What I’m Embracing for 2026

Chattanooga home office completed a few years ago by The Green Room Interiors

A new year always brings predictions of new trends we’ll be seeing in the world of interior design - along with what we’re leaving behind. Although interior design trends don’t cycle out as quickly as fashion trends, social media has created a voracious appetite for visual beauty and the pressure to conform with what everyone else is doing. .

Because we’re so inundated with beautiful images, it’s only natural to want to copy something we’ve seen on social media that is well received (as evidenced by “likes” and favorable comments). Not to mention these rooms are professionally photographed, styled and edited to show them in their best light. And so we fall victim of this desire to fit in.

In my opinion, this has created a follow the herd mentality when decorating our homes.

This leads me back to the title of this post, which is what I’m embracing for 2026.

Guest bedroom at a multi generational lakehouse completed by The Green Room Interiors a few years ago. It’s a perfect representation of our clients’ vibrant and colorful style. We’ve recently been commissioned to design and implement a new bathroom addition, and we’ll again embrace color and whimsy in the new space.

It’s individuality.

It’s not feeling obligated to style your home like every social media influencer you follow.

It’s embracing what you truly love, even if it’s nowhere to be found on your Instagram feed.

A dining room completed by The Green Room Interiors 6 years ago that incorporates our client’s antique dining room furniture and other pieces that have been passed down over many generations, mixed with a few modern pieces and a fresh coat of rich green paint. This is what personalized design looks like!

And let’s be honest - this takes courage. Everyone wants to feel like they’re running with the cool kids, and doing something a little different is often perceived as “wrong”.

I can’t tell you how many facebook posts I’ve seen where someone asks for paint color recommendations and the replies echo the same 3 shades of white. Mind you none of the commenters have been in the home, are considering other fixed elements that should play into color selection, or even dare to go beyond some shade of white.

How sad is that? There are literally thousands of beautiful colors available to us at any given time, and the recommendations were the same 3 shades of white?

We can do better!

Let’s vow to turn a blind eye to copycat design and stand in our personal style!

Won’t you join me in making 2026 the year of individuality, personality, and embracing the things that bring you joy?

If tons of personality, classic design elements, color, a few modern elements and bit of whimsy are on your decor wish list, we have a few spots open for new projects and we’d love to work with you! Fill out our contact form and let’s chat!