{"id":345718,"date":"2025-12-22T17:20:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T22:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=345718"},"modified":"2025-12-22T17:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T22:21:08","slug":"the-design-trends-to-look-forward-to-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-design-trends-to-look-forward-to-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Design Trends to Look Forward to in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From natural materials to climate-resilient architecture, the design trends shaping 2026 reflect a shift towards sensitive, responsive living, writes Mandi Keighran<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Home<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Byron Bay, Australia<\/a> | Byron Bay Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back, 2025 will likely be remembered as a year of unease and acceleration. Environmental challenges became harder to ignore, cultural and political divisions deepened, and technology became ever more ingrained in our everyday life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against this backdrop of a world in flux, the design trends emerging for 2026 feel refreshingly grounded. There is a clear shift toward homes that prioritize natural materials, crafted finishes and a sense of connection to landscape and how we live now. What unites each of the trends explored here is a growing desire for a more human response to this changing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Estate<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mexico City, Mexico<\/a> | Mexico Sotheby\u2019s International Realt<\/a>y<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most dominant design shifts heading into 2026 is a renewed emphasis on natural materials. Stone and timber are being used to create richly tactile residences that feel connected to the land, and as they age, these materials only become more beautiful. AA315<\/a>, in Mexico City\u2019s Lomas de Chapultepec, is an impressive example.\u00a0Designed by Bernardi + Peschard<\/a> with interiors by Gloria Cortina<\/a>, the residence is defined by a palette of stone, timber and metal. Think Swiss larch and Macassar ebony joinery and cladding, expansive marble surfaces, and a sculptural staircase crafted by local woodworker Sim\u00f3n Hamui. \u201cNatural materials are an extension of ourselves\u2014a reminder of where we came from,\u201d says Cortina. \u201cFavor them always.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Craftsmanship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Home<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Byron Bay, Australia<\/a> | Byron Bay Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, particularly bespoke, place-specific work that reflects local skills and traditions. In a world where mass production has become the default, celebrating the human hand can lend homes a depth and individuality that cannot be replicated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lo Scoglio<\/a>, perched on a crest in Coopers Shoot near Byron Bay, Australia, exemplifies this approach. Conceived as a contemporary reinterpretation of a Sicilian masseria <\/em>(rural estate), the main villa and guest house are united in their sensitive use of craft\u2014from hand-chipped limestone walls, century-old hardwood floor and terracotta finishes to brass details sourced through Tigmi Trading<\/a>. In a contemporary take on crafted luxury, the estate blends these artisanal details with modern systems, including solar power and rainwater harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future-proofing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Calistoga,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calistoga, California<\/a> | Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As climate volatility becomes an unavoidable reality, future-proofing has emerged as a core design consideration. In 2026, this increasingly means homes that incorporate resilient materials and construction techniques capable of withstanding environmental extremes. In some cases, that means looking to the past for solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a modern sanctuary<\/a> in Calistoga, California, designed by Signum Architecture<\/a>, both shou sugi ban<\/em>\u2014an ancient Japanese timber-charring technique\u2014and stained cedar have been used to create an exterior cladding that offers natural resistance to fire and insects. Combined with concrete and expansive glazing, the palette is a sophisticated balance of durability and material warmth. \u201cThis home occupies sensitive terrain that called for a design solution that is both sustainable and fire resistant,\u201d says Jarrod Denton, partner at Signum. \u201cOur approach was holistic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statement glazing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Athens, Greece<\/a> | Greece Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we move into 2026, glazing is taking on a more expressive role, moving beyond transparency to become a defining architectural feature used to frame landscapes, heighten spatial drama, and reinforce the relationship between inside and out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orama<\/a>, a private residence in Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera in Greece, is a dazzling showcase of glazing ingenuity. Designed by ISV Architects<\/a>, the four-level home is wrapped in expansive glass facades that capture sweeping views of the Aegean. Inside, tall ceilings and full-height glass walls flood the interiors with light, making the coastal setting as much a design feature as the finishes and furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy passivity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bluffdale,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bluffdale, Utah<\/a> | Summit Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability standards continue to rise, with energy passivity the benchmark rather than the exception in 2026. As a result, passive house principles, once associated with modest dwellings, are now being applied at an ambitious scale, nowhere more so than in a 1<\/a>5,000-square-foot