B
etter Homes and Gardens Real Estate (BHGRE) unveiled its 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate Report, charting the features and aesthetics that will shape homebuyers’ choices in the coming year. The study combines a nationwide survey by thinqinsights with observations from BHGRE agents and industry specialists. “Homeownership is a major life milestone, and buyers now enter the market with clear, uncompromising expectations,” said Ginger Wilcox, BHGRE president. “High entry costs have produced a generation that knows what they want and refuses to settle. These insights help sellers and agents tailor design and presentation to meet the demands of today’s discerning buyers.”
The report identifies six pivotal themes:
1) **The new starter home** – first‑time buyers, averaging 40 years old, prioritize a compact, well‑designed space that feels personal over sheer affordability.
2) **Paint colors that sell** – forty percent of respondents say color shapes their first impression, with earth tones and neutrals boosting perceived value.
3) **Influencer‑driven design** – social media trends push features like organized pantries, reading nooks, and artisan kitchens into mainstream expectations.
4) **Layout over size** – 86 percent of buyers value flexible, functional spaces that accommodate work and family life more than raw square footage.
5) **Craftsmanship counts** – quality finishes, custom millwork, natural materials, and artisanal details are seen as worthwhile investments.
6) **Curb appeal 2.0** – almost half of buyers will not consider a home that feels off at first glance; native landscaping, organic textures, and welcoming entryways dominate exterior trends.
BHGRE also announced the 2026 Paint Colors of the Year: Calming Coastal Blue for interiors and Soft Stone Gray for exteriors. To translate these findings, the company will release an Agent Playbook offering strategies for positioning starter homes as “smart” rather than small, using paint and lighting to create a move‑in‑ready ambiance, and staging with social‑media‑friendly features. The full report is available online.
