As the final quarter of 2025 approaches, interior designers across the United States are already identifying home trends they plan to leave behind when entering 2026. Eight professional designers from various regions have pinpointed six specific design elements that they believe have reached the end of their popularity cycle. While personal preference should always take precedence in home decoration, these trends are increasingly viewed as outdated by industry professionals.
The monochromatic all-beige aesthetic tops the list of trends being retired by many designers. Charli Hendler, founder of August Black Interior Design, explains that while beige can create beautiful spaces, it often lacks the emotional depth needed for truly compelling interiors. "While an all-beige palette can be beautiful, I'm much more drawn to the warmth and depth that comes from a layered approach of mixing tones and creating visual distinction," Hendler states. She is currently favoring muted yet richly pigmented colors, layered textures, and striking contrasts that can only be achieved through embracing a broader spectrum of shades.
Parul Ghei, founder of Studio Jai, echoes this sentiment and actively encourages her clients to move beyond beige palettes. "It can feel flat and soulless when everything blends together," Ghei notes, expressing enthusiasm for seeing more layered neutrals combined with richer textures, deeper wood tones, and moody accent colors. However, she emphasizes that building a palette of saturated shades doesn't need to feel overwhelming. "Make it a point to curate an earthy mix that feels grounded in nature. It still feels calm but with more depth and character," she advises.
The excessive use of floral patterns, particularly the floral-on-floral layering characteristic of the grandmillennial style, is another trend facing retirement. Designer Kristina Phillips observes that "floral-on-floral-on-floral – a hallmark of the grandmillennial look – is starting to lose its luster." She points out that rooms saturated with competing floral patterns can create chaos rather than charm. While pattern mixing will continue to have a place in interior design, Phillips advocates for a more restrained approach, describing the future direction as "airier, crisper interiors where color and pattern still play a starring role but with a lighter, more thoughtful hand."
The cookie-cutter farmhouse aesthetic is also being phased out by many designers. Elaine Burns, founder of Pistachio Designs, is moving away from typical farmhouse elements such as faux exposed beams, burlap materials, barn doors, and heavily distressed finishes. "It still is very much in the zeitgeist, but for my clients that crave that sort of cozy, lived-in look, I've been trying to steer them towards more unique vintage pieces with history and character," Burns explains. "It definitely makes the design process and rooms feel more special!" This shift encourages homeowners to explore secondhand markets and vintage finds to create more personalized and authentic spaces.
Bouclé fabric, which experienced massive popularity across sofas, chairs, pillows, and even beds, is losing its dominance in the design world. Designer Ariene Bethea, founder of Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio, never embraced the bouclé trend and is pleased to see it declining. "While it had its moment, it often felt more like a passing fad than a timeless texture," Bethea states. "I think it's time to move on from it and let other materials and finishes have their spotlight." She encourages designers and homeowners to explore the variety of other tactile fabric options available, emphasizing that mixing different textures creates more interesting and dynamic spaces.
Matte black finishes, particularly in hardware applications, are being blacklisted by many designers for 2026. Emma Thayer considers this trend to be on its way out, explaining that "its boldness has been a go-to for designers and homeowners who love a high-contrast look, but as tastes shift toward more layered and textured spaces, its stark simplicity can fall flat." Instead, Thayer recommends alternatives such as blackened steel or bronze, which "can offer the same dramatic visual weight as matte black but with a character and depth that create a more unique and interesting kitchen."
Finally, the movement away from default, builder-grade design choices represents a broader shift in the industry. Designer Rebecca Ward has noticed clients becoming increasingly resistant to standard options throughout their homes. "We're moving away from default choices like stark white ceilings and overly repeated waterfall edges on islands," Ward observes. "Clients today want spaces that feel more personal and inviting, so we're introducing warmer ceiling tones and exploring softer or more unique island details through cabinetry to keep designs fresh and timeless."
Jennifer Carter, founder of Studio Envie, confirms this trend toward personalization, noting that her firm helps clients "see the true benefits of making bolder decisions, which are tailored toward their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences." Both Carter and her professional peers believe the era of designing homes primarily for resale value is ending. "This leads to a more personalized home, fit for each client, and the added bonus is more interesting and unique designs," Carter concludes. This shift represents a fundamental change in how people approach home design, prioritizing individual expression and comfort over broad market appeal.
