By
Alcynna Lloyd
New
Every time Alcynna publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox!
By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider’s
Terms of Service and
Privacy Policy.
Follow Alcynna Lloyd
- Zillow analyzed millions of listings to identify the features that people are searching for most.
- It identified seven design trends it predicts will be popular among homebuyers in 2026.
- Buyers are obsessed with eco-friendly homes and vintage aesthetics.
Another year is on the way, and with it comes a fresh wave of home design trends. Zillow analyzed hundreds of design styles and home features across millions of for-sale listings in 2025, and identified the top emerging home trends for 2026.
"Listing descriptions are short, so every word counts," said Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. "When we see a sharp increase in certain features being mentioned in listings on Zillow, whether it's spa-inspired bathrooms or bespoke artisan craftsmanship, it's a clear signal that these details are capturing buyers' attention right now and hint at what's next in home design."
While some of 2025's biggest home trends, such as eco-friendly homes and spa-style wellness amenities, will carry into 2026, new ones are also emerging.
Here are seven home trends to watch in 2026 according to Zillow, from the evolution of the "man cave" into immersive sports spaces, to the growing demand for cozy reading nooks.
1. Colorful homes are in, and white and gray are out.
Millennial gray is so 2020. There's a whole rainbow out there, and today's homeowners want bold, vivid color in their homes.
Zillow found that "color drenching" will be one of the hottest interior design trends in 2026. That's when the interior surfaces — from walls to floors and sometimes even the furniture — are all the same hue, typically a vibrant statement shade.
Mentions of the trend have increased by 149% since 2025, according to the company.
2. Buyers want eco-friendly homes that help lower their bills.
Zillow found that words like "sustainable" and "green" are appearing 21% more often in listings, suggesting that buyers are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly homes.
Eco-friendly homes do more than help the planet. They can also help homeowners save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by cutting energy use and, in turn, lowering utility bills.
Mentions of zero-energy-ready homes — which are built to minimize energy use and maximize renewable production with features like advanced insulation and high-performance windows — are up 70%.
Listings mentioning whole-home batteries, which store solar energy and provide backup power, are also up 40%, while references to electric-vehicle charging have climbed 25%.
3. Safety from natural disasters is a top priority.
From the Palisades wildfires to the Texas Hill Country floods, this year's natural disasters have claimed many lives and cost the US government and its citizens billions of dollars.
So it's no surprise that many buyers are seeking homes that offer better protection during extreme weather conditions. According to Zillow, 64% more listings mention flood protection, and references to elevation in relation to flooding have increased by 26%.
Buyers are also increasingly worried about fire risk. Zillow data shows fire-safety features are appearing more often in listings, with mentions of defensible-space landscaping up 36% and fire-protection systems up 28%.
4. People don't want to leave home for self-care.
In a culture built on convenience, anything you can get at home quickly becomes something you expect at home.
Many homeowners have moved beyond standard home-wellness amenities, such as home gyms and basketball courts, and into upgrades like saunas and cold plunges — features once limited to luxury spas but now increasingly attainable through thoughtful home design.
Wellness is set to remain a key driver of home design in 2026. According to Zillow, mentions of wellness features in listings are up 33%, and spa-inspired elements are appearing 22% more often on the site.
5. Home libraries are also increasingly popular.
News flash: reading is cool again.
If you've been on social media lately, you've probably seen the chic home libraries that young, design-minded homeowners are putting together. Big or small, they tend to be cozy and highly Instagrammable.
Buyers are taking note as we head into next year. Zillow found that mentions of "reading nooks" are appearing 48% more often in its listings.
6. Buyers want homes with character.
Buyers are increasingly moving away from generic, copy-and-paste interiors in favor of homes that reflect their personalities.
According to Zillow, mentions of vintage accents, whimsical details, and artisan craftsmanship are up 17%, 15%, and 21%, respectively.
7. The "man cave" is getting a makeover.
The once-ubiquitous "man cave" is finally fading, with Zillow data showing mentions in listings down 10% from last year — but spouses shouldn't celebrate just yet.
Buyers don't just want a room to watch the game anymore; they want spaces that let them fully immerse themselves in their favorite sports.
Zillow found that golf simulators are appearing 25% more frequently in listings on its site, while mentions of pickleball courts are also up 25%. Even batting cages are becoming more popular, with references rising 18%.
