For the past dozen or so years, we have pulled together a compilation of thoughts, opinions, and wild guesses from architects, homebuilders and interior designers on “What’s Hot and What’s Not” for the coming year. This is a monumental task.
Why?
Predicting what colors, styles, and products will be popular for interior design in the upcoming year is more “art” than “science,” and involves finding consensus among wildly different artists. Plus, we limit the number to 20 trends (positive and negative), while there are literally hundreds, if not thousands that might qualify.
Our criteria for the Annual Acme Brick What’s Hot and What’s Not rankings have been the same over the years. We want to share trends from the residential ecosystem that work for real families who have real budgets but still want to come home to a place that makes them happy. Simple, right?
So, what’s the verdict? Drumroll, please.
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It HAD to happen. In a very short time, and after billions of dollars invested in “teaching” the algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world, including the homes found therein. The contemporary home is also undergoing a dynamic transformation to become an active hub teeming with specialized bots, each designed for a particular task. This marks the rise of “multi-agent systems” where devices like your thermostat, vacuum, and fridge don’t just follow orders, now they collaborate.
Think of multi-agent AI systems as a digital improv troupe. The lighting bot dims based on your mood, the security bot checks your home perimeter, and the wellness bot suggests chamomile tea because your heart rate spiked during that Zoom call. And unlike HAL 9000, these agents don’t get passive-aggressive when you ask them to open the pod bay doors.
Plus, today’s smart homes have ditched the monolithic AI “overlord” for modular, explainable systems that play nice with each other. These systems are designed to interact, creating an environment where each agent contributes without one dominating the others.
Platforms like “Home Assistant” and “Samsung SmartThings” are leading the charge, enabling local processing, privacy-first design, and multi-agent coordination that feels more like a helpful neighborhood watch than a dystopian sci-fi plot.
Other Ways AI Is Coming Home:
Custom fireplace from Acme Brick Tile & Stone (Mason-Lite masonry fireplace, multi fuel gas/wood); Installer – Sterling Masonry LLC; Builder – S&B Construction; Photo credit: Kiese & Co LLC
As interior design writer Olivia Wolfe notes, “There’s no denying we’re in an era of maximalism in our homes, and it seems to be trickling down into every last detail. First, we were smell-maxxing, then color-maxxing, and now, we’re all about comfort-maxxing for the cozy season.
“’Comfort-maxxing’ is exactly what you’re thinking – prioritizing comfort, familiarity, and coziness when curating your home. When daylight hours shorten and the weather cools, we naturally retreat into our homes, making it all the more important to be intentional about how we curate our personal spaces.”
There are several elements for the best comfort-maxxing experience:
Atmospheric and Mood Boosting Lighting
Writing in “Livingetc,” Florida-based interior designer Jennifer Lynn says, “Lighting sets the tone for every room, and I always encourage clients to layer it. Start with overhead fixtures for ambient light, then bring in table and floor lamps for tasks, and finish with sconces or even candles for a touch of atmosphere.”
Let the Textures Do the Talking
When it comes to comfort-maxxing, cozy fabrics are probably the quickest way to change the mood, feel, and aesthetic of a space. This can involve combining linen and cotton, with richer and more luxurious textures like bouclé, velvet, or mohair, according to Livingetc.
Don’t forget the wall color
Architecture Digest notes, the interior color of the year fits well within this comfort-maxxing trend. “Silhouette (AF-655) is Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year. Described by the brand’s color marketing and development director Andrea Magno as ‘a beautiful, rich espresso hue’ with ‘a subtle bit of charcoal,’ Silhouette’s selection aligns with the rising tide of browns in the color zeitgeist.”
Create Cozy Corners and Conversational Seating
Wolfe suggests picking an underutilized corner of your home to sport a cozy reading chair and other elements that promote the idea of switching off and being present. “I like to call them ‘digital detox corners,” she said.
Plus, as this post notes, “More than just a cozy detail, a fireplace is a design anchor that exudes warmth and comfort.” This makes it a timeless comfort-maxxing tactic.
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To learn more about what homeowners are “truly craving” in their spaces, Good Housekeeping magazine asked 15 professional designers what interior design style or trend will be most popular in 2026, and the majority had a pretty similar answer. “People want spaces that pay homage to the past yet still embrace a modern way of living,” the magazine reported.
The editors of GH added, “Barry and Jordan of The Brownstone Boys even coined a name for the new style: Modern Heritage. ‘Think restored woodwork paired with a contemporary sofa, or antique lighting alongside playful wallpaper. People want spaces that feel rooted in history but lived for today—designs that feel both personal and enduring,’ they said.”
Pro Tip: To get that Modern Heritage look, consider pairing an antique mirror with a modern light fixture, or a streamlined sofa with vintage art.
Photo credit: Latsamee/ Adobe Stock
Bigger is better, at least as far as your sofa is concerned. According to online interior design website Decorilla, “In 2026, oversized and voluptuous seating will dominate interior design. While the main focus remains on comfort, large sofas and chairs turn into more than just functional pieces—they also become sculptural elements within a room. Bold and bulky, conceived to offer both looks and functionality, sectionals can make an effortless focal point in living spaces. All it takes is a curated set of soft accessories and a perfect placement within the room.”
Photo credit: Charles Davis Smith, FAIA
The English poet John Donne was right. “No man (or woman) is an island.” However, both genders use one to prepare dinner almost every night! Interior design journalist, Aditi Sharma notes, “This year, it’s all about scene-stealing kitchen islands that merge style with extended functionality. Think rich materials, durable finishes, gleaming surfaces, and enhanced storage. It’s all about a one-island-for-all-needs approach.”
Sharma interviewed several designers who specialize in kitchen designs, and they offered ideas about new ways to put the fun back in functional islands. They include:
To get a look and learn about these islands, just click here for the complete story.
