interior design news

Elegant traditional style to lead home design in 2026, Houzz predicts

The experts at Houzz have made their 2026 home design predictions, and if Houston homeowners follow the trends, next year homes will be filled with traditional design with sleek Art Deco details. There will be a few modern touches sprinkled throughout, too, in the form of updated fixtures and countertops.

The interior design platform developed its top 11 design trend predictions after surveying its community of more than 70 million homeowners and 3 million construction and design professionals. Here is a closer look at their predictions for 2026 home design:

Traditional style
Homeowners who embraced their "cottagecore"-inspired English-style kitchens in 2025 are getting the green light to extend the traditional style outside of the kitchen and into the rest of the home. Houzz's report said traditional design is making a subtle, elegant return "led by English country and Tudor influences."

In kitchens, homeowners can rely on arched range hoods and rich wood cabinetry to bring the English charm, while the rest of the home can introduce "curves, arches, and scalloped edges to soften spaces."

"Built-ins, paneling, and detailed millwork add depth and character," the report added. "Earthy tones like olive green, taupe, and deep brown, along with stained woods and muted blues or burgundies, reinforce the timeless appeal."

Flat-panel cabinets and vanities
This may seem contradictory to the overall traditional style, but Houzz suggests flat-panel cabinets provide a timeless look in traditional- or transitional-style areas of the home. Their sleek surfaces make for easy cleaning (especially in a well-loved kitchen) and homeowners are opting for real wood tones or matte finishes to highlight the minimalist aesthetic while still feeling cozy and inviting.

Houzz 2026 home design predictions, flat-panel cabinets and vanities Flat-panel cabinetry provides a seamless look that is also practical for being easy to clean.Photo by JM Real Estate Photography / Celaya | Soloway Interiors

Flat-panel cabinetry is the second-most popular cabinet style, following the classic Shaker cabinets, according to Houzz's 2025 "Kitchen Trends Study."

Natural stone slabs
"Quiet elegance" seems to be an ongoing theme for 2026, and homeowners are seeking out natural stone countertops and backsplashes to turn this idea into reality. Materials like quartzite and marble make a space feel "organic and luxurious" without drawing too much attention to it. And when paired with flat-panel, real wood cabinets, these countertops can create a classic look.

Checkerboard
Checkerboard tile flooring is emerging as a top design trend for both homeowners and renters that want to add character to their kitchens or bathrooms. Houzz said professional designers are taking the trend up a notch by introducing jewel tones like emerald, oxblood, and burgundy rather than relying on the classic black and white tiles.

"High-quality materials like honed marble and handmade terra cotta elevate the look and age gracefully over time, striking a balance between timeless charm and modern flair," the report said.

However, renters can achieve a similar look by using peel-and-stick checkerboard tile, which is a popular and affordable option to spruce up drab apartment flooring without making a permanent change.

Wall-mounted bathroom faucets
A recent Houzz study analyzing popular bathroom trends revealed faucets are the No. 1 most upgraded fixture during renovation projects, and the most sought-after replacement is for wall-mounted faucets due to their "sleek, streamlined look and practical benefits."

"By mounting the spout and handles above the sink, countertops stay clear, making cleaning easier," the report said. "Wall-mounted faucets also save valuable space in compact vanities, freeing up countertops for essentials."

Wall-mounted faucets also offer greater flexibility than deck-mounted ones because they can work with vessel sinks, double sinks, and custom-made sinks, the report added.

Zoned built-ins
This trending living room feature is a solution for maximizing space while adding functionality. Built-in walls can combine the TV space with the fireplace, storage, and even beverage stations, according to Houzz.

"By maximizing wall space, they reduce the need for extra furniture, making rooms feel more open," the report said. "Custom shelving allows homeowners to display decor while closed cabinetry keeps essentials neatly tucked away."

Houzz 2026 home design predictions, rendering of a zoned built-in space This built-in wall combines a bar with the fireplace, TV, decorative shelving, and closed storage spaces.Rendering courtesy of Houzz

Designers also encourage mixing materials, textures, and colors with these spaces to increase visual interest. Homeowners can combine wood cabinetry with natural stone countertops and add glass shelving or metal accents.

