2026 Home Design Trends for Windows and Doors

Homes are changing, not because of a single color, style or silhouette, but because of how people want to feel in their spaces.

In a world shaped by constant connectivity, climate uncertainty and mass-produced design, today’s homeowners are craving something more grounded. They want spaces that feel calm, intentional, resilient and personal. As these priorities shift, windows and doors are playing a more central role by helping shape light, comfort, connection and character throughout the home.

At Pella, our interior design, innovation and product experts spend the year studying emerging influences across architecture, culture and materials. What we’re seeing for 2026 is not a set of passing trends. It reflects deeper cultural shifts toward more mindful, values-driven living. These design movements influence how homes are planned, built and experienced, with window and door design at the center of it all.

Here is a closer look at the four home design trends shaping 2026.

From natural light and outdoor connection to energy performance and personalization, windows and doors are no longer secondary design elements. They influence how spaces feel, how homes perform and how people live day to day. Across all four trends, thoughtful placement, material choices and performance features help translate big design ideas into livable, lasting spaces.

As technology continues to dominate daily life, homeowners are intentionally carving out spaces that encourage them to slow down. Rather than designing for constant multitasking, homes are being shaped around moments of focus, connection and calm.

Windows and doors play a key role in this shift. Expansive glass, thoughtfully placed openings and strong visual connections to the outdoors help redirect attention away from screens and toward natural light, landscape and shared experiences. Sun filled nooks, floor to ceiling windows and glass doors that open to patios or gardens create spaces that feel restorative without being removed from everyday living.

In these homes, light becomes a luxury, and windows become tools for better living.

Across the design world, there is a growing movement away from generic, oversized spaces and toward homes that feel deeply considered. Homeowners are prioritizing craftsmanship, proportion and emotional resonance, making choices that help a house feel lived in rather than mass produced.

Windows and doors are no longer treated as background elements. Details like floor level cottage windows, transoms, Dutch doors and custom configurations add warmth and character while strengthening the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. These elements are often planned early in the design process, allowing them to shape how rooms feel and function throughout the day.

The result is a home where every element feels intentional and every space feels right.

Sustainability has evolved beyond buzzwords. Homeowners are thinking long term about climate, energy performance and how their homes will support them through changing conditions.

This mindset is driving interest in high performance building strategies, including energy efficient windows and doors that help regulate indoor temperatures, reduce energy use and support comfort year round. Even among homeowners who may not pursue full Passive House certification, there is growing curiosity around tightly built, well insulated homes designed to perform reliably in all seasons.

Resilient design is both practical and emotional. Knowing a home can stay comfortable through heat, cold or unexpected disruptions provides peace of mind, and windows and doors play a critical role in making that possible.

Customization is no longer reserved for luxury projects. In 2026, homeowners across budgets expect spaces that feel personal, curated and reflective of their lives.

That does not mean endless options or going it alone. Instead, homeowners are seeking guidance from design and building professionals who can help them make confident choices, whether that means selecting a distinctive entry door, choosing warmer finishes or using sidelights and glass details to elevate everyday spaces.

The focus is on thoughtful personalization, with details that feel intentional, functional and emotionally resonant without excess or overwhelm.

These four trends, Selective Retreat, Soulful Intention, Resilient Choices and Curated Where It Counts, are shaping the future of home design. Windows and doors sit at the center of each one, influencing how homes feel, perform and connect us to what matters most.

Explore the 2026 Home Design Trends Report for a deeper look at each trend, along with inspiring spaces and design ideas that show how thoughtful window and door design can bring these movements to life.