":"2026-08-23T14:58:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T14:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/652367\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T14:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T14:58:14","slug":"6-fall-2026-interior-trends-to-watch-according-to-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/652367\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Fall 2026 Interior Trends to Watch, According to Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated4 min read<\/p>\n

If summer is the season of raw aesthetic inspiration, fall is its executive counterpart. The most exciting 2026 fall interior design trends are living proof: From timeless palette<\/a> revivals to innovative surface materials, designers are translating decor dreams into routines, rebrands, and blueprints.<\/p>\n

This fall, moody vibes are on the menu\u2014but not in the predictable iterations you might expect. From rich wood stains and liquid-like surfaces to homes borrowing from hotel motifs, expect plenty of playful tension. (And where there\u2019s tension, it\u2019s good to know that patina is welcome.)<\/p>\n

Although the concepts ahead are buzzy enough to land on our fall trend list, skeptical investors can take comfort in the fact that longevity decor is en vogue. \u201cClients are designing for the now, but also the future,\u201d says Noa Santos, principal designer and CEO of design firm NAINOA<\/a>. \u201cIt changes the questions we ask, but also how we start thinking about how a room functions today and how it could be repurposed later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read on for designers\u2019 insider takes on the best interior design trends for the months ahead.<\/p>\n

Dark Wood Revival\"sleekStephen Kent Johnson<\/p>\n

The kitchen of a Montana home by ELLE Decor A-List firm Commune.<\/p>\n

Wood tones are trending dark and sultry this fall. \u201cIt\u2019s refreshing that after a decade of bleached wood, we\u2019re seeing a return to medium and darker tones like walnut, espresso oak, and wenge,\u201d Santos says. \u201cThey can read as more serious, but also pair well with the plaster and stone we\u2019re leaning into.\u201d<\/p>\n

As more designers integrate dark wood into diverse spaces, we\u2019re reminded of its versatility: \u201cWhen we pair these deep timber tones with light stone materials, we achieve a crisp, tailored contrast, whereas pairing them with dark stones lets us create an intimate, moody atmosphere perfect for custom bars or lounge areas,\u201d Monica Santayana and Ronald Alvarez of design firm Moniomi<\/a> tell ELLE Decor.<\/p>\n

Dublin-based designer R\u00f3is\u00edn Lafferty<\/a> expects these moody tones to bleed into other surfaces as well. And although they\u2019re likely to spike in popularity, darker drenches have a timeless payoff that even the most trend-averse can get behind. \u201cTobacco browns, mineral greens, and earthy clay tones all have a connection to the natural world, giving them a longevity that doesn\u2019t feel trend-led,\u201d she says. As for dark wood palette pairings, Lafferty favors oxblood and burgundy with rich walnut\u2014plus a few brass accents for muted brightness.<\/p>\n

Big Entrances\"copakeKelly Marshall<\/p>\n

The entryway of a converted barn in upstate New York designed by Jess Cooney.<\/p>\n

As summer holidays start to wind down, hospitality-inspired trends are also trickling into home decor\u2014at least among Santos\u2019s clients. He reports design elements commonly found in boutique hotels<\/a>, most notably the well-curated, tone-setting entryway<\/a>, are becoming more in-demand for residential spaces. \u201cIt becomes an arrival instead of just another pass-through foyer,\u201d he says. \u201cLayered lighting scenes instead of an overhead fixture [give the space] a moodier touch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wellness Aesthetic (and Investment)\"berkusRichard Foulser<\/p>\n

A spa-like bath in the Montauk house of ELLE Decor A-Listers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent.<\/p>\n

And what\u2019s a hotel-coded home without a spa-like touch<\/a>? \u201cWellness spaces and dedicated suites devoted to promoting longevity isn\u2019t a new trend, but it is evolving,\u201d Santos says, noting that clients are building spaces around cold plunges and saunas\u2014mechanical and plumbing considerations included\u2014rather than adding them onto existing blueprints for flair. Wellness splurges may be trending, but they\u2019re manifesting in long-term investments.<\/p>\n

Reflective Surfaces \"inStephan Juillard<\/p>\n

The living room of a Paris apartment designed by Pierre Gonalons.<\/p>\n

Mirror, mirror, off the wall: This fall, Lafferty is excited about unexpected reflections in design. \u201cI\u2019m fascinated by reflection as a material in itself and the way it can alter our perception of a space,\u201d she says, noting that unconventionally placed bronze mirrors and smoked or tinted reflective glass can dramatically shift a room\u2019s energy because of how they manipulate light differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love using these finishes architecturally,\u201d Lafferty adds. \u201cA bronze mirrored threshold can blur where one space ends and another begins, while a mirrored ceiling can change your perception of height.\u201d To keep things grounded, she recommends balancing highly polished surfaces with more tactile elements, like timber, natural stone, or soft upholstery.<\/p>\n

\"DiningRuth Maria Murphy<\/p>\n

A dining area designed by Lafferty.<\/p>\n

The reflective surface effect can also be accomplished more subtly, without glass and mirror: The Moniomi team says that they utilize high-gloss paint, hand-poured lacquer, and polished metallics \u201cas dynamic architectural tools rather than mere finishes.\u201d Their pro tip: Extend a glossy paint job to the ceiling to make enclosed areas feel more expansive. \u201cUsing these sleek, liquid-like reflections brings a sense of tailored polish, turning static surfaces into active design features,\u201d says Alvarez.<\/p>\n

Material Tension\"modernSara Magni<\/p>\n

A partitioned living area designed by Milan-based studio Kick.Office.<\/p>\n

The best way to make a decor element pop right now? Sandwich it between unlike objects or surfaces. \u201cI\u2019m much more interested in creating tension between materials than in having everything sit too comfortably together,\u201d says Lafferty. In practice, she recommends contrasting raw materials against highly polished; natural stone<\/a> against lacquer; or traditional craft items within contemporary architecture.<\/p>\n

The Lived-In Look\"LivingFrancesco LagneseThe living room of Nicol\u00f2 Castellini Baldissera and Christopher Garis\u2019s apartment,<\/a> in Milan\u2019s Brera neighborhood.<\/p>\n

In recent design trends, Santos has observed a phenomenon he calls \u201cthe anti-flip house.\u201d After a period of design trends with so-called \u2018universal\u2019 buyers\u2019 appeal\u2014think: open floor plans, white oak, brass fixtures\u2014he says clients are favoring more personalized design and architectural quirks.<\/p>\n

Berkshires-based designer Jess Cooney<\/a> has also observed a rejection of blank-slate perfection heading into fall: \u201cI feel that we are going back to beautiful patinas and worn materials again after going through a very restrained period, where clients wanted fully stain-proof and scratch-proof items in their homes and kitchens.\u201d With that shift comes not just acceptance, but attraction toward personality, wear, and patina. \u201cI think as AI continues to take over some industries, unique items will have more and more value\u2014which I am very excited about,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Grace McCarty is a freelance Associate Digital Editor at ELLE Decor, where she covers design trends, shopping, and culture. She previously held a staff position at SELF Magazine, where she focused on beauty, style, and wellness. Her work has also appeared in Glamour and Parade.\u00a0<\/p>\n