Pinterest just dropped its 2026 trend forecast, and it’s full of ideas that make me want to dive straight into painting palettes and sketchbooks. The report highlights a shift toward emotional comfort, expressive individuality, and a kind of joyful maximalism, a frankly refreshing pivot after so many years of minimalism.

Here are the trends I see that feel especially relevant to surface-pattern & home-decor, paired with what I’m already imagining doing in our studio.

Key 2026 Themes from Pinterest Predicts

Comfort, authenticity & escapism

Pinterest frames 2026 as a year where people want their spaces and aesthetic choices to feel like refuge — a soft place to land amid life’s noise. Expect a surge in demand for comfort, cozy textures, nostalgic touches, and designs that feel real, warm, and emotionally grounded. BeautyMatter

Maximalism, personality & global influence

The “minimal neutral” look is stepping aside for bold, expressive, layered interiors. People are starting to build identity in their surroundings - mixing cultural references, heritage-inspired textures, global craftsmanship, and curated maximalist decor. House Beautiful

A few of the standout aesthetics Pinterest calls out:

Afrohemian Decor - a rich fusion of African-inspired artisanal textiles, earthy natural fibers, vibrant pattern layering, hand-woven baskets, and deep cultural roots. Searches for “afrobohemian home decor” reportedly jumped ~220%. The Everygirl
NeoDeco - a fresh take on Art Deco glamour, updated for modern homes: geometric lines, metallic/brass accents, jewel-toned palettes, vintage-meets-modern furniture, luxe finishes. House Beautiful
FunHaus / circus-inspired interiors - a playful, whimsical nostalgic swing: striped patterns, bold shapes, vintage posters or wallpaper, and design that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Something between nostalgia and bold imagination. ELLE Decor
Extra Celestial / cosmic & opalescent vibes - interest in otherworldly finishes: iridescent hues, soft metallics, space-inspired shapes, ethereal colors, and a mood that’s dreamy, slightly surreal, and reflective. House Beautiful

Individual style, identity & nostalgia over trends

2026 seems to be about people reclaiming their style, leaning into what feels true to them instead of chasing a generic “look.” Expect personal expression, curated homes, heritage motives, and emotion-driven design choices to dominate. BeautyMatter

How You Might Use This Report in Your 2026 Planning

If you’re looking at these Pinterest 2026 trends and wondering, “Okay… but what do I actually do with this?” here’s a simple way to make these ideas useful instead of overwhelming. Think of the report as a starting point, not a rulebook. You’re not trying to match the trends; you’re just using them to spark clarity in your own creative direction.

Here’s how you can fold this into your planning for the year:

Look for the themes that naturally fit your style
You don’t have to use every trend. Just choose which ones feel like an easy “yes” for your own work. Those are the ones worth exploring. Don’t pursue a trend just because it’s a trend, if it’s pushing you outside of your style, it could be best to skip it.

Create a few small “trend-inspired” experiments
Instead of building or planning out full collections right away, try to start with just creating one or two motifs, a palette test, or a mini pattern set for the trends that interest you. Keep it casual. Sometimes the smallest experiments lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Use the trends to steer your color choices
If you’re planning collections for 2026, pay attention to the tones and moods Pinterest is calling out. Things like: soft jewel tones, earthy warmth, soulful neutrals, dreamy iridescence. Even a subtle palette shift can make your work feel more current while still staying true to your style.

Let the trends shape your collection themes
If you’re someone who likes having a roadmap for the year, pick one or two trends and turn them into gentle seasonal themes. You don’t need or want to reinventing your style here, you’re just giving yourself a lens to explore it through.

Think about how your art fits inside someones home
Pinterest is essentially a giant home-decor mood board. When they predict something, it usually reflects what people want in their spaces. As a designer, that’s incredibly helpful to know and keep in mind, even if you’re designing for fabric and not wallpaper. Ask yourself: How would this trend translate into bedding, wallpaper, or kids’ decor? It will instantly shift how you think about scale, motifs, and color.

Blend trends with your long-term brand aesthetic
The strongest designers take inspiration without losing themselves. Use Pinterest’s predictions to stretch your style slightly, not replace it. Your goal isn’t to just chase the trends but to actually understand the emotional direction people are going in 2026 and make art that supports that feeling.

I hope this helped you get a clearer sense of what Pinterest is seeing for 2026 and how you might weave those ideas into your own creative planning. Trend reports are never meant to box you in — they’re just tools to spark new direction, new palettes, and new possibilities. Take what resonates, leave the rest, and let it gently shape the way you dream up your collections this year. And as always, I’m cheering you on as you build work that feels like you.

P.S. If you want a deeper look at the interior trends shaping 2026 — especially the ones that directly influence wallpaper, home décor, and surface pattern design — I put everything together in a 22-page Interiors Trend Report for Surface Designers. It’s full of color palettes, motif direction, texture ideas, style movement, and mood boards you can use as a starting point for your own collections. It’s a really helpful companion if you’re planning your design year and want a clearer sense of where interiors are heading.