Inside the Home of 2026: What Builders, Designers, and Home Experts Predict Next
Morgan Olsen•Thumbtack’s Home Design Expert•Last updated Dec 2, 2025
Last updated Dec 2, 2025
As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: home isn’t just where we live, it’s where life happens. Over the past few years, people have redefined home not just as a space to rest, but as a reflection of their values and routines. The next stage in this evolution is focusing on making a house a home by creating spaces that foster connection and belonging.
Thumbtack and Redfin teamed up to uncover how homeowners and home professionals are shaping the future of living. Redfin shared insights into the shifting real estate landscape, while Thumbtack surveyed its network of home professionals — from designers and architects to carpenters and general contractors — to identify the projects, priorities, and mindsets defining 2026.
Together, the findings reveal a movement toward community, creativity, and conscious design: homes that work smarter, welcome others, and stand up to whatever comes next.
Design that blends tech, nature, and nostalgia.
In 2026, home decor trends reflect a growing desire for spaces that are both efficient and grounding. Tech-integrated design is the #1 trend pros see on the horizon, predicting homeowners will prioritize smart features like hidden charging stations, connected lighting, and smart furniture that streamline daily life. This focus on future-ready technology isn’t just about convenience; it’s about value. The typical homeowner expects AI and smart innovations to increase their home’s resale value by 15% over the next decade.
As homes become more tech-enabled, homeowners are craving balance - spaces that invite slowing down, disconnecting, and enjoying tactile comforts. This desire to simplify is shaping design choices, blurring the lines between indoors and out. Indoor-outdoor harmony is the second most popular home decor trend of 2026 as nature-inspired details, natural textures, and indoor gardens help people feel more connected to the outdoors. Sunrooms and screened-in patios are also great ways to use nature as your backdrop.
Over a quarter of pros predict heritage-inspired and circular design will also become a priority in the year ahead, underscoring a broader return to sustainable, story-driven living. Vintage finds, restored antiques, and custom pieces add warmth and history to a space, and more homeowners are choosing sustainable updates through resale marketplaces and upcycled materials. Reflecting this shift, we’ve seen a 63% year-over-year rise in furniture upholstery projects, with homeowners increasingly reviving beloved pieces instead of replacing them.
Homes that bring people together: the layout trends shaping 2026.
The biggest home design priorities for 2026 are rooted in both practicality and purpose. Multi-generational living features top the list with over a quarter of pros saying it will be a priority as families design homes that bring multiple generations under one roof. “With many homeowners staying put longer, we’re seeing a big wave of re-imagined spaces. ADUs remain extremely popular, both for family flexibility and rental potential,” said Redfin agent Kellie Martinez.
Meanwhile, sustainability and resilience are no longer optional. EV-ready garages and climate-adaptive design, from storm-resistant windows to cooling roofs, show homeowners are planning ahead for environmental changes. They’re also investing in materials that are as durable as they are beautiful. Reclaimed wood and natural stone reflect a desire for authenticity and timeless design, while high-performance insulation and smart surfaces deliver efficiency, comfort, and long-term value. Together, these choices signal a new kind of luxury, one rooted in sustainability, longevity, and smart design.
The projects bringing new ways of living to life.
As families rethink how their homes need to function, from multi-generational layouts to flexible spaces for work, play, and rest, they’re moving from inspiration to action. Smart home upgrades and remodels top the list of popular projects for 2026 as homeowners invest in features that make everyday life feel smoother and more connected.
“The smart home of 2026 is all about subtle sophistication that is highly livable and practical. 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” said Redfin agent Tamara Mattox-Kabat.
When it comes to remodels, many are opting for designs that add space and flexibility, whether to welcome aging parents, support adult children, or generate rental income. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), pop-tops, and finished basements offer room to grow without leaving the home they love. These larger projects also provide a clean slate for long-term planning, with homeowners embracing durable materials like natural stone and engineered hardwoods as carpet gives way to allergy-friendly, long-lasting, easy-to-maintain surfaces.
When it comes to where homeowners are investing, the kitchen remains the heart of the home, with 41% of pros naming it the top remodeling project for 2026. Bathrooms and ADUs aren’t far behind as people prioritize spa-inspired updates and create independent living areas for family members or renters.
What’s motivating these projects goes beyond return on investment. While increasing home value remains the top driver (30%), more homeowners are renovating for personal reasons, prioritizing wellness, lifestyle upgrades, and aging in place. These trends signal a desire to create homes that support how they live today and how they want to live in the future. Rather than jumping on every paint trend, they want spaces that age beautifully, favoring vintage finds with a personal touch, built-ins, and concealed storage that feel enduring rather than fleeting.
Savvier spending and evolving lifestyles.
Affordability remains a challenge, with over a third of experts citing the cost of homeownership as the biggest concern for 2026. But optimism is growing — more than half of pros expect homeowners to spend more on renovations next year than in 2025, signaling continued confidence in improving and investing in the homes they already have. According to a Redfin survey, nearly two-thirds of longtime homeowners who are renovating instead of moving are spending between $10,000 and $99,999 on home upgrades and renovations.
The focus on financial balance is also shaping how people live. Multi-generational living and renting out ADUs for income are both trending, reflecting a shift toward homes that are flexible, social, and financially sustainable. At the same time, pros note that buying in smaller cities and towns continues to gain popularity as homeowners seek more space, community, and a balance between cost and quality of life.
And while alternative housing options, from tiny homes to modular builds, remain a smaller share, 1 in 10 pros believe they’re fueling a growing mindset of creativity and possibility across the housing landscape.
Looking ahead to 2026.
If 2025 was about anchoring ourselves at home, 2026 is about opening those doors wider to connection, creativity, and care.
This year’s trends reveal more than shifting styles; they reflect a collective return to what makes home meaningful. From adaptive design and smarter materials to multigenerational living and sustainable choices, homeowners are shaping spaces that evolve with them, spaces that feel truly lived in and loved.
Ready to turn your 2026 vision into reality? Connect with trusted Thumbtack pros who can bring your ideas, and your home, to life.
Methodology:
We surveyed over a hundred professionals across interior design, general contracting, home building, architecture, carpentry, real estate and more to get insights into the home trends that will be popular in 2025. The survey was conducted between October 13 and November 17, 2025.
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