As we step into 2026, homeowners are rethinking what matters most in their spaces. With more people choosing to stay in their homes longer, kitchen and bathroom remodels are no longer about following the crowd—they’re about creating spaces that work for your life and reflect your personal style. If you’ve been putting off a remodel, this may be the year to finally bring your vision to life.
Whether you’re refreshing a single room or planning a whole house remodel, the design team at Mountainwood Homes has rounded up five home remodeling trends to inspire your next project.
2026 Home Remodeling Trends
Bigger Kitchens from Unused Space
Creating a larger kitchen is one of the most common requests from local homeowners, and many of the best solutions start by rethinking space that already exists.
“Being open to looking at your home in a new way is where our expertise comes in,” says Sierra Lemieux, designer at Mountainwood Homes. “We’re able to come in with fresh eyes. We don’t have the memories or habits tied to the space, which makes it easier to challenge the idea of ‘this is how it’s always been.’”
One increasingly popular approach is extending the kitchen into an unused breakfast nook, creating a more functional layout with additional storage while improving how the kitchen connects to adjacent spaces.
Adding Multifunctional Spaces
For homeowners who have maxed out their existing layout, a home addition can be a smart solution, especially for those planning to stay long term. The key is designing the space with intention, not simply adding square footage.
“Homeowners often need help sorting out if their rooms are functioning at a high enough level,” says Vicki Enger, designer at Mountainwood Homes. “You don’t want this new space to be an overflow for rooms that haven’t been properly figured out. It’s really about room management.”
Lifestyle continues to be the main driver behind additions.
“We really need to know the homeowner’s expectations about square footage and what they are using the room for. Then we get to the function part of it, and it’s the back and forth between budget, function, and needs.”
With considerations like rooflines, blending old and new, design continuity, engineering, and local permitting, additions require careful coordination.
“It takes an experienced, professional team to put it together, do it right, and to make it look like it was part of your home while respecting the existing architecture,” Enger adds.
Keeping the Clutter Off the Counters
In 2026, kitchen design is moving toward concealed storage as homeowners prioritize calm, organized spaces with a clean aesthetic.
“When clutter is concealed, the space feels more harmonious,” says designer Alison Needelman, noting a shift away from open shelving and toward streamlined cabinetry.
Features like appliance garages, pantry pull-outs, trash and recycling pull-outs, blind-corner optimizers, and utensil and spice pull-outs are now baseline expectations. Newer features, such as toe-kick drawers and docking drawers for phones and cords, reflect how storage continues to adapt to everyday routines.
“Most of our clients are coming from kitchens where these options didn’t exist,” Needelman explains. “They’re amazed by how much functionality can be built in without sacrificing style.”
Panel-ready appliances and lower-drawer base cabinets create a seamless, furniture-like look, while secondary or back kitchens help keep clutter completely out of sight.
“The goal is a place for everything, so countertops stay clear, and the kitchen feels clean, intentional, and effortless,” Needelman adds.
Warm Vibes
Design in 2026 is leaning boldly into warmth, color, and materials that feel authentic to the home itself.
“The color red is trending in a big way, especially through the use of cherry wood cabinetry,” says designer Sarah Peek. “It has a richness similar to walnut but with a redder undertone, and when it’s done in a modern profile like slab or slim shaker, it feels fresh instead of dated.”
Cherry offers practical benefits as well. It’s typically more approachable than walnut or white oak, has a subtler grain, and stains more evenly, making it appealing for homeowners who want warmth without dramatic variation.
Designers are also seeing homeowners move beyond safe neutrals. “We’ve been warm for a while, but now we’re coming in hot,” Peek says. “People are saying, ‘I don’t want greige, I want color.’”
Natural stone is resurging too, as homeowners move past all-white quartz. Slate, granite, marble, and quartzite are being chosen when they align with a home’s architecture, while glass tile is gaining popularity for backsplashes and shower walls thanks to its depth and reflectivity.
“Homeowners don’t have to do the same thing everyone else is doing,” Peek adds. “Your home, your lifestyle, and the era of the house should lead the design.”
Less Open Concept; More Defined Spaces
Homeowners are pulling back from wide-open floor plans in favor of more defined, purposeful spaces that bring character and calm back into the home.
Instead of building walls, it’s possible to create separation through visual details like wallpaper, wood paneling, wainscoting, millwork details, and box beams that subtly define where one space ends and another begins.
Homes are also becoming more flexible, with office-guest room hybrids, built-in wall beds, workout zones, and compact built-in desks replacing bulky furniture as technology gets smaller and more streamlined.
“Get away from the cookie-cutter house and create spaces with more personality, charm, and unique features,” encourages Darby Sargent, Director of Design at Mountainwood Homes. “Don’t be afraid to step outside the box.”
Make a Change in 2026
The new year is a great time to rethink how your home works for you. In 2026, remodeling is about making smart updates that improve function and reflect how you live today. Whether it’s reworking an unused space or adding thoughtful details that make everyday life easier, connect with Mountainwood Homes to reimagine your home and love where you live. You can also sit down with their design-build experts on Saturday, January 10, from 10–11 a.m. at their Tigard office to get the guidance you need to kick off your remodel with confidence. Reserve your spot at mountainwoodhomes.com/events.
