Once favored for their calming aura, living rooms in shades of cream and beige have fallen out of favor in 2026, often labeled as 'boring' or 'dated.' However, all is not lost. With a few simple tweaks, it's easy to update these palettes for the post-beige era.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's soothing living room is a masterclass in how to add richness to a neutral space for a more timeless look. Though cream and beige feature, the couple worked with acclaimed designer Waldo Fernandez to make their Calabasas, California home feel warm and cocooning. From a wooden coffee table to terracotta colored armchairs to chocolate and olive green accents, their space practically blends into the patio outside, creating an alluring conversation with the natural world.
It's not just Kourtney and Travis; this richer take on calming color palettes is dominating interior design trends in 2026.
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To explore the role of this rich color palette in the design space, Homes & Gardens started by curating an edit inspired by the pieces in Kourtney and Travis's neutral living room. Then, we spoke with design experts about the details that bring their space to life. Spoiler: it's much easier to recreate than you might think.
Recreate Kourtney and Travis's Look at Home
A tan velvet sofa grounds your living room in calming shades, while adding a bit of textural interest. This curved piece is especially eye-catching, proving that boring beige doesn't have to live up to its name.
A tiny wooden side table is the underrated detail every neutral space needs. This mid-century silhouette brings rich texture and tapered legs at a competitive price point.
Chocolate accent pillows are the perfect complement to a beige sofa - they make it feel instantly textural and stylized. This cotton velvet is especially chic.
Travis and Kourtney's linen curtains keep their living room feeling calm, and these pretty black-out ones are the perfect practical addition to your space. The color is so gorgeous.
Travis and Kourtney finish their living room with a brown rug, and this patterned one is even more elevated. For anyone who wants to make their space feel instantly full of heritage, this is the perfect pick.
For a layered neutral scheme, you don't want to leave out olive green. It introduces a pop of color while maintaining a neutral ethos for the ideal in-between shade.
We mentioned that Kourtney and Travis layer in chocolate and olive in their living room to add interest, but did you notice the armchairs to the left of their coffee table? These terracotta furnishings add a reddish hue that totally overhaul the look.
Shelley Cochrane, Design Expert at Furniture Village explains: 'Terracotta takes its name from fired clay so naturally, it’s a warm and earthy tone.' She continues: 'In interiors, it strikes a perfect balance between the depth of brown and the drama of primary reds, adding instant, yet approachable character to a room. It works well in the home year-round, evoking Mediterranean style in summer, and adding coziness in winter.'
Layering this different shade of brown in goes a long way in creating a cozy, cocooning interior like Kourtney and Travis's.
Shelley advises: 'Terracotta works well throughout the home. In the living room, layer terracotta alongside deeper and darker shades like chocolate. Adding a terracotta sofa or armchair punctuates the space and creates a strong focal point.'
When it comes to bringing texture into a living room in 2026, there is no material better than wood. As evidenced by the coffee table and side stools in this room, the material creates visual interest and a natural feel. To replicate the look, try using a few different tones.
'A high-end look is all about depth and character,' advises Tony Collier, Design Expert at Wickes. 'Layering different but complementary wood tones and grains is what creates that seamless, expensive feel - and avoids the tackiness of a disjointed design.'
Some form of neutrals will always be on-trend, and Travis and Kourtney show exactly what's working this year. By prioritizing richness and texture, you can't go wrong.
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