What Home Features Are Trending in 2026?

Every year brings a new round of “what’s in” lists, and most of them are about paint colors. The features we see homeowners actually ask for when they sit down to plan a custom home or remodel are more practical, and they say a lot about how people want to live on the Peninsula right now.

Here’s what is coming up most often in our conversations, and how to think about each one before you add it to your plans.

1. All-electric homes and heat pumps

More homeowners are asking for homes without gas lines: induction cooktops, heat pump water heaters, and heat pump heating and cooling. Part of the pull is comfort and air quality, part is energy cost, and part is that some Bay Area cities now have electrification requirements for new construction and major projects.

If you’re planning a remodel, ask early whether your city has rules that apply to your scope. It’s much easier to plan the electrical panel and wiring for all-electric living at the start than to retrofit it later.

2. Solar, battery storage, and EV charging

Rooftop solar, a home battery for outages, and a dedicated EV charger have moved from “nice extra” to “standard conversation.” The key point is planning: panel capacity, conduit runs, and roof layout are all far cheaper to coordinate during construction than after the walls are closed.

Even if you aren’t installing everything today, we often recommend running conduit and leaving panel capacity so the option stays open.

3. Indoor-outdoor living

Wide sliding or folding glass doors, covered patios, and outdoor kitchens continue to top wish lists. With our climate, a good outdoor room can function as a real extension of the house for most of the year.

What separates a great version from an average one is the details: a flush threshold between inside and outside, shade and heating that make the space usable in the evening, and sightlines that connect the kitchen to the yard.

4. Flexible spaces for work and family

Home offices are no longer a spare-bedroom afterthought. People want a real door, good acoustics, and decent natural light. We’re also seeing more requests for multigenerational layouts: a first-floor suite for a parent, or a detached ADU that can be a guest house today and a rental or family space later.

If you’re weighing that option, our post on California ADU rules is a good starting point.

5. Spa-style primary bathrooms

Curbless showers, heated floors, large-format tile, and good ventilation show up in nearly every primary bathroom conversation. The trend is toward calm and simple rather than ornate: fewer materials, better quality, and thoughtful lighting.

6. Warm, natural materials

After years of all-white interiors, we’re seeing a clear swing toward warmth: wood tones, textured plaster, natural stone, and matte finishes. These materials also tend to age well, which matters if you plan to stay in the home for a long time.

7. Fire-resistant exteriors

Particularly for homes in or near the hills, homeowners are asking about ember-resistant vents, noncombustible siding and roofing, and defensible landscaping. These choices are easier to make during a remodel or new build, when the exterior is already open.

8. Smart, but simple, home systems

Lighting control, whole-home Wi-Fi, and good low-voltage wiring are worth planning for. The advice we give: pick systems that don’t depend on a single app or vendor, and wire generously so you can upgrade devices later without opening walls again.

How to decide what’s worth it

Trends are useful as a prompt, not a checklist. Before adding a feature, ask three questions:

• Will it make daily life better for the people living here?
• Is it cheaper to do now than to retrofit later?
• Will it still make sense to the next owner?

If the answer to at least two of those is yes, it’s probably worth a place in your plans.

If you’re planning a custom home or remodel and want a candid view on which features belong in your budget, get in touch. We’re happy to talk through the options.