Want to know a little design secret? My predictions for the biggest 2027 interior design trends are a little selfish. Why? Because most of them aren’t actually trends in my world. They’re things we’ve been doing at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design for years!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good trend forecast. I find it fascinating to see what the design world thinks we’ll be craving next. But I’ve always felt a beautifully designed home shouldn’t have an expiration date. I never want to design a home that feels fresh and beautiful one minute and tragically outdated before you’ve had time to enjoy it.
Whether I’m working on a historic home in Exeter or Portsmouth, a coastal retreat in Rye or Hampton, or a colorful desert escape in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, or La Quinta, my philosophy is the same. Your home should tell your story, reflect your personality (not just your zip code), make you feel something, and have a little fun along the way.
So, what’s catching my eye as we head into 2027? Let’s talk about it.
I'm a bit of a color forecasting nerd. What fascinates me isn't just which colors are predicted to be popular, but why they're emerging in the first place.
Color forecasting is both an art and a science. Using all sorts of data and analysis that could make your head spin, color forecasting looks years into the future, examining cultural shifts, world events, and how people are feeling. During times of uncertainty, we often see a pull toward earthy, grounding colors. And occasionally, a few wildly happy colors sneak in, which makes me so happy, because, well, we could all use a little joy!
As we look toward 2027, I'm seeing more greens, warm browns, and nuanced, nature-inspired undertones. Colors that feel familiar, restorative, and connected to the outdoors. And I'm all for it!
There's something incredibly comforting about bringing nature's palette inside. An earthy color palette might mean deep mossy greens, rich chocolate browns, warm clay, and subtle botanical hues.
On the New Hampshire Seacoast, those colors might echo the marsh grasses, wooded landscapes, or the beautiful changing seasons. In Palm Springs, they might take inspiration from desert mountains, sagebrush, and sunbaked earth.
Two completely different landscapes. One shared idea. No matter which coast you live on, these colors are the perfect backdrop for something a little unexpected.
If there's one design trend I hope sticks around, it's color drenching.
The idea is simple: surround yourself with color and create a room that feels like one big, beautiful hug.
Traditionally, this means painting the walls, trim, and ceiling the same color. But I like to play with the rules a bit. Maybe the walls are matte, while the trim has a little sheen. Maybe the ceiling gets a glossier finish that catches the light. Or maybe we pull a gorgeous background color from a patterned wallpaper and carry it across the ceiling and trim. That counts as color drenching in my book! The result is immersive, cozy, and incredibly intentional.
I especially love this approach in bedrooms, powder rooms, and intimate sitting spaces where you want to create a feeling rather than simply decorate a room. And no, it doesn't have to be dark. A soft, muted color can be just as enveloping as a dramatic, moody one. The secret isn't to use more color for the sake of it. It's using color to create an experience.
If you know me, you know I love wallpaper. And I'm not talking about playing it safe with a tiny, barely-there pattern (just check out my design portfolio 😉). Give me lush botanicals, unexpected prints, dramatic murals, rich textures, and wallpapers that tell a story! Wallpaper has the power to transport you. It can make a space feel romantic, adventurous, mysterious, whimsical, or wonderfully over the top.
Our La Quinta project in California is a perfect example.
In the primary bedroom, we used a rich, unexpected wallpaper that gives the room its own distinctive personality. In the powder room, we went dramatic and moody. Because honestly, if you can't have a little fun in a powder room, where can you?
Even the guest bathroom gets in on the action with a textured vinyl wallcovering that stays within the room's color palette while adding another layer of interest. It's also a practical choice for a bathroom when the right material is selected.
And you don't have to wallpaper an entire room to make a statement. One thoughtfully chosen feature wall can completely change how a space feels.
For my New Hampshire clients, wallpaper can introduce warmth and personality into coastal interiors without falling into the predictable blue-and-white-everything trap. And for my California clients? Well, the desert practically begs for a little drama.
My prediction: Wallpaper trends will continue to get bolder, more expressive, and more personal in 2027. And I'll happily keep cheering them on.
