3 Nostalgic Decorating Trends Making a Comeback in 2026

In 2026, incorporating decorating influences from past decades into modern interiors has become one of the most compelling ways to create spaces with character, personality, and a meaningful sense of history. Rather than feeling dated, these references bring depth – grounding contemporary homes in something familiar and enduring.

More than ever, interior designers are blending vintage trends and styles from across eras, layering them thoughtfully to create eclectic, lived-in spaces that feel as though they’ve evolved organically over time. The result is homes that feel personal, expressive, and comfortably unpolished, rather than trend-driven or overly curated.

If you’re drawn to the charm of the past – or simply appreciate the warmth and soul that vintage elements bring – these are my favorite nostalgic interior design trends making a return in 2026. Consider them an inspiration for turning back the clock, if only within the walls of your home.

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1. Colored Glassware

Neptune Farlow glazed cabinet filled with glassware

(Image credit: Neptune)

I still remember my grandmother’s china cabinet – the way it caught the afternoon light and quietly stole the show in her dining room. Inside, shelves were lined with colored glassware: ruby-red goblets, pale green dessert plates, and a few amber pieces she brought out only on special occasions. They weren’t hidden away. They took pride of place, carefully arranged and deeply loved.

This year, that kind of display is back – and it’s not just about nostalgia. Vintage colored glassware is returning to American homes as a design statement, prized for the warmth, character, and personality it brings to a space. In a world of neutral kitchens and minimalist tablescapes, these pieces feel joyful, expressive, and refreshingly personal.

What once felt dated now feels intentional. Homeowners are styling vintage colored glass on open shelves, in glass-front cabinets, and on dining tables where it can catch the light and be enjoyed every day – not just on holidays. Each piece tells a story, whether it’s a Depression-era tumbler, a midcentury set of Blenko glasses, or a single inherited bowl passed down through generations.

And at the heart of the revival is Murano glass. Hand-blown and unmistakably artistic, Murano pieces bring an heirloom quality to modern interiors. Their rich jewel tones and sculptural forms blur the line between functional object and art, making them feel just as at home in a contemporary American kitchen as they once did in formal dining rooms.

The return of colored glassware in 2026 reflects a broader shift toward homes that feel collected, soulful, and lived in. As my grandmother knew all along, there’s something special about letting the things you love be seen, especially when they make your home glow.

2. China Cabinets and Hutches

China collection in a kitchen cupboard, photograph Future Malcolm Menzies

(Image credit: Future, Malcolm Menzies)

Picture a classic American home, and chances are it includes a china cabinet, a hutch, or a well-worn dresser quietly anchoring the room. Once considered old-fashioned or overly formal, these heritage storage pieces are making a confident comeback for 2026 – and American homeowners are embracing them with fresh eyes.

Long beloved for their character and presence, china cabinets and hutches have always had a starring role in the home, whether displaying heirloom dishware, holiday china, or everyday essentials. They’re the kind of furniture that instantly sets a mood, evoking warmth, history, and a sense of lived-in comfort – something today’s sleek, hide-everything cabinetry often lacks. In an era of smart homes and minimalist kitchens, these pieces feel refreshingly human.

What’s driving their return is a growing desire for homes that feel personal rather than perfect. Freestanding dressers and hutches offer visible storage, patina, and personality, acting almost like functional decor. Designers are reimagining them for modern living – styled with contemporary ceramics, mixed materials, and even used to house cherished glassware.

Historically, these pieces were symbols of pride and display, meant to showcase valued possessions and anchor a room. That purpose still resonates today, especially as Americans move away from disposable furnishings and toward timeless, meaningful pieces. For 2026, china cabinets, hutches, and dressers aren’t about nostalgia alone – they’re about creating homes that feel grounded, soulful, and entirely personal.

3. Wainscoting and Decorative Moldings

Paneling ideas with wallpaper panels

(Image credit: Future)

Wall paneling ideas and wainscoting are making a confident return for 2026, and it’s a revival rooted firmly in history. Hugely popular throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, these architectural details were once fundamental to interiors, valued for their ability to bring warmth, proportion, and structure to a space. Today, they’re being rediscovered not as ornaments for ornament’s sake, but as a way to add depth, atmosphere, and longevity to modern homes. It is also a fantastic way to make a home look expensive.

Architectural detailing is often overlooked, yet it forms the foundation of a well-designed interior. It’s the base layer of the canvas – the subtle framework that elevates a room from ordinary to considered.

As Tom Cox of Ham Interiors explains: ‘When we start a project, architectural detailing is one of the first things we consider. It includes everything from the skirting, architraves, ceilings and ceiling junctions, cornicing, wall paneling, doors and partitions. These elements may seem unimportant, but you instantly notice if you don’t have them, or if they feel wrong. They are an essential backdrop to the final scene.’

For 2026, this nostalgic trend feels newly relevant thanks to contemporary interpretations. ‘We love to play with paneling and boarding because, depending on the type used, they create an atmosphere,’ Cox adds. ‘It works in so many different types of homes – not just period properties.’ One of the most modern ways to introduce the look is through fluted paneling, which adds softness and rhythm while still referencing traditional craftsmanship.

The result is a design detail that feels both timeless and current – a reminder that sometimes the most impactful updates are the ones that have been there all along.

As nostalgic decor trends make their return, it’s clear why designers and homeowners are embracing them once again. Decorating with vintage pieces brings something modern interiors often lack – soul, character, and stories that unfold over time.

There’s also a special place for brown room ideas – a palette that will always remind me of my childhood. Warm wood tones, chocolate walls, and earthy finishes may have surged as a major color trend last year, but their appeal is far from fleeting. Brown carries a sense of comfort and familiarity, and it continues to play an important role in how I choose to decorate, offering depth and warmth that never feels out of place.

The key to making nostalgia feel fresh lies in balance. When thoughtfully layered with contemporary pieces, vintage finds and enduring colors add depth and individuality without overwhelming a space.

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