As we delve deeper into the modern world and innovation, trends are becoming increasingly exciting. The 2026 home improvement trends are an example. From tech-integrated patios to high-efficiency appliances to environment-focused solutions like sustainable building materials, there’s no doubt that 2026 is a year to look forward to. Let’s get started.
Trend 1: Energy-Efficient Upgrades Continue to Lead
Smart, High-Efficiency Appliances
People are craving quick, easy solutions for home tasks that can provide maximum efficiency while saving time. Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, washing, and storing are now powered by AI, providing a seamless operation.
To name a few, you have ovens with built-in cameras that can identify ingredients and auto-adjust cooking settings, dishwashers that can optimize water to save energy, smart washers with the ability to detect fabrics, and AI refrigerators that can help track inventory, suggest recipes, and alert for expirations.
These are all high-tech appliances that prioritize energy efficiency and innovative features to help consumers save time and resources.
Home Insulation and Air-Sealing Improvements
One effective way to save energy is to have secure home insulation. It’s estimated that up to 15% of energy savings can be achieved through improvements in insulation. With consumers looking to save money, air-sealing and insulation improvements can be a quick-win solution to energy waste.
Insulating the attic, walls, and foundations is one way to significantly improve energy efficiency. Moreover, homeowners who use materials that meet the 2021 IECC standards may be eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
Other simple yet effective solutions, such as caulking windows, weatherstripping doors, and sealing ducts, can improve insulation by reducing air leaks and help keep pollutants and allergens out.
Solar-Ready Home Prep
The use of solar energy is expected to rise in the coming years. If you’re not ready to switch to solar, get your home prepared for it. Several upgrades can be done to prepare: get your roof strengthened to host future solar panels, have conduit pipes to connect from your electrical panel up to the roof while walls are open or during re-roofing, have a special spot in your basement or garage for future batteries, and install a smart home technology that will be compatible with future solar-based appliances.
It’s worth noting that you can save on installation costs by getting your house ready now for a future solar switch.
Trend 2: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Materials
Low-VOC Paint and Finishes
Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and finishes provide homeowners with a much safer option, as they release little to no harmful chemicals. These types of paints have similar durability to traditional paint, making them a perfect choice for homeowners increasingly looking to create a healthier environment, including inside the home.
Recycled & Sustainable Building Materials
An eco-friendly way of living is more of a lifestyle than a trend, as evidenced by behaviour and industry data. When it comes to a home, many have opted to promote sustainable living by using recycled building materials.
For example, recycled steel or aluminum for roofing, reclaimed or FSC-certified wood for flooring and beams, and countertops made from recycled glass, paper, or even ocean plastic. These sustainable choices are not only good for the environment but also aesthetically pleasing.
Water-Saving Fixtures
Water-saving fixtures are no longer just great to have; they are now a must-have. Everyone’s on the same page about using less water, so the bar has moved: a typical toilet these days is supposed to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less (plenty of dual-flush models even drop to 0.8 for liquids), while showerheads peak at 1.75–2.0 gallons per minute.
The cool part? Thanks to more innovative designs and features like built-in aerators, you still get a great shower and a toilet that flushes everything the first time. You don’t have to give up anything; you just use less water.
Trend 3: Home Safety and Resilience Upgrades
Storm-Resistant Improvements
People are naturally looking for more ways to protect their homes and families as the weather grows more unpredictable and seems more severe. People are installing impact-rated windows and doors, as well as a metal-and-concrete roof with easy strap-and-tie-down fittings that lock the roof to the base.
This roof can handle wind gusts of up to 140 mph without tearing off. These upgrades can be more expensive, but they help keep your house standing.
Fire Safety Awareness
Another major concerns among homeowners are fire-related incidents. People are increasingly thinking more about the materials used in their homes and how to safeguard them against fire. For example, homeowners are upgrading from wood-shake roofs to class-A metal or composite roofs that don’t catch fire easily. Inside, Homeowners are upgrading to hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Aging-in-Place Enhancements
Another trend that is becoming mainstream amongst homeowners is the aging-in-place enhancements. This includes upgrades such as zero-step entries (no steps or stairs on the front porch), curbless showers with bench seats, comfort-height toilets, and innovative technologies like motion-sensor lighting, video doorbells, and remote-controlled thermostats — all designed to provide comfortable living for decades to come.
Trend 4: Outdoor Living Spaces Are Getting Smarter
Tech-Integrated Patios and Yards
Patios and yards are also seeing the influence of technology integration as part of the 2026 home improvement trends. People are adding Wi-Fi-controlled heaters, pergolas that can open and close with a click of a button, weatherproof TVs and speakers, and LED lighting that can change colors as you like. You see, these new tech-integrated installations are there to make things more functional and simpler to do.
