Choose Warm Earth Tones and Honeyed Neutrals Instead

“At Saint Louise Design, we’re officially putting cool gray to rest in 2026,” Stephanie Brown, of Saint Louise Design, tells Better Homes & Gardens. “What was once the go-to modern neutral now feels sterile and clinical, stripping living spaces of natural warmth and personal character.”

Brown adds, “Our team loves guiding clients toward terracotta, ochre, and warm honeyed neutrals to instantly ground a room. This earthy palette creates an inviting, timeless backdrop that feels effortlessly layered and high-end.”

Ffzuiya 8-Inch Ceramic Vase

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“We love raw terracotta accents like this vase to instantly inject organic texture onto a console or shelf,” Brown says. “Style it empty as a sculptural focal point, or fill it with eucalyptus for a soft, earthy touch.”

Miulee Pack of 2 18x18-Inch Corduroy Throw Pillow Covers

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“Our team frequently swaps cool-toned textiles for rich corduroy covers in camel or rust to cozy up a living room sofa,” Brown explains. “The heavy ribbed texture adds tactile depth against leather or tailored upholstery.”

Bedsure Knit 100% Cotton Throw Blanket

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“Draping a soft, warm-toned knit throw across an armchair is one of our favorite budget-friendly tricks for breaking up sterile neutrals,” Brown says. “This breathable knit offers a cozy, inviting texture that makes a room feel layered and lived-in.”

Don’t Hang Word Art and Text Signage in Every Room

Hang Kids’ Creations, Curated Art, and Pieces That Tell Personal Stories Instead

“Text-based signage telling guests to ‘Gather’ or ‘Live, Laugh, Love,’ has officially phased out of modern interiors,” Brown says. “In our studio, we believe decor shouldn’t rely on generic mass-produced instructions to evoke feeling.”

“Our team firmly believes that a home should tell the authentic story of who actually lives there,” Brown adds. “Instead of store-bought phrase signs, we encourage clients to blend meaningful personal elements—like framed drawings made by your kids or candid family portraits—with curated fine art, vintage botanical prints, or textured artwork that evokes real emotion without needing words.”

Li’l Davinci 8.5x11-Inch Kids’ Art Frame

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“We adore this front-opening frame because it elevates your child’s drawings into gallery-worthy art while storing up to 50 creations behind it,” Brown explains. “It allows you to rotate your little artist’s latest masterpiece in seconds while keeping memories clutter free.”

Haus And Hues Set of 4 Vintage Botanical Art Prints

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“Bringing in classic fine art or vintage-inspired botanical prints adds quiet refinement and natural beauty to your walls,” Brown says. “Our designers love using set pieces like this in entryways, hallways, or dining rooms to create an elegant, timeless focal point that replaces mass-produced text.”

Americanflat 20x20-Inch Matted Gallery Wall Picture Frame Set

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“Curating a structured grid of matted frames filled with family portraits, wedding prints, or cherished vacation snapshots tells your unique story with high-end refinement,” Brown says. “The clean matting gives deeply personal photos a polished, cohesive finish.”

Don’t Buy Matching Showroom Furniture Sets

Curate Vintage-Inspired Accent Furniture Instead

“Buying an entire bedroom or living room set straight off a showroom floor gives a space a flat, catalog-like appearance,” Brown explains. “We steer clients away from matching suites because they prevent a home from feeling uniquely collected.”

“We prefer blending complementary wood tones, contrasting metals, and diverse silhouettes to create a layered, custom-designed look,” Brown adds. “Combining distinct eras and materials makes a space feel thoughtfully collected over time.”

Vasagle Round Side Table

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“We love incorporating rich walnut wood tones like this minimalist side table to bring timeless warmth into a seating area,” Brown says. “Its clean silhouette and deep wood grain pair effortlessly alongside upholstered sofas or contrasting armchairs, creating a custom, curated feel rather than a boxed-set look.”

Anj Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair

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“Our designers love using a tailored, wood-framed accent chair like this to introduce vintage-inspired warmth and sculptural contrast next to a plush sofa,” Brown explains. “Its clean midcentury lines bring effortless style without overcrowding your floor plan.”

Fultyle 2-Tier Storage End Table

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“We love incorporating functional two-tier side tables like this to bring multi-level texture to a seating area without taking up an unnecessary footprint,” Brown says. “Style a warm sculptural lamp on top and place a stack of design books or a small woven basket on the lower shelf to create an effortlessly layered look.”

Don’t Rely on Stark, All-White Everything

Decorate with Deep, Saturated Colors and Jewel-Toned Accents Instead

“The ultra-stark, clinical all-white aesthetic is officially behind us as clients crave spaces with personality and warmth,” Brown says. “In 2026, all-white rooms feel overly sterile, high-maintenance, and visually uninspiring.”

“Our team loves drenching spaces in deep, saturated accents like moody forest green, rich amber, and indigo,” Brown explains. “Introducing color through curated accessories delivers effortless drama and cozy richness without overwhelming the room.”

Relexome Amber Glass Bud Vase

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“Glowing in rich honey-amber tones with a charming vintage-inspired handle, this glass vase is a studio favorite for introducing warm jewel tones,” Brown adds. “We love styling it on a windowsill to catch natural sunlight or filling it with tall leafy stems as an eye-catching centerpiece.”

Puncuntex Jacquard Fringe Throw Blanket

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“Draping a rich green woven throw over crisp neutral seating is a quick way our team breaks up stark white spaces,” according to Brown. “The intricate jacquard texture and playful fringe add tactile warmth and immediate color contrast to any sofa or armchair.”

Nikky Home Set of 3 Hammered Candle Holders

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“Warm brass metalwork is essential in our design toolkit for balancing out pale, clinical backdrops,” Brown says. “Arranging these varying-height candle holders along a mantelpiece or dining table introduces sculptural height and cozy golden light.”

Don’t Install Solo Recessed Overhead Lighting

Layer Ambient and Sculptural Table Lamps Instead

“Relying exclusively on a grid of bright overhead recessed lights—often called ‘the big light’—flattens a room and casts unflattering shadows. We always tell our clients that lighting should be an intentional design element, not just a ceiling grid,” Brown explains.

“We build warm, inviting atmospheres by layering light across eye-level lamps, sconces, and task lighting,” Brown adds. “Accent and portable lamps double as beautiful sculptural elements by day and atmospheric glow sources by night.”

Fengarolam Walnut Table Lamp

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“We love using table lamps with warm wood accents and minimalist silhouettes to create inviting pockets of ambient light,” Brown tells BHG. “The rich walnut-style finish and clean design bring sculptural warmth to bedside tables, consoles, or reading nooks.”

Fortune Shun Cordless Rattan Table Lamp

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“We love using woven rattan accents to bring organic texture and coastal warmth into a space,” Brown says. “This rechargeable, portable lamp is perfect for adding a cozy, eye-level glow to a dining setup, bedside, or bookshelf without any unsightly cords cluttering your layout.”

Globe Electric x Novogratz 18-Inch Desk Lamp

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“Featuring a sleek brass-and-black industrial silhouette, this desk lamp offers beautiful task lighting with serious design credibility,” Brown explains. “Our team loves placing it on a home office desk or side table where its adjustable arm casts targeted warmth right where you need it.”