What will we be seeing more of as we turn the page into a new year? What trends will be fading into the horizon? After years of design shifts and evolving lifestyles, 2026 remodeling trends focus less on following what’s new and more on creating homes that feel good to live in.
Peacock & Company has seen this shift firsthand. Families are asking deeper questions about how to live comfortably for the long term. What materials last? How can we make our homes healthier? What designs will feel timeless even five years from now?
With more than 40 years of remodeling experience in Michiana, our work proves we know what works here, how light moves through Midwestern homes, how flooring stands up to winter salt, and how layout decisions affect day-to-day living. These 2026 design and planning trends are about remodeling smarter. That means building spaces that balance comfort, craftsmanship, and long-term value.
After years of crisp white walls and cool gray interiors, homeowners are craving warmth again. The palette for 2026 leans toward earthy neutrals like soft clay, mushroom, olive, taupe, and sun-warmed browns. These colors bring depth and calm to open spaces and pair beautifully with natural textures like wood, stone, and brass.
In homes around Harbor Country, where light changes dramatically from season to season, these richer tones add comfort and visual interest year-round. A kitchen wrapped in creamy beige or terracotta feels cozy in winter yet fresh in summer, while painted cabinetry in a muted green or tobacco brown instantly adds character without overwhelming the room.
Planning Tip: If you’re updating a kitchen or living area, start with one anchor tone and layer natural materials around it. Warm wood flooring, mixed metals, and off-white trim can create a palette that evolves gracefully over time. When working with a design-build team, test finishes under your home’s actual lighting, natural and artificial, before committing. The right undertone can make all the difference.
Sustainability is now a driving force in home design. In 2026, sustainable remodeling is about more than recycled materials; it centers on building homes that perform efficiently for decades. Homeowners in South Bend and Harbor Country are investing in energy-saving systems, durable materials, and long-lasting finishes that reduce maintenance and utility costs.
Expect to see continued interest in energy-efficient windows, high-performance insulation, and LED lighting systems designed to work with smart home controls. Natural, renewable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and stone are also making a strong return, appreciated for their texture as much as their environmental value.
Planning Tip: Choose sustainable upgrades that align with how long you plan to stay in your home. For example, radiant in-floor heating or improved insulation may cost more upfront but offer long-term savings in comfort and efficiency, especially in the variable climate of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
The era of removing every wall is giving way to a more balanced approach. In 2026, homeowners are favoring defined spaces that offer structure, privacy, and acoustic comfort while still maintaining visual connection. Open-concept layouts remain popular, but designers are using furniture placement, built-ins, and partial walls to create natural separation between zones.
Defined spaces also encourage a more curated aesthetic. With clearer boundaries, homeowners can introduce texture, pattern, or color in each zone without overwhelming the whole home. For example, in a kitchen remodel, a built-in banquette or open shelving unit can subtly divide the cooking area from the living space while keeping sightlines open.
Planning Tip: If you’re updating your floor plan, think about how your family truly moves through each room. A good layout relies on flow over square footage. The design-build process at Peacock & Company allows these decisions to happen collaboratively, ensuring function and beauty stay in balance from concept to construction.
Technology in the home keeps advancing, but in 2026 it’s all about integration, not intrusion. Homeowners want smart features that blend seamlessly into their daily routines without feeling overly high-tech.
In South Bend remodels, smart thermostats, zoned heating, and automated lighting systems are now standard in larger projects. In Harbor Country vacation homes, owners are requesting security systems, climate control, and leak detection that can be managed remotely, making seasonal living simpler and more secure.
But the most important shift is aesthetic. Rather than adding visible gadgets, homeowners are incorporating “tactile tech” such as built-in charging drawers, under-cabinet task lighting, and hidden speakers that preserve the design’s visual calm.
Planning Tip: Include smart features in the design phase, not as an afterthought. A design-build remodeler coordinates wiring, cabinetry, and finish details so everything fits cleanly into the plan. That integration protects your investment and ensures that your home stays adaptable to future technologies.
In 2026, subtle isn’t the only story. Homeowners are embracing bold materials and tactile surfaces to bring depth and authenticity to their interiors. The shift is toward design that feels a bit more layered, imperfect, and alive. Expect to see fluted wood paneling, brushed metals, deep-veined stone slabs, and textured tile backsplashes that double as focal points.
We’re seeing homeowners request custom cabinetry finishes that highlight wood grain, unlacquered brass fixtures that develop a natural patina, and stone countertops with movement and variation. Rich materials and custom craftsmanship go hand in hand. When your builder and designer collaborate from the start, every surface and finish contributes to a cohesive story that feels luxurious without being loud.
Planning Tip: Introduce texture in layers. If you love natural stone or bold tile, pair it with understated wall colors and simple lighting to let the materials speak. During your design phase, work closely with your team to coordinate tones, finishes, and lighting to ensure contrast feels intentional, not busy.
After years of mass-produced finishes, homeowners are gravitating toward individuality and craftsmanship. In 2026, personalized interiors are in. Clients in South Bend and Harbor Country are requesting more custom carpentry, built-ins, and heirloom-quality materials that showcase their taste. Instead of showroom-perfect uniformity, they’re mixing textures, blending styles, and displaying pieces that tell a story.
Our designers help clients translate personality into permanence. That might mean a built-in bookcase that frames family photos, a handcrafted wood island with a live edge, or color choices inspired by a favorite travel destination.
Planning Tip: When you start your remodel, collect photos or objects that inspire you. Your designer can use them to guide texture, color, and finish selections that express your personality. With our design-build process, that vision stays consistent from first sketch to final installation.
One of the strongest 2026 remodeling trends is a long-term mindset. Homeowners are investing in projects that improve comfort now while protecting resale value for later. Instead of quick updates, they’re prioritizing quality craftsmanship, timeless finishes, and layouts that can evolve with their needs. Remodeling for longevity doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. It's our pleasure to create spaces that look just as good, and work just as well, years down the road as they do on the day you move back in.
Planning Tip: Think about how your space will need to function five or ten years from now. Choose adaptable features like wider doorways, easy-to-clean surfaces, and storage solutions that grow with your lifestyle.
Explore updated local pricing in our remodeling cost guide.
Ideally, start six to nine months before your desired construction date. The design-build process includes concept design, material selections, pricing, and scheduling before work begins. Starting early ensures your materials are ordered, your budget is locked in, and your timeline is realistic, especially during peak Midwest construction seasons.
Look for hybrid countertop materials that blend natural stone with resin for greater durability, and smart HVAC systems that balance air quality and energy efficiency. Designers are also embracing biophilic elements, natural woods, daylight-enhancing layouts, and low-VOC finishes that improve air quality while connecting interiors to the outdoors.
Work with a design-build team that provides a fixed-price quote. This eliminates the surprise of change orders mid-project and allows you to make informed decisions before construction starts. At Peacock & Company, this approach ensures your project’s cost and timeline stay predictable while still allowing for premium design.
Peacock & Company brings together design and remodeling under one roof. Our team has served homeowners in South Bend, Granger, and Michigan’s Harbor Country since 1984, delivering beautiful, practical spaces built to last. Every remodel begins with a conversation. Tell us about your vision, and we’ll help you plan a project that balances design, budget, and craftsmanship.
Contact Peacock & Company to schedule your design consultation and start planning your 2026 remodel today.