Interior design in 2026 is no longer just about aesthetics, it is about creating spaces that reflect identity, purpose, and the way people truly live. As lifestyles continue to evolve, the role of interior designers has expanded beyond decoration to shaping environments that balance functionality, emotion, and innovation. From residential sanctuaries to commercial spaces, today’s designers are redefining what it means to bring a vision to life.

This year, a select group of interior designers is standing out for their ability to blend timeless elegance with modern sensibilities. Their work goes beyond trends, focusing on storytelling, personalization, and thoughtful design that enhances everyday experiences. Whether through sustainable materials, bold concepts, or refined minimalism, they are setting new benchmarks in the industry.

In this feature, we highlight five interior designers who are defining style in 2026, each bringing a unique perspective and creative excellence that continues to shape the future of design.

1- Maria Bortugno

Great design begins with listening. A home holds routines, celebrations, quiet mornings, and loud dinners. It reflects habits, memories, and personal taste. When design honors those details, a space begins to feel complete. That is when rooms move beyond decoration and start to tell a story.

For nearly three decades, Maria Bortugno has built her career around that belief. As CEO and Principal Designer of B Designs Interiors, she approaches each project with care and curiosity. Her work centers on collaboration. She focuses on asking thoughtful questions that uncover how a household truly functions, from daily routines to long-term needs. 

She considers lifestyle details such as family dynamics, pets, entertaining habits, and how people move through their space. This process helps shape a design that supports comfort, ease, and natural flow. That insight becomes the foundation of every design plan.

Maria began her career in commercial design and spent ten years with local firms. Over time, she felt drawn toward residential work. As her after-hours projects grew, encouragement from her husband led her to establish her own firm. The decision marked a turning point and allowed her to focus fully on homeowners and their personal spaces.

Her experience has brought recognition at both local and national levels. Maria has been published more than thirty times in design features across the country. She earned first place in the top treatment category at the Vision Magazine Grace Awards, an honor judged by a double blind panel of industry peers. In Albany, New York, she has received the Best Interior Design award from Community Votes for seven consecutive years. These acknowledgments reflect both professional respect and strong local support.

Despite the accolades, Maria remains focused on the human side of design. She believes good design is art, and great design reflects personality and lifestyle. Her goal is to create spaces that feel intuitive and lived in, where the mood aligns with each client’s way of life and supports how they gather, relax, and grow. With plans to write one or two books in the future, her commitment to the field remains strong.

To learn more about Maria Bortugno and B Designs Interiors, visit the company website and explore recent projects. You can also follow along on social media for insights into her latest work and design inspiration.

2- Tara Kantor

A home often tells a quiet story about the people who live inside it. The materials, the light, and the flow from one room to the next all shape daily life. Thoughtful design does more than create visual appeal. It supports routines, encourages connection, and reflects personal values. When done well, it feels effortless and deeply personal at the same time.

For Tara Kantor, Principal Owner and Designer of Tara Kantor Interiors, that sense of personal connection is central to her work. Since founding her studio in 2014, she has built a high-end residential design firm focused on full home furnishings and renovations. What began as a one-person operation has grown with intention and care.

Kantor describes her practice as a boutique design firm, and that scale is a conscious decision. By remaining selective with projects, she forms close relationships with clients. She understands how they gather with friends, how they relax at home, and what details matter most in their daily routines. This familiarity guides every design choice. In her view, a home that is not functional cannot be considered complete, no matter how refined it appears.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a master’s from New York University. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Rue Magazine, Aspire Magazine, and Cottages and Gardens. In addition to residential projects, she has collaborated on custom furniture pieces, including the TK Stool and the Dakota chair, and is developing a lighting line that expands her creative scope.

Her interiors are recognized for a balance of livability and quiet luxury. Neutral palettes draw from organic influences and layered textures. Natural stone, reclaimed wood, blackened steel, and rift oak often provide structure. She adds depth through shearling, mohair, boucle, velvet, and handmade ceramics. The result is a carefully edited environment that feels individual and enduring rather than trend-driven.

To explore recent projects and learn more about Tara Kantor Interiors, visit the studio’s official website. And also follow along on social media for insights into current work, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creative process.

3- Studio Lea

A well-designed space does more than look appealing. It shapes daily routines, supports comfort, and reflects the lives of the people who inhabit it. Thoughtful interiors consider how rooms are used from morning to night, allowing beauty and function to coexist. When design begins with an understanding of real life, the result often feels natural, personal, and lasting.

This philosophy guides the work of Cory Lea Decker, Founder and Principal Designer of Studio Lea. Through her firm, Decker focuses on residential renovations, new builds, and boutique commercial spaces that balance aesthetics with everyday practicality. Her approach begins with careful listening. Clients often arrive with ideas, inspiration, and many questions about the process. Studio Lea brings structure and clarity to those early stages, helping transform ideas into cohesive plans that guide each project from concept to completion.

