Laurey W. Glenn, Stylist: Kendra Surface; Designer: Charlotte Moss
As we approach the final months of 2025, it’s time to start peering into the future to identify the design trends that will dominate living rooms in 2026. We turned to Southern interior designers to pinpoint the key aesthetics that will define the living spaces of the upcoming year, and their predictions are indeed intriguing! Dive into our article to uncover seven essential insights they shared about the must-have elements for your living room, to be embraced sooner rather than later.
Baxter Miller for Cate Gutter
Cate Gutter, the visionary founder of CWG Design in Charlotte, North Carolina, predicts that by 2026, living rooms will shed their generic, monotonous appearance. “We’ll see spaces that resonate with a strong sense of individuality and accumulation,” she anticipates. “Personal style is making a significant comeback, with a focus on spaces that narrate the stories of their inhabitants, not just a copy of something from a mass retailer,” Gutter explains. She advocates for breaking away from cookie-cutter furniture sets and embracing unique, cherished items and art that holds personal meaning. “I envision rooms that are a tapestry of family heirlooms, meaningful objects, and artwork with personal significance,” she asserts.
MK Smith Boykin, co-founder of Charlotte-based Smith Interiors, echoes this sentiment. “Design is evolving from stark minimalism to inviting, personal spaces that authentically reflect the individuals who occupy them,” she remarks. “This approach is at the heart of every project we undertake, and I’m eager to see this trend flourish even more in the years to come.”
Continuing the theme, Cathleen Gruver, the lead designer at Gruver Cooley in Purcellville, Virginia, identifies storytelling and sustainability as pivotal living room trends for 2026. “Homeowners are seeking pieces that are personal, handcrafted, and durable, not just mass-produced or fleeting trends,” she notes. “The cumulative effect is a living room that is rejuvenating, expressive, and profoundly connected to the people who live there.”
Move over light wood, Megan Molten, founder of her eponymous firm in Charleston, South Carolina, asserts. “Dark finishes are making a comeback in both floors and furnishings,” she observes. “In our bright, airy coastal spaces, a touch of dark furniture against a soft backdrop creates a grounded, timeless feel that I’ve been drawn to recently.” And contrary to the belief that dark wood precludes vibrant colors, Molten finds that it actually enhances them, making bright hues pop even more!
Annie Schlecter for Megan Molten
On the subject of bright colors, Molten is already championing chartreuse as her new favorite in the living room. “Whether it’s the trim on the draperies, the tassels on the pillows, or a splash of paint on the artwork, chartreuse complements our color palette beautifully, and I’m thrilled with the result,” she shares.
Even if you’re not ready to embrace chartreuse, consider branching out beyond the simplicity of gray as we look to next year. “The era of stark grays and sterile minimalism is over,” Gruver asserts. “We’re seeing warmer neutrals like creams, caramels, and clay tones becoming the cornerstone of rooms, often paired with soft greens or muted blues that are now considered the new neutrals.”
Patterns are set to be the next big thing in 2026. “The patterned sofa is making a comeback, and we’re all for it,” proclaims Alexis Warren, founder of Alexis Warren Designs in Charlotte. She encourages mixing and matching patterns, colors, textures, and more.
For those who haven’t yet introduced a game table to their living room, next year could be the perfect opportunity. “In 2026, we’ll be incorporating multi-functional coffee tables or accent tables for gaming,” suggests Jessica Duce, founder of JDuce Design in Houston, Texas. “Mahjong and similar games have definitely left their mark on the living room landscape!” agrees Lauren Robbins, founder of Lauren Robbins Interiors in Augusta, Georgia.
Wondering if there’s room for a game table? Think again. “Square-top tables, typically around 36 to 40 inches wide and at dining height, fit seamlessly into living spaces due to their versatility,” points out Elaina Darden, founder of Elaina Darden Interiors in San Antonio, Texas. “These tables can serve as intimate dining or bar areas, homework stations, appetizer stations for entertaining, or simply an extra conversation spot when not in use for gaming.”
Curved furniture pieces, which have gained popularity in recent years, will continue to be a highlight in 2026, according to Gruver. “We can expect to see fewer sharp edges in living rooms,” she predicts. Christopher Boutlier, founder of Christopher Boutlier Interiors in Washington, D.C., echoes her thoughts. “In 2026 living rooms, sectionals will curve like ribbons, lounge chairs will have sculptural silhouettes, and ottomans will float in irregular shapes instead of the usual squares,” he says. “This isn’t just furniture; it’s furniture that shapes the space.”
