Owners are embracing bold, highly personal design at the end of 2025, from vibrant colors to textured surfaces, although neutral colors are expected to return in 2026.
CHICAGO — Bold real estate trends of late could one day prove problematic for resales — but homeowners are all in for now. Bold color schemes, wallpapers and statement ceilings took center stage in the second half of 2025.
“The shift reflects a move away from resale-focused choices toward deeply personal designs, with homeowners opting for vibrant, expressive details that give their spaces a unique and emotive feel,” notes Mitchell Parker, a home design expert with Houzz, in the home remodeling website’s 2025 Fall Design Trends Report.
Here are some trends that have been making waves recently, according to the Houzz survey of 50 home design professionals:
Layered Textures: Boucle, grasscloth, plaster, zellige tiles, fluting and handmade details became trendy details. Textures can add warmth, depth and subtle dimension to spaces. It also adds personality and invites homeowners to touch and touch.
Statement worktops and back panels: These areas are the heart of the kitchen—quartzite and dramatic veined stone are in high demand, according to Parker. “Homeowners are looking for unique panels that feel like art, in addition to trendy tiles like Zellige and other handcrafted options,” Parker notes in the report.
Wallpaper revival: Wallpapering walls has been on the rise again in recent years, but now also on ceilings. Wallpaper is combined with bold color, beams and coffers to highlight architectural details and capture guests' eyes.
Strong colors: Color-filled spaces have become another focal point in the home, from jewel-toned rooms to accent walls that incorporate playful patterns and showcase more individuality.
Built-in hidden features: When it comes to design, not everything is obvious; Some features are more reserved. Hidden appliances, panel-ready cabinets, hydraulic lift storage, pop-up televisions, concealed range hoods and integrated lighting are finding their way into more homes, adding a hidden layer to home design. “These innovations ensure open-plan homes remain sleek and functional while adding a touch of modern elegance,” says Parker.
While some home designers and renovators have been bold this fall, signs point to a return to neutral colors in 2026, based on popular paint brands' “colors of the year” that demonstrate quiet sophistication.
© 2025 National Association of Realtors® (NAR)