As we hit the home stretch of 2025, forecasts for the new home trends of 2026 are arriving.
Many, of course, are interior design trends to incorporate into your new-build (or to keep your recently-purchased home as modern as possible): popular paint trends, or how to design the trendiest kitchen for your new home.
But new home style trends are cropping up, too. While not as fast-moving as the interior trends, new home styles do phase in and out. If you’re looking to build a new home in 2026, Houseplans.com, a sister site of NewHomeSource, is a great place to begin exploring the latest new home trends (affordable, luxury, and everything in between).
Hottest New Home Trends for 2026: Barndominiums, Farmhouses, and Cottages
While there are plenty of home styles to choose from, two stand out as the most popular: farmhouses and barndominiums.
The farmhouse style reigns supreme on Houseplans.com, and that popularity is expected to continue. If you’ve always coveted the look of wrap-around porches, gable roofs, and batten siding, go ahead and jump on this trend, because it’s sticking around for 2026.
“Farmhouse still dominates – it’s about a third of what sells on Houseplans.com,” said Aurora Zeledon, director of e-commerce marketing, merchandising, and content for Zonda House Plans. “I don’t see that going away anytime soon.”
If you want something that will feel timelessly on-trend, check out barndomiums. These bucolic homes feature floor plans with simple, rustic exteriors, perhaps with a gambrel roof or (of course) barn doors.
Barndominums can come in small, simple sizes for those looking for a more affordable option, such as first-time buyers. If you have a growing family, two-story options are also available, offering flex spaces such as a loft for a play area, office space, or whatever you choose.
“Barndominiums have rapidly ascended to second place on Houseplans.com, at about 12% of our plans sold. Many of these have simple four-corner footprints and oversized garages,” said Zeledon.
Maybe you don’t like the rustic style of farmhouses or barndominums, and you want something a bit more stylish combined with a classic look. Can you keep up with the trends while seeking something different? Good news: Zeledon said she expects the cottage style to gain in popularity next year.
“I think the next hot style will be cottage, particularly modern iterations such as this upscale design. These often showcase brick or stone, though in cooler tones than a more traditional look. Think more sleek than rugged. Plenty of new plans have this look, and it feels fresh.”
Follow the Trends, But Stay on Budget
Ultimately, regardless of the style, 2026 will continue to be about simplicity and affordability for many new home buyers. If your budget is stretched, consider adding certain elements of new home trends, rather than the entire design. Work with your builder to explore which pieces can be easily woven into simpler, more attainable homes. Or, if you have your heart set on a trendy style, choose a smaller design of the home with fewer bells and whistles. Again, your builder can help lead you through the options.
The bottom line: 2026 is all about balancing hot styles with affordability. Buyers can stay on-trend by either embracing a smaller, simpler version of their dream design or weaving in select features with their builder, making it possible to get a fresh, modern look without overspending.
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