The resurgence of Art Deco style
It's time to bring out all of The Great Gatsby-themed party decor from 2013 and give the home a modern 2026 refresh. Art Deco is expected to have a great revival next year, with chevron patterns, brass metal accents, and jewel tones all making grand returns to the spotlight.

"This trend blends historical sophistication with contemporary sensibilities, creating spaces that feel opulent and modern," Houzz said.

Houzz 2026 home design predictions, checkerboard flooring

Phot by Costa Christ / New Leaf Custom Homes; The Design Shop

Checkerboard is making a comeback, but it doesn't have to be the classic black and white pattern.

Warm yellow accents
Design enthusiasts who haven't quite perfected their spaces yet are probably missing an earthy accent color. Houzz said yellow tones like ocher, mustard, and honey are becoming top choices for adding warmth to a room. Homeowners can implement these colors in furniture like a velvet sofa, wall paint, or textiles like pillow covers or throw blankets.

Outdoor gardens
If there's any lesson to take from this year to the next, it's that everyone needs to touch more grass. And Houzz has revealed more and more homeowners are turning their lawns into outdoor gardens blooming with hedges, planters, and other greenery. In addition to creating little "destinations" such as a fire lounge, reading nook, and dining patio, landscape architects are also designing natural or man-made pathways to "define boundaries while maintaining flow and cohesion."

"This creates a sense of discovery even in compact yards and makes outdoor spaces appear larger and more intentional," the report said. "The result is a layered landscape that feels structured and inviting with multiple places to relax, entertain, and connect with nature."

Transparent renovation projects and "immersive visualization" through the use of augmented reality
Houzz's final two home design predictions for 2026 are less about design and more about the logistics of planning a renovation project.

According to the report, homeowners are seeking "more openness and clarity" when it comes to the timeline for renovation projects, and they desire better communication from their hired professionals. Expectations are especially high for a costly endeavor, Houzz said, with homeowners requesting "digital project dashboards complete with easy-to-follow schedules, visual progress updates, and payment timelines" to keep them informed about every step of the process.

Homeowners are additionally turning toward augmented reality (AR) models to help them visualize how their finished spaces will look before any demolition work begins, Houzz added.

"Seeing the finished space digitally before demo day is quickly becoming the norm rather than the exception," the report said.

home design home design trends houzz

hail britannia

Catching up with Houston's new British Consul-General and top UK designer

Courtesy of the British Consulate-General

The British Consul General’s River Oaks residence can be difficult to miss along Kirby Drive.

British aesthetics and sensibilities have recently been front-and-center in everything from sartorial choices to residential design. From Cottagecore to Cluttercore, Houston has embraced it all.

Recently, far more than British aesthetics have sailed up the bayou. Between a newly-appointed Consul General, details about the residence’s secret art gallery and annual Winston Churchill birthday bash, to a book tour by veteran interior designer and Churchill descendant Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, there has been a lot.

A home in River Oaks, which is sometimes known to project the Union Jack upon its classic white façade, has been home to the British Consul General since the building’s purchase in 1963. The nearly 4,500-square-foot manse dates back to 1948 (when it was valued at $11,380!), but with the diligent stewardship of the Brits, one can hardly notice its age.

Beginning in September of this year, the residence has been inhabited by Keith Scott, the current Consul General (which has overall responsibility for leading the UK’s engagement in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico) and acts as a meeting and event space as well as housing a rotating first floor art exhibition curated by Yvonamor Palix of Gallery Artique in the Heights.

“I’m so very excited to be in Houston,” says Scott of his new assignment. “When I was growing up in Aberdeen, a lot of my friends ended up in the oil industry and came to Houston. And there has always been a big, big exchange of people in Houston and Aberdeen, so it was always in the back of my mind as a place to come and visit.”

Scott admits that being in the residence makes the old adage true — everything is bigger in Texas. “This house is huge, the driving is huge, the businesses are huge. I was proud, when I had to go to the UK embassy in Washington, to wear my Texas pin badge, and see the number of staff who jumped up from their chairs and were shouting: ‘Republic of Texas!’ It was really good to get that sense of where Texas sits in the U.S., and all these stats about Texas — we’re the eighth biggest GDP in the world. They keep me busy, and I’m looking forward to more of this.”

