Main points
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Facilities such as home gyms and saunas are on the rise.
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Expect rich tones and a seamless stone backsplash to replace cool colors and tile.
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Contemporary, defined spaces will continue to trump open concept layouts.
Design professionals are already predicting what will be the biggest trends in bedrooms, tiles and countertops in 2026. While you can try to stay on top of the latest trends, we went straight to the source to get an early look at the home improvement trends they’re predicting in the new year.
Here, our experts talk about five upgrades they think will make waves across the country this year.
Meet the experts
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Peter Myers is the architect and principal of The Drawing Board, Inc.
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Michael Wynn is the founder and CEO of WINN Design + Build.
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Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon are the renovation duo behind The Brownstone Boys.
designated room
Next year, people will be bidding farewell to open-concept layouts in favor of more defined spaces when renovating their homes.
“As people spend more time at home, the appeal of a traditional floor plan with spaces separated for visual and acoustic privacy becomes very apparent,” said Peter Miles, architect and principal of The Drawing Board, Inc.
For example, consider finally making space for a dedicated home office and installing a door that closes to adequately control noise. Of course, these layouts will still reflect contemporary living patterns.
“We’re not going back to the little kitchen in the back of the house,” he promised.
health facilities
Home wellness practices will continue to be a priority in 2026, with people looking to renovate their homes and add amenities like home gyms, saunas and meditation rooms.
Michael Winn, founder and CEO of WINN Design + Build, added that in addition to requesting more dedicated wellness spaces, clients are also prioritizing better air quality and natural light.
Color and intrigue
Homeowners are living in their existing homes longer and are focusing less on resale value and more on what makes them happy.
In this way, people’s decorations will reflect more color, warmth and personality.
Designing a home specifically with its ultimate resale value in mind, Myers said, “often results in a design that’s stale and works for everyone but appeals to no one.”
new neutral colors
Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, the decorating duo behind The Brownstone Boys, say that when people renovate their homes, they focus on choosing materials and fabrics that reflect a new, ever-changing color palette.
“The stark whites, cool grays and taupes that dominated the past decade are softening,” the pair said.
Expect to see warmer, richer colors—such as muted terracottas, ochers, clays, olives, and rich browns—weaved into wood paneling, trim, fabrics, and stone.
“It allows for more depth and character while still supporting the architectural features rather than fighting them,” they said.
Stone and slab backsplashes and walls
Slocum and Bordelon say this year we’ll see less regular tile backsplashes and more large-format stone and slabs; not only that, but those backsplashes will extend from countertops to walls.
“This creates a sense of cohesion and visual calm while also reducing maintenance,” the pair said, explaining that there won’t be any grout cleaning or maintenance, either.
They also appreciate how this modern look shines in a more historic space, like the one where the Brownstone Boys often worked.
“This ‘single surface’ approach allows you to achieve a modern feel without disrupting the architectural narrative,” they said. “It’s a smart way to blend luxury with ease.”
Read the original article about Spruce