Remember me
Between the return of Ralph Lauren’s iconic flag sweater and Stanley’s collection of star-spangled Quenchers, summer 2026 is proving to be the summer of Americana. There is a renewed appreciation for classic Americana in interiors, but today’s take on the patriotic aesthetic feels more thoughtful than nostalgic. "As people look for ways to make their homes feel meaningful and personal, they're gravitating toward pieces with history and a story to tell,” says designer Alexis Elley, owner of Grosse Pointe, MI-based Textures Interior Design.
In a world of fast fashion, authenticity and honest materials are sought after, adds interior designer Lauren Conner of Birmingham, AL-based Lauren Conner Interiors. Classic Americana delivers both. "It’s not that we all need a butter churn on the porch, but homeowners have realized that the fastest way to a layered interior is to add a touch of something handcrafted and homemade,” says Conner.
To get the pulse on Americana design trends taking over right now, five designers from across the country shared how to incorporate it into your home.
Design by Lauren Conner Interiors, Photography by Jean Allsopp Photography
1. Classic Finishes and Honest MaterialsAfter years of faux finishes and synthetic materials, one of the biggest Americana design trends is the return of classic finishes and honest materials. “The materials coming back are the honest ones: saddle leather that deepens with age, warm waxed woods, unlacquered brass, aged iron, hand-thrown ceramics, terracotta and Saltillo tile,” says John Maloney McNamara, principal designer at Las Vegas, NV-based Coosa.
They add texture, layer beautifully for a collected, lived-in look, and are a great way to inject character into blank spaces. “The classic finishes of unlacquered brass, tongue-and-groove paneling, and beadboard lend heritage and provenance to new architecture,” says Conner.
2. Renewed Appreciation for Craft
Design by Studio Burgoon, Photography by Lindsay Brown
“Shaker furniture, rush-seat chairs, woven baskets, bobbin pieces, and ticking stripes are all showing up again,” says Ali Burgoon Nolan, principal designer and owner of Austin, TX-based Studio Burgoon. “They have history, but they’re also practical and not precious, which makes them easy to live with,” the designer adds. She suggests mixing Americana pieces that showcase classic craftsmanship with contemporary furnishings and other styles for rooms feel collected rather than stuck in the past.
3. Vintage TextilesVintage textiles like handmade quilts, needlepoint art, and camp blankets are all the rage right now, delivering that quintessential Americana charm.
If you have a quilt tucked away in a linen closet, it’s time to bring it out! “For a quilt with an interesting pattern, cover the entire bed and pillow sparingly, letting the quilt lead the look,” says Diane Luna, San Diego, CA-based founder of Diane Luna Interior Design.
For a casual look, she suggests folding a quilt at the end of a bed and adding a few shams in complementing colors. “A favorite design hack is to tuck a quilt along the back of a large floating sectional—you’ll cover the sofa seam brilliantly and grandma would be proud,” says Luna.
Design by Lauren Conner Interiors, Photography by Jean Allsopp Photography
4. The American Flag“The American flag has become part of the conversation—not just as a patriotic symbol, but as a timeless design element that adds character and a sense of place,” says Elley.
Courtesy of Alexis Elley of Textures Interior Design
One of her favorite ways to display a flag is by framing a vintage one in plexiglass. “It gives a historic textile a clean, modern presentation while allowing its age and craftsmanship to shine,” she says.
Add Good Housekeeping as a preferred source in your Google search results.
Use your Google account to add this to your settings.
Add to Google settings
Whether hung on its own or as part of a gallery wall, the result feels both respectful and visually striking. “If you're decorating with an authentic American flag, think of it as you would any treasured heirloom or historic artifact: frame it properly, display it with care, and give it a place where it can be appreciated for both its history and its beauty," adds Elley.
5. America-Inspired Color PaletteOne of the simplest ways to embrace the Americana trend is with a red, white, and blue color scheme. “There is something so nostalgic about a patriotic color scheme in all types of rooms," says Conner.
However, an America-inspired palette isn’t limited to the trio. “Paint colors like tobacco, indigo, and ochre harken to the early settlers who made paints with natural pigments,” she says.
Another approach is to take inspiration from the land itself. “Pull your palette from the American landscape instead of the flag: sand, adobe, bone, and limestone,” suggests McNamara.
Design by Textures Interior Design, Photography by Kat Stevenson"Rich wood paneling, built-in bookcases, deep leather club chairs, and a coffered ceiling give this library the timeless character that has long defined classic American homes,” Elley says.
6. Celebration of Regional DesignA true Americana aesthetic highlights regional design tradition, and the look is most successful when it feels tied to the region, says Nolan, “In New England, that might be Shaker furniture, quilts, or braided rugs; in Texas and the Southwest, it could be Navajo textiles, leather, or a subtle ranch reference,” she explains.
For anyone wanting to try the look, the designer suggests starting with one or two pieces that truly belong in the setting and building from there. “That connection to place is what makes Americana feel authentic instead of a trending theme,” she says.
How to Incorporate Americana Elements in a Modern Way1. Practice restraint.There is a fine line between Americana decor adding personality and making your home look dated. The key? “One word: Restraint,” says McNamara. The designer states the goal isn't to recreate a historic house or lean into patriotic motifs; instead, it’s about layering authentic pieces into a clean, contemporary home.
2. Create contrast.Rather than dressing a room in Americana from floor to ceiling, choose one piece you love and letting it anchor the room, says McNamara. Then, create contrast—for example, pair a worn leather chair with a clean-lined sofa or fold a vintage camp blanket over a modern bed. “That tension between rugged and refined is what keeps the look feeling current,” he says.
3. Invest in genuine items.“The one rule I'd hold firm on is to buy the real thing, even if it means buying less,” says McNamara. Choose one authentic piece over multiple Americana-style accessories. “Real materials and real craftsmanship have a quiet confidence that reproductions never quite capture,” he says.
Related Stories
7 Vintage Design Trends With Staying Power
Why Designers Love the "Cashmere Kitchen" Look
6 Small Design Details That Have a Big ImpactMaria Sabella is a lifestyle writer with a passion for home and interiors — from paint colors and holiday decor to the latest design trends. Her work has appeared in outlets including Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, BuzzFeed and Bustle.