The Top Sensory Design Trends for 2026

A sneak peek at the American Society of Interior Designers 2026 Trends Outlook shows that designers are recognizing the current influence of sensory design: “Consumers crave multi-sensory indulgence-layered lighting, tactile materials, immersive audio spaces designed not just to function, but to delight, soothe, and spark memories," Fischer says.

If you’re looking to bring more sensory design into your home this year, you don’t have to make big purchases or time-consuming changes. A lot of the trending design elements highlighted below can be incorporated through small updates and a thoughtful approach to how you use your home. “I think the best tip is to pay attention to the rhythms and details of your life,” says Fischer. “Focus on the personalization that would optimize your specific experience in your home and curate around that.”

Anne D. Schlechter

1. Touchable and Visible Textures

After a long run of very sleek and minimal interior design trends, we’re seeing decorating trends become more visual, tactile, and natural. “Materials are selected for how they feel, age, and sound, not just durability,” says Fischer. Surface imperfections, natural wood grains, and hand-finished appearances are just a few examples of current interior decorating trends that support this sensory design element. Pinterest’s 2026 design trends offer an abundance of tactile textures, from bamboo-beaded curtains and handwoven baskets to plush velvet draperies, scalloped edges, and ribbed accents.

Embracing this trend should be fun and easy. “Give yourself something interactive to touch in every room,” recommends Fischer. “For example, pick a fabric, pillow, throw, or bedsheets that have the texture you love. Make going into your space a tactile experience."

Jared Kuzia

2. Sound-Softening Textiles 

Attention to sound is a major recurring trend in sensory design right now, according to Fischer, who says common design elements include acoustic panels (often disguised as art or millwork), upholstered or fabric-wrapped walls, and curved furniture forms that reduce sound bounce. Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb. “Adding textures like rugs, drapery, and even a bookshelf can help soften that noisy edge and dull some of that agitating echo,” says Fischer. 

How flooring feels underfoot and how it affects acoustics are big parts of sensory design. Flooring company Anderson Tuftex is seeing a resurgence in plush carpeting for bedrooms, stairs, hallways, and living rooms, where plush carpets add texture and warmth while increasing acoustic comfort by reducing sound. Natural fibers like wool are especially popular for their sustainability and performance. The company’s trend forecasting also notes the rise of rugs from floors to walls: textiles like tapestries and rugs are being used as wall hangings to visually soften spaces and improve acoustics.

Julie Soefer

3. Reduced Noise, Odor, and Clutter in the Kitchen  

Trends across kitchen design right now offer a lot for sensory design. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, homeowners are increasingly choosing appliances that create a better environment for cooking and gathering. This includes quiet dishwasher models and range hoods that are both quiet and effective at removing smoke, steam, and odors from the room. Soft-close cabinetry is another staple of 2026 kitchen design, according to the report, a trait that not only aids durability but also prevents jarring noises. There's also a move toward more closed cabinets and hidden storage, such as butler’s pantries, which reduce clutter and create a calmer space. 

Brie Goldman

4. More (and Personalized) Home Scents

There's a rise in the popularity of scents at home. Incense, simmer pots, diffusers, and candles are a simple but powerful way experts expect many will enhance their home’s sensory atmosphere in 2026. “Scent in your space will add to the layered experience and enjoyment of your home,” says Fischer. 

More than just lighting a candle, Fischer says upcoming scent trends are leaning toward personalized scents synced with the time of day, activity, or the area of the home. While you can switch scents yourself as your mood and needs change, Fischer notes that there is an increase in automated applications.

Jacob Fox. Styling: Breanna Ghazali

5. Nature-Aligned Lighting

Lighting is a major component of the sensory design already part of your home, but we’re noticing shifts in how we use and experience it. He suggests using fewer overhead lights and more lamps as a simple way to embrace this trend. “Focus on the quality and type of light in whatever space according to the task you want for that room. Light tells your nervous system whether it’s time to focus, socialize, or rest,” says Fischer.

Lutron’s 2026 Trend Report showcases how lighting is changing to reflect natural transitions in light. For example, natural light changes from warm and dim in the morning, to cool and bright at midday, and golden in late afternoons. This can be intentionally accomplished in your home by switching the types of lighting sources and fixtures you use throughout the day, perhaps even moving to different areas to gain more access to natural light.

Strategically using dimmers, light-filtering and -blocking window coverings, and temperature-changing light sources also offer sensory support. But automation is expanding here, too, and we don't just mean technology like motion detection. Both Fischer and Lutron call out lighting systems and apps that change lighting based on pre-programmed modes and even automatically transition to align with circadian cycles.

TRIA GIOVAN 

6. Wellness-Centric Bathrooms

Design trends over the last few years have positioned the bathroom as a personal retreat and sanctuary. More than just a place to meet daily hygiene needs, it’s now a dedicated wellness space where we turn for stress reduction and physical wellbeing. Sensory design has played an enormous role in developing this new identity for the bathroom, and the 2026 NKBA Bath Trends Report shows that numerous sensory trends are expected to continue gaining mainstream traction. 

Touch is a major element in the bathroom—from safety underfoot with textured flooring, to the water pressure and temperature of a shower. Look for ways to update those experiences with radiant-heat flooring and heated towel racks, and with shower and tub designs that offer multiple water experiences (from rainfall to powerful jet massages). These features are further enhanced by technology that adapts to individual preferences, such as smart shower controls and lighting systems tailored to each user.

Spa-like wellness features at home include aromatherapy, steam showers, saunas, and even a growing interest in cold plunge pools. Chromotherapy lighting is also being incorporated in tubs and showers. 

Julie Soefer

7. Water Filtration and Beverage Centers

Taste can be a tough sense to capture, but water filtration is a major element that continues to gain momentum. Increasing awareness of factors that impact water quality and a desire for better-tasting water, often tied to personal health initiatives, have interior designers, plumbing pros, and kitchen experts alike noting a growing demand for better water. This can mean using a countertop water filter, installing an under-sink or faucet filter where needed, or even investing in a whole-home water filtration system.

Another design element that impacts the sensory experience of taste is the continued popularity of beverage centers, which have been a staple of the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend reports in the last few years. Homeowners continue to seek more personalized enhancements that support both entertaining needs and everyday rituals. True Caliber is noting the rise of under-counter appliances, such as their single- or dual-tap beverage dispenser, which can be configured for beer or cold brew. Beverage stations are being built where they are most relevant to enhance our home experiences, whether that’s a bedroom alcove for lingering over a cup of coffee in the morning or near guest spaces for luxurious self-serve amenities.