6 Home Design Trends to Watch in 2026

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Homes embracing design that balances innovation, comfort and personal expression will get greater attention in 2026. Design trends reports from Thumbtack, Redfin, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate and Sherwin-Williams reveal several home design trends shaping how homes will look and feel in the year to come. Here’s an overview of what could be generating more buzz in 2026. 

Tech-Integrated Homes That Are Future-Ready

According to a joint Thumbtack and Redfin report, the top home trend for 2026 is tech-integrated design. Homeowners are prioritizing smart features such as hidden charging stations, connected lighting and smart furniture that help simplify everyday life. It’s not just about convenience, but also increasing resale value. The typical homeowner expects AI and smart innovations to boost a home’s value by 15% over the next decade, according to the report.

“The smart home of 2026 is all about subtle sophistication that is highly livable and practical,” Tamara Mattox-Kabat, a Redfin real estate pro, explains in the report. “Tech-integrated design is in high demand, featuring hidden charging stations, concealed outlets, discreet smart lighting and TVs and speakers tucked inside walls or wood paneling.”

Blended Indoor-Outdoor Living

As homes get smarter, homeowners are also seeking balance—spaces that encourage relaxation and a stronger connection with nature. Thumbtack and Redfin identified indoor-outdoor integration as the second most popular home trend for 2026. Expect to see more natural textures, with durable, low-maintenance materials like natural stone and hardwoods replacing carpets. Indoor gardens, sunrooms and screened-in patios are also on the rise—all designed to create calming, restorative environments that seamlessly blur the line between inside and out.

Home Layouts Get More Flexible

Flexibility remains a top priority, with 61% of real estate agents reporting buyers want rooms that adapt to their changing needs, according to Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate’s “2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate report. Designers and homeowners are reimagining spaces, such as turning closets into offices, stairway landings into libraries, and spare rooms into wellness areas. Outdoor extensions like patios, porches and balconies are highly desired, along with organized storage, dual primary suites and zoned open plans that combine flow with defined spaces.

Redfin and Thumbtack’s report also highlights a growing emphasis on flexible home layouts that accommodate work, play and multi-generational living. Solutions like accessory dwelling units, finished basements and pop-tops—where a second story is added to a single-story house for extra bedrooms or versatile spaces—provide homeowners with adaptable spaces that better fit their lifestyle.

Curb Appeal Emphasizes Serenity and Sustainability

BHGRE’s report notes that in 2026 buyers will be drawn to calm, thoughtfully styled exteriors that convey care and warmth. Native plantings, permeable walkways, shaded seating areas and low-maintenance landscaping create a sense of livability and environmental mindfulness. Styled outdoor rooms, like porches and patios with cozy seating and soft lighting, are top priorities, along with clean, well-cared-for entryways that may instantly signal warmth and attention to detail.

Craftsmanship Makes a Comeback

BHGRE’s trends report notes a shift away from minimalism toward homes with personal character and handcrafted details. Buyers are being drawn to hand-laid tile, custom millwork, natural materials and touches that tell a story, the report notes. Materials like travertine, limestone, soapstone, oiled or raw woods and unpolished metals—such as bronze or aged brass—are gaining popularity. Textiles like linen, wool and jute continue to be in demand. These choices reflect a broader desire for homes that feel unique and timeless.

Color Trends Get Mixed

Sherwin-Williams’ color marketing manager Emily Kantz identifies three key expressive trends replacing quiet luxury in the new year:

• Loud Luxury: Bold, dramatic hues—like deep greens and moody jewel tones—that set a new standard in luxury and sophistication. It marks greater color risks that embrace personality-driven décor and playful confidence.

Photo credit: Sherwin-Williams / Rojo Marron SW 9182

• Cozymaxxing: This layers soft textures, warm woods and earth tones to give spaces a warm, cocoon-like, comfort.

Photo credit: Sherwin-Williams / Studio Clay SW 9172

• Tropical Escapism: Tropical-inspired hues—like greens and aquas—offer vibrant, uplifting palettes that bring lightness and energy into spaces.

Photo credit: Sherwin-Williams / Henna Shade SW 6326

 

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