The Verdict Is In: Modern Heritage Is the Hottest New Design Style of 2026

• These days, homeowners are drawn to modern spaces that still feel rooted in history.
• Designers Barry and Jordan of The Brownstone Boys coined this new style 'Modern Heritage.'
• Read on for more about the latest interior design style, plus how to take part.

Lately, designers and homeowners alike have been embracing pieces rooted in history—think antique mirrors, vintage glassware, and more. Retro design trends have taken over interiors, yet there isn't just one specific style or decade that people keep coming back to. It's a combination of different eras, all mixed within a home that somehow still feels modern.

To learn more about what homeowners are truly craving in their spaces, we asked 15+ pro designers what interior design style or trend will be most popular in 2026, and the majority had a pretty similar answer. People want spaces that pay homage to the past yet still embrace a modern way of living.

Designers Barry and Jordan of The Brownstone Boys even coined a name for the new style: Modern Heritage. "Think restored woodwork paired with a contemporary sofa, or antique lighting alongside playful wallpaper. People want spaces that feel rooted in history but lived for today—designs that feel both personal and enduring," says Barry and Jordan.

Ahead, we discuss what modern heritage really is, why it's so popular, and tips for taking part, all according to interior designers who have seen this new style come to life.

What Is Modern Heritage?

As mentioned above, modern heritage pairs the old with the new for a more personal, collected space. "It's all about honoring the past while designing for how people actually live today. It’s a balance of preservation and play, keeping the architectural soul of a space intact but layering it with contemporary comfort, expressive color, and personality," says The Brownstone Boys.

And it's not just Barry and Jordan who have noticed this style come to life recently. Other designers agree, too. Designer Betty Ann Gilrain of Betty Ann Gilrain Studio says this style has actually been alive for quite some time, but now, homeowners have easier access to the heritage pieces they need to pull it off.

"It has always been in style going back decades! Partly because of the love of so many different design eras and not wanting to be siloed into just one, but also because there are more ways to source vintage and antique pieces than ever before online with retailers like 1st Dibs and Chairish," says Gilrain.

"As an interior designer, it’s great to see more makers creating these unique pieces, whether it’s furniture, ceramics, or lighting. I think this is more than a trend; it’s a style of design that connects people to their surroundings and reflects who they are at home," says Damour.

How to Get Involved

According to designers, modern heritage is a style with real staying power. "After years of minimalism and 'one-look' interiors, people want to celebrate imperfection, craftsmanship, and history again. Modern heritage isn’t about replicating the past, it’s about carrying it forward. Because of that flexibility and emotional connection, we believe it’s here to stay," says The Brownstone Boys.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get involved if you haven't already began to embrace modern heritage. Whip out any heirlooms that have been passed down to you, go for a trip to the thrift store, or simply identify the areas of your home that tell a story. Here are a few tips from pro designers to get started.

✔️ Preserve original features: "Keep the trim, moldings, or tile that tell your home’s story and let them become the foundation for your design," says Barry and Jordan.

✔️ Lean into what you have: "I love that my grandmother’s brass base lamp was handed down to me, originally feeling out of place in a more modern space until I added a fun, block-print linen pleated shade," says Gilrain.

✔️ Layer thoughtfully: "Pair an antique mirror with a modern light fixture, or a streamlined sofa with vintage art. It’s about balance, not matching," says Barry and Jordan.

✔️ Add color and pattern with confidence: "Rich, unexpected hues (like moss green or oxblood) and statement wallpapers bring warmth and depth that make a space feel lived-in, not just decorated," says Barry and Jordan.

✔️ Search Facebook Marketplace and Etsy: Both are treasure troves of old and new. You must be willing to do some digging, though," says Gilrain.