Design Trends That Will Dominate 2026 and Beyond

October 28th, 2025

Homeowners in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Mercer County, and across the country are rethinking what it means to live well. As we move toward 2026, priorities have shifted. People want homes that feel comfortable, function better, and reflect the way they actually live. At Munz Construction, we believe good design is about more than looks. It should add long-term value, enhance daily life, and support your future.

Whether you want to renovate one room or reimagine your entire home, these are the trends you should watch. Each one creates smarter, more livable spaces that will stay relevant well beyond the current moment.

Purposeful Spaces That Reflect Real Life

Homeowners want spaces that serve multiple purposes, not just single-use rooms that sit empty. In 2026, the most innovative design trends focus on function first.

More families are asking for home offices that double as guest bedrooms. Some want breakfast nooks that also serve as remote workstations or homework hubs. Mudrooms have become command centers with organized storage, charging stations, and dedicated areas for pets.

This kind of customization creates a better flow throughout the home. At Munz Construction, we design every room with intention. Our team looks at how your family lives day to day and builds spaces that support your routines.

Natural Materials and Earth-Inspired Colors

Design trends in 2026 show a return to warmth, texture, and natural beauty. Homeowners are moving away from cold grays and all-white finishes. Instead, they choose colors and materials that feel connected to nature.

Expect to see more:

Real wood elements with rich tones
Handcrafted tiles and stone surfaces
Earthy colors like clay, olive, sand, and deep brown

These materials age beautifully, adding depth to your space. When done right, they create a cozy and timeless look that works in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas alike.

Open Concepts Continue to Lead — With Smarter Flow and More Functionality

Open concept layouts remain one of the most requested design features in 2026. Homeowners still love the spacious feel, natural light, and ability to connect kitchen, dining, and living spaces without walls getting in the way. But this trend is evolving into something more intentional.

Instead of removing every wall, homeowners now want clever transitions. Think partial room dividers, cased openings, and furniture layout zones that provide openness without sacrificing structure.

One of the most exciting evolutions of this trend is the rise of multiple kitchen islands. Families want their kitchens to do it all: entertain, prep, serve, and gather. A second island creates extra storage, adds more workspace, and makes the kitchen more inviting for larger groups. One island can focus on cooking while the other offers seating or serving space.

At Munz Construction, we design open floor plans that feel airy but still give every area a defined purpose. We work closely with clients to ensure the layout fits their family’s flow and supports everything from quiet mornings to holiday celebrations.

Smarter Storage That Simplifies Everyday Life

Clutter overwhelms. Smart storage creates peace. In 2026, homeowners prioritize built-in solutions that keep the home clean, calm, and organized.

Popular upgrades include:

Custom mudroom benches with hidden storage
Floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinetry that eliminates wasted space
Built-in window seats with room for blankets, books, and games
Laundry rooms with folding counters, drying racks, and sorting zones

By integrating storage into the home’s structure, you avoid clutter while improving flow. The result is a home that feels more open, more functional, and easier to maintain.

Design for Aging in Place That Still Looks Beautiful

Families across Bucks County are planning for long-term needs. Whether you want to care for aging parents or stay in your home as you grow older, aging in place has become a top priority for many of our clients.

You no longer need to choose between style and accessibility. You can have both. Common upgrades include:

First-floor primary suites with full bathrooms
Zero-threshold showers with handheld sprays
Wider doorways and open layouts for easy mobility
Soft lighting and slip-resistant flooring

We also build in-law suites that feel fully integrated into the home. These additions support privacy, safety, and independence while giving families the flexibility they need.

Smart Technology That Disappears Into the Design

Smart homes are getting better and more invisible. In 2026, people want technology that works quietly in the background. Design trends now focus on clean installations that support daily life without interrupting the aesthetic.

Some of the most requested smart features include:

Lighting systems that adjust automatically throughout the day
Hidden charging drawers and wireless charging stations
Voice-controlled appliances that simplify cooking and cleaning
Integrated security systems that blend into trim and entryways

This approach keeps your home efficient and future-ready while letting the design shine.

Outdoor Living That Works All Year Long

Outdoor spaces continue to evolve from basic patios into true extensions of the home. Families want places to gather, relax, and entertain in every season — not just during summer.

Popular outdoor upgrades include:

Covered patios with ceiling fans, heaters, and lighting
Three-season rooms with retractable screens or sliding glass
Built-in kitchens with grills, fridges, and prep areas
Fire pits and seating walls that anchor the space

These upgrades expand your usable living space and increase your home’s resale value. They also create year-round comfort that improves daily life.

Sustainable Design with Long-Term Value

Eco-friendly design has become a standard expectation, not just a nice-to-have. More homeowners now ask for materials and systems that reduce energy use, lower utility bills, and support a healthy indoor environment.

We help our clients make smart, sustainable choices like:

High-efficiency windows and doors
Energy-saving appliances and fixtures
Low-VOC paints and finishes
Sustainable flooring and reclaimed wood
Proper insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs

Sustainable design creates long-term comfort while protecting your investment. It is also something today’s homebuyers actively look for.

How Munz Construction Can Help

At Munz Construction, we do more than remodel homes. We guide you through the entire process with one experienced, highly skilled team. As a full-service design-build firm, we take care of every phase of your project in-house, so you never feel stuck, confused, or on your own.

We manage:

Custom design and planning tailored to your needs
Architectural renderings and layout recommendations
Permits, approvals, and scheduling
Craftsmanship and high-quality construction
Clear communication from your first call to the final walkthrough

You deserve a home that reflects your lifestyle and supports your future. Whether you are remodeling your kitchen, updating your floor plan, or adding an in-law suite, our team brings expertise, creativity, and commitment to every project.

