Neil Kelly has released its 2026 Home Design Trends Forecast, revealing how homeowners are increasingly prioritizing living spaces that feel grounding, warm, and reflect the natural world. The forecast identifies nine key trends shaping residential design in the coming year.
Trend #1: Return to Earth. As technology and AI accelerate, the desire for the grounding presence of nature continues. Natural materials such as stone, wood, and organic textures take center stage in refined, architectural ways. Mary Miksch, Design Director for Neil Kelly, notes, "We are seeing a movement away from man-made, fabricated materials and a return to natural, organic materials especially in wood flooring and paneling. No one does wood products better than the Pacific Northwest."
Trend #2: Statement Wallpaper + Pattern Play. Selah Ewert, General Manager of Neil Kelly Bend, says, "Wallpaper is becoming an architectural detail, not an afterthought. Botanical prints, moody landscapes, textured papers, and mural-style art add personality and depth to any room." Pattern play extends to checkerboard floors, graphic tile layouts, and statement entries, while the ceiling becomes the "fifth wall."
Trend #3: Warm Color Hues & Blues. Matt White, general manager for Neil Kelly Eugene/Springfield, explains, "We are seeing warm, brown and jewel tone colors trending while the grey and whites seem to be on their way out." Designers anticipate rich purples, cabernet reds, dark greens, and teal-blue peacock hues replacing stark white.
Trend #4: Crafted with Intention. In an increasingly digital world, homeowners crave craftsmanship. Amanda Armstrong Sava, general manager Neil Kelly Seattle, says, "More of our clients seek hand-crafted custom pieces and design elements that bring meaning and artistry into everyday spaces." Handrails, millwork, cabinetry, and custom tilework offer storytelling opportunities.
Trend #5: The New Metallics. A shift toward champagne bronze, brushed brass, warm nickel, and mixed-metal moments emerges. Clients embrace nuanced mixing as long as tone and temperature feel harmonious. Chrome makes a comeback as an accent paired with darker tones.
Trend #6: Vintage Meets Modern. This trend honors history while reinterpreting classic motifs for modern living. Spaces feel rooted in periods like Victorian or Craftsman, with heirloom silhouettes and classic patterns grounded by modern furniture lines.
Trend #7: Mood-Boosting Design. Emotional quality of space is prioritized alongside aesthetics. Color psychology, lighter palettes in high-traffic areas, and immersive deeper tones in bedrooms are used. Scent, sound, and tactile materials become part of whole-home design, with curated areas for entertainment like coffee bars.
Trend #8: Staying Ahead of the Curve. Soft, flowing curves replace straight lines and hard edges. Curves, circles, and sculptural shapes appear in architecture and furniture, adding movement and warmth. Examples include curved showers, arched openings, and barrel vaulted ceilings.
Trend #9: Designing for Health & Wellness. Matt White predicts an uptick in requests for sauna rooms, steam showers, and home gyms. "With infrared saunas and cold plunges trending, clients are prioritizing spaces that support daily self-care and long-term wellness," he shares. For more information, visit www.neilkelly.com.
