Interior Design Services NAICS 541410

Dec 20, 2025 - Home Design Trends for 2026

• Home styling in 2026 is shifting from cool minimalism and tech-heavy trends toward warmth, texture, and nostalgia, according to The Wall Street Journal. Dusky blues are giving way to sunny yellows and golden tones, while analog elements, such as vintage phones and stereos, replace “smart-everything” gadgets. Bare industrial windows are being softened with bamboo blinds, sterile tiles are yielding to hand-painted statement pieces, and all-white California minimalism is ceding to vintage glam inspired by Art Deco. Cork walls and other natural finishes are replacing artificial materials, and stark LED fixtures are being swapped for “jewelry” lighting with glass adornments. Kitchens, once dominated by splashy stone, are embracing gleaming metals such as copper and stainless steel. The overall movement emphasizes optimism, warmth, and character, reflecting a desire for interiors that feel layered, tactile, and expressive rather than cold, sterile, or overly connected to devices.
• Sales of existing US homes increased by 0.5% in November from October but were down 1.2% year-over-year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said, "Existing-home sales increased for the third straight month due to lower mortgage rates this autumn," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "However, inventory growth is beginning to stall. With distressed property sales at historic lows and housing wealth at an all-time high, homeowners are in no rush to list their properties during the winter months."

• Several factors support steady growth in the North American residential improvements market, according to FMI’s fourth-quarter 2025 North American Engineering and Construction Outlook. Spending on residential remodeling is forecast to rise 2% in 2026 and 2027 before increasing by 4% in 2028 and 5% in 2029. The median age of an owner-occupied home is nearly 45 years, and repair and replacement of home systems is expected to outpace discretionary remodeling spending. As home values have risen, more homeowners are tapping the equity in their homes as a source of financing for repairs and upgrades. As of Q2 2025, home equity lines of credit (HELOC) balances were up 8% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Federal Reserve's Household Debt and Credit Report. In their third-quarter reporting, Home Depot and Lowe's said Q3 professional contractor sales were stronger than DIY sales.
• The National Association of Realtors' 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reveals a sharp decline in first-time home buyers, now just 21% of home purchases, with a median age of 40. This shift, driven by affordability challenges, is reshaping interior design demand. With fewer young buyers and more equity-rich repeat buyers with an average age of 62, designers must pivot toward aging-in-place solutions, multigenerational layouts, and upscale personalization. The rise in all-cash purchases and larger down payments signals a preference for turnkey, customized spaces. The industry must adapt to serving older, wealthier clients seeking comfort, functionality, and long-term value, while advocating for housing policies that expand access and revive demand from younger, design-hungry first-time buyers.