Key Points
- 2026 design is all about personality, with bold gallery walls, stairs, and vintage bathrooms.
- Colorful tile, nostalgic touches, and wellness rooms replace minimalist trends.
- Homeowners want spaces that feel expressive, vibrant, and uniquely theirs.
After years of minimalism being the go-to style everyone wants to imitate, interior design is about one thing going into 2026: personal expression.
According to Yelp’s latest trend report, homeowners are turning their walls (and their staircases, bathrooms, spare rooms, and pretty much everywhere else in the home) into reflections of who they are and what they love—and we’re obsessed.
Gallery Walls Are Making a Comeback
According to Yelp, gallery walls aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re getting a refresh that’s far more personal than picture-perfect grids of matching frames and cookie-cutter pre-made designs.
Searches for “custom framing near me” are up 329% this year, and “specializing in framing services” is also up 63%, showing people are ready to turn keepsakes into lasting art.
But these walls aren’t filled with your usual abstract or museum-style prints—they’re telling real stories. Think vintage plates (up 96%), mixed with framed posters (up 108%), and even photo booth strips. It’s a trend that celebrates nostalgia and just a little bit of chaos, where everything from your favorite concert poster to an airport postcard can have a place to shine on your walls.
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Stairs Are Taking Center Stage
If you’ve been ignoring your stairs, 2026 might be the year to give them a brand-new look. Searches for “stair runner installation” have just 402% and “custom carpet installation” searches have increased by double that amount, showing homeowners are turning a once solely-functional feature into a focal point.
This trend has a little bit of a dopamine decor touch to it, with patterned runners, bold paint, and eve tiled risers becoming some of the first choices for a refresh.
If you’re a renter (or just commitment-shy), temporary touches like peel-and-stick wallpapered risers can add the same burst of color.
Bathrooms Are Going Vintage
Unsurprisingly, bathrooms are in for a major glow-up this year as well. Searches for “bathroom remodeling contractors” are up a whopping 2,520%—if there was ever a time for homeowners to add some character-filled charm to these practical spaces, it’s now.
Trend experts are seeing a return to vintage staples: clawfoot tubs, brass fixtures, and even pedestal sinks. The trend seamlessly pairs nostalgia with comfort, combining things like a 1930s sink with a moody, modern tile
Wellness Is Top of Mind
It’s a no-brainer that we all need a little self-care every now and then, and most of the time that means a warm, candlelit bath or a calming yoga session on a mat in the corner of your living room—but homeowners are going even bigger in 2026.
People are looking to transform spare rooms into wellness sanctuaries, with trend experts seeing increased searches for “sauna installation” over the past few months.
Wellness design is moving beyond aesthetics into everyday living that truly turns your home into a space you’ll never want to leave.
Playful Tile Is Taking Over
And to tie it all together, the minimalist, all-white era is finally fading. Tile contractor searches are up 351%, suggesting homeowners are ready to add texture and color to their home, whether it be through a glossy zellige or terracotta tile.
Designers are finding more creative ways to incorporate tile beyond the bathroom and kitchen, think laundry rooms, stair risers, and fireplace surrounds.
Whether it’s just as a small accent or a full wall of color, the message is clear this year: boring is out, and bold is in.
If you’re ready to be on-trend this summer, you can find the rest of Yelp’s trend report on their website.
