The Exterior Design Trends Defining Curb Appeal in 2026
Homeowners are refreshing the look of their homes with thoughtful exterior updates that combine warmer color palettes, bold architectural details and layered landscaping. The 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study from Houzz, the AI-powered software platform for home construction and design, reveals how design choices are creating inviting, polished exteriors while also improving durability and long-term performance.
Exterior Color Palettes Warm Up
Exterior color palettes are shifting in 2026 as homeowners embrace warm, inviting hues. Beige is now the most popular exterior wall color, having more than doubled in popularity from 10% in 2024 to 24% this year. Meanwhile, white (14%) and gray (12%) have both declined in popularity. Green (9%), black (8%) and brown (7%) are also notable choices for exterior walls.
Exterior color palettes are shifting in 2026 as homeowners embrace warm, inviting hues. Beige is now the most popular exterior wall color, having more than doubled in popularity from 10% in 2024 to 24% this year. Meanwhile, white (14%) and gray (12%) have both declined in popularity. Green (9%), black (8%) and brown (7%) are also notable choices for exterior walls.
Black Trim Takes the Lead
While exterior wall colors are warming up, trim is moving in the opposite direction. Black has become the most popular trim color, jumping 17 percentage points since 2024 to 39%, overtaking white, which fell to 19%. Nearly 7 in 10 homeowners (69%) are choosing contrasting trim and wall colors, highlighting architectural details and adding visual depth to their home’s exterior.
While exterior wall colors are warming up, trim is moving in the opposite direction. Black has become the most popular trim color, jumping 17 percentage points since 2024 to 39%, overtaking white, which fell to 19%. Nearly 7 in 10 homeowners (69%) are choosing contrasting trim and wall colors, highlighting architectural details and adding visual depth to their home’s exterior.
Exterior Materials Offer Plenty of Design Flexibility
Homeowners are embracing a wide range of materials for exterior wall renovations, with no single option dominating. Stucco leads the way, chosen by 28% of homeowners, while natural wood, fiber cement, and plastic or vinyl each appear in 21% of projects. Among those choosing natural wood, vertical siding is the preferred style (45%), well ahead of lap siding (18%) and shakes or shingles (16%). Stone veneer or cladding, concrete and engineered wood are each selected by 12% of homeowners, followed by natural stone, aluminum and composite at 10% each. The variety of materials reflects the many ways homeowners are personalizing their home’s exterior to complement their preferred architectural style.
Homeowners are embracing a wide range of materials for exterior wall renovations, with no single option dominating. Stucco leads the way, chosen by 28% of homeowners, while natural wood, fiber cement, and plastic or vinyl each appear in 21% of projects. Among those choosing natural wood, vertical siding is the preferred style (45%), well ahead of lap siding (18%) and shakes or shingles (16%). Stone veneer or cladding, concrete and engineered wood are each selected by 12% of homeowners, followed by natural stone, aluminum and composite at 10% each. The variety of materials reflects the many ways homeowners are personalizing their home’s exterior to complement their preferred architectural style.
Architectural Details Make a Statement
Homeowners are also enhancing curb appeal by adding architectural features that bring character and dimension to their homes. Trim remains the most common exterior accent (69%), but beams have emerged as one of the year’s biggest design trends, jumping 24 percentage points from 2024 to 43%. Columns or pillars (42%), awnings (30%) and shutters (19%) have also grown in popularity.
Homeowners are also enhancing curb appeal by adding architectural features that bring character and dimension to their homes. Trim remains the most common exterior accent (69%), but beams have emerged as one of the year’s biggest design trends, jumping 24 percentage points from 2024 to 43%. Columns or pillars (42%), awnings (30%) and shutters (19%) have also grown in popularity.
Front Entryways Are Receiving Fresh Attention
The front entrance continues to be a focal point for homeowners investing in their home’s exterior. More than three-quarters of exterior door projects take place at the front of the home (78%), up 8 percentage points from 2024. Material preferences are shifting, with fiberglass becoming the leading choice for front doors (27%), followed by wood (20%) and aluminum-clad doors with wood interiors (19%). These durable materials combine performance with style while helping homeowners create an inviting first impression.
The front entrance continues to be a focal point for homeowners investing in their home’s exterior. More than three-quarters of exterior door projects take place at the front of the home (78%), up 8 percentage points from 2024. Material preferences are shifting, with fiberglass becoming the leading choice for front doors (27%), followed by wood (20%) and aluminum-clad doors with wood interiors (19%). These durable materials combine performance with style while helping homeowners create an inviting first impression.
Thoughtful Landscaping Enhances Every Exterior
Landscaping plays a major role in shaping today’s curb appeal. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners upgrade plants, shrubs or trees (74%), while many also invest in beds or borders (62%) and paths, stairs or steps (45%). Homeowners are choosing plants that combine visual interest with resilience, including flowering varieties (82%), low-maintenance plants (73%), pollinator-friendly options (56%), native species (55%) and drought-resistant selections (49%). The result is an inviting landscape designed to look beautiful throughout the seasons with minimal ongoing maintenance.
Landscaping plays a major role in shaping today’s curb appeal. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners upgrade plants, shrubs or trees (74%), while many also invest in beds or borders (62%) and paths, stairs or steps (45%). Homeowners are choosing plants that combine visual interest with resilience, including flowering varieties (82%), low-maintenance plants (73%), pollinator-friendly options (56%), native species (55%) and drought-resistant selections (49%). The result is an inviting landscape designed to look beautiful throughout the seasons with minimal ongoing maintenance.
Curb Appeal Meets Long-Term Performance
Beyond curb appeal, homeowners are also investing in upgrades that help protect and preserve their homes. Roofing projects now appear in more than half of exterior renovations (51%), while gutters and downspouts (48%) and exterior doors (34%) have all seen notable increases of 7 to 8 percentage points, each since 2024. These improvements demonstrate that today’s exterior renovations are about more than creating a beautiful first impression. They’re also about making homes more durable and resilient for years to come.
For additional information on outdoor renovation and design trends, check out the complete 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
The 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study surveyed 1,191 U.S. Houzz users aged 18 and older who completed an outdoor or home exterior upgrade in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or planned to begin one in the next six months. The survey was fielded between April 25 and May 6, 2026.
Beyond curb appeal, homeowners are also investing in upgrades that help protect and preserve their homes. Roofing projects now appear in more than half of exterior renovations (51%), while gutters and downspouts (48%) and exterior doors (34%) have all seen notable increases of 7 to 8 percentage points, each since 2024. These improvements demonstrate that today’s exterior renovations are about more than creating a beautiful first impression. They’re also about making homes more durable and resilient for years to come.
For additional information on outdoor renovation and design trends, check out the complete 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
The 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study surveyed 1,191 U.S. Houzz users aged 18 and older who completed an outdoor or home exterior upgrade in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or planned to begin one in the next six months. The survey was fielded between April 25 and May 6, 2026.
Sponsored
Virginia's Top Rated Kitchen & Bath Renovation Firm I Best of Houzz
Sponsored
Fairfax County's Specialized, Comprehensive Renovations Firm