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Sure, you may have conceived your own mental image of what the “home of the future” looks like after a steady childhood diet of too many The Jetsons episodes. Fast forward to 2025, we don’t have those flying cars yet—but we do have Zillow’s annual trends report, which offers a glimpse into the homes of 2026. The real-estate platform recently broke down what features are popping up in listings more and more, from specific keywords (“vintage accents”) to paint tricks, serving as a guide for what people are prioritizing when selling (and buying) a home.
Here are some of the main takeaways, just in case you want to add another layer of knowledge to your late-night dream home scrolling sessions.
Bold Color Drenching
Zillow recently shared a paint color analysis that showed homeowners are favoring bold colors over neutral palettes. The next evolution of that trend? Going all in on one fun hue in an entire room (walls and ceilings). House listings that mentioned “color drenching” jumped 149 percent compared to last year. If you need some inspiration, take a peek at this Florida home’s moody blue-green den.
Cozy Reading Nooks
We get it: Winter is coming, the book pile is getting taller, and reading nooks are appearing 48 percent more often in Zillow listings lately. Consider this permission to get a little creative, like the expert transformation of an awkward stair landing into—you guessed it—a spot to curl up with a good book.
Flood Protection
Concerns about the weather have made their way to Zillow searches. There are 64 percent more mentions of flood protection on listings across the site than last year.
Zero-Energy Homes
Zero-energy home interest is on the rise (up 70 percent) as well as listings mentioning whole-home batteries (up 40 percent) and electric vehicle charging (up 25 percent). This might sound like a lot of smart home jargon, but integrating this kind of technology into your space can have a beautiful result (aesthetically, and for the environment). This low-energy London home is proof.
Spa-Inspired Bathrooms
Of course, everyone wants to feel like they’re emerging from a luxe spa after every single shower. Mentions of “wellness features” increased 33 percent year over year, and spa-inspired bathrooms are popping up 22 percent more often across Zillow listings. Steam showers are one of those amenities, and we got the lowdown from designers on what you need to know before you install one.
Room to Play
We’re not talking about basketball hoops or indoor swimming pools. The report found that golf simulators have shown up in 25 percent more listings, as well as pickleball courts (also up 25 percent).
Craftsmanship and Vintage Accents
There are a handful of keywords rising above the pack: artisan craftsmanship (up 21 percent), vintage accents (up 17 percent), and “a touch of whimsy” (up 15 percent). We love that there’s a lot of room for interpretation here. For example, having someone hand-paint your kitchen backsplash tile fits squarely into “artisan craftsmanship.”