Outdated or On-Trend? Designers Urge a Second Look at These 2026 Interior Styles

Designers are challenging outdated notions in home décor, arguing that several so-called “tacky” trends are making a sophisticated comeback for 2026. From bold mural walls to revived glass accents, what was once dismissed is now being embraced with a fresh, creative spin.

Key Takeaways

• Old design trends are being reimagined for modern interiors.
• Execution and material choice are crucial to success.
• Personality and warmth are returning to minimalist spaces.

Carpeted Bathrooms: Softness Returns

For years, carpet in the bathroom was considered a relic best left in the past. However, contemporary designers are now incorporating soft flooring in bathrooms—using practical, moisture-resistant materials like sisal—to add warmth and coziness. The emphasis is on treating the bathroom as an extension of the home, blending comfort and style.

Mural Walls: Artful Statements

Once seen as dated, mural walls are reborn with artistic sophistication. Rather than garish motifs, the trend today is for hand-painted or thoughtfully designed murals that act as the centerpiece of a room, adding depth and individuality. These new mural walls replace the accent walls of past decades with bespoke artistry and subtlety.

Tiled Fireplaces: A New Focal Point

Fireplace tiles, often associated with heavy-handed retro styles, are being used in unexpected ways. Full-height tilework in contemporary colors and textures transforms fireplaces and chimney breasts, shifting them from background features to striking focal points rich in character and tactile interest.

Glass and Mirror Accents: Nostalgia Meets Modernity

Glass block walls, mirrored furnishings, and geometric accents are making their way back into designer toolkits. Carefully selected glass or mirrored pieces now serve to diffuse light and bring a hint of glamour—without veering into the kitsch territory of disco-era excess. Used judiciously, these elements introduce playfulness and dimension to a space.

Chintz and Pattern: Mindful Maximalism

Maximalist chintz, with its busy florals, once dominated homes and then faded as minimalism took hold. In 2026, chintz is being reintroduced as part of a trend called “mindful maximalism.” Homeowners are layering prints and colors to craft spaces that feel rich and personal, but not overwhelming. The approach is to blend vintage charm with modern restraint, bringing individuality and warmth to each room.

Revisiting the Past with Fresh Eyes

The resounding message from leading designers is that today’s “bad taste” could be tomorrow’s favorite feature—if approached with intention and style. Updating the materials, moderating the use, and balancing nostalgia with new aesthetics are all crucial to ensuring once-tacky trends now look timeless. As homeowners grow tired of sterile, lookalike spaces, embracing unique touches from design’s past may be the way forward in 2026.

Sources

• Interior designers on the 5 'tacky' trends we should reconsider, Homes and Gardens.