Here's a trend that will never go out of style: a home that looks like it belongs to the people living in it.
I love mixing antique and modern furniture. Old with new. Pieces with history alongside something delightfully modern. A home shouldn't look like everything arrived on the same delivery truck. It should feel collected over time.
That antique chest from your grandmother? Keep it. The funky chair you fell in love with on vacation? Let's find a place for it. The artwork that makes absolutely no sense to anyone else but makes you smile every time you see it? Even better.
The trick is knowing how to bring seemingly unrelated pieces together. For me, color is often the common thread.
A thoughtful palette can connect different eras, materials, and furniture styles, making a room feel cohesive without making everything match. This is especially true when we're working with homeowners who have collected meaningful pieces over the years. We don't want to erase their history and start from scratch. We want to celebrate it. Our design philosophy is that a home with personality will always be more interesting than a home that looks exactly like everyone else's.
One of the things I love most about working with clients is discovering what makes them tick. What colors make them happy? Which pieces do they absolutely refuse to part with? My job isn't to give you a Mandeville Canyon Design look. It's to help you discover your look, and then make it better than you ever imagined.
Wood paneling is back, and I couldn't be happier!
I recently had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts with Better Homes & Gardens about the resurgence of retro wood paneling. And while it may be making headlines as a design trend, my love affair with natural wood is nothing new.
As a biophilic interior designer, I've always loved working with wood. The warmth, texture, and character it brings to a space are hard to replicate. There's something so comforting about it, especially when it's thoughtfully incorporated into the design of a home.
But before you start picturing your grandmother's 1970s basement, let me explain.
Today's wood paneling can be absolutely gorgeous. If you’re collecting wood paneling ideas, think rich wood tones, custom millwork, beautifully stained moldings, or sleek vertical slats that add texture and architectural interest without overwhelming a space.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is embrace what's already there. This is especially true in New England, where historic homes and coastal properties often have amazing architectural details worth preserving. Rather than ripping everything out in the name of modernization, I love finding ways to honor a home's original character while giving it a fresh perspective.
And in Palm Springs, where natural materials and architectural details can play such an important role in midcentury modern homes, wood can be just as beautiful when used with a thoughtful, modern touch.
Curious about wood paneling's comeback? Read my thoughts in Better Homes & Gardens' feature on retro wood paneling.
I'll just say it: I love curves. Round tables. Arched doorways. Sculptural chairs. Curvy sofas. Circular mirrors. Those wonderfully unexpected, sinuous shapes that make you stop and look twice. And it's not just because they're pretty.
Rounded, organic forms are an important part of how I think about biophilic design, which draws inspiration from nature to create spaces that support our well-being. Think about the shapes we encounter outdoors. Winding paths, soft hills, flowing water, smooth stones. Nature doesn't operate in perfect right angles.
Curves can feel softer and more welcoming than sharp, angular forms. They also bring a sense of movement and playfulness into a room.
I want a room to reveal itself as you move through it. I want something to make you smile, take a second look, or wonder what's around the corner. Curves help create that experience. So yes, you'll continue seeing curved furniture and organic shapes in 2027. And you'll definitely continue seeing them in our projects.
Now here's one design direction I think is particularly interesting.
We're seeing more homeowners prioritize dedicated wellness spaces within their homes. Maybe it’s a spillover trend from, dare I say it, our COVID days, or maybe it’s a result of our lives being so busy. It doesn’t really matter why this new trend is gaining popularity; I’ve always designed homes to be a place where you feel better.
Saunas, cold plunges, home gyms, infrared spas, meditation rooms, and quiet spaces designed specifically for decompression are becoming more desirable.
For those with the room and budget, a full in-home wellness center can be fabulous. But here's what I want people to understand: Wellness design doesn't have to mean a massive renovation or a massive budget. We've transformed extra closets into infrared spa spaces and carved out little nooks beneath staircases for quiet reflection and meditation.
