The Top Home Design Trends for 2026: Bold Color, Cozy Corners & Climate-Ready Living
If you’re planning to refresh your home in 2026, think bold, cozy, and conscious. According to Zillow’s 2026 Home Trends Report, next year’s interiors will be filled with saturated color, handcrafted details, and eco-friendly upgrades that make homes both stylish and resilient.
From immersive paint palettes to reading nooks and spa-inspired bathrooms, here are the top interior design trends for 2026 you’ll be seeing everywhere.
The Return of Bold: Color-Drenched Rooms
Goodbye, greige. Hello, deep emerald, cobalt blue, and spicy terracotta. Zillow reports that mentions of “color drenching,” which is painting walls, ceilings, trim, and even furniture in a single hue, are up 149% in home listings.
This immersive trend transforms rooms into mood-rich environments where color does all the storytelling. It’s a clear break from minimalist neutrality and a celebration of confidence, creativity, and emotional design.
This bold color trend turns entire rooms into cohesive, mood-setting environments. Think forest green libraries, terracotta dining rooms, or cobalt-blue bathrooms. The message is clear: 2026 interior design is about personality, not perfection.
A color-drenched, muted green television room in a charming Victorian home with a rich color palette.
“Neutral palettes are giving way to vibrant statement shades that turn entire rooms into mood-driven escapes,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert.
The color-drenching in this pastel pink room in an interior designer’s moody apartment even includes the radiator.
Cozy Reading Nooks: The New Self-Care Corner
As homeowners crave calm and connection, reading nooks are experiencing a significant resurgence, appearing 48% more often in Zillow listings.
These cozy corners invite rest and unplugged moments in an otherwise busy day. Whether tucked under a staircase or beside a sunlit window, a reading nook adds warmth and character to any home.
Design tip: Add built-in shelving, layered lighting, and soft textures like velvet or boucle for maximum comfort.
A reading nook with paneled walls, layered textiles, and book storage under the seating in a unique home near the English coast.
A reading nook with green-painted bookshelves and an ochre yellow chair in an English home.
A reading nook with a library wall in an eclectic maximalist home in England.
A reading nook under the window with a custom-built-in bookcase painted in a lovely pink hue in a South Indian family home.
A cozy green (“Local Green” by Jotun) reading nook with built-in bookcases in a Stockholm apartment.
A cozy window seat/reading nook in a charming bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier in a San Francisco pied-a-terre.
Resilient, Disaster-Ready Design
Homebuyers aren’t only thinking about aesthetics; they’re thinking about safety. Zillow data shows a sharp rise in listings highlighting flood protection (up 64%), fire safety systems (up 28%), and defensible landscaping (up 36%).
As climate change reshapes priorities, homes that protect, not just shelter, are gaining value. Elevated foundations, smart alarms, and fire-resistant materials are becoming the new must-haves.
Sustainability Becomes a Standard
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword; it’s a buyer expectation. Zillow data shows a 70% increase in zero-energy-ready homes, 40% more mentions of whole-home batteries, and 25% more listings with EV charging stations.
Eco-friendly living isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about lowering energy bills and future-proofing your investment.
Wellness at Home: Spa Vibes Every Day
Wellness continues to dominate home design trends for 2026, with spa-inspired bathrooms up 22%. Homeowners want everyday luxury, which includes features like rainfall showers, soaking tubs, natural stone, and soft lighting.
Mentions of wellness features rose 33% overall, proving that self-care is shaping how we design our spaces.
Spa-like bathroom using natural stone, wooden accents, and plaster walls in a Tulum-inspired house in Southern California.
This spa-like bathroom is designed using the Stellios Double Vanity in Arabescato Marble, the Kennedy Wall Light Sconces, and the Lovina Mirror by Soho Home, as well as a combination of earthy green and terrazzo tilework.
A stylish spa-like bathroom with double rainfall showers, a golden tub, and double sinks in a Spanish colonial home in Los Angeles.
A rainfall shower in a Tulum Airbnb apartment designed by Terreo Studio.
Sports & Recreation Rooms Replace the “Man Cave”
The “man cave” is losing ground (mentions are down 10%), making way for multipurpose recreation spaces. Golf simulators and pickleball courts are both up 25%, while even batting cages saw an 18% increase.
These features reflect a shift toward active, social living, spaces that invite play, not just screen time.
Personality Reigns: Artisan, Vintage & Whimsical Details
The 2026 interior design aesthetic is all about individuality. Zillow found mentions of artisan craftsmanship (+21%), vintage touches (+17%), and whimsical decor (+15%) on the rise.
From handmade tiles to one-of-a-kind antiques, homeowners are saying goodbye to cookie-cutter interiors and embracing personal, story-driven design.
Handmade pink tiles in a small bathroom with a rainfall shower in a Swedish apartment.
Handmade backsplash tiles in the home of the founder of the handmade tile company Bert & May.
This romantic vintage apartment in Stockholm is the perfect inspiration for anyone who wants to embrace a charming vintage style in their home.
A vintage-style bedroom in a magical pink cottage in the English countryside.
What’s Out: Fussy, High-Maintenance Design
And the trends on the decline, according to Zillow? Juice stations (down 19%) and marble sinks (down 15%) are experiencing a rapid decline. As much as we love a luxe touch, practicality is winning the day. Homeowners are selecting finishes and features that not only look beautiful but also make sense for everyday life.
If there’s one takeaway from Zillow’s 2026 forecast, it’s this: our homes are becoming more personal, more playful, and more prepared.
Designers and homeowners alike are rethinking what “dream home” means, blending vibrant color, cozy sanctuaries, and sustainable features that make everyday living smarter and more joyful.