Home design is evolving. Today, style and layout are expected not only to convey a particular look but also to facilitate a certain kind of lifestyle.

Increasingly, homeowners are viewing their spaces as personal sanctuaries. Rising home trends include wellness amenities, colours and materials that pay homage to the natural environment, and personal touches that highlight the owner’s individuality, according to the Engel & Völkers 2026 Home Design Trends Guide.

“Design is no longer driven by aesthetics alone. It is shaped by wellbeing, comfort and personal meaning,” said Jennifer Adams, Engel & Völkers lifestyle and design expert.

Wellness as The “New Standard”

In 2026, homes are being designed to make people feel better, according to the guide.

“Materials are chosen to promote clean air and water. Natural light is treated as essential and shapes layouts and daily routines rather than serving as a decorative feature.”

Wellness is built into the flow of the home through flexible, multi-use spaces which can feature yoga and stretch areas, cold plunge zones, steam or red light corners and quiet recovery spaces.

Natural Settings Gently Guide Design Choices

Design choices may take inspiration from the surrounding landscape, but they are not limited by it.

“Coastal homes may naturally incorporate layered blues and mineral tones, while mountain or desert homes lean into earthy palettes,” says the guide. “Those same colours are also used beyond geography, selected for the emotions they create rather than the setting alone.”

Scents follow a similar approach, from those evoking sea minerals that support mental clarity to warm woods that create comfort and fresh botanicals that add energy, it says.

Colour Theory Front and Centre

According to Engel & Völkers, three colour palettes are set to dominate trends this year, and all three are rooted in nature.

Browns, spicy tones, taupe, clay, chalky neutrals and other warm earth tones support a desire for comfort and groundedness. Chunky woven throws, boucle accents and relaxed linens complement this aesthetic, as do patterns inspired by sediment layers and sun-faded stone.

Pale to deep blues with soft grey and warm wood tones conjure a coastal atmosphere that invites those in the space to slow down. These homes are designed to feel airy and restorative, with an emphasis on openness, light, flow and overall ease.

Green hues bring the outdoors inside in a way that feels modern and liveable. Trending colours like sage and leafy green, along with warm neutrals and earth tones, are well matched with layered textures that echo foliage and natural forms, says the guide.

“Design supports wellness rituals through fresh air, indoor greenery, purified water, and spaces dedicated to calm,” it says. “Nature is not treated as decor, but as an essential part of how the home functions.”

Embracing Imperfection

Homes are not meant to be one-size-fits-all, but rather curated reflections of how people actually live.

Collected pieces, heirlooms, artisan work, and souvenirs help create spaces filled with meaning. When imperfection is embraced, homes feel layered, personal and lived-in.

Pieces can be carefully curated to match the home’s overall theme. “Warm earth interiors highlight natural materials and heirloom objects, seaside cool spaces reflect global and artisanal influences and garden green environments showcase hand-painted and organic forms,” it says.

Homes Designed to Heal : Wellness Trends Shaping Luxury Living in 2026 by Courtney Zwicker | REM Real Estate Magazine