As an interior design writer, my greatest resources for trendspotting are the people who have boots on the ground: interior designers, who see and set the trends themselves every day. With the new year right around the corner, Apartment Therapy recently launched its fifth annual State of Home Design, a survey which polled around 140 designers to uncover the latest trends in interiors.
One of the questions we asked the design community was which new trends they hoped would stick around for 2026. Their answers? Around 14% of the designers polled said they hope that pattern mixing and pattern play are here to stay. And I know I’m not the only one who agrees — this refreshing, fun, and versatile maximalist styling trend is truly shaking up the design industry.
What Is Pattern Play, and Why Is It So Popular in Home Design?
As the name implies, pattern play involves styling different patterns together to craft vibrant spaces that are visually arresting and showcase the homeowners’ distinctive personal style. Pattern play is full of possibilities — from checkered curtains with floral wallpaper to a statement rug and a striped couch, any and all surfaces in the home can be experimented with.
Not only does pattern mixing create a sense of depth and dimension, but it also offers endless possibilities for creativity. As designer JoAnna Baum of JoAnna Baum Interiors puts it, “Pattern mixing [is] always fresh, and there are so many unique ways to pull it off.”
“I love pattern mixing and playing with patterns because it creates personality in a space and makes a room memorable,” says designer Rebecca F. Jones of Rebecca Frye Design. The trend most definitely reflects the rise of personality-driven interiors and the continuing popularity of maximalism we saw this year in 2025 — and I hope to see a whole lot more of it next year, too.
How Designers Are Using Pattern Play in Design
From wallpapers and flooring to curtains and carpets, patterns can be used on any surface of home interiors. Designers are also incorporating pattern mixing with bold hues to make a striking statement.
Designer Kelley Kolettis agreed, answering with a resounding “color and pattern!” She went on to discuss how people are currently incorporating pattern play in fun ways, specifically mentioning the resurgence of wallpaper and updated flooring styles. “We love that wallpaper has made a comeback and the unique ways that it can be applied — including the ceiling or within picture-box molding panels,” she says.
“Checkered tile floor patterns have also been trending with the updated styles of using large-format neutral stone tiles that have a timeless lived-in-luxury look,” Kolettis adds.
Next year, pattern play will continue to be a powerful tool for injecting character, depth, and vibrancy into home interiors. Based on the insights from leading designers, we can confidently expect this awe-inspiring trend to continue dominating interiors well into 2026.