As 2026 gets underway, home design is moving away from short-lived fads and toward spaces that feel personal and practical. Zillow’s Home Trends Report, based on millions of listings, shows buyers prioritizing comfort, flexibility, and durability alongside style. Together, the top trends of the year reveal how homeowners want their spaces to look and how they expect them to perform. Epoxy flooring is a great starting point!
1. Color-Drenched Rooms
Bold, immersive color is one of the defining design trends of 2026. Zillow reports a sharp rise in listings featuring color-drenched rooms where walls, trim, ceilings, floors, and even furniture share a unified palette. Epoxy flooring fits naturally into this movement, offering solid colors, decorative flake blends, and metallic finishes that add depth while holding up to everyday use.
2. Cozy Reading Nooks
Buyers are also carving out quieter spaces designed for rest and focus. Cozy reading nooks and personal retreats are appearing more often, reflecting a desire for balance and calm within busy homes.
3. Resilient Homes
Resilience is becoming a major design priority. Zillow notes increased mentions of flood and fire protection as homeowners look for ways to protect their investment.
4. Sustainability With Staying Power
Sustainability continues to influence home upgrades, with buyers favoring energy efficient, long-life improvements that reduce maintenance and replacement over time.
5. Self-Care at Home
Wellness-driven design remains strong. Mentions of spa-inspired bathrooms in listings are up 22%, according to Zillow. Easy-to-clean surfaces play an important role here. Epoxy flooring supports this trend with seamless surfaces and moisture mitigation that help bathrooms, laundry rooms, and home gyms stay clean and low maintenance.
6. The “Man Cave” Gets a Redesign
Traditional “man caves” are giving way to activity-focused spaces. In Northeast Ohio homes, basements and garages are perfectly positioned for this shift. Waterproofing basements helps transform lower levels into dry, usable spaces perfect for home gyms, while moisture-mitigated garage floor coatings create durable foundations for recreation and fitness.
7. Personalized Spaces With Character
Finally, homeowners are embracing artisan, vintage, and whimsical touches that reflect individual style, adding warmth and personality throughout the home.
If you’re exploring how epoxy flooring, basement waterproofing, or garage floor coatings can make your home more livable in 2026 and beyond, Forte Garage Floor Coating can help you find solutions designed for real life.