Image Credit: Casa by JJ
The veg patch: 8 ways to embrace cabbagecore in 2026
From lemon-printed cushions to strawberry-shaped tableware, last summer we embraced all things fruity.
But this year we’re seeking our interior inspiration from the rest of the vegetable patch.
From cabbage-shaped ceramics and sculptural artichoke lamps to juicy tomato reds and rich beetroot burgundies, humble veggies are providing some surprisingly stylish inspo for our homes.
Leading the charge is cabbagecore, the wonderfully whimsical look that Pinterest tipped as one of its big trends for 2026.
Searches for ‘cabbageware’ rose 250% in 2025, while the ruffled leaves of the humble veggie are now cropping up across ceramics, textiles and accessories.
But this isn’t simply another blink-and-you’ll-missed-it social media microtrend.
Cabbageware dates back to the 19th century, while our current appetite for all things vegetable taps neatly into the shift towards more characterful interiors.
“Cabbagecore is the latest evolution of the playful, nature-inspired interiors trend we’ve been seeing gather momentum over the last few years,” explains Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys.
“It’s all about celebrating the beauty of everyday vegetables and bringing their organic shapes, rich colours and sense of abundance into the home.”
From cabbage leaf ceramics and artichoke-inspired accessories to tomato reds, earthy pumpkin tones and deep beetroot shades, Victoria says these elements add character, warmth and a touch of whimsy to a space.
“Part of the appeal is that people are looking for interiors that feel joyful and personal rather than overly polished,” she continues.
“Vegetable-inspired decor taps into the wider desire for a stronger connection with nature, while also offering a more fun way to embrace colour and pattern.
“It’s a trend that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly why so many people are drawn to it.”
The good news?
You don’t need to turn your kitchen into the veg aisle of your local supermarket to get involved.
Here’s how to take the best bits of the veggie patch and make them work beautifully at home.
Go big on cabbage ceramics
If you’re going to start anywhere, make it with the vegetable that kick-started the whole trend.
With their ruffled leaves, organic shapes and pleasingly retro feel, cabbage ceramics bring a playful touch to a room – but used sparingly, they can look surprisingly chic rather than kitsch.
“Cabbagecore is part of a wider move towards interiors that feel more nostalgic and full of personality,” explains Kunal Trehan, Interior Designer & Founder of Touched Interiors.
“After years of very restrained neutral schemes, people are embracing colour and character again.”
But how do you get cabbageware right?
“The key is not to take it too literally,” Kunal continues.
“Treat cabbageware like sculpture.
“One beautiful bowl, tureen or plate can add humour and character without making the room feel overly themed.”
Opt for a tomato drench
If literal vegetables aren’t quite your thing, look to the greengrocer for colour inspiration instead. Tomato red has already been bubbling away as one of interiors’ hottest shades, bringing warmth and energy to a scheme while feeling a little fresher and juicier than classic pillar-box red.
And it can work particularly well in the kitchen.
“Tomato red works brilliantly on cabinetry, kitchen islands or statement furniture,” Kunal explains.
“Pair it with walnut, aged brass and creamy stone to make it feel rich and sophisticated.”
Artichoke and mushroom lighting
For a less literal take, vegetable-inspired shapes lend themselves beautifully to lighting.
The layered leaves of an artichoke and softly domed silhouette of a mushroom can translate into genuinely sculptural pieces, giving the trend a sophisticated rather than novelty feel.
“Look for organic, sculptural forms rather than obvious veg-shaped pieces,” suggests Kunal.
“Mushroom lamps and artichoke-inspired pendants in ceramic, glass or metal can feel incredibly elegant.”
Embrace a pumpkin palette
Pumpkin-inspired decorating doesn’t have to mean going full Halloween-orange.
Look beyond the bright stuff and there’s a whole palette of earthy, sun-baked shades to play with, perfect for bringing warmth and depth to a room as we head into autumn.
“Avoid bright orange and instead opt for more soothing shades like burnt terracotta, paprika, cognac and ochre,” suggest Kunal.
“These tones look particularly luxurious in velvet, suede and leather.”
Beetroot burgundy
At the earthier end of the vegetable patch, beetroot offers inspiration for one of the season’s richest colour palettes.
Deep wine reds and earthy burgundies have all the warmth of red but feel cocooning and sophisticated, which is particularly desirable as the nights start drawing in.
“Deep burgundy, oxblood and merlot offer a more grown-up interpretation of the trend,” explains Kunal.
“They work beautifully with dark timber, brass and warm neutrals.”
Ground it with naturals
If cabbage-shaped bowls and mushroom lamps feel a little too literal, there are some more subtle ways to dip into the trend.
The key is to let your veggie-inspired pieces add the personality, while keeping the rest of the scheme grounded and timeless.
“I always recommend balancing novelty pieces with timeless foundations,” explains Victoria.
“Pair vegetable-inspired accessories with natural materials such as wood, stone and linen to create a more sophisticated look.
“You can also draw inspiration from the colours rather than the motifs themselves.
“Pumpkin oranges, leafy greens and burgundy beetroot shades work beautifully when layered into existing schemes and provide a subtle nod to the trend.”
Dress windows in earthy shades
Don’t forget your windows when giving the veg-patch palette a whirl.
Blinds, shutters and curtains offer an easy way to introduce those leafy greens, earthy neutrals and rich vegetable-inspired shades without committing to a bigger decorating overhaul.
“Window furnishings are a great way to embrace these colours without committing to a full redesign,” explains Simon Browne, product and trend expert at Luxaflex.
“Blinds or shutters in nature-inspired tones can help anchor a scheme, while softer textures and layered fabrics ensure the overall look remains elegant rather than themed.
“The most successful interpretation of trends like cabbagecore is often the most subtle, taking inspiration from the colours and mood rather than recreating the vegetable itself.”
Keep it considered
Of course, there’s a fine line between a playful nod to the vegetable patch and a home that looks like you’ve decorated it with the contents of the weekly shop.
The trick is to pick one hero idea and keep everything else subtle.
“I would follow a one-vegetable rule,” suggests Kunal.
“Choose one obvious motif and let the rest of the scheme reference the trend through colour, texture and shape.
“That restraint is what stops it becoming novelty decor.”
Victoria says the key is treating these veggie influences as accents rather than making them the entire focus of a room.
“A collection of cabbageware on open shelving, a lamp inspired by artichoke leaves or cushions in rich tomato and beetroot tones can all reference the trend without overwhelming the space,” she adds.
Want more inspiration? Read: How often should you REALLY wash your bedding during summer? and 8 interior collaborations that need to be on your radar this summer. And check out Gelato interiors: 8 ways to introduce the sweetest decorating trend of the summer
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