The Top Design Trends for 2026, According to Shea McGee
It’s the turn of the year – a time for reflection on the past and excitement for the future. In the world of interior design, it’s a time when industry experts unveil what interior design trends they think will dominate in the year to come – and Shea McGee is ready with her predictions.
In a recent video posted to YouTube, the designer shared a list of design trends that excite her the most for 2026. ‘These are things I’m really inspired by, and have been inspired by for quite some time, so you’ll see them start to pop up in Studio McGee projects and McGee & Co. products,’ the designer explained in her video.
Shea recognizes that trends can be a point of contention in interior design, as many designers and homeowners alike prefer timeless decorating ideas over fleeting fads. ‘While I don’t love the word ‘trend’, I do think that there are details that keep design feeling fresh,’ Shea explains, and the details that she mentions in her video will certainly keep design fresh in the new year.
Below, we’ve highlighted five of the key trends Shea’s eager to use and see more of in 2026. These trends are ‘rooted in tradition,’ according to Shea, and they lean into the designer’s ‘new heritage’ aesthetic.
1. Silver Accents
Silver accents don’t need to dominate a space. In fact, they’re best in small doses, like these two Adeline Taper Candle Holders from McGee and Co. on this mantel.
(Image credit: McGee & Co)
Decorating with silver has always been a popular choice in interior design – there’s something so sophisticated and stylish about the sleek shimmer of anything with a silver finish. That said, Shea thinks that silver will have a major design moment in the new year.
In her video, Shea explains that she’s starting to incorporate silver everywhere – from her fashion and accessory choices to how she styles the home. ‘While I still love unlacquered brass and antique brass finishes, we’re just seeing a lot more silver come into the home space,’ she says. According to Shea, the best way to adopt this trend is through the little accessories, like silver tabletop trinkets or silver lighting details. Because of silver’s shine, a little goes a long way.
Shea makes an important distinction in her video – ‘when I say silver, I mean true silver, not a chrome finish,’ she says. Although the chrome decor trend has been in the spotlight for quite a while, it’s time for a softer, warmer metallic trend to take over, and that trend is silver.
McGee & Co.
Clam Shell Serving Dish With Spoon
This clam shell-shaped serving dish is as chic as silver serveware gets. Whether you use it to hold toppings or leave it empty as a decor detail, it’ll be a statement piece on any tabletop surface.
McGee & Co.
Simone Metal Canister
For your bathroom vanity or even the dresser in your bedroom, this little organization jar is quite the stylish addition. Finished in brushed antique silver, this jar is not as shiny as other silver decor details. Instead, it whispers refined elegance.
McGee & Co.
Artois Flatware (set of 5)
In my opinion, there’s no better flatware finish than silver. It’s traditionally elegant and stylish for any tablescape. This set of five features delicate detailing on each utensil’s handle – adding to their chic look.
2. Pattern on Pattern
(Image credit: James McDonald)
Because of the recent influx of designers and homeowners wanting to create spaces that feel personal, unique, and full of character, decorating with pattern has been on the up. And while patterns will continue to make waves in the interior design space in 2026, Shea thinks we’ll be using pattern a bit differently than before – by layering pattern on pattern.
‘I’ve always been a fan of pattern, but right now we’re seeing a resurgence of it in a really traditional form, which is layering pattern on wallpaper, the upholstery, and the pillows,’ Shea explains. ‘There are bold patterns being layered together, and often, it’s a floral print.’ This pattern drenching trend is a unique approach to using pattern in interior design. Rather than mixing patterns, this trend uses the same pattern in different forms across the room, creating a sense of continuity and layered cohesion in the space.
Since the pattern on pattern trend can be bold and busy, it might be best to try it out in small spaces that are eager for some excitement, like confidence zones.
McGee & Co.
Hestercombe Floral Wallpaper
This floral wallpaper is one of Shea’s favorite picks. With its intricate design and deep color scheme, it can create a cozy ambiance in any room, or make for the perfect accent wall.
McGee & Co.
Hestercombe Tablecloth
This tablecloth is a perfect match to the Hestercombe Floral Wallpaper. If you use the wallpaper in your dining room, consider styling this tablecloth on the table to match. Together, they’ll create a cohesive, pattern-drenched scheme.
McGee & Co.
Hestercombe Pillow Cover
Although the blue version of this pillow is sold out, its design perfectly matches the Hestercombe wallpaper and tablecloth. This pillow could help you achieve the perfect pattern on pattern styling display in any room.
3. Blue
(Image credit: Future)
I know what you’re thinking – how is blue a new trend? Trust me, it’s not. And Shea doesn’t think so, either. However, Shea explains that over the past few years, blue and green have taken turns as the ‘it’ color. And in 2026, Shea thinks decorating with blue will take charge as the dominant color of the year.
