Designers weigh in on 2026 home design trends

Home design in 2026 is focusing more on wellness, from more natural, earthy tones to functional spaces suitable for a quiet escape. Design is moving away from the previous one-size-fits-all aesthetic and towards a look that is more adaptable with life. The biggest theme beginning to emerge is not about chasing looks, but about shaping spaces that support how a person actually lives, enhances wellbeing and connection, allows a homeowner to feel calm and meaningful, and balances neutrality with purposeful accents.  Designers are starting to gravitate away from the flat,…

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5 home renovation trends that Interior Designers are ditching in 2026

As 2026 approaches, interior designers are urging homeowners to rethink certain once-popular renovation trends that are now falling out of favor. Experts Jennifer Cataldo, Tennille Burnup and Alyssa Anselmo say flat, builder-grade drywall is being replaced by textured, handcrafted wall finishes like limewash and Venetian plaster, which add warmth and dimension. Waterfall kitchen islands, long seen as a modern luxury statement, are also losing appeal in favor of more custom, inviting designs that mix materials, incorporate furniture-style bases and emphasize subtlety over flash. Light blonde oak is giving way to…

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5 Home Renovation trends you’re expected to see in 2026

Design experts are already forecasting the biggest home renovation trends for 2026, and they suggest that homeowners will be moving away from open-concept layouts in favor of more defined and functional spaces. Architect Peter Miles predicts that as people continue spending more time at home, traditional floor plans with designated areas, such as private home offices, will become more desirable. In addition, wellness-focused renovations are expected to grow, with homeowners adding amenities like home gyms, saunas and meditation rooms to support healthier lifestyles. Improved air quality and natural light will…

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AIA home design trends survey

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released their Home Design Trends Survey (HDTS) results for Q3 2025. The survey is conducted quarterly by consulting a panel of 300+ residential architecture firms. It allows architects to discuss upcoming trends in residential design. This survey is then used to relay these trends throughout the construction and remodeling industry. The home design survey addresses different areas like products, special room functions, systems and technology and special features. The most important products revealed is low maintenance materials with 48% of respondents reporting its popularity. Smart…

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Luxury Home Remodeling: Top Trends and 2025-2026 Guide

Luxury home remodeling in 2025–2026 is redefining what it means to live well, blending sophistication with sustainability, technology and wellness. Homeowners are prioritizing eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recycled metals and low-VOC finishes while integrating energy-efficient systems, water-saving fixtures and solar technologies. Smart home features—such as AI-driven climate control, biometric security and centralized automation hubs—are now the new symbols of luxury. At the same time, design is becoming more personal and wellness-focused, with spaces that promote relaxation and mental clarity through spa-inspired bathrooms, yoga studios, natural light and indoor greenery. Customization…

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A peek inside a restored craftsman home in Victorian Village

When Karla Rothan welcomes guests into her beautifully restored Victorian Village home, they step into a piece of living history. Built in 1875, the residence still carries traces of its past life as a doctor’s office—an enclosed porch that once served as a waiting room and cabinetry likely used for medical supplies remain intact. Rothan discovered through her research that many doctors in the early 1900s lived and worked in this Columbus neighborhood, often keeping their medical practices on the first floor. The home’s preservation of original details, including stained…

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Holiday-Ready Kitchen Remodel Ideas

The holidays in Chicago turn the kitchen into the heart of the home—a space for family gatherings, storytelling and shared meals. Yet, preparing large feasts often highlights a kitchen’s limitations: cramped layouts, lack of counter space or outdated appliances. Remodeling in the fall allows homeowners to fix these pain points before the busy holiday season. Upgrades like double ovens, expanded counters and organized pantries can transform the cooking experience from stressful to seamless, ensuring you have the space, tools and flow to host effortlessly. IRPINO Construction highlights five key updates…

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How one kitchen remodel survived a hazards stack-up

For homeowners Mary and Dave, the goal of their kitchen remodel was to create a more functional, welcoming space that worked for their family of five while still honoring the character of their 1920s home. Dana King designer Meg Blaies approached the project by reimagining inefficient closets and a disjointed bar into ample storage, improving workflow with appliance placement and adding custom elements, such as a built-in-style hutch. Historic details were preserved wherever possible, with thoughtful updates such as subway tile in a herringbone pattern, cove molding and wavy glass…

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Creating spaces that grow with you

Most remodels focus on creating the perfect space for today—a dream kitchen, a finished basement or a relaxing bathroom retreat. But the most impactful renovations are those designed to last, evolving alongside your needs and lifestyle for years to come. By planning beyond current wants, homeowners can avoid costly updates later and ensure their spaces remain both functional and timeless as life changes. Flexible layouts, like basements that can shift from playrooms to gyms or in-law suites, and multipurpose rooms that adapt over time, help homes stay relevant through every…

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Prices for home remodeling outpaced inflation in the second quarter

Home repair and remodeling costs are climbing faster than inflation, according to Verisk’s latest Repair and Remodeling Index, which showed a 3.4% annual increase in the April–June quarter compared to a 2.7% rise in consumer prices overall. The index, which tracks more than 10,000 products, also rose 0.6% from the prior quarter. Much of the increase is being driven by higher labor costs, with the most labor-intensive projects, such as tile replacement and bathroom remodels, seeing the steepest quarterly gains. While tariffs on imported goods were expected to push costs…

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