By Jamie Gold, Forbes
Building, design and real estate experts often disagree on particular trends, but what most say they’re seeing is ongoing and growing consumer interest in wellness design. As one industry analyst told me several years ago, “No one wants a house that will kill them.” Consumer concerns have evolved into expectations of new technologies, healthier products and health-enhancing spaces, both physical and mental, in their homes. Here are six that are considered likely to show up in real estate listings and remodeling projects for 2026.
1. Resilience Features
Winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires have all subjected homeowners to power outages in recent years. With more Americans working from home or caring for older relatives, these outages impact both safety and productivity. Zillow reported a 40% increase in whole house battery systems in its latest report, drawn from home sale listings on its site.
Widespread resilience focus is also showing up in targeted improvements, observes Robert D’Amato with Phoenix-based Nord Restoration. “Among older homeowners, we’re seeing a sharp rise in proactive indoor air and moisture control built into renovations. Clients are requesting sealed building envelopes paired with upgraded ventilation, whole-home dehumidification, and mold-resistant materials.” Younger clients are seeking leak-detection systems, nontoxic finishes to prevent future problems and “layouts that allow faster isolation and repair if damage occurs.”
2. Mental Health Focus
From quiet rooms to reading nooks to window seats to garden alcoves, homeowners are creating spaces that allow them to decompress, according to a recent report from Thumbtack in partnership with Redfin. Thumbtack identified this in its “Harmonizing with Nature” trend, noting that homeowners are seeking spaces that invite slowing down and disconnecting. Indoor-outdoor harmony was their second most popular 2026 trend.
Real estate platform Clever revealed in its latest survey that “good neighbors” was a feature many homebuyers would pay an extra $10,000 to have. How this is showing up is in master planned communities with gathering spaces, volunteering opportunities and walkability.
A mental health focus is also showing up indoors. “Many young adult clients are asking to create functional spaces that support their mental health and work-life balance,” shares Josh Qian, chief operating officer of Los Angeles areas LINQ Kitchen remodeling firm. “To achieve this goal, many are designing home offices that include calming colors, ergonomic furniture, and plants to purify the air. Another area where younger clients are finding creative ways to reduce distractions and improve concentration is through sound-insulated solutions to create quieter spaces for working. As more people work remotely, this trend will become even more prevalent in 2026, as younger generations begin to build environments that allow them to be productive and relaxed,” he predicts.
3. Multi-Generational Living
Multi-generational living is, of course, not a new trend. Growing up in the 1960s, many of my friends and relatives had their grandparents living with them. (Ours did part-time.) The pandemic accelerated this trend as nursing homes and assisted living facilities sent residents home for their safety. The high costs of homeownership, eldercare and childcare have also contributed. Thumbtack identified multi-generational living as a priority via reimagined spaces. These could be kitchens with sit-down prep areas and table-height island extensions. These spaces are also, increasingly, accessory dwelling units or home extensions for parents or in-laws.
Qian sees this trend among his clientele: “There is also a growing desire among our older client base to incorporate accessible elements, such as walk-in showers with grab bars and slip-resistant flooring, to enhance safety and aesthetics. These two areas will continue to drive design decisions by older adults in 2026,” he reports.
Boston area interior designer Raquel DeLuca with Driftwood reports a bigger push for accessibility. “Elevators, grab bars, and widened doorways. First floor primary suites have also been a big trend we have been seeing.”
4. Fewer Moves
According to design and home improvement platform Houzz’s 2026 Renovation Plans Report, “62% expect to stay in their homes 11plus years post-renovation” and “45% say their current home is their ‘forever’ home.”
Here’s how Marine Sargsyan, Houzz’s economic research director, sees forever-friendly remodeling: “These investments often include durable materials, improved layouts, energy- and water-efficient fixtures, and features that support aging in place or evolving household needs, such as safer bathroom designs and more accessible kitchens. Together, these trends suggest homeowners are making thoughtful, long-term upgrades designed to support livability and independence for years to come.”
5. Tech Enhancements
The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 bathroom and kitchen trend reports show how smart home features are enhancing wellness at home. In the bathroom, it’s showing up as programmable showers and radiant floor heating systems, privacy shades or glass. In the kitchen, it’s showing up in countertop chargers, app controlled appliances and smart lighting. Boomers want “easy and healthful living,” the survey says, and making their kitchens and bathrooms aging-friendly with smart features and controls enhances that potential.
According to AARP, half of all adults in their latest trends survey “now use at least one type of smart-home technology (for example, security, lighting, cleaning, hubs), and home-safety devices are increasing as cameras and alarms become more prevalent.”
When it comes to artificial intelligence, what these older adults are most interested in, the retirement organization shares, are tools that answer health questions or provide health guidance. That can certainly include tech-enabled cooking appliances for nutritious meal prep, and even bathroom features like Kohler’s new Dekoda toilet attachment for digestive analysis.
“The strongest growth is in smart water-management systems like leak sensors, automatic shut-off valves, and moisture monitoring tied to phone alerts,” D’Amato comments. “These are increasingly viewed as health tools, not convenience tech, because they prevent mold growth and indoor air contamination.”
6. Healthier Choices
“In the Phoenix area, gas remains common, but we’re seeing growing interest in induction, largely tied to indoor air quality concerns and heat control rather than sustainability messaging,” D’Amato says. (NKBA’s 2025 kitchen trends report bears out this growing interest, with two-thirds of kitchen designers and professionals projecting that induction will be the most popular cooking type by the end of 2028.)
He’s also seeing growing interest in bidet functionality, particularly in primary bathrooms,” the Phoenix remodeler says. “Roughly 30 to 40% of primary bath renovations we’re involved in now include some form of bidet functionality. Secondary bathrooms see it far less frequently, typically only in multi-generational homes.”
Dallas-based designer Tatum Madden with O’Hara Interiors says about 75% of her Texan clients are putting them into primary suites for their hygienic benefits. She is also seeing a “significant push toward induction cooking, particularly in Texas.” She’s finding particular enthusiasm for integrated hobs. “These under the counter induction systems create an uninterrupted design look without sacrificing the performance or functionality that clients love with induction cooktops.”
Last Words
These trends from around the industry can guide you to helpful, healthful home improvements and priorities for a new home. Choose the ones that fit your budget and lifestyle, confident that your investment can pay off in wellness benefits now and potential resale returns later.