Homeowners

The Biggest Home Exterior Trends of 2026

After years of crisp white and cool gray dominating home exteriors, homeowners are warming things up.

Beige is now the most popular home color among those renovating, chosen by 24% of homeowners, according to the 2026 Houzz Outdoor Trends Study. Its popularity has more than doubled since 2024.

White, meanwhile, has slipped to 14%, while gray has fallen to 12% of homeowners.

Yet color is only part of what’s changing outside the home.

“Exterior renovations are growing more practical and comprehensive,” said Nancy Dow, interior designer at Sierra Living Concepts in Freemont, Calif. “This is indicative of a broader trend towards exterior designs that are functional, long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and have a timeless appeal.”

Homeowners may be able to fund these renovations with a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), second mortgage, or cash-out refinance, depending on their financial situation and goals.

Here’s what’s defining home exterior renovations in 2026.

Beige is replacing white and gray

Beige may have spent years associated with safe, predictable interiors, but homeowners are giving the neutral another look outside.

Nearly one-quarter of renovating homeowners chose beige for their exterior walls, making it the most popular color in the Houzz study.

Keith Ostendorf, project developer at Next Stage Design + Build in San Jose, Calif., is seeing the shift firsthand.

“The rise of beige as the dominant exterior color makes complete sense, especially in Silicon Valley,” said Ostendorf. “It has a large and growing number of mid-century and ranch-style homes, and warm neutral palettes—greige, warm white, soft taupe—complement those architectural styles far better than the cooler grays that dominated the last decade.”

For some homeowners, beige’s appeal may also lie in its staying power.

“It is back because it is the most neutral shade and therefore least likely to go out of style,” said Seymen Usta, a Florida-based interior designer and CEO of Modern Chandelier.

Black trim gives exteriors an edge

Homeowners aren’t necessarily covering their homes in dark paint. Instead, many are using black as an accent.

Black is now the most popular exterior trim color chosen by 39% of renovating homeowners, according to Houzz.

Nearly seven in 10 homeowners, 69%, pair contrasting wall and trim colors, helping windows, doors, rooflines, and other architectural features stand out.

“Black trim in particular has remarkable staying power because it works across architectural periods and adds definition without requiring a bold color commitment on the body of the home,” said Ostendorf.

The combination of beige walls and black trim offers homeowners a way to update an exterior without committing to a particularly bold palette.

Beams and columns make a statement

Color isn’t the only way homeowners are adding character.

Beams were one of the fastest-growing exterior features in the Houzz study, jumping 24 percentage points since 2024 to 43%.

Columns or pillars were incorporated into 42% of projects, while 30% included awnings and 19% added shutters.

Homeowners often incorporate beams and columns into covered patios, front porch additions, and structural pergolas, said Ostendorf. These projects can extend usable outdoor living space while adding architectural dimension to a home’s exterior.

Landscaping is getting easier to maintain

Homeowners are also rethinking what surrounds their homes.

Nearly three-quarters, 74%, of renovating homeowners upgraded plants, shrubs, or trees, according to Houzz.

Low maintenance was the overwhelming priority, cited by 73% of homeowners choosing plants. More than half selected pollinator-friendly plants, 56%, and native plants, 55%. Meanwhile, 49% chose drought-resistant varieties.

The numbers suggest homeowners increasingly want landscaping that doesn’t demand constant watering, pruning, or attention.

“A native garden is self-sufficient,” said Usta.

Those choices may become particularly important in areas where water costs, drought conditions, or landscaping maintenance can add significantly to the ongoing expense of homeownership.

Homeowners are investing in what protects the home

Some of the fastest-growing exterior projects have little to do with aesthetics.

Roofing was included in 51% of exterior renovations, according to Houzz. Gutters and downspouts were upgraded in 48%, while exterior doors were part of 34% of projects.

For homeowners tackling a major exterior renovation, addressing these systems at the same time can prevent a cosmetic update from being followed by another expensive project.

“Homeowners are starting to think about the exterior as a system rather than a collection of independent upgrades,” said Ostendorf.

A newly updated façade, for example, won’t solve problems created by an aging roof or failing drainage.

“The clients who get the most out of their exterior remodel budgets are the ones who assess the exterior updates needed as a whole before committing to any single element,” said Ostendorf.

Exterior renovations blend curb appeal and practicality

For homeowners planning an exterior renovation, the Houzz findings offer another takeaway: A successful project doesn’t necessarily mean chasing every new design trend.

In 2026, curb appeal is increasingly about appearance, durability, and lower future costs.

Exterior improvements can affect how a home looks from the street, how much maintenance it requires, and how well it stands up to weather and everyday wear.

Larger projects such as roofing, doors, structural additions, and extensive landscaping can also carry substantial upfront costs. Homeowners who don’t want to pay entirely in cash may consider financing options, such as a home equity loan.