Z
illow’s newest 2026 trend report spotlights six major home features, with five centered on health, safety, and practicality—echoing the pandemic‑era focus on wellbeing.
**1. Sports & Recreation**
Homeowners are turning their residences into personal gyms. Pickleball courts and golf simulators have each risen 25% in listings, while batting cages grew 18%. In condos or townhomes, shared amenities dominate; in single‑family homes, these setups can be backyard additions or tucked into a home office for the executive who likes to putt between PowerPoints.
**2. Disaster Readiness**
Resilience is a top priority as extreme weather becomes more common. Flood‑protection mentions jumped 64%, and listings that note elevation for flood risk rose 26%. Fire safety is also on the rise: defensible‑space landscaping grew 36% and fire‑protection systems 28%. Whole‑house battery systems saw a 40% increase, underscoring the push for energy independence. The first Wildfire‑Prepared Community opened in San Diego’s suburbs, with more projects in the pipeline.
**3. Personalization**
The era of neutral walls is fading. “Color drenching” – rooms saturated in bold hues from baseboards to ceiling – surged 149% in listings. Buyers are also favoring artisanal touches: craftsmanship mentions up 21%, vintage accents 17%, and whimsical details 15%. These unique elements shift the focus from cookie‑cutter design to personality‑rich homes that feel truly lived in.
**4. Quiet Space**
“Reading nooks” are becoming a staple. Their appearance in listings climbed 48%, whether tucked under a staircase, beside a window, or carved from a larger room. These intimate corners cater to a growing desire for unplugged relaxation, echoing childhood forts built under dining‑room chairs.
**5. Simpler Life**
Trends that feel more aspirational than practical are falling out of favor. Juice stations dropped 19%, and marble sinks—known for their high maintenance—declined 15%. Buyers now lean toward designs that balance beauty with everyday usability, favoring functional choices over fads.
These trends illustrate how modern homeowners are integrating wellness, safety, and individuality into their living spaces, shaping the future of residential design.
