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How to Decorate

Ep. 450: Trend Report 2026

January 27 · 1 hr 8 min
0:00-1:08:56

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It is our favorite time of year: the 2026 Trend Report is here! Caroline, Taryn, and Liz are joined by the Ballard Designs Product Design Team—Hillary Park, and Will Turner—to break down exactly what is coming next in the world of interiors.

The team reveals the surprising colors predicted to dominate (including "Green Glow" aka Slime and "Fresh Purple"), why "Builder Khaki" is making a nostalgic comeback, and the specific design aesthetic that bridges the gap between Gen Z and Boomers. They also discuss the move away from gray, the evolution of bouclé, and why your next gallery wall should feature "weird" personal art.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

  • Brown is the New Black: Move over, cool grays. The team confirms that brown—from "Cocoa Powder" to "Builder Khaki"—is the dominant neutral for 2026. It pairs perfectly with the trending warm metals (like nickel) and "dirty" pastels.
  • Embrace "Grandma Crafts": High-tech is out; analog is in. The trend of "Grandma Crafts" is huge, with needlepoint, embroidery, and paint-by-numbers becoming the ultimate way to unwind and decorate.
  • Look for the "North Star": Celestial motifs are having a moment. Look for stars, moons, and zodiac themes in hardware, bedding, and fabrics as people seek direction and meaning in their homes.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

  • 00:00 Welcome to the 2026 Trend Report

  • 01:30 How the team predicts trends (Fashion Snoops, WGSN, Veranda)

  • 04:45 The 5 Big Color Predictions: Transformative Teal, Wax Paper, Fresh Purple, Cocoa Powder, and Green Glow

  • 06:30 The "Slime" Green debate and the board game Hues and Cues

  • 11:00 The resurgence of Khaki and Ralph Lauren nostalgia

  • 14:00 Cornflower Blue: The "Happy" color that isn't going anywhere

  • 16:30 Metals: Why Nickel is overtaking Chrome

  • 20:30 Paint Colors of the Year (Cloud Dancer, Warm Eucalyptus, hidden Gem)

  • 23:00 Material Trends: Leather, colored stains, and the decline of shiny glam

  • 26:00 Is Bouclé over? (Spoiler: It's evolving into skirts)

  • 28:00 The "Nancy Meyers" Aesthetic vs. Maximalism

  • 34:00 Pattern Trends: Lattice, Ribbons, and "Weird" Checks

  • 41:30 Fun Micro-Trends: Cabbage Ware and "Vampire Core" (Oxblood)

  • 43:00 Celestial motifs and the "North Star" theme

  • 54:00 "Weird Art": Why you should frame cigarette packs and personal relics

  • 58:00 The rise of "Grandma Crafts"

Also Mentioned:

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Happy Decorating!

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