Designers Say Tassels Are Replacing Skirted Furniture as the Cooler ‘Grandma’ Detail for 2026 – 16 Finds We Love

Designers and brands are increasingly favoring tassels and fringe details over skirted furniture, marking a significant shift in home decor trends for 2026. This move is confirmed by multiple industry sources and reflects a broader resurgence of vintage-inspired accents in contemporary interiors.

At this year’s WOW!house, a leading design event, experts including Sara Cosgrove, Studio Enass, Zardi & Zardi, and Sean Symington overwhelmingly showcased fringe as the key ‘grandma’ detail, replacing last year’s skirted furniture obsession. Shea McGee, a notable figure in the interior design world, has already moved on from skirted furniture, incorporating tassels into her latest collections for Target, featuring antique brass side tables and burl wood nightstands with fringe accents.

Major retailers like Anthropologie are also embracing the trend by offering tassel-adorned home accessories—from coffee tables to bathroom hardware—highlighting fringe’s versatility and rising popularity. Historically, hotels such as New York’s Hotel Chelsea and Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont have long favored fringe details, contributing to its vintage appeal and ongoing cultural cachet.

Impact of Tassel Trend on Interior Design

The shift from skirted furniture to tassels signals a broader trend toward vintage and bohemian aesthetics in modern interiors. This change influences product design, retail offerings, and consumer preferences, reflecting a desire for more textured, decorative accents that evoke nostalgic charm. For homeowners and designers, embracing tassels means incorporating more playful, tactile details that can elevate contemporary spaces with a retro flair.

Historical and Recent Trends in Home Decor

Skirted furniture, once popular for its classic and tidy look, dominated interior design for several years. However, recent years have seen a shift toward more eclectic, textured decor styles. The resurgence of vintage and bohemian influences has brought fringe and tassels back into the spotlight, with recent collections and design events confirming this trend’s rise in 2026. The trend aligns with a broader movement toward personalized, layered interiors that mix old and new elements.

“Designers are clearly favoring fringe details over skirted furniture this year, signaling a nostalgic yet fresh approach to home decor.”

— an anonymous researcher

Unclear Longevity and Consumer Adoption

While the trend is strongly confirmed within the design industry and among retailers, it remains unclear how widespread consumer adoption will be over the coming months. The longevity of tassels replacing skirted furniture as a mainstream trend has yet to be established, and some traditionalists may resist the change.

Upcoming Collections and Market Adoption

Expect to see more products featuring tassel and fringe details in upcoming home decor collections throughout 2026. Retailers and designers will likely continue to emphasize vintage-inspired accents, and consumer interest will determine whether tassels sustain their current popularity or fade as a passing trend.

Key Questions

Why are tassels replacing skirted furniture as the trend?

Designers are embracing tassels for their vintage appeal, texture, and versatility, which align with current tastes for eclectic and nostalgic decor styles.

Is this trend limited to high-end design or accessible retail?

It spans both, with high-end designers, mid-range brands like Target, and retailers such as Anthropologie all incorporating tassels into their collections.

Will skirted furniture disappear completely?

It is unlikely to vanish entirely but is being replaced by tassel accents as the preferred ‘grandma’ detail for 2026. Traditional skirted furniture may still be available but less dominant.

How can consumers incorporate tassels into their homes?

Consumers can add tassel accents through accessories like cushions, curtains, or hardware, or opt for furniture with fringe details to update their decor.

Is this a temporary trend or here to stay?

While it is confirmed as a major trend for 2026, the long-term staying power of tassels remains uncertain and will depend on evolving consumer tastes and design cycles.

Source: Homes & Gardens