Digital mockup of a neutral-colored couch featuring a bold mix of patterned fabrics, including geometrics, florals, and chevrons, used to visualize reupholstery options.
It starts with a feeling—walking into your living room and realizing something’s changed. Not in the space, but in you. Maybe it’s the worn-out upholstery on the armchair your grandmother gave you. Or the dark wood dresser that once felt classic but now feels heavy. You don’t want to throw these pieces away, they hold too many memories or have qualities that can’t be easily replaced. But you’re ready for something new.
As a trusted provider of furniture refinishing in Raleigh NC, Finish Pros helps homeowners update their spaces with craftsmanship-driven solutions that feel both current and timeless.
In 2026, design trends aren’t about replacing everything. They’re about refreshing what you already love, with color, material, and craftsmanship that reflect your style today. At Finish Pros, we help homeowners across Raleigh, Cary, and the Triangle breathe new life into their spaces through expert furniture refinishing, custom upholstery, and bespoke lacquer finishes that bring the past and present into harmony.
This year’s furniture color trends are especially exciting, blending comfort with creativity, and sustainability with sophistication. Here’s what’s inspiring our clients, and how we can help you transform your home without starting from scratch.
Why Furniture Color and Material Trends Matter More in 2026
Gone are the days of sterile minimalism and mass-produced sameness. Today’s homeowners are embracing individuality, grounded color palettes, and materials that tell a story. Whether it’s a vintage console refinished in a warm neutral lacquer or a lounge chair reupholstered in plush emerald velvet, these design choices speak to deeper values:
- Connection to nature
- Prioritizing comfort and wellness
- A return to quality craftsmanship
- Making meaningful, not disposable, design decisions –
Industry leaders like Architectural Digest and WGSN forecast 2026 as a year of color-driven character. Think: earthy olive and clay tones, expressive jewel-tone upholstery, and soft lacquered finishes that feel handcrafted, not machine-made.
And the best part? You don’t need a full renovation. A single refinished or reupholstered piece can reset the entire energy of a room.
Top Furniture Color Trends 2026: What to Look For
Here’s a closer look at what’s trending, and how you can incorporate these ideas into your home with the help of Finish Pros’ custom refinishing and upholstery services.
1. Natural Wood Tones
Dark finishes like mahogany, walnut, and cherry are giving way to bleached oak, ash, and maple- these are lighter, more breathable woods that reflect natural light beautifully. They are lighter woods that help rooms feel more open and modern, and they serve as a perfect neutral base for colorful accents. They’re ideal for Scandinavian-inspired or transitional spaces, but they also blend well with more traditional decor when paired with warm metallics or soft textiles.
Our spray booth specialist expertly applies a natural stain to a light wood furniture piece, enhancing its grain while achieving a clean, modern finish.
2. Neutral Lacquer Finishes for Furniture
Neutral lacquered finishes are back, but this time, they’re warmer and softer than the stark whites of the past. But neutral doesn’t have to mean boring. In 2026, lacquers in greige, mushroom, soft stone, and clay offer a refined sheen and depth that elevate even the most utilitarian pieces.
Best for:
- Bedroom case goods
- Sideboards
- Accent cabinetry
Finish Pros uses professional-grade spray systems to deliver a flawless, custom lacquer finish on-site in Raleigh.
Neutral lacquered nightstand in a soft greige finish with updated brass hardware, showcasing a smooth, modernized look ideal for bedroom case goods and accent storage, professionally refinished by Finish Pros in Raleigh.
3. Earthy Hues Furniture 2026
Earth tones have returned in a big way. Colors like terracotta, burnt sienna, olive green, and muted ochre reflect a connection to nature and bring comfort into the home. These shades work especially well on accent chairs, cabinets, and even full-size sofas. When applied with a matte finish or soft texture, they offer incredible warmth and depth.
Ideal for:
- Upholstered accent chairs
- Painted consoles
- Entryway benches
External Reference: Elle Decor – Earthy Color Trends 2026
4. Jewel Tones Accent Furniture
Looking to add personality without repainting the walls? Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, garnet, and deep amethyst continue to shine in 2026, especially when used on accent furniture. These rich, expressive hues introduce instant visual interest to neutral rooms, offering just the right blend of luxury and drama to complement softer textures.
Consider upholstering a classic armchair in plush teal velvet, or refinishing a vintage console in a deep garnet lacquer. A single jewel-toned piece can transform the energy of a space, making it feel curated, confident, and completely your own.
Before photo: This classic Queen Anne-style side table had beautiful bones, but its dark stain felt dated and heavy.
Now refinished this refreshed piece adds new life and character to the room. Its emerald green brings just the right amount of personality to a neutral space, perfect for 2026’s color-forward interiors.
