There is no color more feared in interior design than purple. People worry that it will feel overly formal, garish, or too dark. However, the shade's perception is rapidly changing with aubergine - a ligher, redder cousin in the purple family - emerging as a major interior design trend for 2026.
For evidence of the shade's beauty, Homes & Gardens turns to a pioneer of decorating with aubergine: Bette Midler. Archival photos of the actress's New York apartment from 1975 show that her living room was anchored by a gorgeous eggplant-colored sofa. Whether you decide to replace your living room sofa with a purple couch or just update your existing design with a simple aubergine cushion from Amazon, Bette's color choice is one to watch.
