DIY and Decor Trends 2026
We're back with the 2026 edition of DIY and decor trends! We'll be covering them in 5 categories: colors, themes, projects, techniques, and styles. Some trends are visible across multiple categories, such as upcycling.
We read several articles and consulted various resources to compile the 2026 trends, including this downloadable article from the Craft Industry Alliance and the suggestions from Pinterest Predicts 2026.
Colors
Brights
Vibrant colors continue to be popular, especially in accessories and clothing, for example, with the "dopamine dressing" trend gaining new followers. In a world that is becoming increasingly anxiety-inducing, some people find that a little cheerfulness in everyday life makes a big difference.
Neutrals
In contrast to the "Barbie" trend of 2025, others find a refuge of calm in neutral colors. Pantone's Color of the Year is an off-white shade called "Cloud Dancer," but it's far from universally appealing, and there's some controversy surrounding this choice.
Blues and Greens
Robert Kaufman chose a beautiful green – “Wanderer” – for the 2026 color of the year. Shades of blue are also popular, especially an icy blue, according to Pinterest Predicts 2026.
2. Themes
The Circus
This includes all the traditional elements of the circus: the big top, the trapeze, the ringmaster, etc. This is also linked to the Belle Époque theme because the circus we’re imagining is more like P.T. Barnum's circus or the Wizard of Oz, and less like a contemporary circus.
Gothic Chic
This is an evolution of the Château-core theme, but with a stronger Dracula and Frankenstein vibe. Pinterest Predicts calls this theme “Vamp Romantic,” and it features the color black (of course), but also includes purples and a burgundy red.
The Belle Époque
French glamour at the turn of the century. By combining the iconic style of the Moulin Rouge with Renoir's Impressionist paintings, we’ve distilled the theme of the Belle Époque. Goth Chic is one way to interpret this theme.
Nostalgic Childhood
This theme is perhaps a reaction to our daily lives, which tend to be filled with screens and digital technology. It evokes an idealized childhood through analog toys like rocking horses, toy soldiers, and porcelain dolls. We see a connection to the circus theme.
Mix 'n Match
Combining various prints: gingham + floral, tartan + polka dots, stripes + novelty prints, etc. Here we find a connection with "dopamine dressing" in that we are not trying to reproduce a classic style, but rather boost and celebrate ourselves with all our little idiosyncrasies.
3. Projects
Upcycling
Reclaiming and repurposing what we already have is a solid, ongoing trend. Perhaps we can consider this less of a trend and more of a practice that has become widespread among a segment of the population and continues to grow.
Garlands + Pennants
All types of hanging decorations: garlands, pennants, ropes, balls, etc. We can see a connection with the circus theme and it’s like dopamine decorating!
Brooches
Brooches of all types: crocheted, beaded, with ties, etc. This type of jewelry can add a vintage and elegant touch to an outfit while showcasing one’s craftsmanship.
4. Techniques
Assembage / Collage
Related to upcycling: we create art objects with small items already at home or with found objects. For those who enjoy working with fabric, collage can be done using appliqué techniques, for example.
Crochet
Crochet items, and especially granny squares, are still in style. Crochet is everywhere, in clothing, handbags, jewelry, and decorative objects.
Lace
Lace can be found on clothing and accessories as well as in interior design. There is a possible nod to Goth Chic!
Boutis
This Provençal art similar to wholecloth quilting is making a comeback and it’s got a cozy vibe. For those who enjoy quilting but are less keen on cutting and assembling pieces of fabric, perhaps now is the time to try this technique!
5. Styles
Traditional Prints
Traditional patterns, such as gingham, tartan, paisley, and herringbone, are back. This may reflect a desire for the simplicity of yesteryear, already demonstrated in the themes of nostalgic childhood and the Belle Époque.
Flora and Fauna
The natural world is welcomed into our homes, whether through patterns or materials. We can observe peaceful colors: light greens, khakis, and beiges, but we also see bolder prints such as those found in African wax prints.
Textures
This theme embraces mainly natural materials like dried flowers and raffia, but synthetic materials remain popular, especially with glitter and lacquered finishes.
Conclusion
To round off this presentation of 2026 trends (whether they prove to be true or not), we will try to analyze the themes present here.
Overall, we're seeing a certain fondness for styles of yesteryear. This could reflect a desire to return to a simpler way of life, a desire projected onto a partially imagined past. We choose pleasant images—the so-called glamour and "simplicity" of the past—and forget a harsher reality (wars, diseases, physically tasking daily life, inequalities, etc.) that also belongs to that era.
If traditional craftsmanship and past clothing styles can provide us with a sense of creativity and peace today, why not incorporate them into our current lives? As long as we recognize that we are romanticizing the past somewhat and we don’t simply pretend that a more complex world doesn’t exist, embracing past styles in this way can do us a lot of good. One brand that represents this idea is Dandy Wellington with their slogan “Vintage Style, NOT Vintage Values.”
This is the first time we've attempted a deeper analysis of the trends for the coming year, and all that without being sociologists, but the common thread of nostalgia seemed fairly obvious, so we couldn't resist putting in our two cents.
What are your thoughts on all this? Have you noticed this nostalgic fondness for the styles and crafts of yesteryear, or not at all?
