Whether you’re an experienced designer or simply trying to get more value out of your living space, there can be a lot of value in remodeling and decorating a home. You get the chance to put your own tastes into each room of your home while also changing the look and feel for any guests you’re entertaining.
But what happens when you want to design a space with future resale potential in mind? This direction might mean you need to shift gears from introducing design choices you would enjoy to those that buyers are actively looking for.
The challenge with this concept is that buyers' wants and needs change from one year to the next. What was popular a year ago may no longer be the latest standard, and it’s essential to make sure you’re on the right side of those preference shifts.
Below, we’ll cover some of the most relevant design trends going into 2026 and the traditional design options that are on their way out.
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For a number of years, most people wanted to design their homes to give their guests a “wow” factor when they opened the doors. But entertaining guests and living in a home are two different things. It’s also crucial for individuals to be able to have a safe space that can help them recharge and reset after stressful days at work and school.
Mental health has become more important over the years, and our homes can play a unique role in supporting it. For example, having a quiet room or space in a home where you can decompress has become a higher priority for home designers and remodeling experts.
There are a lot more homes that have dedicated meditation areas, yoga studios, and even bathrooms with similar features you might find at resorts or spas. The concept with these designs is to create “healing spaces” that serve more than just one purpose.
With many of the design trends, the features used in these areas of the home have a lot of importance. These can be subtle things like soothing water features or smart lighting, as well as rain showers or personal saunas.
The awareness surrounding sustainable living and more eco-conscious decision-making has grown considerably. This is especially the case with younger generations of homeowners who want to make sure they’re leaving lower carbon footprints behind.
A big part of this movement has been to think more carefully about the type of elements used in homes and ways to reduce the strain on the environment. One way this can be achieved is by using more eco-friendly furniture in design schemes.
“Fast furniture,” as it’s being referred to, is closely aligned with more traditional ways of buying furnishings for a home. These are typically mass-produced in factories, are built with multiple types of woods, metals, and plastics, and contribute to a larger cycle of waste.
Instead of buying these relatively disposable pieces, more designers and homeowners are looking for longer-lasting furniture options. This includes custom-built pieces, vintage aesthetics, and crafted items made from higher-quality materials that are more sustainable.
Many cities are becoming denser, and living spaces in some regions are getting smaller and smaller. Because of this, designers need to get more creative in the layouts they choose, helping homeowners to maximize every square foot of space they have.
This process starts by rethinking the traditional use of spaces and trying to create more versatile use cases for them. For example, instead of committing a room as a dedicated office space, the newer approach is to find ways to make that same space multi-purpose. This could include installing portable wall desks that can tuck away when not in use and adding other modular furniture, like a convertible sofa, that turns the space into a temporary bedroom.
In the past, monochromatic layouts were useful in a variety of modern living settings. However, tastes have changed over the years, and these types of designs are almost exclusively reserved for more commercial or clinical settings. This really comes down to the lack of personalization these types of designs have.
Many younger homeowners are looking for a more authentic and warm environment to live in. This has meant using richer color palettes and looking for ways to incorporate layers of unique textiles without overwhelming the space.
Remember when every single fixture and piece of hardware in a room had to be the exact same finish? That "matchy-matchy" approach to design is quickly becoming outdated. Just as a perfectly coordinated outfit can look a bit stiff and unoriginal, a room where nothing is out of place can lack personality.
Modern design approaches in 2026 are all about curating a thoughtful mix of materials and finishes that complement each other without being identical. Designers are pairing brushed brass with dark wood, matte black fixtures with polished nickel accents, and smooth stone with textured tiles.
This layering technique adds depth and a custom feel to kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, and helps to make the space feel collected over time rather than bought and put together in an afternoon.
There are some design elements that look great on Instagram or Pinterest, but are a nightmare to live with. Some of these designs can require constant upkeep and don’t really add to the improved functionality of the space they’re in.
Open shelving is a classic example. It looks clear and can be great for staging photos, but in real life, they are often a magnet for dust and clutter. The focus is shifting toward finding a better balance between aesthetics and everyday livability. It’s about creating a home that is beautiful to look at, but doesn’t demand all your time and energy to maintain.
Designing a home that feels both current and timeless is about focusing on what feels authentic to you. You should prioritize comfort, share your personality, and make practical choices for your lifestyle.
By moving away from rigid, impractical trends and focusing on what really matters to you or potential buyers, you’ll make smarter design choices in the future that increase your properties' overall value.
