Design Trends Expected to Make a Big Impact With Homebuyers in 2026
The new year is quickly approaching, and with it a new wave of home design trends. Whether its bathroom features, interior design styles, and even the use of technology to improve client relations, some trends from 2025 are expected to continue on into the next several years, while others are already dying off or will be new to the mix.
With a community of more than three million residential construction and design professionals, home construction and design software Houzz analyzed its online data to determine what exactly 2026 has in store for home design.
Traditional design is here to stay
Traditional design became popular in 2025, and that trend isn’t expected to go away anytime soon. Houzz’s 2025 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study showed that traditional style rose 5 percentage points among surveyed homeowners compared with the previous year, and it will likely continue to grow in demand throughout 2026.
According to Houzz, homebuyers are attracted to this design style for its warm, earthy color palette and character that it brings to the home through detailed millwork, built-ins, paneling, and more.
Functional storage solutions will be top of mind for homebuyers in 2026
Gone are the days of open shelving. From built-ins to sleek kitchen cabinetry, homebuyers in 2026 will continue to seek out homes with closed storage solutions, according to Houzz.
In particular, cabinetry walls in the living room are growing in popularity. For kitchens and bathrooms, homebuyers are looking for easy-to-clean storage solutions such as flat-panel cabinets. Even in traditional and transitional spaces, these more contemporary cabinet types are taking off and are ranked by Houzz as the second most popular cabinet type after shaker-style cabinets.
Wall-mounted bathroom faucets are growing in popularity
As homebuyers increasingly opt for simplified and easy-to-clean design solutions, wall-mounted bathroom faucets are gaining ground. By mounting the spout and handles above the sink, countertops stay clear, making cleaning easier. They also work with multiple vanity types, making them a flexible solution for most homes.
Transparancy with clients is becoming more important
When it comes to client work, transparancy will be a major priority for home building and design firms in 2026. In 2025, more than 40% of homeowners said they wished they had more transparency about their project timeline, and an additional 40% wish they had better communication from the pros they were working with.
With this desire for more transparency, clients are also looking for ways that they can visualize home projects outside of conversations with tradespeople. With more than one in five saying they struggled to visualize the end result at the start of a project, the use of 3D floor plans and augmented reality (AR) walkthroughs will likely become more commonplace.