5. Lighter Tone Sofas and Loveseats
The classic beige sofa has been reimagined. This year, we’re seeing lighter upholstered pieces in ivory, flax, soft grey, or mist blue.These tones open up the room, making it feel brighter, lighter, and more welcoming. Performance fabrics in these hues are ideal for families, pets, and high-traffic areas.
Finish Pros offers custom upholstery in Raleigh NC, who homeowners trust for both beauty and durability.
This sofa showcases a fresh take on the classic neutral, reimagined in Barrow’s Birmingham 11914, a soft mist blue performance fabric with subtle pattern and texture. The lighter tone brings a sense of openness and elegance, aligning perfectly with 2026’s trend toward calm, livable upholstery.
How Finish Pros Helps Clients Refresh Their Furniture with 2026 Trends
Whether you want to update a single piece or overhaul an entire room, we take a thoughtful, tailored approach to every refinishing or reupholstery project. Here’s how we do it:
Step 1 Consultation & Color Planning
We start by understanding your vision. Do you want your room to feel brighter, cozier, more luxurious? We recommend color and finish combinations that align with your vision and 2026 trends, while ensuring timeless appeal.
Step 2 Furniture Evaluation
Every project begins with a thorough evaluation, allowing us to recommend the right furniture restoration service based on structure, materials, and long-term use. Our experts examine the structure, wood type, and existing condition of your piece. Some pieces are great candidates for lighter wood finishes; others shine with lacquer or bold paint. If you’re reupholstering, we also assess frame strength and cushion support.
Step 3 Refinishing & Reupholstery Work
Our in-house craftsmen carefully strip, sand, prep, and finish each piece using premium products. For lacquer jobs, we use professional spray systems to achieve a flawless finish. For upholstery, we offer expert padding, spring restoration, and top-tier fabric application.
Our craftsman hand-sands a client’s dresser with precision and care, preparing the surface for a flawless lacquer finish. At Finish Pros, every piece is treated with the respect and attention it deserves, ensuring a beautiful and lasting result.
Step 4 Final Styling & Delivery
Once the transformation is complete, we offer optional styling advice, how to pair your new piece with lighting, wall color, and other furniture. Then we deliver the piece ready to elevate your space.
Same Piece, New Life
When our Raleigh client brought in her well-loved loveseat, she wasn’t looking for a bold transformation—she wanted something that felt fresh, timeless, and versatile. Her design vision for the room included pops of color through accent pillows, artwork, and occasional pieces. So rather than going vibrant with the sofa itself, she chose a softer approach: a neutral upholstery fabric with texture and depth.
We reupholstered the loveseat in Greenhouse’s Ice F1415, a beautiful performance fabric that aligns perfectly with the 2026 trend of moving away from stark whites toward warmer, cream and ivory tones. The updated piece now acts as a calming foundation for the room—allowing her colorful accents to shine without competing for attention.
The result? A space that feels intentional, layered, and comfortable, with a loveseat that looks as good as it feels.
Before: Original loveseat before reupholstery, featuring dated patterned fabric and worn-in cushions, ready for a modern update while preserving its classic structure.
After: Loveseat reupholstered in Greenhouse Ice F1415, a warm ivory performance fabric, offering a fresh, neutral foundation ideal for layering pops of color throughout the room.
Why Refinishing in 2026 Is More Than a Trend, It’s a Meaningful Design Choice
While color palettes and materials evolve each year, one thing remains constant in 2026: the growing desire to create spaces with soul. More and more clients are moving away from fast furniture and choosing to refinish and reupholster pieces that carry history, character, and personal meaning.
At Finish Pros, we hear it all the time:
- “This belonged to my grandmother, but I want it to match my style.”
- “We bought this chair when we moved into our first home. I can’t let it go.”
- “I love the craftsmanship, I just want it to feel lighter and more modern.”
This year’s trends, lighter woods, neutral lacquers, earthy tones, and luxe jewel fabrics, offer the perfect opportunity to refresh these heirlooms in a way that feels personal and on-trend. It’s not about chasing aesthetics. It’s about making conscious design choices that blend memory with modernity.
By choosing to restore rather than replace, you’re not only reducing waste, you’re honoring craftsmanship and building a home that reflects who you are and what you value.
In 2026, style and sentiment go hand in hand—and refinishing is the intersection where beauty meets meaning.
Trends in Fabric and Upholstery for 2026
In addition to color trends, upholstery materials are evolving in exciting ways. Clients want fabrics that look great, feel comfortable, and last for years, especially in high-traffic areas like family rooms or entryways.
Here are some of the most requested trends this year:
- Performance fabrics in neutral tones: Durable, stain-resistant, and pet-friendly.
- Rich textures like boucle and chenille: Adds depth without overwhelming the space.
- Natural materials like linen and wool blends: Great for earth-toned or Scandi-inspired pieces.
- Bold printed velvets or moody florals: Popular for accent chairs or statement ottomans.
