The wood finish trend that will appear everywhere from 2026

Interior design trends can come and go in the blink of an eye, meaning your wood finishes may become outdated even if they were the hottest option at the time you chose them. Sometimes wood stain color trends that were in style long ago come back to the forefront years later, and that seems to be the case in 2026. Designers are seeing dark wood stains regain popularity. If you're someone who's focused on using light wood tones in Scandinavian, cozy cottage, and other trendy styles over the past decade, you're not alone. However, many believe it's likely that darker wood tones will become more common in the coming year, making their way into accent walls, shelves, paneling, doors and trim.

Dark wood tones have been increasing in popularity for centuries. Many people may have had dark mahogany, walnut, or cherry wood furniture in their homes in the 1980s and 1990s. In recent years, lighter wood finishes have become popular, but dark wood tones offer a richness and timelessness that ground the space. They have always added weight to rooms, creating a slightly more atmospheric atmosphere and creating a feeling of intimacy in the home. Those who want a sense of sustainability and authenticity in their designs may also choose darker colors.

Why are darker wood tones so popular now and again in 2026? Some interior designers say they think it could be as simple as people getting tired of gray, beige and similar lighter wood colors. Others believe that people are looking for ways to create a cozier atmosphere in the home, created by the warmth of dark wood colors tying the elements together. The use of dark wood tones creates a sense of craftsmanship, history and unique personality that many people are increasingly seeking today.

Some of the movement toward darker wood colors may have started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were spending more time at home than usual. The desire to create more comfortable and relaxing spaces led to a move away from modern grays and towards natural midtones and light brown stains. Now this trend is taking a new direction, moving towards darker tones to highlight the warmth, coziness and character of wooden elements.

If you want to take advantage of the dark wood finishes trend, you don't have to completely remodel your home. Take simple measures like incorporating the color into an accent wall. You could add wainscoting with a deep shade to highlight the darker accent wall in the room. Consider staining your room's trim a dark color for a quick change without having to do a major remodel.

Darker finishes also define the wood furniture trend that's making a comeback, and you can embrace it by adding a statement piece with a luxe wood stain. If you want to save some money when buying new furniture, check out second-hand stores, where older pieces are often found in a dark color. Don't be afraid to use both dark and light wood in the same room to highlight certain elements and add dimension and interest to the room. If you have light walls or wooden backgrounds, a single piece of dark wood furniture will stand out in the room. You can also enhance your space with seductive wooden floors in dark tones, creating an elegant, timeless and versatile base that highlights all the contrasting elements.

Consider using walnut cabinets in a kitchen to add elegance to the room. You may need to pair the cabinets with light countertops or wall colors to ensure you don't overwhelm the kitchen with darker colors. If you already have lighter paint colors in your kitchen, you can continue to combine them with the darker wood tone as this can actually draw the eye towards the light colored rooms, creating an even greater impact.