Start Planning Your 2026 Renovation Now

The best renovations begin with a conversation. Starting early gives you more flexibility, stronger design options, and a better place in our construction schedule. If you want your home to work better in 2026 and beyond, now is the time to plan it.

Let’s design something incredible together.

Call 215-953-8833 to speak with a team member.

Visit MunzConstruction.com to get started!

Don’t move, improve with Munz Construction!

L. C.

14:13 11 Sep 18

Munz Construction has done a number of large projects for us at our home over the past 18 yrs. They have always done a great job. Their workers are good and very courteous. We have always felt very comfortable with them in our house, especially Phil and Jason. Steve and Pete are easy to work with and are responsive to questions/issues. Bryan is very helpful when you need to make selections for your projects. The company stands behind their work and provides quality in a timely fashion, which can't be said for a lot of other companies these days. We would definitely recommend them!

tina leck

17:46 17 Aug 18

Munz Construction did an amazing job with our basement remodel. The entire team was so pleasant to work with. Everyone that has come to our home since the remodel has been thoroughly impressed with the design. It really was a great experience to work with everyone at Munz. I’d like to also add that my husband tends to be an “overspender” and I am the complete opposite... so from the very start of our project , the design team made sure we were both comfortable with all of our selections. They always showed numerous options and price points for different things. So in the end, my husband and I were both so happy with everything. Thanks Munz, we’ll definitely use you again.

Sheryl Duffy

19:23 17 Sep 18

I did a major renovation of a 40 year old house. While touching virtually every room, the most significant changes included creating a new custom kitchen by combining the existing kitchen with a small dining room, creating a new master bedroom and converting a small bedroom into a large new master bathroom. I had contacted several well known home renovation companies who either did not seem to be interested in the large project or did not seem to offer the “full service” and support I needed. Steve and Bryan spent all the time I needed to make me comfortable making all the design decisions – not an easy task since I am design challenged! Any issues that came up, as would be expected in a project this size, were addressed. In addition, everyone made living in the house during construction as comfortable as possible. I would also like to say that the attention to detail and the finishing work done by their people was remarkable. The final results are fantastic! Needless to say I would use them again for any project and would highly recommend Munz Construction.

DJ Mischak

17:49 17 Sep 18

Chris and his crew were amazing! They added an addition that "touched" every room in the house. His workers were kind, courteous, and respectful AND they got the job done in a timely manner with WONDERFUL results. We love our new addition. We have the BEST house on the block!!!!

Hunter Labovitz

20:39 19 Sep 18

We were gutting and remodeling an old house that needed major work but that we didn’t want to tear down. Given the time and cost involved, we were very deliberate with our choice of contractor. We are very glad we chose Munz Construction as dealing with all of their employees was a pleasure from Day One (and the project took about a year so we had lots of contact). They always suggested ways to cut costs, had good suggestions to modify the blueprints to our advantage and never pushed unnecessary ideas. The design team was especially helpful as their three-dimensional computer models really gave us good insight into the final product and allowed us to make pre-construction tweaks of which we otherwise would not have thought. Munz was also very good about fixing things without complaint. As we approach one year in our new house, we are very happy and also receive lots of compliments on the design and preservation of the house.

Stacey Holloran

13:58 18 Oct 18

We are very pleased with Munz Construction. We had the front of our house framed for new windows, new siding, stucco removal, new gutters, lighting etc. They helped with design ideas upfront and the house looks amazing. Erich and his team were very pleasant, professional and detail oriented. We would definitely use them again for any additional work in the future.

Cynthia Powell

20:28 23 Oct 18

Everyone at Munz that we had the pleasure of working with were wonderful. From the beginning of our project, until the end everyone worked so hard. We had a new room, bathroom, and a beautiful porch put on our house. We are extremely happy. I would highly recommend this company.

Giannina Macaluso

21:14 22 Oct 18

Munz Construction installed my new windows. They were extremely professional and did a great job.The crew arrived timely, covered my floors and were sure keep all areas clean throughout the installation.After the job was completed the crew cleaned and actually left my home cleaner than they found it! Munz Construction is hugely recommeded and will be installing my new kitchen, powder room and hall bath!Nice to see a professional company!!!!

Catherine Melly

15:09 30 Aug 18

Had great experience with Pete, our site manager, as well as Jason (construction), Jack (electrician ), Dave (painter), and all of the other subcontractors. Very clean, professional, pleasant. I found the initial process of general design less than ideal. Having little experience with this process, I didn't feel as informed as I could have been. I expected there may be options in layout and design, but that was not the case. In fact, the original design presented to us didn't really show a layout at all, merely a word document of what would be done. I was slightly taken aback when, e.g., there was no option for any kind of linen storage in the bathroom as the design completely removed a large closet that we had in order to make room for a stall shower. It was assumed we would want a whirlpool tub, and we weren't really asked about that option. These kinds of things made me a little uncomfortable with going forward. To us, it was a very expensive job, and yet I felt like it was not considered an important one when we sat with the designer. We felt much more comfortable when Pete met with us to go over the job expectations. There were very few glitches along the way, and Pete handled each of these very professionally. The work as completed is very good, and we are very happy with the end result.

Peter Gilles

21:19 17 Oct 18

Munz Construction is a one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to renovations and construction. The family-run local business will handle every aspect of your project from helping see your initial ideas through to budgeting, permitting, and construction. You will be delighted by the friendly, knowledgeable staff whether you're visiting the showroom or have construction crews conscientiously working for you to create your masterpiece. Munz Construction has the capabilities to handle any size renovation or construction project. If you enjoy working with the best then try Munz!