James Sunderland

New data from Zillow, Houzz and a 154-designer survey shows homeowners are moving away from pristine, minimalist rooms and toward spaces with warmth, texture and visible personality. The shift is showing up in search behavior, professional forecasts and the materials designers say clients are now requesting.

Smaller homes are gaining ground as affordability pressures reshape what buyers and renters want in 2026. Builders, code officials and design researchers say the shift is less about shrinking for its own sake and more about making compact homes more flexible and functional.