How we prioritize our living space is forever evolving, and that’s true right down to our home’s blueprint. The latest Home Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which pulled data from the third quarter of 2026, provides a glimpse into what’s currently topping homeowner wishlists. Here’s a closer look at the features architects say are gaining momentum.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Extending the living space outside has been a consistent priority for homeowners over the years. Interestingly, the AIA survey found that demand is only increasing, noting a 10% uptick from 2025.
“Outdoor living spaces are no longer treated as secondary, but as fully integrated, year-round living areas that extend the home's interior footprint and serve as a direct conduit to health and wellness,” explains Justin Johnston, principal architect at Brandon Architects.
He says his team accomplishes this through features like pocketing glass walls, concealed heating elements, and resort-style sanctuaries.
‘Aging in Place’ Features
The survey also noted demand for features—like wider doorways and first-floor primary suites—that indicate homeowners are investing in their spaces with the intention of aging in place. These accommodations can also make it easier for multiple generations to comfortably share a home.
“Families seek ways to accommodate aging parents, adult children, caregivers, or extended family while still providing everyone with an appropriate degree of privacy and independence,” notes Natalie Rebuck, principal designer at Re: Design Architects.
She speculates that rising costs of housing, childcare, and eldercare could be driving this trend, as well. Sharing a property can make financial sense for multiple generations.
“From a design standpoint, we try to create these spaces so they feel integrated into the home today but can adapt over time,” Rebuck says.
Multifunctional Rooms
Also gaining traction are multifunctional rooms that better serve homeowners’ lifestyles, hobbies, and needs. Johnston says single-purpose formal rooms, which often sit empty for a portion of the year, are being transformed into adaptable environments designed for modern-day life.
“We realize this through dual uses,” he says. “For example, pairing a sleek gathering kitchen with a hidden prep scullery, or executive offices that transform into private cocktail lounges by evening through hidden joinery and automated scene lighting.”
It might also look like a guest room that doubles as a home office, a laundry room that works as a mudroom, or a library that moonlights as a meditation space.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
