TikTok trendsetters have declared 2026 the “Year of Whimsy” and that’s become even more apparent as we finally kick off spring. After all, what better time to incorporate more charm, color and character into our lives than now, as we emerge from our drab winter hibernation?
From fun fashion prints to cheery home decor, whimsical expressions are sprouting up faster than the flowers outside. But you don’t need to cover yourself or your home in floral fabrics to properly welcome the season. Whether it’s a new dress, a fresh makeup look or some new decor to liven up your living room, spring’s biggest trends are all meant to bring a little more joy to your everyday life. Whether you want to call that “whimsy” or just another Tuesday is totally up to you!
Either way, we rounded up some of the best spring trends to bring an extra dose of sunshine and cheer to your season, so read on for some springtime inspiration.
3 Best Home Decor Trends for Spring 2026
Bolder-Than-Pastel Colorways
Toulon Stripe Pillow Cover
This spring’s home trends are leaning on richer tones rather than the clichéd pastels of the past, so spruce up your space with earthy accent colors like soft greens and blues, and warm sunshine-inspired hues like terracotta, coral and ochre. These hand-embroidered, 100-percent cotton throw pillow covers from West Elm are the perfect addition for the season thanks to their fun, striped trims and whimsical floral motifs that aren’t overly “flowery.”
Price: From $39.20 (orig. $49) at West Elm
Whimsical Details
Maeve Scalloped Cotton Curtain
Another spring home trend sees decor venturing away from minimalism and embracing whimsy. Anything that puts a smile on your face is the right answer here, and that’s easy to achieve with playful details like fringe trim, scalloped edges, animal motifs and pops of contrasting colors. These scalloped-edge curtains from Anthropologie are the perfect little touch to dip your toes into the whimsical side of decor, and there are several options featuring the season’s top color trends like canary yellow or this monochromatic green combo.
Price: $118 at Anthropologie
Brass and Earthy Tones
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Hinge Desk Table Lamp
You can never go wrong with an accent light, and this one from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand Target collab is right on trend with the season. Brass accents are huge right now as warm tones are embraced, and the classy yet modern design of the adjustable hinged arm brings a sense of nostalgic charm in an era of color-changing LEDs and strip lights. But the green drum shade is the real star here, adding a soft touch of earthy color and a cutout design that makes the accent fun enough to be a focal standout while seamlessly fitting in with existing decor.
Price: $39.99 at Target
3 Best Spring 2026 Beauty Trends
Brontë Blush
rhode Pocket Blush Buildable Hydrating Cream Blush
Romantically flushed cheeks (aka “Brontë blush”) are having a huge moment right now thanks to Margot Robbie’s on-screen and promo tour makeup looks for “Wuthering Heights.” The look is achieved by applying blush directly to the apples of the cheeks, just beneath the cheekbones — but the key is having the right cream blush to make layering and blending super easy. While the viral N°1 De Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm (used in the hue Berry Boost to create Margot Robbie’s look) is often sold out, rhode’s Pocket Blush is a highly comparable, budget-friendly favorite. Opt for the warm red berry of Date Cake or the bright and spring-worthy coral shade of Spicy Marg; both are very on-trend for the flushed-cheek look.
Price: $25 at Sephora
Bold and Blurred Lips
ETUDE Dear Darling Water Lip Tint
While a bold lip will always be in style, the blurred lip trend is taking a page from its flushed-cheek neighbor to the north (of the face). Both looks are beautifully hazy around the edges and very much inspired by watercolor paintings. We love this buildable lip tint because it pulls double duty for both of the season’s biggest lip trends. Apply it to the center of the lip to let it naturally feather out for a romantic, blurred lip look, or build it all the way out for a solid, bold lip. Plus, the price can’t be beat!
Price: $6.90 at Ulta
Pastel Eyeshadow
ColourPop Shadow Stix
Nostalgic beauty trends are always creeping their way back into the mainstream, but if you’re not quite ready for the return of the Y2K-era frosted lipstick, pastel eyeshadow offers a much gentler way to wade into the resurgence of this early 2000s trend. Sometimes called “macaroon lids,” the look demands a hazy wash of unexpected color across the lids, with popular picks being soft pink, baby blue, mint green and lavender. ColourPop’s ultra-pigmented Shadow Stix offer huge color payoff so you can play around with blending in a swipe of color for a subtle look or build up to a bolder statement. We’re loving it in this trend-approved lavender hue called Hey Bestie.
