As we move deeper into the year, one thing is clear: homeowners aren’t playing it safe.
From rich, moody exteriors to highly personalized interiors (and more saunas than ever!), design is becoming more intentional, tactile, and wellness driven.
We connected with some of our building products territory managers, Cristian de Rosa and Steve Butler, to hear what they’re seeing firsthand across the country.
Here’s what’s defining 2026 so far.
Natural & Moody Exterior Finishes (like Vivid Silver by Thermory!) are on Trend
Plain white exteriors are fading. In their place? Deep green, charcoal, dark blue, and rich blackened wood tones.
In the Northeast, darker finishes still dominate, but with a twist.
“Customers are still loving (our version of shou sugi ban) Ignite Cladding” says Cristian de Rosa. “But the call for our translucent Vivid silver finish and aged gray material seems to be growing. People either never want their wood to silver out — or they want it silver from day one.”
That push-pull between preserved color and instant patina is shaping product demand in 2026.
Out west, Steve Butler is seeing a parallel movement: “Architect demand for lighter colors on interior and exterior applications is strong. Vivid white oak and silver are big.”
The takeaway? Whether dark and dramatic or light and weathered, color choice is becoming deeply intentional.
Indoor-Outdoor Living is Front and Center
Outdoor spaces are no longer afterthoughts. They’re extensions of the home.
Cristian notes strong demand for:
- Slat walls and privacy fences
- Pergolas (We recommend our 2×8 Ash!)
- Softwoods on exterior applications
“Pergolas are going to have a great year,” he says. “And more softwoods are being used on the exterior, following the trend for lighter wood.”
Meanwhile in the Pacific Northwest:
“I’m still seeing a lot of rustic builds,” Steve shares, “with multiple requests for deeper wire brushing on pine and spruce profiles for cladding.”
Texture and dimension are taking center stage.
Saunas Are Now Mainstream
Wellness is no longer optional. As Americans embrace the time-honored European sauna tradition, saunas are evolving from luxury upgrades into essential architectural features.
Both territories report a major rise in sauna integration. “More and more new builds have custom saunas in the plans,” Cristian says. “When I started at Thermory a few years ago, saunas would come up every so often. Lately, they are included in a large percentage of the plans I’m working through.”
Steve echoes that trend:
“Tons of saunas are being incorporated into new builds in my territory.”
Materials & Accents: Texture and Premium Wood Species
2026 is about materials that feel as good as they look.
Warm Woods
Medium and warm tones are dominating furniture, cabinetry, and flooring. Even in urban environments dominated by steel and concrete, designers are introducing wood to soften spaces.
“I’m seeing lighter woods in interior applications — unmodified aspen and alder,” Cristian notes. “Big city projects are trying to incorporate more wood inside since the exterior is usually concrete and steel.”
Mixed Metals
Chrome is making a comeback, but it’s layered alongside warm metals rather than replacing them.
Tactile Textures
Deep wire brushing. Bouclé. Textured fabrics. Surfaces that invite touch.
Flat is out. Dimension is in.
Interior Trends: Personal, Moody & Purposeful
Interiors are becoming more intimate and dramatic.
Chocolate brown. Mocha. Moss green. Charcoal. These tones create cozy, serene environments that feel grounded and comforting.
Organic Curves & “Fat Furniture”
Sharp, clinical lines are softening.
Sculptural shapes and rounded forms are replacing rigid edges in furniture, millwork, and architectural details.
Elevated Minimalism, Sustainability, and Performance
For those who still prefer restraint, 2026 minimalism is rooted in longevity. Durable and sustainable materials are a necessity. Steve points to a growing interest in modified and treated options:
“Our new Class A Benchmark Pine (with Chemco Inc. Saferwood treatment) is going to be huge! Customers have been waiting for this.”
As performance and safety are influencing design decisions more than ever, we’re eager to further the movement of durable, safe, sustainable wood materials with our new Class A fire rating on select species.
Functional “Analog” Rooms
Dedicated reading rooms. Hobby spaces. Tech-free retreats.
And of course — indoor saunas. Wellness is being designed directly into floor plans.
What 2026 Really Means
Across regions, the message is consistent:
- More wood
- More texture
- More wellness
- More personalization
Design in 2026 isn’t about following trends; it’s about creating spaces that feel intentional, tactile, and deeply human. We’re just getting started!
Photo Credits: Karl Kasepõld. Wander Hunter Mountain, Europe in the Catskills.