home in Bluffdale, Utah<\/a> built by Cross Construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sprawling home, which has earned recognition as the world\u2019s largest certified single-family passive house, is powered by geothermal and solar energy. It also features triple-pane Alpen windows and continuous filtered fresh air. This mix of luxury living and ambitious design is a powerful blueprint for sustainability at any scale. \u201cPassive homes matter today because they allow luxury to perform at a higher level,\u201d says Alex Cross, CEO of Cross Construction. \u201cWhen executed properly, they deliver a healthier, quieter, and more comfortable living experience, preserving the luxury you may never see, but always feel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rooted in the local<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hudson V<\/a>alley, New Y<\/a>ork<\/a> | William Pitt Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expect a renewed commitment in 2026 to homes that are deeply rooted in place, celebrating the unique attributes of a particular site and breaking away from a generic approach to the built form. A forthcoming residence in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley by Kushner Studios<\/a>\u2014playfully titled Falli<\/a>ng Rocks<\/a> in a nod to Frank Lloyd Wright\u2014embodies this ethos. Set in a landscape shaped by ancient glacial activity, the six-level home has a bold form inspired by these local geological forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery foot of land is unique\u2014sacred even\u2014and thus worthy of consideration,\u201d says Adam Kushner, president of Kushner Studios and owner of Falling Rocks. \u201cIt is the role of the architect to make the most of these opportunities, to create a narrative and propose a unique way of living.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conversation with Kulapat Yantrasast, the art world\u2019s go-to architect<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From natural materials to climate-resilient architecture, the design trends shaping 2026 reflect a shift towards sensitive, responsive living, writes Mandi Keighran Byron Bay, Australia | Byron Bay Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Looking back, 2025 will likely be remembered as a year of unease and acceleration. Environmental challenges became harder to ignore, cultural and political divisions deepened, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770370,"featured_media":345725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","content-type":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1399,1398],"tags":[1415,1423,1445,1463,1506],"class_list":["post-345718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-and-design","category-featured","tag-australia","tag-california","tag-greece","tag-mexico","tag-utah"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image.jpeg","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1rW6","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":345833,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/5-stylish-home-resolutions-for-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":345718,"position":0},"title":"5 Stylish Home Resolutions for 2026","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A new year invites a more meaningful approach to interior design, with personalized spaces that support your well-being and values, writes Emma Reynolds Austin, Texas | Kuper Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Each new year invites reflection and renewal and much of that begins at home. 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Photograph: \u00a9 2026 Richard Powers The standout homes in \u201cThe Iconic Nordic House\u201d\u2014the latest compendium of a series on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Modern chairs in glass-walled room with water and mountain views","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Iconic-Nordic-House_Manshausen_NO-013.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":397,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/introducing-the-2025-luxury-outlook-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":345718,"position":2},"title":"Introducing the 2025 Luxury Outlook Report","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Today,\u00a0Sotheby's International Realty\u00a0released its 2025 Luxury Outlook\u2120 report, which delves into emerging trends and key developments set to shape the global luxury real estate landscape in the coming year. 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Some styles have mere moments to shine before fading to obscurity; while other trends demonstrate a recursive pattern,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image5-2-1024x683.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image5-2-1024x683.png?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image5-2-1024x683.png?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":342596,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/the-transformation-of-dubai-into-a-fashion-capital\/","url_meta":{"origin":345718,"position":5},"title":"The Transformation of Dubai into a Fashion Capital","author":"SIR Admin","date":"August 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Dubai has emerged as a powerhouse of style, with the region\u2019s leading fashion week, world-famous shopping and luxury residences from global fashion houses, writes Mandi Keighran Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Penthouse at The Fairmont Palm Residence North | Dubai Sotheby\u2019s International Realty The discovery of oil in the 1960s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fairmont-Dubai.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fairmont-Dubai.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fairmont-Dubai.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fairmont-Dubai.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/232770370"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345718"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345718\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":345737,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345718\/revisions\/345737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}