2026 brings a fresh wave of exterior design trends that prioritize function, artistry, and customization.

This year, thoughtful design choices emphasize self-expression, the return of character‑building exterior details, and a stronger connection to the outdoors, creating homes that work harder and feel more harmonious inside and out.

The desire for flexible, multi-purpose living continues to shape our homes in 2026. Today’s homeowners seek spaces that evolve with their needs, whether that means adding a dedicated workspace or home gym, creating a welcoming guest suite, or making strategic upgrades that boost long-term property value.

Smart Planning Begins with Adaptable Design

Open-concept layouts may feel effortless, but they rely on a clear understanding of storage needs, furniture placement, and sightlines to truly function well. As an alternative to renovating, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are becoming a popular way for homeowners to expand their living options and make the most of their existing property.

The Secondary Suites collection brings these ideas together with modern and transitional designs that complement a variety of settings. Each plan offers space-maximizing solutions and allows for endless interior finishing possibilities, making it easier than ever to create a home that works harder, lives better, and feels beautifully cohesive.

Built-In Solutions for Streamlined Living

Integrated furniture, such as banquettes, workstations, and built-in bookcases, plays a major role in designing multifunctional rooms. These features not only make a strong design statement but also help keep shared spaces organized, streamlined, and visually unified.

Exterior architectural details are making a strong comeback, breathing new life into home design trends. The beloved modern farmhouse aesthetic is evolving, now embracing Craftsman-inspired elements that add warmth and character.​

A Nod to the Arts and Crafts Movement​

Rooted in the early 20th-century Arts and Crafts movement, the Craftsman style celebrates skilled artisanship, natural materials, and earth-toned colour palettes. This design philosophy emphasizes craftsmanship, using elements like exposed joinery, built‑in cabinetry, and hand‑crafted woodwork to create homes that feel authentic and inviting.

Signature Features of the Craftsman Revival​

Covered porches are once again a hallmark of exterior design. Dormer windows and classic shutters add charm and balance, while pergolas and trellis accents enhance outdoor living spaces with both function and visual interest.​

Character-Rich Façades​

Homeowners are rediscovering details that enrich architectural character. Decorative brackets, pediments beneath gables, awnings, window grilles, and eyebrow roofs are re-emerging as exterior elements in home and garage design.

Spotlight on the Transom Dormer​

One standout feature is the transom dormer, especially popular on sheds and garages. This thoughtful addition increases ceiling height and introduces natural light, all while maintaining privacy. It’s a small detail with a big impact, blending practicality with aesthetic charm.​

Home exteriors are moving away from high-contrast colour schemes and embracing tonal palettes that evoke a more refined, historic aesthetic. Rather than relying on stark distinctions between siding and trim colours, designers are favouring subtle variations within a single colour family, bringing continuity to the overall design.

Natural Material Selections

Stone selections are following the same direction, with homeowners gravitating toward tonal materials such as limestone rather than highly variegated shades. To introduce warmth and material richness, natural wood is increasingly used in soffits, feature ceilings and accent panels, adding depth, texture and a sense of crafted detail to the home.

Texture as a Modern Design Tool

Texture is emerging as one of the most compelling shifts in today’s exterior design language. Rather than familiar farmhouse finishes like board‑and‑batten, the focus is moving toward more nuanced, dimensional materials. Painted shake paired with horizontal siding in the same colour, or subtle shifts in siding direction, brings a fresh layer of visual interest to the tonal palette trend.

Homeowners today are prioritizing both wellness and energy efficiency, driving a wave of smart, health-forward design decisions that shape the way we live.​

Wellness at Home

Personal well-being continues to influence interior choices, with spa-inspired ensuites offering retreat-like atmospheres through advanced shower systems. Kitchens are evolving too, with filtered water faucets providing cleaner, better-tasting water right at the source. In outdoor spaces, saunas and cold plunge tubs are becoming sought-after additions, supporting year-round wellness routines and turning backyards into restorative sanctuaries.

Efficient & Secure Living

Technology integration is now central to modern home design. Smart systems can optimize energy usage, enhance comfort, and strengthen security. Features like smart deadbolts with keyless access and remote monitoring offer peace of mind and convenience for rental properties, secondary homes, and accessory dwelling units.​

Energy-efficient windows and doors, paired with high-performance appliances, complete the picture. These upgrades can reduce utility costs while supporting a more sustainable lifestyle, aligning with the growing demand for homes that are both eco-conscious and future-ready.​

Prioritizing outdoor living spaces has become a defining trend, creating seamless extensions of the home and fostering stronger connections to nature. Porches provide inviting areas for relaxation, while screened-in options offer insect-free comfort that can be enjoyed across multiple seasons. Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens are also on the rise, transforming backyards into fully functional entertaining hubs complete with built-in barbecues, pizza ovens, and small appliances.​

Building for Indoor-Outdoor Living

Architectural choices play a vital role in supporting these spaces. Extended roof overhangs not only provide shade and protection from the elements but also create a sense of cohesion between indoor and open-air living areas, reinforcing the idea of the home as a retreat for both comfort and community.​

Colour continues to make a bold impact in home design, both inside and out. BeautiTone’s Colour of the Year, Muse, embodies this shift as an earthy yet versatile shade, demonstrating how green can function as a modern neutral.​

Embracing Warmer Neutrals

Alongside the popularity of green, earthy tones ranging from terra cotta to espresso are gaining momentum, with brown emerging as the new foundational neutral for exteriors and interiors alike.

Blue is also re-emerging, evolving beyond the green-dominant palettes of recent years into deep teal and traditional blue tones that bring depth and timeless appeal.​