Trends '26: Craving Missed Out, Dopamine Decor, Cabbage Kaleidoscope - 2026 Trends Reveal a Shift Toward Calm, Playful Designs and Mindful Travel
The travel and design worlds are embracing new trends for 2026, from calming color wheel palettes to mindful getaways. Pantone’s Billowing White and the Natural Color System’s Quietude palette reflect a growing desire for tranquillity. Meanwhile, travellers are seeking out destinations that encourage disconnection and cultural immersion.
At the same time, cities like Belgrade and Leipzig are gaining attention for their nightlife and artistic scenes. Food, fragrance, and decor trends are also shifting, with cabbage making a culinary comeback and playful interiors taking centre stage.
Pantone’s Billowing White has been named the 2026 Color of the Year, symbolising calm and aspiration. The Natural Color System’s Quietude palette complements this with soft whites, beiges, and browns designed to evoke stillness. These choices align with a broader cultural shift towards serenity in design and daily life.
In travel, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) trend is reshaping holidays. More people are choosing low-stimulation destinations for ‘conscious omission and active idleness’, deliberately disconnecting from digital distractions. Alongside this, supermarket safaris—exploring local food markets and specialities—are rising in popularity as a way to experience culture authentically.
Event tourism is also growing, with travellers planning trips around festivals, concerts, and unique gatherings. For those seeking nightlife, Belgrade has been crowned Europe’s top hotspot for 2026 by Lonely Planet. Meanwhile, hipster destinations like Leipzig, Linz, Fuerteventura, and Taghazout are attracting visitors with their artistic communities, indie shops, and surf cultures.
In food, cabbage is making a surprising return, featuring in new recipes and menus. Beauty trends include fragrance layering, where people blend multiple scents to create personalised signature perfumes. At home, Dopamine Decor is bringing playfulness into interiors, with ‘cute’ aesthetics and circus-core styles appealing to both Boomers and Millennials.
The trends of 2026 highlight a mix of relaxation and exploration. From quiet color wheel schemes to digital detoxes, people are prioritising calm and presence. Cities like Belgrade and Leipzig offer vibrant contrasts, while food and decor trends add playful touches to everyday life. These shifts suggest a year where balance and personal expression take centre stage.