Functional Garden Spaces
In 2026, a garden isn’t merely a beautiful space in the house–it serves as an all-in-one functional area. Think of raised cedar or metal planter boxes for growing veggies and herbs, built-in compost bins that don’t smell, timer- or phone-app-controlled drip irrigation, and vertical walls of plants. Your garden is now a beautiful view, a shade, and a low-effort food source.
Upgraded Outdoor Storage
Say goodbye to rusty metal shade. People are focusing on making their outdoor storage aesthetic. Matching storage closets with the same siding and roof pitch, creating a mini-version of the house. Inside, built-in charging stations for e-bikes and power tools, hooks for bikes, and pull-out trays for cushions. As you can see, even storage is becoming a place worth spending time in.
Trend 5: DIY Interior Refreshes Dominate
Bold Paint Colors and Accent Walls
Of course, our list of 2026 home improvement trends wouldn’t be complete without upgrades to the look of the house itself. People are turning their interiors into bold paint colors and accent walls to make their house feel more mood-boosting. Deep forest green, moody navy, terracotta, or even charcoal black.
With that, expect to see a more diverse and exciting experience when visiting your friends’ or neighbors’ houses!
Kitchen Mini-Makeovers
Mini-makeovers are a cost-effective way to freshen up the kitchen area without making the disruption of a complete remodel. Homeowners are looking for functionality and style — refinishing cabinets, swapping hardware, or adding curved elements. These changes create multifunctional hubs that blend cooking, gathering, and relaxation.
Smart Lighting and Ambient Controls
Lighting has always been an essential tool for creating mood and promoting wellness. Smart system and AI ambient controls touch it up a notch by adjusting color, intensity, and patterns based on time, occupancy, or even emotions. This 2026 home improvement trend supports “gentle glow” aesthetics over harsh overheads.
Trend 6: Garage and Workspace Improvements
Tool Storage & Organization
Garages in 2026 will look to become more organized with the help of a garage organization system that helps reclaim floor space and streamline workflows.
Durable and eco-friendly materials like recycled steel and bamboo are used for cabinets and racks, as well as magnetic and pegboard solutions, such as wall-mounted magnetic strips and oversized pegboards for small tools, to maximize unused shelf space. All these systems and tools will help garages reduce clutter and improve workflows for DIYers.
Home Workshop Expansion
The post-pandemic period has seen a continued trend toward working from home, prompting many to set up home-based workshops. Garages are becoming multipurpose stations, incorporating dedicated workshops through affordable expansions that blend storage with wellness and productivity.
Added features in the garage include fold-down workbenches and zones, electrical and lighting upgrades, and natural materials such as wood shelving, all to achieve an ergonomic, smart use of space and emphasize wellness.
Electric Vehicle Prep
The new year will also continue the transition to electric vehicles, which will require homes to undergo upgrades to accommodate them. Prep your house for electric cars by installing a battery charger, upgrading the panel and wiring system, integrating innovative features, and pairing with solar-ready roofs and app-controlled hubs for energy management.
Trend 7: Technology-Driven Home Management
Whole-Home Automation
“Everything works with a click of a button”…and for 2026, with a voice and gesture! Automation aligns with people’s desire for easy, quick solutions to their daily tasks. Whole-home automation in 2026 will become more advanced, anticipate needs, optimize energy use, and centralize control.
For example, using a centralized dashboard across apps to monitor everything from entertainment to air quality; using AI-powered predictive devices, like smart thermostats with machine learning, to preheat rooms before arrival; or dimming lights for circadian rhythms.
Security Upgrades
The need for security modifications has grown in tandem with the sophistication of criminal activities. Integrating threat ecosystems, such as HVAC/security ties, alerting on smoke via Alexa Guard, biometric encryption, decentralized data storage, and behavior and face recognition to identify known visitors or identify lurkers, are all part of modern security systems that people are adopting.
Connected Plumbing Solutions
Using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), connected plumbing becomes a sustainability superpower in 2026. Every homeowner wants a system that increases efficiency and reduces costs. Homes are installing a water-optimization platform and a smart leak-detection system to achieve these goals. Operations include real-time water management, leak detection and stopping, and reducing consumption amid increasing scarcity.
Conclusion
2026 home improvement trends focus on delivering not only what consumers want but also what they require in this day and age: simple, effective, and cost-cutting solutions. With the growing use of AI in almost every aspect of life, 2026 is set to become a more innovative year for home improvement.
Expect smart home systems to continue to advance with AI, becoming even more sophisticated and delivering seamless operation across virtually everything in the house. If you’re ready to upgrade your house to some or all of our 2026 home improvement trends, be sure to get in touch with our team at Johnson’s Ace. We can help get your house ready for 2026!
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