An interior decorator’s wishes for 2026
/Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News/USA Today Network
As we head into 2026 in Southwest Florida, I’m skipping New Year’s resolutions altogether. Instead, I’m making wishes: joyful hopes for the way our homes look, feel, and support us in the year ahead.
These wishes are less about tearing walls down and more about living better with what we already have (and maybe tweaking it just a little). So consider this a decorator’s wish list for your home.
Wish #1: A home that feels calm the moment you walk in
As an interior decorator working with clients throughout Southwest Florida, my wish is always to help them design spectacular spaces that reflect the way they live. And having said that, my first wish is for a home that gives you peace.
A home that allows you relax the minute you walk in the door. That lets you take a breath. This starts with editing visual clutter. Not adding more. Too many small accessories, overly busy patterns, or furniture that’s too much for the space can raise stress levels.
Try this instead:
• Remove one or two items from each room and see how the space feels.
• Leave a little space on walls. Especially in entryways and main living areas.
• Choose larger, simpler pieces over collections of small ones.
Calm doesn’t mean boring. It means intentional and a well-thought-out-plan
Wish #2: Better use of what you already own
One of my biggest wishes for 2026 is that homeowners rediscover what they already own. You may not need a full renovation to refresh your home. What you may need is a fresh perspective.
Before buying anything new:
• Shop your own home.
• Rotate art and accessories seasonally, just like you rotate clothing.
• Reframe artwork or photography you already love for an instant update.
This isn’t about making do. It’s about curating, not accumulating.
Wish #3: Decide if you really need a renovation or redecorating
This is a big one for me. I often walk into homes with great layouts and solid finishes that just need fresh eyes. New furnishings, updated lighting, reworked layouts, and better scale can completely change a space without construction dust or months of disruption. It may also allow you to postpone a renovation depending on budget and time constraints. Redecorating can be tansformative when done thoughtfully.
Wish #4: Furniture that invites you to stay awhile
In 2026, make comfort the priority.
• Comfortable seating that doesn’t look overstuffed.
• Chairs that actually get used, not just admired.
• Sofas deep enough for movie nights, naps and visitors.
If replacing furniture isn’t in the plan, small upgrades help:
• New upholstery or slipcovers.
• Updated throw pillows in pretty, fresh fabrics.
• Replacing dated legs or hardware on existing pieces.
Comfort is always in style.
Wish #5: Thoughtful Lighting (Without Rewiring the House)
Lighting can completely transform a home and is often the missing piece. Include more lamps, especially in living rooms and bedrooms. Warmer bulbs that flatter both people and spaces. Table lamps, floor lamps, and rechargeable accent lights add instant warmth and depth. Photo: Pottery Barn
Lighting can completely transform a home and you don’t need an electrician to make a big impact. I find that lighting is often the missing piece in many homes.
Try this:
• Fewer overhead lights on full blast.
• More lamps, especially in living rooms and bedrooms.
• Warmer bulbs that flatter both people and spaces.
• Table lamps, floor lamps, and rechargeable accent lights add instant warmth and depth.
Wish #6: Outdoor spaces that feel like real rooms
Living in Florida, our outdoor spaces are an extension of our homes nearly year-round. In 2026, I wish for lanais, patios and porches that feel just as curated as interiors.
Try this:
• Add an outdoor rug to anchor seating.
• Layer pillows in weather-friendly fabrics.
• Introduce lanterns or soft lighting for evening ambiance.
Wish #7: More confidence with color used intentionally
Color makes the most impact/change in a room. Sometimes it’s as simple as warmer neutrals, richer wood tones, or a soft color in a powder room or den.
• Add a rug with depth or pillows in layered tones
• Update artwork.
• Paint the ceiling.
A little color, used intentionally, can change the entire mood of a space.
Wish #8: Homes that feel personal, not perfect
Finally, my biggest wish for 2026 is that homeowners stop waiting for perfection before enjoying their homes.
Take the time to curate your collections to reflect you and your lifestyle. Shown: Malcolm Round Nesting Coffee Tables in a glazed pine finish with a powder-coated black metal base. Photo: Pottery Barn
Your home doesn’t need:
• Matching everything.
• The latest trend.
• A total overhaul.
It needs warmth, comfort, a sense of ease.
Welcome a new year
As we move into 2026, my wish is that we treat our homes the way we treat good friends, with appreciation, care and a little grace. A beautiful home isn’t built in one renovation. It’s shaped over time, through thoughtful choices, small improvements and a clear understanding of how you want to live. And that, is the best wish of all.
Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate. As a writer, blogger, stylist and color expert, she has helped homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless ways to create beautiful spaces and to solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit spectacularspaces.com. Call 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog
