A Fresh Start: Design Trends We’re Loving for 2026

There’s something about the beginning of a new year that makes us all want to refresh. Sometimes it’s a full room rethink, and sometimes it’s as simple as a new pillow, lamp, or tabletop piece that makes your space feel new again, especially when all the holiday decor comes down and you are left with what somewhat seams like a blank slate.

As we head into 2026, we’re seeing some exciting design conversations happening across the industry, but at Modern Accents, we always come back to the same idea: great design should last, feel personal, and bring you joy, well beyond one season or trend cycle.

Here’s a look at some of the trends designers are talking about for 2026, and how we love to interpret them in a way that feels timeless, approachable, and easy to live with.

Warm Modern Living

Modern design isn’t going anywhere, but it’s continuing to soften. Clean lines are still key, but they’re paired with warmer finishes, softer shapes, and more texture. Think comfortable, inviting upholstery, rounded tables and sculptural accents and matte black mixed with warm metals like brass.

This style works beautifully year-round and forms the foundation of so many of the furniture and decor pieces we bring into the store.

Colours of the Year: Calm, Grounded & Easy to Live With

Colour continues to play a big role in shaping how our homes feel, and for 2026 the focus is very much on calm, ease, and versatility.

Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, is a soft, airy neutral that feels light, warm, and incredibly livable. It’s the kind of colour that doesn’t demand attention but quietly elevates a space, creating a sense of openness and calm. Cloud Dancer works beautifully as a foundation, perfect for walls, upholstery, or larger furniture pieces and it layers effortlessly with almost everything else.

Alongside Cloud Dancer, we’re seeing a continued love for warm whites, creamy neutrals, soft greens, muted olives, and earthy tones, inspired by stone, clay, and sand. These colours feel grounded and timeless, making them easy to live with year after year. They’re ideal for anchoring a space, while allowing you to add personality through texture, accents, and artwork.

Tactile Texture and Materials

Speaking of textures, they are also playing a bigger role than ever. Designers are leaning into materials that invite you to slow down and actually feel a space. Think woven accents, natural stone, layered textiles, and pieces with visible grain or subtle imperfections. Mixing textures is what keeps a room from feeling flat, even when you’re working with a fairly neutral or monochrome palette. Keep this in mind as well when selecting furniture pieces and other textile decor pieces. Choose sumptuous fabrics like bouclé, mohair, velvet, wool blends, and deeply tactile linens that invite touch and make a room feel cozy and luxurious.

Wood Tones Make a Rich Comeback

2026 is expected to bring a renewed love for warm wood tones. Rich finishes like walnut, oak, and deeper, natural woods are bringing warmth and character back into furniture and decor. Rather than feeling heavy, these tones add depth and balance beautifully with lighter fabrics and softer colour palettes. There’s also a shift toward celebrating natural wood grain and texture, rather than overly polished surfaces, making pieces feel more authentic and grounded.

Sculptural Decor That Feels Like Art

One trend we really love is the move toward decor that doubles as art. Instead of filling a space with lots of small items, designers are choosing fewer, more intentional pieces.

Decorative bowls, candleholders, trays, and objects with interesting shapes can stand on their own and make a space feel finished without feeling cluttered. These also happen to be some of our favourite gift ideas, because they’re versatile, timeless, and easy to style in almost any home.

Lighting Gets Smarter (and More Flexible)

Lighting is getting a lot of attention for 2026, and for good reason, it completely changes how a space feels. Especially during these remaining months of winter every bit of extra light is welcome and creates that cozy warm ambiance we crave.

One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is toward rechargeable, cordless lighting and we have already started to embrace this with many of our lighting offerings. Table lamps and accent lights that don’t need to be plugged in are incredibly practical and surprisingly stylish. They’re easy to move, great for shelves, side tables, dining tables, patios, and even power outage moments. Available in many different styles, and hues they are a fun way to add a punch of colour or unite a look with the repetition of a material like gold metal.

Layering lighting, using a mix of overhead, table, and accent lighting creates warmth and makes a home feel more inviting.

Thoughtful Furniture Investments

When it comes to furniture, the focus this year isn’t on chasing what’s trending but on choosing pieces that truly work for your life. Designers are encouraging people to invest in furniture that will last, feels comfortable, is well-proportioned, and that can grow with you and adapt as your style evolves. Whether it’s a dining table that becomes the backdrop of family meals for years or a sofa that feels like home the moment you sit in it, these are the kinds of pieces that never feel outdated. You can also trust that Modern Accents has sourced manufacturers that design pieces with quality materials and craftsmanship. Many of our Sofas and Accents chairs are actually manufactured in Canada and offer you the flexibility in selecting your choice of uphostery.

A well-chosen dining table, sofa, or accent chair should support your life, not limit it to a moment in time.

Designing for Joy, Not Just the Algorithm

One of the most refreshing shifts we’re seeing for 2026 is a move away from designing spaces purely for social media and back toward designing homes that truly feel good to live in. The most beautiful interiors are the ones that reflect personal stories, mix old favourites with new discoveries, and feel collected over time rather than overly styled. Inspiration is everywhere and we love sharing it on our social channels, but the pieces that matter most are the ones that genuinely resonate with you.

At Modern Accents, this philosophy guides everything we do, from how we curate the store to how we help our clients. Trends are inspiring, but they’re never the end goal. We believe a home should tell a story, not follow a rulebook. Whether you’re adding a few finishing touches, choosing a meaningful gift, or investing in a distinctive piece of modern furniture, our focus is always on helping you find items you’ll love living with, not just now, but for years to come.

If you’re not quite sure where to begin or how to bring everything together, we’re here to help. Our in-home personal interior design consultations are all about listening first. We take the time to understand your space, your lifestyle, and your goals, then work with you to introduce new pieces or reimagine a room in a way that feels authentic and effortless. It’s a collaborative process designed to create a home that reflects you, without the pressure of chasing trends.

Here’s to a new year filled with spaces that feel warm, personal, and truly yours.