Interior Design Leaders Highlight 2026 Trends

Dominican‑born designer Valerie Peña, recently named Rising Star 2026 by House Beautiful, says a home must feel lived‑in and comfortable. From her Manhattan studio, she tailors projects in New York, the Hamptons and Wyoming to each client’s routines and tastes, emphasizing listening over imposing a designer’s style.

Dana Morales, manager of Industrial Design at Kohler’s Artist Editions, explains the brand’s shift toward products that blend function with sensory experience. He cites the use of color, material, fragrance and technology to create memorable, multi‑sensory environments in bathrooms and kitchens, aiming to align design with evolving consumer habits.

Both professionals underscore a broader industry move in 2026 toward client‑centered, experience‑driven interior design that balances aesthetics, practicality and emotional resonance.