Studio Lea offers full-service interior design that extends beyond selecting finishes or furnishings. The team works closely with architects, builders, and skilled trades throughout construction and installation. This collaborative process allows each detail to develop with intention. Kitchens, living areas, private rooms, and more are designed to feel both refined and comfortable, using natural materials and carefully sourced furnishings that give each project a sense of character, while incorporating clients’ desires for vintage elements, minimalist sensibilities, and spaces that feel both personal and enduring.

Recognition has followed the firm’s continued growth and creative leadership. In 2025, Studio Lea marked its 15th anniversary and earned distinction as one of Colorado’s Top Ten Interior Designers. The firm has also been spotlighted as one of Modern Luxury Hawaii’s “Ones to Watch” and selected to participate in the highly anticipated Denver Life Showhouse 2026, further cementing its reputation for elevated, forward-thinking design.

Looking ahead, the firm is poised for continued expansion across residential, hospitality, and pro-bono, community-driven projects throughout Colorado and Hawaii. Studio Lea remains deeply committed to collaborative partnerships. Not only with architects, builders, and artisans, but also their clients, ensuring each project reflects a refined, cohesive vision. A key area of growth is The Studio Lea Journal, an evolving platform dedicated to sharing design insights, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and educational content that empowers clients to better understand the creative process and make informed, sustainable design decisions.

More information about Studio Lea and their projects can be found on the firm’s website. And also follow the studio on social media to see current work, design inspiration, and updates from projects in Colorado and Hawaii.

4- Tolin Designs

A well-designed space can change the way people feel, think, and live. It shapes daily routines and influences how families connect and how businesses operate. True design goes beyond decoration. It requires vision, structure, and the ability to guide an idea from concept to completion. When creativity meets leadership, spaces become more than rooms. They become experiences.

That philosophy defines the work of Krystal Tolin, Co-owner and Lead Designer of Tolin Designs. Her path into design began with a bold decision that reshaped her perspective. More than fifteen years ago, she and her husband purchased a one-hundred-year-old church and transformed it into her home. The project demanded patience, problem-solving, and trust in her vision. It taught her to see opportunity where others saw limits, and that mindset continues to shape her work today.

Tolin Designs is a full-service interior design and remodeling company that guides clients from planning through construction. The firm specializes in kitchens, baths, whole home renovations, business rehabs, and distinctive transformations. As both owner and designer, Krystal remains closely involved in every stage. She balances creativity with structural understanding and budget awareness. Clients benefit from clear direction and consistent oversight throughout the process.

Her work has earned recognition within the industry and the community. Tolin Designs has been named a Best Interior Design Company by Best of Business ratings for two consecutive years. Three projects were featured on the FOX Showcase, bringing regional attention to the firm’s design-build approach. 

The team also received recognition from the Daughters of the American Revolution for providing free remodeling projects that served the community. For Krystal, the most meaningful achievement remains the steady referrals from past clients.

Krystal continues to focus on building a design-build brand grounded in creativity, craftsmanship, and trust. She is committed to raising standards within the remodeling industry by combining artistry with organization and accountability. Through every project, her goal remains consistent. She seeks to create spaces that feel intentional and lasting.

To learn more about Krystal Tolin and Tolin Designs, visit the company website and follow along on social media for updates and design insights.

5- Andrea Wilson

Interior design goes beyond selecting colors and furnishings. It is about shaping environments that feel thoughtful, functional, and aligned with how people live. A well-designed home supports daily routines while offering comfort and visual interest. Every element, from the layout to the lighting, contributes to how a space looks, feels, and performs.

This philosophy is central to the work of Andrea Wilson, Principal Interior Designer and founder of Wilhouse Designs. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, Andrea established the studio in 2020 after nearly 15 years in the industry. Her goal from the beginning was to create not only beautiful interiors but also a process that feels smooth, supportive, and tailored to each client.

Her design process places a strong focus on communication and collaboration. She helps clients remain within their scope while introducing new ideas that enhance function and creativity. Her work often includes strategic space planning, layered materials, and custom architectural features. The result is a cohesive design that reflects the lifestyle and personality of each client.

Andrea has received recognition at both the state and national levels. In 2022, she earned several ASID Alabama Design Excellence Awards, including six Gold Awards across major residential categories. In 2023 and 2024, she was honored by the Best in American Living Awards for standout work in kitchen and bath design.

As the firm continues to grow, the team has expanded and is preparing for a larger studio location to support future projects. Andrea also hopes to design a custom lighting collection, reflecting her belief that lighting is a defining element in any space.Her passion for interiors is rooted in the belief that good design improves how people live. More about her approach can be found at wilhousedesigns.com.

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