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, warm yellow accents

Photo by Miranda Estes / Jackson Design Build

Warm yellow accents make a space feel homey and comfortable.

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

party down

Design-focused Houston rentals company adds boutique hotel flair to events

Courtesy of Helm House

Furniture upholstery is fully customizable.

The season for end-of-summer parties is approaching. As Houstonians prepare to pack away their swimwear, white linens, and tiki torches, end of summer fêtes are ramping up. Trusted event planning company Planned With has recently launched its sister company — the custom event rentals outfit named Helm House — just in time to make a splash.

Unlike traditional event rental companies, Helm House focuses on design-forward pieces that are fully customizable — down to the upholstery. Each piece in their finely-curated collections can be reupholstered on-the-fly, should a client require something a little more jazzy. Browse fabric collections from Nuage Designs, trimmings from luxury design house Samuel & Sons, and fun options from Chasing Paper to get a truly one-of-a-kind look.

In order to offer truly unique designs, the team at Helm House regularly shops the antiques fair at Round Top for accessories and lighting. Fixtures and other pieces are available from artists like Ken Bizzell of KB Design. His handcrafted works made of recycled tire rubber and other materials are a constant standout in the Excess tents during the fall and spring shows.

“We don’t want to do it cookie-cutter,” says co-founder and director of design Hannah Goetz. “We want it to be very niche, special, and unique. Really one-of-a-kind pieces that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Helm House will paint, paper, or vinyl wrap just about anything in its inventory, even offering custom vinyl designs for tabletops. The design team, led by Goetz, has taken the guess work out of the selections process by finely-tuning preset collections, should clients want a one-and-done experience. Helm House is certainly the first events company in the Houston and Austin market to allow clients to shop by vibes.

“We have collections. So, on the website there are ten collections, and for each of them there is a lounge set up, bar set up, and a dining set up,” explains Goetz. “You can just go on the website and it’s configured and designed and can be added to a wishlist. It’s just easy premade items if you want something pre-designed or even just to get some ideas. But each collection has those three spaces that people can just shop for. If a client really wants to customize fabrics or any pieces for the bars or tables, pillows, or anything like that, then we can provide that for them.”

One of the things that clients appreciate is the ability to work with an in-house interior designer. That being said, there are no pieces in the collections that aren’t design-forward, but with the ability to fully-customize any aspect of the project, it’s easy to get a little lost along the way.

“It depends on the client, but we are a full design house, so we offer those services to clients,” says Goetz. “If they need help with the actual design of the event, then we will present the full design space and say exactly where things are supposed to go. Then we will actually help implement all of the furniture on-site at the event.”

All of this flexibility comes at a price, of course. Helm House typically has a $5,000 minimum per project. As seen in the photo above, a table for six rents for $350. Customers can add a custom vinyl topper for $100 and place settings from $40-60 per seat, meaning place settings for a table of six run from $240-360 per day.

While clients are more than welcome to use their own event planners, the Helm House team’s experience with their sister company gives them a leg-up on other event rentals companies. Traditionally, the rental company will send items to the venue with a single delivery driver with no knowledge of the project. However, Helm House insists on being on-site for the delivery and to have the ability to make any necessary minor adjustments.

“We’ve found that people aren’t usually on-site who are actually part of the rental company, and we want to make sure that everything is placed where it should be, but also just that we are taking that off of our client’s hands,” explains Goetz.

Founder and CEO Emily Rudelson (Full disclosure: Rudelson once worked for CultureMap) wants to provide a rental experience that allows clients to feel that their space offers something different — better sight lines, frames, fabrics, and place settings and linens that feel anything but temporary.

"We started Helm House because we felt there was a void in the market. We were constantly inspired by the incredible design in restaurants, hotels, and boutique spaces, but that same level of thoughtful furniture simply wasn't available for events,” explains Rudelson. “Helm House was built to change that: bringing hospitality-inspired design to the event industry through elevated, design-forward rentals that can also be customized. From fabrics and finishes to one-of-a-kind details, we want every client to have the opportunity to truly make it theirs.

“As the founder of Planned With, I also love that I now get to furnish our own events with pieces we truly believe in, while Helm House operates as its own independent rental company serving planners, designers, brands, venues, and clients across Texas. We believe rentals shouldn't feel rented; they should feel like they were designed specifically for your event.”

Courtesy of Helm House

Furniture upholstery is fully customizable.

home-design parties business