Pinterest Predicts 2026. 8 min read

Our lowdown of Pinterest’s 2026 trends.

The long-awaited trend report for marketers just dropped.

Pinterest Predicts 2026 has spoken.

If the internet feels louder than ever, you’re not imagining it. Endless trends, micro-trends, counter-trends and hot takes have turned scrolling into a full-time job…and by the looks of it, people are tired. According to Pinterest Predicts 2026, consumers are actively searching for comfort, authenticity and a bit of optimism to drown out the noise of the world (and their feeds).

And honestly? That tracks.

Trends are growing 4.4 times faster than they were seven years ago, which means what feels “new” today can feel exhausted by next week. And Pinterest has hit the nail on the head. Rather than shouting about what everyone should be doing, the report highlights 21 emerging trends shaped by three very human instincts.

The heart of Pinterest predicts.

First, emotional comfort and belonging: with more people prioritising ease in daily life, trends are leaning into safe spaces, nostalgia and familiar rituals. Think less “new year, new you” and more “let me feel like myself again”.

Then there’s curating, not copying. Blindly following trends is falling out of favour, with more and more people only engaging in trends that actually suit them. That’s why aesthetics are becoming more niche and more personal (and far more interesting, if you ask me).

And finally, grounded optimism. Long-term plans feel unrealistic for many, so instead, people are focusing on small, joyful moments in the present. Escapism isn’t about switching off completely, but about finding something hopeful, imaginative or uplifting right now.

Less pressure. More personality. Fewer rules.

And for marketers, it’s a genuinely refreshing glimpse into where culture, creativity and taste are heading next.

Drama is back (and we’re loving it).

Minimalism, it’s been real…but we’re done.

One of the loudest signals in the report is a return to drama, and not in a subtle, understated way. We’re talking Glamoratti, Neo Deco, Opera Aesthetic, Brooched and Laced Up – trends that lean unapologetically into ornamentation, structure and theatrical flair.

In fashion, interiors and beauty, people are embracing silhouettes that take up space, details that demand attention and styling that feels intentionally “extra”. Brooches are no longer reserved for the dining room. Corsetry, lace and dramatic layering are back in the spotlight. It’s bold, expressive and a little indulgent.

And that’s exactly the point!

So why now? Because people are bored with everything looking the same.

Years of neutral palettes, pared-back feeds and algorithm-safe design have blurred together into a boring blob. In a scroll-heavy, short attention spanned era, safe, creative design disappears fast, while confident, expressive design actually stops people in their tracks. You don’t need to go full opera, but the message is clear: a bit more personality, boldness and visual confidence goes a long way.

Perfectly unpolished.

Enter Glitchy Glam, Gimme Gummy, Vamp Romantic and Wilderkind – a collection of trends that celebrate chaos, contrast and things that feel slightly unhinged in the best way.

This is beauty and style with texture. Shiny meets sticky. Dark meets playful. Glossy lips paired with smudged liner. Candy colours clashing with gothic undertones. Nothing is trying to look “finished”. It’s expressive, experimental and proudly imperfect.

We’re not talking odd socks when you’re feeling quirky, we’re talking well constructed chaos. Gen Z are completely at ease with imperfection (couldn’t be me). They’ve grown up online, fluent in irony, remix culture and internet humour, where the charm is often in the rough edges. Overly curated feeds feel distant and corporate; slightly chaotic visuals feel human.

For brands, there’s a useful reminder here. Over-polish can create distance, while personality builds connection. Creative that shows texture, contrast and a bit of unpredictability tends to stick in the mind far longer. We’re not saying you should throw your brand guidelines out of the window – just don’t be afraid to be a bit more expressive.

Nostalgia, but make it earnest.

Every few years, culture does what it always does – it comes back around. But this isn’t nostalgia with a wink and nudge; it’s nostalgia with a bulldozer.

Trends like Poetcore, Pen Pals, FunHaus and Throwback Kid aren’t ironic throwbacks or curated retro cosplay. They’re about reconnecting with things people genuinely like and not feeling the need to apologise for it. We’ve seen a rise in primary colour palettes, repurchasing your childhood toys from eBay and adults proudly collecting blind boxes.

This is the death of the sad beige era. Thank God.

People are embracing hand written letters, dog-eared paperbacks, (unironic) turtlenecks, crochet, awkward family-camera energy and styles that feel comfortingly familiar. Not because it’s cool, but because it feels right. After years of optimising taste for algorithms, people are choosing comfort over trendiness and sincerity over performance.

Liking something earnestly is cool again!

For brands, the lesson here isn’t to suddenly go vintage or slap a retro filter on everything. It’s about letting go of the idea that everything needs to look “right” for social. Taste doesn’t need to be minimal to be meaningful. Sometimes the most resonant creative is the stuff that feels lived-in, personal and a little imperfect.

Escaping the noise.

If there’s one thing this year has made very clear, it’s that people don’t want to switch off anymore… they want to step away with purpose. Enter Darecations, Mystic Outlands and Extra Celestial: trends rooted in travel, spirituality and nature, but without the “quit your job and move to a yurt” energy.

This is escapism with intention. Less luxury-for-luxury’s-sake, more experiences that feel grounding, expansive or quietly transformative. Think remote landscapes, starry skies, slow travel, spiritual curiosity and a renewed fascination with the natural world.

Why now?

Burnout. Collective, scrolling-induced, notification-heavy burnout.

When life feels loud, people crave wonder and stillness in equal measure. These trends reflect a desire to reset without disappearing completely. Escapism here isn’t about excess; it’s about meaning. A weekend away that actually feels restorative. An experience that we wouldn’t have taken the leap on before, not just content for the grid.

For brands, this is less about selling products and more about selling feeling. So many of us are craving experiences that promise calm, awe or emotional renewal, and the brands that resonate are the ones that understand that shift.

Everyone say “thank you, Pinterest”

Pinterest Predicts doesn’t work because it’s clever, it works because it’s based on what real people are actually doing. Pinterest isn’t a place for mindless scrolling or jumping on whatever’s trending that week. It’s where over half a billion people actively plan what’s next in their lives.

Unlike trend reports built on vibes or gut feel, Pinterest Predicts is grounded in full-funnel behaviour. These trends are validated. Pinterest analyses billions of searches, alongside the images people save and the products they go on to shop.

88% of Pinterest Predicts trends have come true over the past six years, showing sustained growth across search, saves and shopping. Last year alone, Pinterest Predicts 2025-related content saw 65% year-on-year growth in outbound clicks, alongside a 68% increase in checkouts.

Take Cherry Coded as a perfect example.

What started as a style trend quickly crossed into lifestyle, with 65% growth in related searches. People weren’t just admiring the look; they were searching for ways to live it (myself included, shoutout to Cherry Red box dye, you were a real one), from fashion and beauty to interiors and everyday choices. That’s the moment savvy marketers look for: when curiosity turns into intent.

Making sense of what’s next.

Pinterest Predicts 2026 isn’t a list of things to copy – that’s missing the point. It’s a glimpse into how people are feeling, what they’re craving, and where their attention is quietly heading next.

The brands that win aren’t the ones that jump on every aesthetic. They’re the ones that understand why a trend is resonating, then translate that insight into creative, messaging and campaigns that feel right for their audience.

If you’re curious about how these shifts could show up in your next campaign, or you want help turning trend insight into something genuinely impactful, we can help you do exactly that. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t chasing what’s next. It’s understanding it properly first.

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