To get even more ideas on using tile in the kitchen – for islands, backsplashes and countertops, click here for kitchen and bath products from Acme.
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While COVID is largely in the rearview mirror, the pandemic caused tens of millions of homeowners to prioritize wellness in their living spaces. The Spruce magazine notes, “Wellness practices at home will continue to be a priority for 2026 and more specifically, people will look to renovate their homes to include amenities like home gyms, saunas, meditation rooms, and more,” says Michael Winn, the founder and CEO of WINN Design + Build, who says that these features started to grow in popularity post-pandemic. He adds that clients have also been focused on prioritizing better air quality and natural light in addition to requesting more dedicated wellness spaces.
Wellness products and practices have been on the Acme radar for several years. Click here to learn four ways to make your home or office healthier.
Agrob Buchtal KeraShape® terracotta divides these rooms, providing visual interest and allowing light to filter through. Photo credit: Nathan Schroder
For several years, interior designers have disparaged furniture and fixtures that have the tacky (but inexpensive) look of mass production. According to several sources, including this one “Rising material costs and a backlash against fast furniture drive the quiet luxury towards more conscious choices. Unlike the polished ‘eco-chic’ of the early 2020s, which still leaned on mass production, interior design trends for 2026 obsess over one-off pieces with traceable origins. The focus is also on hyper-local craft, where makers use physical and digital tools to carve waste into precious, enduring forms.”
Photo credit: Serhii/ Adobe Stock
Since its inexorable march towards world dominance began, social media has driven interior design. Want proof? ”A perfect 2026 mirror has a frame of a jagged collage of broken ceramic shards and twisted copper wire,” according to Decorilla. “It reflects your living room like a fractured dream. Social media’s hunger for bold, ‘Instagramable’ backdrops pushes artisans to craft these oversized, chaotic pieces.
“Raw, almost aggressive, they boast irregular shapes that trade symmetry for personality. That doesn’t imply rustic as an exclusive look; many designs are fashion-forward with extras such as embedded LEDs that pulse softly.”
Photo credit: Waclaw/ Adobe Stock
Not long ago, monochromatic spaces were all the rage. Well, don’t look now, but this look is back, sort of. Several interior design publications report that it is now about pushing the boundaries within single color “families.”
Pro Tip: For example, a room done entirely in blues might range from navy velvet to powder blue silk to steel bluish grey metallics.
This trend suggests the shade and material contrast creates drama without visual clutter, so the layout itself can remain as minimalist as desired. Textural elements, however, become more important when you strip away chromatic complexity.
Photo credit: RDH | Your Hometown Builder
Remember all that stuff you were told a few years ago about how groovy “open concept layouts” were? Well, forget what you heard.
Writing in The Spruce, Peter Miles, architect and principal at The Drawing Board, Inc. says, “People will be saying goodbye to open concept layouts as they renovate their homes next year, instead opting for more defined spaces. Of course, these layout decisions will still reflect contemporary living patterns,” he writes, adding that “we’re not going back to small kitchens in the back of the house.”
Instead, Miles says that “as people spend more time at home, the appeal of more traditional floor plans with spaces that are separated for visual and sound privacy has become very evident. Think, for example, about finally carving out space for a dedicated home office, with a door that can shut for sufficient noise control.”
The history of interior design is replete with (once upon a time) good ideas that have turned a tad tired. Shedding yourself of these 10 home-design faux pas will perk you and your home up. Sad to say, these are no longer hot, or even warm.
Photo credit: Faijul/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Lose ‘em and replace them with structured shelves.
Photo credit: severija/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Pick a more neutral color, and if you MUST have some green, add a few (real) plants.
Photo credit: erainbow/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Builders and home renovators overused this flooring, and it now screams: “I’m CHEAP!” Natural wood flooring is a much better option. Click here for some stunning flooring ideas.
Photo credit: marina_dikh/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Add wallpaper. The “Abode” column in The Dallas Morning News suggests graphic prints, fun floral or grasscloth. Be warned: Stay away from cutesy farm animals and hanging words like “Dinner is Served” in the kitchen.
Photo credit: Molly Shannon/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Replace that old clunker with a cool new iron door from Acme.
Photo credit: Bryan/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Replace this with modern wall sconces and layered lighting. They will make you (and your space) look maaaarvelous.
Photo credit: Jason/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Designers recommend vent covers from Pacific Register for an easy, made-to-order swap. The company offers various finishes, colors and patterns in more than a dozen standard sizes.
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Quick fix: Install large-format 12-by-24 tiles (or even larger). According to The Dallas Morning News, “One bonus of the larger tile size is fewer grout lines, making installation easier. Plus, larger tiles make a smaller space appear larger.”
Photo credit: Alvaro/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: Get old, secondhand furniture – made from real wood – from the antique mall or thrift store.
Photo credit: Samady/ Adobe Stock
Quick fix: YouTube design guru Reynard Lowell has a tip about random feature walls, “The problem is they are poorly planned. If there is nothing on or in front of that accent wall, it looks choppy and out of context.” Find something to anchor that feature wall.
Photo credit: Acme Brick Company
For home design speculation, this time of year is analogous to spring training for Major League Baseball. Everything seems possible!
“That new kitchen design is gonna be stunning!” “We’re knocking it outta the park on the bath reno!!” Then, about six months into the new year, stone, cold reality sets in. For proof of this, think back a couple of years to that “Barbie Pink” furniture. What in the world were we thinking?
Great design is simple and, most importantly, personally gratifying. Keep it real in 2026 and it’s going to be a beautiful year.
Ready for some inspiration for your interior design projects in the coming year? Just click here to find some. Acme is more than just brick.
