New Year, New Narrative: Restyling Your Space after the holidays!
STOP! Before you shove your furniture back into those same tired spots now that the holiday décor is packed away, I want you to look at your rooms through a different lens.
In 2026, the "catalog-perfect" look is officially out, the Heritage is in. We are in the era of what I call The Resourced Home. This trend isn’t about buying all new; it’s about celebrating the one you’ve lived. It’s warm, it’s layered, cozy, and it’s deeply personal.
As an expert in "using what you have," I’ve always said your home should tell your story. This year, the design world finally agrees! Here is how to shake up your space and embrace a timeless, storied look for 2026 without spending a fortune.
1. Start with a Clean Slate
Before you bring in the "new," clear out the "old" energy. I swear by a New Year’s smudge or a high-quality Sage essential oil candle to clear 2025. By clearing the air and the surfaces, you create a first step for your home’s spaces. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. The Latin word for sage salvia stems form the word heal. It’s a great ritual to kick off a new year.
2. Shop Your Own History (Move What You Have)
Make your space feel "Collected, Not Decorated.” Consider flip flopping the sofas, changing the room's focal point to a different wall or changing the entire feel of the space by swapping pieces from other rooms to make it more formal or casual. Remember, this year’s trends are all about layering and curating.
The Swap: Take that dark wood dresser from the bedroom and move it to the entryway. 2026 is seeing a massive return to dark wood stains and rich patinas.
The Focal Point: Instead of centering the room around the TV, pivot your layout toward a library nook or a display of personal collections to give a room a new perspective.
Mix Your Eras: 2026 trends thrives on the "odd couple" pairing. Put that sleek, modern lamp on top of your grandmother’s antique trunk that you are now using as a side table. The tension between old and new is where the magic happens.
3. "Pattern Play" with Your Existing Textiles
One of the biggest trends for 2026 is layered patterns—layering florals on stripes on checks. Start with a "#1 large-scale pattern (florals are the easiest) , add #2 smaller geometric or striped patterns, and always include #3 solids to let the eye rest and prevent chaos.
The Re-style: Don’t be afraid to pull every throw pillow and blanket in the house and look how you can create a new collection using the pattern rule of 3 method. Take it one more step and layer a smaller, patterned rug you had in the office over the larger, neutral living room rug.
Expert Tip: If you have vintage quilts or heirloom linens tucked away in a cedar chest, bring them out. Drape them over the back of a modern sofa to instantly hit that Heritage vibe or boldly reinvent them by creating pillows, or using the piece to reupholster something.
4. Accessory Curation: The Gallery Approach
In 2026, we are moving away from "filler" accessories and toward Highly Personal Collections.
Archive the Ordinary: Archive is a nice word for get rid of it or banish it to the basement. If it’s a generic piece of décor from a big-box store, give it a rest, give it away, or consign it. 2026 should be your launch for original art.
Elevate the Sentimental: Take those old family photos out of the matching plastic, big box frames. Re-frame them in mismatched wood, gold or silver accents (silver is the "it" metal for 2026!).
Book Styling: Stack your favorite hardcovers to give height to a lamp or a small bust. It adds that "classic library" feel that defines the Heritage trend.
5. Furniture Reinvention: The Future Heirloom
If you have a piece with "good bones" but the wrong vibe, don't toss it. Heritage chic is inherently sustainable.
Paint with Depth: Move away from stark whites. If you’re painting a piece of furniture, think moody ochres, forest greens, or "espresso" browns. The Detail Touch: Swap out standard hardware for antique brass or even "freehand" ceramic knobs. These small changes make a piece feel like a custom find from a European estate.
6. The Fancy Details: A Few 2026 Updates
Once you’ve restyled the your existing things, you can add small fancy details to elevate even further. To stay on-trend for 2026, look for:
Scalloped Edges: Whether it’s a new picture mount or a small side table, "wiggly" edges are huge.
Tactile Textures: A single velvet pillow in a midnight blue or a touch of faux fur can bridge the gap between your old favorites and the current year.
Need a Fresh Set of Eyes?
Does the idea of "pattern drenching" or "mixing eras" feel more like a mess than a masterpiece? That’s where I come in. My One Day Makeover sessions are designed to do exactly this: reinvent your home using the treasures you already own, styled with a 2026 designer’s touch. I sport fabulous ideas on how to give your old stuff a new life and don't even get me started on what I can find in your home with my ‘shop your home’ skills! Give me a jingle (708-543-8597) send an email (Julea@Julea.com) my way and let's talk. We offer both on-location and e-makeover sessions. Let's get your home refreshed, restyled and reinvented for 2026.
Oh... and about those carpet divots? Don’t let them stop you from moving the sofa! Just drop an ice cube in the dent, let it melt, and fluff it up with a hairbrush. Your room gets a new life, and the divots disappear.
Let's make 2026 the year your home finally feels like you.
— Julea
