If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, a word of advice: don’t feel pressured to transform your space into what you think potential buyers want.

According to a new Houzz fall design trends report, the average person isn’t interested in designing their home for resale. Instead, warmth and a genuine sense of character are the priority.

In fact, many homeowners don’t have selling on their mind at all; they’re interested in fitting their homes for long-term living well into their retirement years and beyond.

Curious which home renovation trends are enduring through the end of 2026? Here’s everything to know about Houzz’s fall design trends findings.

Unique Details and Lived-In Authenticity

After interviewing 50 home design professionals, Houzz found that today’s homeowners are opting for design details and materials that carry a sense of lived-in authenticity.

This includes aged metals, artisan plaster, handcrafted tile, and unique vintage pieces. Natural stone is another popular option. These days, they’re not just in traditional fixtures—they appear everywhere from lighting fixtures to furniture to sinks.

Personalization, Not Minimalism

Likewise, professionals told Houzz that their clients are moving away from the white-and-gray monochromatic style that once dominated home design trends. Instead, they’re requesting earthy colors, warm wood tones, and distinctive wallpapers to make their homes feel uniquely theirs.

This desire for personal expression echoes Yelp’s 2026 trend report findings, which reported that homeowners are choosing original touches like bold gallery walls and vintage bathrooms over minimalism.

Designing for Longevity

This desire for personalization likely coincides with the fact that a growing number of homeowners are designing for longevity, not for an impending sale.

According to Houzz, nearly two-thirds (61%) of owners plan to stay in their homes for 11 years or more after renovation, while nearly half (44%) describe their houses as their “forever homes.”

Homeowners have become increasingly interested in making their homes more physically accessible, and have turned an eye towards renovating their homes for multigenerational living and rental income.

Read Houzz’s full 2026 fall design trends report here.

Homeowners are Done Designing for Resale – Here’s What They’re Prioritizing Instead by Abby Monteil | The Spruce