It’s the time of year again for making predictions about the upcoming year. But if you know me, you know that I’m not pushing you to embrace all the upcoming trends.
Quite the opposite in fact.
While there is nothing wrong with loving the new trends, we all love what’s new, ultimately, I want you to love your home forever, not just for now.
The most fascinating thing about trends is watching them evolve from where I sit. Last week I was in a meeting where a designer was showing me a colour scheme she had assembled for a client and basically this was it:
The colour scheme she was presenting to her client had all the trending colours of the past decade, grey, black, and cognac with the addition of warm neutrals plus green.
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We desperately need another neutral (we’re back to the 90s with this one) to replace the charcoal, black and white palette our commercial buildings and homes have embraced for the past 16 years since the Tuscan brown trend.
With my house, I’m actually quite happy that I inherited a warm neutral kitchen since that is what the planet is gravitating towards. What’s even more amazing is that the finishes are also completely timeless.
Why do I need to know what’s trending? I share my take on trends in a large part to shed light on what’s actually timeless (the opposite of trendy). And to help you indulge in the trends without creating expensive future regrets.
Making choices for your home that knowingly transcend the trends is exactly what my FREE Masterclass Trend Proof your Dream Home is all about! ⭐️ The last sessions of the year are coming up in October so save your seat! ⭐️
Now to be sure, timeless home finishes sometimes do enjoy time in the spotlight as a trend. Subway tile is a great example of this. It’s nuances like this that makes navigating what’s timeless vs what’s trendy tricky.
But don’t worry! I’m here for you. I’ve spent my career making observations about the trends and developing my timeless POV.
One theme that a appreciate about where trends are going in 2026 is that warm layers that tell a more personal story is a big part of the “new” (but really old and timeless) look for interiors. Bye bye stark and minimal, hello warm, lived in and inviting. Like this gorgeous room above by Emma Burns.
There is also a look that is trending heavily that I personally am shocked to see coming back around already 😳 I’d love to know what you think about this one!
Click the video to see the full report.
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No, I am NOT ready for Tuscan. Probably never will be ready, unless somehow it can involve blue and green and feel fresh. The natural/earthy nostalgia of Tuscan is appealing. But Americanized Brown Tuscan? No way.
Years ago, I really embraced the 2000s Tuscan design trend but not sure I’d be quick to adopt the New Tuscan design trend. My current lifestyle seems to gravitate more towards New Traditional so I’m all over the warmer, lived in and inviting look and I’ve always loved color, layers, texture and depth. I can say quite adamantly though that aside from organic elements like plants, etc. the color green will never, ever make an appearance in any of my homes.
My nine-year-old was watching the video with me, and she said she hadn’t lived very long and she is traumatised by the Tuscan trend!!! So funny.
Haha that’s funny! xo
The simpler, paler New Tuscan appeals to me a lot more than the heavy dull Old Tuscan trend, for sure. But I’m not going that direction at all. I think for some people it may feel like a more elevated, rich simplicity (when done well). Give me the English country warmth, life, and color any day, but hold the clutter collections.
I’m loving the layered neutrals and warm wood tones. I’m definitely not ready for “New Tuscan”, and I’m not sure I ever will be ready. Great video and blog, Maria! Thank you.
When I started reading your blog, you were deep in the throes of banishing pink beige, and now we are back. 🥴
And s for the new Tuscan – making it black scrollwork instead of brown still won’t make me like it. It looks like a combo of Tuscan with 70s heavy black white gold luxury. Blech.
You, Maria, are wonderful as always!
haha it’s true. . . those posts can be resurrected! Thanks for following me all these years! Maria
Tuscan trend returning? When it was at its peak we put in warm cream cabinets b/c I couldn’t stand the dark wood cabinets that were everywhere. We also added Brazilian cherry floors and a mottled brown granite but it all came together beautifully. I decorated with a cranberry valance and chair cushions plus a pretty art piece of pomegranates. Gorgeous. I haven’t considered a Tuscan kitchen in our new build because I wanted something totally different.
Oh gosh, if I asked a designer for help and they gave me a mockup with all the colours of the last decade, I guess I’ve at least figured out what designer to definitely not continue with!
I love the green decor, I’m sad that it’s trendy! At some point we’re going to replace our living room couch, and I think I’ve settled on trying to find a muted teal. Hopefully that won’t read as part of the green trend.
The important thing to remember is it’s never the color itself that dates a room — it’s how it’s used. Grey, black and white can all be timeless if they’re chosen in the right context and not overdone. What makes something look ‘trendy’ (and eventually dated) is when the same color is repeated everywhere, in every store and every house, for a decade. Any green sofa can absolutely feel timeless if it’s part of a balanced palette that suits your home. Thanks for your comment!
Re: the “new” Tuscan trend, I feel it’s alright as an interesting accent piece here & there. If I love a piece it will work.
Maria,
I find all you say very interesting and since I have a neutral warm wood kitchen from 20 years ago and love green I am happy.
Can you please tell me where that sky blue sofa photo you flashed in the video is from? I would love to examine it closely as I have a sky blue sofa. Thanks.
I like warm neutrals and browns but the Tuscan trend is too heavy for me. I like things light and airy!
No to fake Tuscan! Can’t go through it again.
Enjoyed your video!
The old Tuscan trend took things a bit too far, in my opinion. It was everywhere and on every object. I love a bit of Tuscany, however, this was so overdone and I saw it in friends’ homes where it never should have been used.
I never embraced the black, white , grey trend knowing my neutrals were more comfortable for me and if one thing was updated to white, everything would need updating. I am much more interested in the colors of New Tuscan with neutrals. I’m very pleased.