Whimsical Decor Trends Bring Personality Back to Homes

Interior designers share 5 ways to incorporate more color, character, and a sense of play into your living spaces.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 9:30pm

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After years of minimalist, pared-back design, homeowners are embracing bold colors, patterns, vintage pieces, and personal touches to create interiors that feel lived-in and full of character. Interior designers are seeing a growing demand for whimsical, expressive decor that sparks curiosity, tells stories, and invites joy into the everyday.

Why it matters

This shift towards more whimsical, personality-driven home design reflects a broader cultural desire to move away from the uniformity and impersonal nature of modern life. Homeowners are craving spaces that feel authentic, collected, and deeply connected to their own experiences and memories.

The details

Designers recommend several approaches to incorporating more whimsy, including going bold with color and pattern, layering in vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces, making small but impactful changes like updated hardware, and ensuring the design feels personal and emotionally resonant. The key is to let go of rigid design rules and embrace a sense of playfulness and self-expression.

  • The whimsical decor trend has emerged in recent years as a reaction to the minimalist aesthetic that dominated home design for the past decade.

The players

Chrissie Anthony Haim

A Long Island, New York–based interior designer and owner of Chrissie Home and Design.

Kim Lewis

The founder and creative director of Kim Lewis Designs, based in Austin, Texas.

Gary Inman

An interior designer based in Richmond, Virginia, who runs Gary Inman Interior Design.

Jess Nahon

The principal of Sugarhouse Design and Architecture in New York City.

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What they’re saying

“After years of white, minimalistic palette cleansers, people are craving depth, personality, and character. Homeowners want spaces that reflect who they are, what they love, and where they've been.”

— Chrissie Anthony Haim, Interior Designer

“Whimsy works best when it feels integrated into the overall narrative of the home. Whether it's color, pattern, vintage pieces, or sculptural details, each element should feel like part of a larger story.”

— Kim Lewis, Founder and Creative Director

“Bold colors and patterns, carefully curated collections, family heirlooms, and truly comfortable furniture can elevate the spirit and energize and delight us in profound ways.”

— Gary Inman, Interior Designer

“When those gestures are rooted in context and balanced with restraint, they can feel playful while still remaining elevated and enduring.”

— Jess Nahon, Principal

The takeaway

This shift towards more whimsical, personality-driven home design reflects a broader cultural desire to move away from the uniformity and impersonal nature of modern life. By embracing bold colors, patterns, vintage pieces, and personal touches, homeowners are creating spaces that feel authentic, collected, and deeply connected to their own experiences and memories.