Neil Kelly has released its 2026 Home Design Trends Forecast, outlining nine key trends that signal a shift toward warmer, more natural, and emotionally resonant living spaces. The forecast, based on insights from the company's design directors and general managers across the Pacific Northwest, reveals how homeowners are increasingly prioritizing environments that feel grounding, authentic, and reflective of the natural world.
Trend #1: Return to Earth highlights a growing preference for natural materials such as stone, wood, and organic textures, as homeowners seek authenticity in an increasingly digital world. Mary Miksch, Design Director for Neil Kelly, notes, 'We are seeing a movement away from man-made, fabricated materials and a return to natural, organic materials especially in wood flooring and paneling.' This trend is particularly strong in the Pacific Northwest, where wood products are abundant.
Trend #2: Statement Wallpaper + Pattern Play positions wallpaper as an architectural detail. Selah Ewert, General Manager of Neil Kelly Bend, explains, 'Botanical prints, moody landscapes, textured papers, and mural-style art add personality and depth to any room.' Bold patterns will extend to ceilings, which are being treated as the 'fifth wall.'
Trend #3: Warm Color Hues & Blues sees a departure from cool grays and whites. Matt White, general manager for Neil Kelly Eugene/Springfield, observes, 'There is a shift from the big splashes of white in kitchen cabinets and tile, as homeowners lean into the darker and warmer hues.' Jewel tones such as deep purples, rich cabernet reds, and dark natural greens are gaining popularity.
Trend #4: Crafted with Intention emphasizes handcrafted custom pieces. Amanda Armstrong Sava, general manager of Neil Kelly Seattle, states, 'More of our clients seek hand-crafted custom pieces and design elements that bring meaning and artistry into everyday spaces.' This trend reflects a desire for storytelling and real-life connections through design.
Trend #5: The New Metallics introduces champagne bronze, brushed brass, and warm nickel, often mixed harmoniously. Chrome is also making a comeback as an accent paired with darker tones.
Trend #6: Vintage Meets Modern reinterprets classic motifs for contemporary homes, blending period details like Victorian or Craftsman elements with modern furniture and simplified styling.
Trend #7: Mood-Boosting Design prioritizes emotional quality. Designers are using color psychology, with lighter palettes in high-traffic areas and deeper tones in bedrooms and lounges, and incorporating scent, sound, and tactile materials into whole-home planning.
Trend #8: Staying Ahead of the Curve introduces soft, flowing curves in architecture and furniture, replacing straight lines. Curves will appear in showers, arched openings, barrel vaulted ceilings, and fluted moldings.
Trend #9: Designing for Health & Wellness predicts increased demand for saunas, steam showers, and home gyms. Matt White notes, 'With infrared saunas and cold plunges trending, clients are prioritizing spaces that support daily self-care and long-term wellness.'
Neil Kelly, a certified B Corporation and the largest residential design-build remodeling firm in the Northwest, has locations in Portland, Seattle, Bend, and Eugene. More information is available at www.neilkelly.com.
