What are the features of a home in 2026 that will stop buyers thinking about economic recovery and job security, and instead how they might cash in on the lower interest rates currently on offer?
The question has several answers, of course. As an experience agency, we know a home that offers a five-star presentation and requires no additional work always wins hearts and wallets.
A splash of paint both inside and out, a deep clean and declutter, plus a few thousand dollars spent on styling, will put you ahead of the pack.
If you’re feeling more ambitious, you can tune into some home design fashions that will be captivating so many of us this year.
However, any agent will tell you the best sales results come from covering the basics, and erring on the conservative side, especially when it comes to colours.
Below, we’ve listed some fundamental tasks for preparing your home, and also a selection of 2026 trends that might give you an edge in the market, so long as they’re executed elegantly.
The Fundamentals:
Energy savers – Any technology that reduces the cost of running a home is a welcome feature. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in Canada, especially if accompanied by a whole-home battery.
Insulation and seals – Beyond standard insulation, buyers appreciate upgraded attic insulation (R-value) and the sealing of all gaps around windows, doors, electrical outlets and plumbing penetrations to prevent heat loss.
High-efficiency windows – Install double- or triple-pane windows with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings will retain heat while allowing passive solar gain.
Pipe protection – Insulate exposed water pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces and garages to prevent freezing and bursting.
Heat recovery ventilators – Buyers will value the installation of HRVs that exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air, while recovering heat energy to improve efficiency.
Ice dam prevention – Show buyers how you have mitigated ice dams and installed attic ventilation and insulation to help prevent snow from melting and refreezing in the eaves.
The 2026 Trends:
Colour drenching – This is an increasingly popular term for painting a room in one colour – from ceiling to skirting boards. It’s the height of fashion, but be strategic when choosing your colour. Colour drenching is what the real estate world would describe as a “bold design”. Hopefully, not too bold.
Artisan craft – If you have a home with genuine character, you’ll get away with an emerging trend for artisan touches, such as a painted fence, or decorative styling on a feature wall. If you take this path, it’s got to be a high-quality feature and worthy talking point. Don’t do this for the sake of it.
Luxury lighting – Multi-layered lighting is one of the hottest features in a home right now. On the one hand, buyers want the lighting that offers a warm and inviting ambience to their living areas. However, they also need brighter light to work, read or pursue a chosen hobby. Investing in lighting that offers the best of both worlds pays dividends.
Quiet space – Many buyers express the desire for privacy and quiet in their next home. If you have a little corner that has no purpose, you could create a reading nook. Two other worthy ideas are spaces for sewing or meditation. Every area of your apartment or house should offer a clear purpose to a buyer.
Fading away – Any mention of a man cave or even a juice station doesn’t set the world alight any more. Fruit juice is not universally regarded as healthy, and a man cave could be better termed a home office, or gym.