Jonathan Adler’s No. 1 Rule for Millennial Decorators

If your home is still caught in a sea of Millennial gray, Jonathan Adler would like a word. For years, millennial decorating was practically synonymous with neutral everything: gray floors, beige rugs, white walls, bouclé furniture, and pared-back spaces designed to look pristine on Instagram a la reality star homes in Calabasas.

But in 2026, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Maximalist interiors, bold colors, graphic patterns, and homes that actually look lived-in are taking over. 

According to the iconic potter and designer, you don’t need to completely redecorate to give your home more personality. His No. 1 rule? Start right under your feet.

“A solid beige rug is a bore: there, I said it,” Adler told E!. Instead, he recommends choosing a patterned rug you genuinely love and building from there. And going graphic doesn’t mean going overboard.

“There are no rules,” he explained. “If you love it, it will work and set a chic foundation. Start with a softer palette or smaller space, and always consider scale.

“For my new collection with Ruggable I did the work for you, exploring softer, more organic patterns while keeping plenty of my signature color and personality in the mix. When it comes to decorating, I exhort folks to start with a graphic rug and work from there. You won’t look back, I promise!”

You can shop our favorite pieces from his collab below.