‘I am seeing blue come back in a big way in all shades,’ the designer explains. She mentions how she’s seen light, powdery blues as a kitchen cabinet trend for the new year, as well as traditional blue and white decor details as a trend for the rest of the home. ‘It’s timeless, it’s classic, but right now, it feels fresh because I think we’ve moved away from it over the last couple of years,’ Shea says of using blue in interior design.
Blue has and always will be a desirable color trend for interior design. But according to Shea McGee, 2026 will be year for it to shine.
McGee & Co.
Bellevue Velvet Pillow Cover
One of my personal favorite shades of blue is navy – it’s rich, sophisticated, and quietly elegant. Style your couch with this navy blue velvet pillow cover for a chic and timeless look.
McGee & Co.
Chinoiserie Ginger Jar
Shea mentions blue and white ginger jars as a prime decor detail for the blue color trend. Not only is this jar a stylish tabletop decoration, but its traditional color scheme can add a level of timelessness to any room.
McGee & Co.
Veneto Table Lamp
I love the deep blue color of this lamp’s base. It’s bold and alluring, but in a refined way. Style it in your living room as a grounding decor feature for the space.
4. Dark Wood Stains
The Heathcliff Console Table from McGee & Co. is finished in a rich, dark wood stain. It can add character and depth to any space.
(Image credit: McGee & Co)
‘This is something that I have called out for the last few years,’ Shea says of the dark wood stain trend. The designer explains that she loves repeating trends like this one because they’re proof that trends don’t have to be short-lived, fleeting fads that last less than a year. It’s part of the design cycle for things to be popular for a few years, fade out of popularity, and then become desired once again. Just like dark wood stains.
‘We’ve seen dark woods really start to make a comeback and right now especially we’re just seeing a lot of it,’ Shea explains. Dark wood tones are rich, they invite depth, and according to Shea, they ‘add a lot of character to a home,’ whether that be in the form of large furniture, side tables, stools, or even tabletop decor.
‘I hope to continue to see more of that brought into the home – whether it’s furniture or the finishes,’ Shea says of dark wood stains.
McGee & Co.
Alice Wood Stool
Aside from its rich, dark stain, this wooden stool is unique thanks to its bobbin leg detailing and its flat side. It’s the perfect little table to position next to a wall or a chair.
McGee & Co
Elizabeth Bread Board
Bring the dark wood stain trend into your kitchen with a dark wood bread board. When not in use, lean this board up against your kitchen backsplash for deep color contrast.
McGee & Co
Hemingway Dining Chair
There’s something so timeless about a dark wood dining chair, like this one from McGee & Co. With its clean angles and rich color, this chair can ground your dining room with effortless elegance.
5. ‘Hollywood Cottage’
The Hollywood cottage aesthetic features all of Shea’s favorite trends for 2026, including blue and white details and vintage-inspired floral prints, all with an undertone of lived-in luxury.
(Image credit: McGee & Co)
If all of the above trends could be incorporated into one space, they’d create a distinct look that Shea hopes to see in 2026 – an aesthetic that she’s titled ‘Hollywood cottage’. ‘Imagine a space with seagrass rugs, slip-covered sofas, breezy, linen drapes, vintage-inspired florals, blue and white accents, and silver,’ Shea describes. ‘When they’re brought together, it evokes a definite mood.’ That mood is Hollywood cottage.
Although we’ve seen many variations of the cottagecore trend over the last few years, Shea explains that the Hollywood cottage look is slightly different. ‘This is ‘cottage’, but with a fanciness applied to it,’ the designer says.
There are layers to the Hollywood cottage look. At its core, it’s inviting and comfortable – like a lived-in cottage. However, little additions of glamour reflect the ‘Hollywood’ aspect of the name. These glamorous additions include silver details, rich, vintage florals, and even blue and white ceramics.
‘Together, all of these layers feel elegant and curated, but you can also make them feel really lived-in and comfortable as well,’ Shea says of the Hollywood cottage aesthetic.
McGee & Co.
Catherine Ottoman
The Hollywood cottage aesthetic is full of rich floral details that have a vintage-inspired look to their design. This ottoman is a prime example. It has vintage appeal with a fresh, modern twist. It’s a perfect Hollywood cottage decor feature.
Silver accents bring glamour to Shea’s Hollywood cottage aesthetic. This little clock could certainly stylize any tabletop surface with its sleek, shiny design. Plus, it has some vintage appeal with boxy frame and tall Roman numerals.
McGee & Co.
Conlin Indoor/outdoor Pillow
Shea mentions that blue and white decor details are a key feature of the Hollywood cottage aesthetic. To help create the look in your home, style this pillow on your sofa. Its color is fresh, its pattern is inviting, and it’ll pair well with other Hollywood cottage decor details.
Shea McGee’s design predictions for 2026 are not momentary, fleeting trends that will be forgotten come 2027. Instead, her predictions are well-informed ideas that have the capacity to define style in the new year, and years to come.
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