2026 DESIGN TRENDS: RESET AND RECHARGE
With stress of modern life leaves many people feeling overwhelmed, which has led to a widespread desire to bring a sense of calm into the home and make it a place to truly unwind. Softness and curves, earthy colors, simple lines, texture and a reconnection to nature are the hallmarks of the reset and recharge trend.
This trend embraces the focus on nature, warmth and functionality. It appeals to people from all generations and all walks of life, which makes it one of the most prominent trends today, and it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Whether you are working with clients to build a custom home, a multi-family home, or even a whole community, the design elements discussed here will transition seamlessly into 2026.
Arched and circular windows have been on the rise for their uniqueness and the immediate impact they have on the feel of the home, both inside and out. Natural light is an important element for this trend, and clerestory windows are being used more frequently as they produce ample indirect lighting that can eliminate harsh glare on surfaces and even act as an energy-efficient option because they reduce dependence on artificial lighting within the home.
In keeping with the clean line aesthetic, people are gravitating toward windows with frames that are neutral in color, slim in profile or completely frameless for the emphasis they place on the view instead of bulky or colorful frames. Large expanses of glass that span from floor to ceiling are showing up in more homes as a way to invite the natural surroundings.
BUILD INSPIRATION
The desire for curves isn’t limited to windows. Interior doors and doorways, transitional areas, shower entrances, closet frames, patio doors, front doors, and entryways are also getting the arched treatment. If your client likes the look of an arched door but installing one isn’t possible, the effect can be simulated by using simple trim and a curved pediment or other arched millwork above a standard door. Or, for front entry doors, a half circle window added above the door can produce the curved look.
When it is included as an element, millwork throughout the home is generally minimal. Interior doors, baseboards, crown moulding, door frames, and other trim that has traditionally been more decorative are kept simple or flat so as not to be a distraction.
Wood is a mainstay of this trend. From wood paneled walls to unstained wood floors, this material is being celebrated right now for its woodgrain and its unrivaled ability to bring the outdoors in. For homeowners that might be wary about using real wood in bathrooms and other wet areas due to potential damage, porcelain wood-look tiles are an excellent option. They are low maintenance, come in many different shapes—including some that look like wood slats—and look incredibly realistic due to textural details and other new advancements.
SPARK YOUR VISION
New takes on terrazzo tile are popping up in styles that are much more natural in color and design than traditional terrazzo. These porcelain floor tiles are more subtle in aesthetic and made to look like varying sizes and shapes of cut stones have been embedded within. Styles for wall tile can also be found in the trendy fluted textures that have been dominating a lot of design details this year.
Flutes, grooves, and ribbed textured tiles are available in many other wall materials as well. Marble with varying patterns of veining and soft swirls is a top choice. For versatility, there are also ceramic and porcelain options made to look like marble, wood, and other natural stones or simply made in soft, earthy colors. The texture and shadows these tiles generate play an important role within the Reset and Recharge trend as they do a lot to keep this clean, streamlined aesthetic from feeling too flat and antiseptic.
Given more space, people are also looking for large, double sink vanities. The floating style is highly popular as it conveys a sense of weightlessness and adds to the feeling of calm within the space. It also creates an additional storage area underneath should the homeowner wish to utilize it that way. Alternatively, lighting can be installed on the cabinet bottoms to help add to the peaceful ambience. Simple, flat front cabinets with minimal or no hardware keep things clean looking and minimize any potential distraction to the eye.
CREATE WHAT’S NEXT
Natural materials like wood and stone are often the top choice to use in these tranquility-focused bathrooms. Vanities are one of the simplest ways to bring in warm woods; other options like live edge wood countertops and hand carved wooden sinks can be very effective in adding a more direct connection to nature with their organic shaping and textures. To bring some of that warmth into showers, people are turning to wood-look tiles, which achieve the same feeling as real wood but with much less maintenance.
To maintain a soothing environment, it is essential to keep things clutter free, which makes storage space an absolute necessity to include in your building projects. Carve out wall niches (bonus points if they’re arched!) to house plenty of shelves for towel storage. Incorporate shelving into shower walls, build a makeup station with organizers and dividers integrated into the drawers—these elements provide a place for everything and are the kind of storage solutions homeowners want.
Paneled appliances are becoming a more mainstream design inclusion, favored for the seamless look they create by hiding bulky refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves behind panels that match the existing kitchen cabinetry. Smaller countertop appliances are also being tucked away in their own cabinet storage spaces—referred to as appliance garages—often equipped with power outlets and pull out shelves that mean never having to manually lift or move them.
To further streamline the space, some homeowners are opting to integrate cooktop burners and controls directly into countertop slabs. Porcelain is a top choice for this purpose due to its excellent heat and stain resistance, but marble, granite, and ceramic are also good options. For a client that wants a truly invisible cooking surface, porcelain slabs can even be cut thin enough to have a hidden induction cooktop system installed directly beneath while maintaining a completely functional cooking surface when used with induction compatible cookware.
Marble, travertine, and quartzite are very much in style for all surfaces, but porcelain has been gaining popularity as well for its ability to mimic these and many other kinds of stone, allowing homeowners to achieve the feeling of a natural material while not requiring anywhere near as much maintenance. Whether using marble or marble-look porcelain, there has been a shift from the traditional black and gray veining to warmer-toned ribbons of color. For an even more natural look, choose a countertop with a rough, textured edge.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
One of the most eye-catching developments in this trend is the range alcove. Extra storage shelves installed in the inside walls of the alcove and a stove top flanked by ample countertop space on each side check even more boxes for what homeowners are looking for in this space.
Arches are also showing up in cabinetry. Arch shaped cabinet doors in solid wood or glass fronts keep the kitchen from looking too linear and harsh. Or, for a simpler way to include them, arches can be created with millwork on rectangular cabinet panels. As mentioned curves are very popular for this trend, so offering them to your clients as options is a must.
There is a certain timelessness behind the characteristics of the reset and recharge trend that will keep it going into 2026 and beyond. The importance of surrounding oneself with elements of nature, the search for softness and the desire for a peaceful space in which to live will remain at the top of the list of goals for many homeowners. With so many options available in building materials that meet these needs, your home construction project is sure to be successful.
*Sources include: Houzz.com, Timber Rock Construction, Andersen Windows, Window World, The Window Experts, Better Homes & Gardens, Mans Lumber, Daltile, Tilebar, MSI Surfaces, marthastewart.com, House Beautiful, Decorilla, Decoholic, Homes & Gardens, ucinedesignnyc.com, and Architectural Digest.