Price: $9 at Ulta
3 Best Spring Fashion Trends in 2026
Polka Dots
Tommy Hilfiger Women’s Ruffle-Sleeve Bow Blouse
From neutral-hued micro-dots to big ol’ saucers in bold colors, polka dots are popping up on everything from maxi dresses to jackets this spring. But the easiest way to incorporate the pattern into your wardrobe is by keeping it classic (and versatile) with black-and-white mid-size dots. This adorable ruffle-sleeve button-up blouse is easy to pair with a skirt for work or jeans for a brunch date with friends. And how cute is that bow detail at the neckline!
Price: $51.75 (orig. $69) at Macy’s
Dark Denim
318 Shaping Wide Leg Women’s Jeans
Spring 2026 is all about dark denim and no one does it better than Levi’s. These wide-leg jeans go great with everything, and create a super fashionable silhouette for nearly every body type. Both soft and supportive, they hug every curve in the best way — and they even have a built-in, tummy-smoothing panel to make the high-waisted fit even more flattering. They’re available in sizes 23–34 in multiple lengths, and in your choice of a few different dark washes.
Price: $52.47 (orig. $74.95) at Levi’s
Romance and Ruffles
AQUA Ditsy Floral Short Sleeve Midi Dress
Romantic looks — featuring ruffles, lace details, gentle florals and soft colors — are so perfect for spring, especially in an easy-to-wear dress like this one. It’s right on par with boho revival and ’90s-era fashion trends with its undeniably spring-worthy ditsy floral print, cute flutter sleeves and tiered ruffles. The V-neck plunges deep but stays modest with dainty, crochet-like detailing along the neckline. The best part is that you can throw on some combat boots and a faux leather jacket to tap into ’90s grunge style, or keep the look romantic with a soft cardigan and a very en vogue lace bandana. Doesn’t get more versatile than that!
Price: $88.50 (orig. $118) at Bloomingdale’s
3 Best Lifestyle Trends for Spring 2026
Micro Escapes
Belmont Picnic Basket
There’s been a growing trend to embrace low-tech, screen free hobbies for a while now, but the return of sunny spring days makes it even easier to get outside and quite literally touch grass. And while a big trip may not be in your budget right now, “micro escapes” are gaining a ton of traction, per the Pinterest Spring Trend Report. Whether you’re tending to your own balcony garden or enjoying a picnic with a friend, these “getaways” fit into your everyday without taking a huge chunk out of your budget.
All of that combined with (you guessed it) just a dash of whimsy, picnics are poised to have a real moment this spring, so gear up and get your picnic basket ready ASAP. There’s a gorgeous “Bridgerton”-inspired picnic basket from Williams Sonoma — but if that’s too rich for your blood, this Belmont Picnic Basket has everything you need for a boozy brunch in the sun. It comes with four sets of plates, cutlery and wine glasses, plus a corkscrew and a zippered cooler section inside.
Price: $102.74 (orig. $183) at Macy’s
Tiny Sanctuaries
Ebern Designs Swivel Accent Chair With Ottoman
Falling in line with the current trend of enjoying “analog” hobbies like reading and crafting (as well as the current economy and the current, well, everything), people are starting to realize that we don’t need to wait for our “dream house” to become a reality. Instead, we can make the most of whatever living spaces we have now — including turning an unused corner into a cozy space to journal or transforming a small closet into a reading nook. So it’s no surprise that Pinterest users have been searching for comfy reading chairs for small spaces to help bring those tiny sanctuaries to life. This compact yet cozy swivel chair and ottoman set is the perfect fit for a small space. It’s available in a few colors, but this bright and cheery yellow is right on trend.
Price: $164.99 (orig. $184.99) at Wayfair
Flower Pressing
Mondo Llama Floral Press Craft Kit
In the ever-growing list of low- to no-tech hobbies that are rightfully gaining tons of traction these days, flower pressing is perhaps the best one to pick up this spring. It’s a very approachable hobby for beginners: you just need a simple, affordable kit and a keen eye for fallen flowers while you’re out appreciating the fresh blooms or tending to your own garden. This kit from Mondo Llama includes press plates, tweezers and everything else you need to make your own pressed, dried flowers and leaves — and it even comes with two frames to show off your favorite floral finds.
Price: $15 at Target
The post 12 Trends to Shop for a Whimsy-Filled Spring appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