Sometimes all you need is a thoughtfully designed corner where you can escape the noise of everyday life. A comfortable chair. Beautiful lighting. A little privacy. Maybe a place to stretch, read, or simply sit and do absolutely nothing. Imagine that!
Whether it's a primary suite in a New Hampshire coastal home or a desert retreat in Palm Springs, I think we'll continue seeing homeowners ask an important question:
How can my home help me feel better?
And as a designer, that's a question I love answering. Beautiful design is wonderful. But beautiful design that actually improves how you live? That's the sweet spot.
Okay, this one might not sound particularly glamorous, but stay with me, because it’s actually wildly popular! Let's talk about electrical outlets. Yes, outlets.
One of the smaller design trends I'm noticing is a push to make plugs, switches, and charging stations as discreet as possible. And I'm absolutely on board. You spend time choosing the perfect stone slab for your kitchen backsplash, only to interrupt it with a giant outlet plate. Not exactly the design moment we were going for.
We're finding clever ways to make these necessary elements disappear into the design. Whoever thinks of these things is a genius!
Sometimes it means color-matching outlet covers to the wall or backsplash. Other times we're incorporating discreet plug strips beneath cabinets so we can preserve a beautiful, uninterrupted slab.
I also love small, round outlets that blend into the surrounding material and thoughtfully placed charging outlets inside drawers for phones, electric toothbrushes, and other everyday essentials.
It's a small detail, but these are the decisions that make a finished room feel truly considered. Just don’t forget to follow electrical codes, including GFCI protection and outlet placement requirements. We always work with qualified professionals to ensure our solutions are both beautiful and safe.
If I had to choose just one, I would have to say: a home that feels unmistakably like you!
Not a showroom. Not a Pinterest board copied down to the last throw pillow. And definitely not a home designed around whatever happens to be having its fifteen minutes of fame. I want homes with stories. Homes with color, texture, curiosity, and a little unexpected magic. Homes that balance comfort with personality, honor the things you’ve collected, and make room for the way you actually want to live.
Great interior design isn’t about keeping up. It’s about creating a home you never want to leave. And here’s the fun part: you don’t have to know your style before we start working together. Some of my favorite projects begin with a client telling me what they love, what they absolutely can’t stand, and a few things they never imagined could work together. That’s where the magic happens.
You don't need a home that follows every design trend. You need a home that feels like you, supports the way you live, and makes you smile every time you walk through the door.
At Mandeville Canyon Design, we create layered, colorful, personality-filled interiors for homeowners in Exeter, Portsmouth, Rye, Stratham, and throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast, as well as Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and the Coachella Valley.
Whether you're renovating a coastal home, furnishing a desert retreat, or finally tackling the spaces that have never felt quite right, I'd love to hear what you have in mind. When you’re ready, book a discovery call and let’s start the conversation.
Let's design something wonderfully you together.
Earthy, nature-inspired colors, color drenching, bold wallpaper, mixing antique and modern furniture, wood paneling, curves and organic shapes, wellness spaces, and discreet outlets. The biggest trend of all is a home that feels unmistakably like you.
Color forecasting looks years ahead, at cultural shifts, world events, and how people are feeling. In uncertain times, we often see a pull toward earthy, grounding colors, with a few wildly happy colors sneaking in.
It means surrounding yourself with one color, usually on the walls, trim, and ceiling. I like to play with finishes, or pull a background color from wallpaper across the ceiling and trim. It doesn't have to be dark. Soft, muted colors can feel just as enveloping.
Yes. Today's version is rich wood tones, custom millwork, stained moldings, or sleek vertical slats. In New England homes, that often means preserving the original wood details instead of ripping them out.
Color is often the common thread. A thoughtful palette connects different eras, materials, and styles, so a room feels cohesive without everything matching.
Renee is an absolute joy to work with. Her intuitive design sense and high emotional IQ set her apart. She effortlessly blends interpersonal nuance with professionalism, making an often overwhelming process enjoyable.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.
