4 Interior Design Trends We’re Saying Goodbye to in 2026

And the beautiful, natural alternatives replacing them.

Interior design is always shifting, but every few years there’s a real turning point, when once-beloved trends start to feel tired, overdone, or out of sync with how we live today. As we head into 2026, homeowners, designers, and DIY creators are leaning toward spaces that feel warmer, more grounded, more natural, and far more personal.

If you’ve been feeling like your home could use a refresh, the good news is this: many of the trends we’re saying goodbye to are easily replaced with modern, elevated, organic materials—like real wood wall finishes that bring texture, warmth, and dimension back into a room.

Here are the four interior design trends fading fast in 2026, and the beautiful alternatives taking their place.

1. Trend We’re Retiring: Cool Gray Everything

For nearly a decade, gray dominated the design world. Gray walls. Gray floors. Gray furniture. Gray everything. While cool-toned neutrals had their moment—helping homes feel sleek and cohesive—by 2026, the look feels flat, cold, and impersonal.

Homeowners are craving comfort. Designers are craving dimension. And the all-gray palette simply isn’t delivering anymore.

The 2026 Upgrade: Warm Neutrals + Natural Wood Tones

Picture: Sand Stone Credit: M.E. Design Studio

Warm, creamy neutrals paired with natural wood instantly soften a space and make it feel more inviting. Think:

  • Soft beiges and sand tones
  • Smoky browns
  • Natural oak accents
  • Linen, stone, and organic textures

Wood walls—like Stikwood’s Golden Oak, Sand Stone, or Hazelnut finishes—bring depth and visual warmth without overwhelming your palette. They also blend beautifully with earthier interior trends like Organic Modern and New Scandinavian.

Where to use it: living rooms, bedrooms, media rooms, and anywhere gray once lived.

2. Trend We’re Retiring: Overly Minimal, Sterile Interiors

Minimalism taught us the beauty of simplicity, but the stark, all-white, ultra-clean spaces we’ve seen everywhere for the past few years are losing their appeal. While aesthetically striking, these sterile environments often feel uncomfortable and overly curated—not like places you actually live in.

In 2026, minimalism gets a reset. Clean lines remain, but people want spaces that feel alive—with texture, story, and soul.

The 2026 Upgrade: Textured + Organic Modern Interiors

Pictured: Aged Oak Slatwood

Organic Modern design introduces movement back into minimal spaces. Instead of flat white walls, homeowners are embracing:

  • Warm wood slat walls
  • Plaster textures
  • Natural light woods
  • Handmade ceramics
  • Layered linens and woven textiles

Vertical and horizontal wood panels both work beautifully to balance minimal interiors with natural texture. Slatwood is especially on-trend thanks to its clean architectural lines paired with felt-backed acoustic benefits.

Where to use it: offices, entryways, minimalist living rooms, studio apartments, and dining rooms.

3. Trend We’re Retiring: Faux-Looking Peel-and-Stick Imitations

The early 2020s brought a flood of peel-and-stick products designed to look like wood, stone, or concrete.

While convenient, many of these options look noticeably artificial, cheap, and tacky. Consumers have become far more design-savvy, and faux materials simply don’t hold up, especially in well-lit or high-touch spaces.

In 2026, people want authenticity. They want their homes to feel elevated, not temporary.

The 2026 Upgrade: Real Wood Accent Walls That Last

Pictured: Sand Stone Stikwood

Homeowners are choosing real, sustainable materials that offer beauty and longevity. Stikwood’s peel-and-stick planks (made from real reclaimed and sustainably sourced wood) bring instant depth and luxury, without the hassle of traditional carpentry.

Using real wood products like Stikwood can add texture, warmth, depth, and luxury without breaking the bank or breaking your walls.

Why real wood is replacing faux textures:

  • Adds genuine warmth & dimension
  • Ages beautifully
  • Instantly elevates resale value
  • Feels high-end
  • Creates a nature-inspired environment

Whether you prefer rustic reclaimed tones or refined modern finishes, real wood brings a level of authenticity no printed vinyl can match.

Where to use it: bedrooms, nurseries, kitchens, fireplaces, headboards, and feature walls of all kinds.

4. Trend We’re Retiring: Single-Feature Accent Walls

The “one pop of color” or “one quick accent wall” trend isn’t fully gone, but it is evolving. Homeowners are moving away from statement-for-the-sake-of-a-statement design choices and toward more intentional, immersive transformations.

Instead of one decorated wall, people now want environments that feel cohesive, layered, and holistic.

The 2026 Upgrade: Connected, Intentional Spaces With Elevated Wood Features

Pictured: Reclaimed Weathered Wood Stikwood

Here are the modern directions replacing the classic accent wall:

  • Vertical slat walls that extend from floor to ceiling
  • Wood-clad ceilings for warmth and drama
  • Two-wall wrap-around installations
  • Headboard-to-ceiling feature walls
  • Full-room texture zones (e.g., a study nook, reading corner, or dining alcove)

Slatwood panels are ideal when you want to make a space feel elevated without overwhelming it. They provide structure, dimension, and acoustic comfort—making rooms feel both stylish and serene.

Where to use it: bedrooms, media rooms, quiet spaces, creative studios, conference rooms, and modern living rooms.

Why These Trends Are Fading: A Shift Toward Comfort, Wellness & Nature

Across nearly every design forecast, the same themes dominate:

  • People want warmth, not cold spaces.
  • People want texture, not flat surfaces.
  • People want comfort, not perfection.
  • People want authentic, natural materials—not synthetic imitations.
  • People want rooms that support wellness, not just aesthetics.

Real wood delivers all of these things at once. That’s why Stikwood and Slatwood are perfectly aligned with the future of interior design: warm, natural, modern, and incredibly livable.

Ready to Refresh Your Space for 2026?

Whether you're looking for a full-room transformation or just want to bring natural warmth into a single space, Stikwood and Slatwood make it effortless.

Explore the New Era of Design:

A more beautiful, comfortable, intentional home is just a few planks away.