As 2025 draws to a close, many in the home furnishings industry are looking ahead to 2026 and the trends that will shape design going forward. Full-line home brand Moe’s recently offered a look at what’s next with its 2026 Design Forecast, and outdoor played a major role.
According to the report, 42% of survey respondents anticipate planning more for year-round outdoor spaces. And the panel of interior designers who presented the report during a recent online session said that finding reflects what they’re experiencing with their clients.
“Indoor-outdoor living is starting to emerge in popularity because people really want their homes to do a lot for them,” said Shaun Crha, principal designer and founder, Wrensted Interiors. “They’re usually paying a lot of mortgage or rent, so every space should be completely utilized, including those outdoor spaces. And we want to make sure that those are starting to get used to their fullest.”
Abby Pendergrast, a Los Angeles-based designer, stylist and creative consultant, said she has seen an uptick in outdoor projects, as well, and she credits advances in performance textiles for helping drive that demand.
“You see a lot of brands doing cool collabs with companies like Sunbrella fabric, and you’re seeing stuff that can look like it’s more indoor-outdoor and not just strictly outdoor furniture,” she said. “In the past, that material was very specific to that weather-resistant, stain-resistant vibe, and now you’re seeing so many brands and companies do a bit more of an interior look with fabric that has more texture or color. It can bridge the gap between the inside of your house to the outside.”
And Maura Dineen, creative director at Moe’s, said they’re seeing those outdoor textiles even going inside the home.
“We’re working with mills that are bringing what’s popular indoors to the outdoor,” she said. “There’s a lot of advanced technology with fabric right now, and what we’re finding interesting is families like having outdoor fabric in their indoor spaces.”
Looking at trending colors, Moe’s found that mocha brown rose in popularity from 58.5% in 2024 to 79.8% in 2025 — the third consecutive year of growth for the shade. The demand for cherry red also has risen significantly, from 8.4% in 2024 to 22.3% this year. Another key color for 2026? Butter yellow, with 34.9% of designers saying it will be important in the coming year.
“Butter yellow is what I call a bridge color — it connects neutrals with stronger hues, softening the transition between the light and dark tones,” said Arvin Olano, content creator and designer. “The end result is dynamic and calming.”
Pattern-wise, 29.9% of designers said florals will be big in 2026, while 21.2% pointed to a rise in tapestry-inspired motifs. And with materials, 43.4% of designers anticipate wicker and natural fibers being important in the coming year. Interest in darker woods also soared over the past year, from 24.9% in 2024 to 90.1% in 2025.
Moe’s interviewed a wide swath of designers and collected data from design searches to formulate trends in the report. Moe’s co-CEO Moe Samieian Jr. said the report not only allows the company to stay abreast of the latest trends, but also to serve as a resource for the greater design community.
“Our mission is to stay ahead of where design is going, not just where it is today,” he said. “The 2026 forecast is our way of distilling the cultural and aesthetic shifts we’re seeing — so designers can feel supported, inspired and confident in the choices they’re making for their clients.”
