I predict these 3 design trends will be big… in 2026

A moody color, textiles with a story, and more from my NYC trip.

Happy April!

You might have spring on the brain, but my mind is on fall… 2026. Like most designers, I’m a season ahead (and then some), feeling into the future for what will be fresh and relevant in a year. It’s a fun practice to get into, no matter which creative field you’re in.

Drawing back the design scouting curtain. (Scroll to the end for deets on my trusty tote bag.)

Each year, my team and I head to NYC to meet with our textile suppliers to learn about new techniques and materials—and to scout out trends in the design world. What I love about these trips is that we find inspiration not only from new pieces but also from things that look new to us simply by being in a different city—the marble floor at the New York Public Library, the stairway carpet at the Cooper Hewitt, and the glass-dotted stairs in SoHo (cool bit of history here).

I promise we also look up from time to time.

Catching the Cooper Hewitt Triennial “Making Home” was a highlight—especially “Patterns of Life” by Mona Chalabi and SITU Research, which featured three architectural models of homes destroyed by airstrikes in Iraq, Syria, and Palestine. The interior dioramas showed different rooms recreated by memory from the former inhabitants, using drawings of heirlooms, art, furniture, and toys on layered vellum that fluttered as you moved past to create an even more temporary effect. It was a powerful representation of the delicate nature of home in places of conflict.

A bright spot: I serendipitously encountered three familiar faces—all lovely design colleagues—within a few hours of each other while running around town. A reminder that connection is everywhere.

Here we go!

The maker's hands on full display at The Future Perfect.

Our speedy tour of the Big Apple included visits to the new Quarters by In Common With, Lawson Fenning, Roll & Hill, Herman Miller, Roman and Williams, The Future Perfect… A strong theme emerged: Seeing the maker’s hand in a piece (sometimes literally; above). The three trends below also kept popping up for me—often even overlapping.

1. Mauve On Up

Moody and even womb-like, mauve ruled Manhattan (seen here at In Common With).

Let’s get the color forecast up top: from lilac buff to deeper aubergine (my fave), we saw purple everywhere, especially on upholstery and carpets. Makes sense as the next iteration of all the grounding browns and soothing taupes. Bonus tonal trends: mossy green and red are still going strong. As a trio with mauve, they really enrich a room.

2. Singular Seating

Small but mighty, as spotted around the city.

Small and practical yet impactful, there was no shortage (sorry) of stools. I love the different materials (polished stone, textured fabrics, wood, glossy resin) and shapes (jagged and ice floe-esque, round and padded). Special props go to that vintage knockout that concealed storage in the blue cushioned seat (think: Donald Judd with a soft side.)

3. Material Matters

Material worlds at Lawson Fenning and BDDW.

I spied a few heavier-weight upholstery pieces that had the quality of a tapestry. Because of the thicker yarn, you can see the construction more clearly, like a pixelated image. The repeat is less visible, more fluid, like a non-pattern pattern. To me, this creates an instant mental link to the maker, as I imagined their hand in the process. It’s interesting to think tapestries were originally used as a storytelling tool—and what they might say about our current times.

Pixel Perfect

The Schoolhouse Pixel Rug in all its earth-toned glory.

Every weekend, I try to take a walk around my neighborhood to listen to an audio book or be quiet with my thoughts. In doing so, I inevitably find inspiration. Portland has beautiful seasons, and during a stroll in the rain a few falls ago, I stopped in my tracks to observe all the random patterns created from the fallen leaves underfoot.

Looking down to look ahead to future designs.

I didn’t realize it right away, but looking back on the initial concepts for our Pixel Handloom Rug, my walks played a role in those joyful bursts of color against the neutral wool shag. You don’t have to use or translate your creative findings right away. Sometimes it’s best to stash them and let your mind work its magic until it all makes “sense.”

Carry-All, Carry On

I’ve used my trusty Baggu tote for years. Perfect size, perfect pattern, lightweight, and washable.

Anything you want to see covered here? I’m thinking of doing an AMA soon. Would love to know if there’s a topic you want to learn more about in an upcoming post!

Katie xx