ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Wellness and sustainability trends are among the factors shaping home design this year, according to experts in the field.

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Editor-in-Chief Lauren Iverson said most of the focus is on utilitarian spaces like bathrooms and kitchens — “the ones that you’re in every day,” she added.

“Bathrooms and the shower and really custom high-end cabinetry, and the stone is something people are really putting emphasis on in 2026," Iverson said.

Focus on pets

Iverson said more homeowners are building pet areas directly into their home designs, moving away from hiding those spaces.

“Our pets are the center of a lot of people’s lives, and hiding pet areas is a thing of the past,” she said.

According to Iverson, those built-in features include spaces under the sink, built-in beds in the living room, pet gates and dog washes.

AI in the home

Iverson said artificial intelligence is showing up in home appliances, including laundry machines that function like chat assistants. They allow users to type in load concerns and have the machine set the appropriate settings automatically.

Ace Handyman Services CEO Andy Bell said more people are also using AI to design their homes.

“What we saw is the lady took a picture of the existing bathroom, fed that into ChatGPT, asked for a more modern and contemporary feel,” Bell said.

But Iverson said AI has limitations compared to professional designers.

“Designers do something that AI can’t, and what that is creating an experience and a mood that you can feel,” she said. “... AI can give you the formula, perhaps, but it can’t actually give you a feeling and a mood and tell you why this one item is going to be the best in this exact space.”

Embracing trends

Iverson said homeowners looking to participate in trends should focus on elements that can be easily swapped out, such as artwork and fabric.

“Your accessories, things you can switch out, are ways you can participate in trends without dating your home,” Iverson said.

She said architecture is always the main focus of any home.

DIY projects

Bell said painting is a project most homeowners can handle on their own. He recommends they start with a remote room, practice cutting in and roll in a Z pattern while maintaining a wet edge.

However, Ace Handyman Services found in a survey that 1 in 5 people need backup after starting a do-it-yourself project due to unexpected complexity or materials.

Bell said electrical work, like installing smart doorbells, is best left to professionals.

“The Ring doorbell does tie into the doorbell power, and even though it’s low voltage, it has to be the right setup with the doorbell. It can be really frustrating bringing in enough volts to charge the battery properly,” Bell said.

He also said older homes present additional challenges for DIY projects.

“Nothing’s square, be it the floor or the walls or the door frames, so you have to be able to adjust and keep the final product looking awesome,” he said. “It really requires some know-how that experience teaches you.”

Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.