7 Design Trends You Won’t Regret in 7 Years

Chasing trends when decorating can be risky. Vivid, joyful dopamine decor may be calling your name today, but will that technicolor mural feel like a 2016 statement wall within a few months? And, sure, warm wood cabinets are all the rage now, but maybe you’ve seen this play out before, and it usually ends with a return to a classic white kitchen.

So how do you know which trends are worth falling for and which you should appreciate from afar? The short answer is, you’ve got to trust your gut; if you love something, embrace it. For the longer answer, let’s ask the experts. Here’s what four designers had to say about the 2026 design trends that you won’t regret in a few years.

You might be seeing stripes used in more unconventional ways, like in wallpapered ceilings and on painted furniture. But the underlying motif — although it can range from tiny ticking stripes to chunky bold bands — has been around forever, and that’s not likely to change. “Stripes are trending, but they never go out of style,” says designer Nichole Blough.

Blough is partial to using them in an unexpected format herself, as shown here. She likes to run some version of a vertical stripe up a wall to create a tall, airy optical illusion in a space. “It’s a simple design move that can be tweaked with scale and color, but it will always feel classic and fresh,” she says.

Specifically, though, Blough points to stripes’ versatility as the reason they’ll always be a go-to for designers. “Stripes have staying power because they can be paired with other patterns,” she says. “You can do a striped wallpaper and then change the room with other patterned accents over time.”

The fifth wall has been getting a lot of love lately. From immersive wallpaper to high-gloss finishes and bold colors overhead, statement ceilings are having a moment. And Blough thinks they’re also here to stay.

“I’ve always found the ceiling an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to overall room design, and that’s not changing any time soon,” says Blough. “Whether you wallpaper the ceiling or paint it, it adds depth and warmth.” 

Because a well-designed ceiling feels so intentional, it’s less likely you’ll tire of it. Instead, Blough says, it will become part of the room that you can’t live without. Giving this feature attention, rather than just leaving it plain white, really can complete the entire space.

Wainscoting and paneling have always been design darlings, but over the past few months it feels like everyone has added millwork to their apartment or home. From picture frame molding in the bedroom to beadboard in the powder room, this storied detail is bringing a classic feel to both modern and traditional spaces alike. This is one current trend, though, that you don’t have to worry about jumping on the bandwagon of — at least, if you ask the pros. 

“Wainscoting adds depth, warmth, and a sense of craftsmanship, particularly in newer constructions that often feel flat,” says Erica Yaw, lead designer at Rumor Designs. To keep it feeling modern, she recommends creating it in a single color, like merlot, taupe, or dusty green, and applying it everywhere in a room. Holding back on a wall treatment can make a design trend application look undone, and ultimately something that looks unfinished tends to not age well. Instead, Yaw recommends going all-in the first time — even if that means painting the wainscoting and all of the baseboards, walls, and trim.

If you think a classic checkerboard floor feels like it belongs in a retro ice cream shop, you’re not wrong. But checkerboard never really wanes in popularity in homes; right now, it’s making a comeback in a slightly more updated, warmer way. “The contemporary style favors tonal shades like cream and taupe over high-contrast black-and-white,” says designer Kellie Reynolds, principal and owner at Smith Reynolds Interiors. “Natural stone surfaces add texture and sophistication, while large-scale patterns feel both current and classic.” 

Reynolds recommends using a low-contrast checkerboard in classical-style entryways, mudrooms, bathrooms, and laundry areas. “It offers a timeless European flair that isn’t overly trendy,” she says.

Color drenching hit the design scene a few years ago, and it could have been a flash in the pan. But, instead, this technique where you paint everything — walls, ceiling, trim — in the same hue has stuck around. It still feels trendy in 2026, but now it’s starting to solidify its place as timeless. 

“You won’t regret color drenching and maximalism,” says Reynolds. “Clients want their homes to feel more lived-in and personal. The-all neutral days are over and will start to feel dated.”

This means you can pick up that paintbrush and go all-in on a single color with confidence. Paint the trim, the doors, the window frame. You won’t regret it. 

Wood paneling had its moment in the sun, and you might assume it was over and done with a few decades ago. But, no, wood is making a comeback — and designers are embracing its warmth. They’re even considering it classic. 

“Wood cladded walls and ceilings might scream ’70s to some, but done right it can bring the perfect amount of warmth to a space,” explains Reynolds. Just look for stains that don’t feel too orange or yellow; a warm, rich brown is where you want to live for longevity when it comes to paneled walls, trim, or cabinetry.

Can buying and using vintage furniture even be called a trend at this point? I’ll say sure, just because estate sales have become a major weekend hot spot for many. No one’s complaining about their grandmother passing down the family heirlooms anymore. Antiques and secondhand finds are back.

Designer Courtney Blanton says you’ll be glad you jumped on this trend. “Vintage furniture and antiques are a trend you’ll never regret,” she says. “I’ve owned some of my vintage finds for years and never tire of them. It’s about buying original history while being kind to the earth through reuse.”