One thing Scott wasn’t quite expecting of his new home is that almost the entire first floor is an art gallery. For nearly 15 years, international art curator and gallerist Yvonamor Palix has been at the helm of curating works for both the British, French, and Mexican residences — open for exploration and enjoyment by all invited guests.

“I am the daughter of a career diplomat who loves art,” says Palix. “It was my parents’ influence that took me to discover this amazing field of work on an international level — Paris, Mexico City and then Houston. I have been curating in diplomatic venues for much of my career. Perhaps it is because art is a conversation starter, or it brings people together and creates unique experiences.”

Current artists on view — by vetted appointments by Palix and residence staff — include Ruth Gervich, Jane Liang, Duncan Wylie, Alex Gutierrez, Pep Guerrero, Alicia Paz, Karine Parker, Lesley Bodzy, Cha DAE-Duck, and Claire Basler.

British designer sounds off

Most recently, the residence hosted an invite-only soirée to commemorate the birthday of Winston Churchill, while simultaneously operating as an intimate de facto tour stop for a new book written by his relative, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, about his birthplace (if interested in the somewhat complicated family tree — buy the book).

Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace, published by Rizzoli, is Spencer-Churchill’s 12th book. While her previous books have all been written strictly on interior design, this book is a heritage project more for her family than anything else. CultureMap sat down with Spencer-Churchill for a chat about her new book, her design career, tips on how to curate a British aesthetic, and why she thinks social media is giving interior design a bad name.

“I did this [book] as a legacy for my family home,” Spencer-Churchill begins. “I didn’t do anything to be business-related; it’s just a legacy for our family home — people, architecture, interiors, the park and garden, lifestyle, logistics, and the future.”

As a 45-year interior design veteran, with a shop in Woodstock, where Blenheim Palace is located, and her wildly-successful Spencer-Churchill Design firm, the great-granddaughter of Consuelo Vanderbilt is slowing down just enough to spill the proverbial tea.

With a specialty in restoring listed (i.e., historically-protected) buildings and old houses, especially Georgian-era architecture, Spencer-Churchill appreciates the opportunity to stretch her imagination with a new-build project from time to time.

“In a funny way, it gives you a chance to be more creative, because you’re putting in the features,” she explains. “The more challenging ones are the ones you start from scratch, especially because listed buildings have so many restrictions. I love the creativity of putting in the architectural features — picking the fireplace, picking the trim, picking the plaster work, all of that sort of thing. I think that’s what adds all of the character to a room.”

As for tips for getting that effortless, just-so look? “I always want to start with the bones, and make sure that’s right,” says Spencer-Churchill. “Then, from that, you build it up with the layers — the furniture, the pictures, the furnishings, etc. I use a lot of antiques in my business, because, largely, they give a lot of character; secondly, they are so much better made; and thirdly, they are much cheaper than what’s available new.”

Auctions are where Spencer-Churchill suggests shoppers look for the best deals on quality antiques: “In England, a lot of the old antique shops have disappeared. They just don’t have enough business, and rates and rents, and everything are so high — so I think that’s why now a lot of people are buying at auction.”

When asked about social media trends involving interior design, Spencer-Churchill admits that it’s a bit of a double-edged sword: “I use the internet as much as anyone else does now — you have to.” She will use Pinterest for research purposes (relatable!), but thinks that “designers” who chase trends for likes on social platforms are contributing to problematic practices.

“There are a lot of designers who are really just decorators. I think this is why I get quite negative about Instagram and things like that, because it’s easy for someone to photograph something, put it on Instagram, and say ‘Look at this, look at that!’ It slightly drives me mad. And I think, in a sense, it gives the industry a bit of a bad name—that’s why I’ve gotten a little bit annoyed.”

At the end of the day, good design is something that doesn’t shout someone else’s tastes, it’s about taking what the homeowner loves, and making it theirs, something that Spencer-Churchill prides herself on.

“I’m one of those designers where I don’t put my stamp on a project. I very much try to reflect the client, and I’m passionate about the architecture and details. I don’t have an ego, or my ego is that I’ve done a really good job and the client is happy — it’s on budget, it’s on time. I don’t have to live with the decor. There is definitely a lot of stuff I’ve done that I wouldn’t want to live with myself, but that’s fine — you know?”

Courtesy of the British Consulate-General

The British Consul General’s River Oaks residence can be difficult to miss along Kirby Drive.

home-design river oaks