Every year, the media team at RLAH @properties puts together a Design Trends report. They read virtually every major design publication, track what’s showing up in nearly 3,000 home sales across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and pressure test trends against real buyer behavior.
It's one of the most anticipated things RLAH puts out each year, and this edition doesn't disappoint. The full report covers everything from textured wallpaper to hand painted tile to Rococo revival. Here's a preview.
1. The “Soft Kitchen” Is Here
The clinical all-white kitchen is losing ground. Buyers want kitchens that feel like an extension of the living room: warm timber cabinetry, antique brass hardware, creamy stone countertops, and open shelving styled with ceramics and cookbooks.
If you’re prepping to sell, consider adding a few styled open shelves. Small changes, big warmth.
2. Chrome Makes a Comeback
After years of warm brass everywhere, chrome is back. It’s crisp, modern, and acts almost like a neutral, adding brightness without competing with color. The smart move is mixing metals: chrome hardware against warm wood creates that layered look buyers respond to.
3. Stained Glass Gets a Modern Update
Think less “cathedral” and more “cool gallery installation.” Clean lined geometry and softly tinted panes are showing up in pantry walls, kitchen dividers, and interior partitions. In DC’s historic row homes, modern stained glass nods to original transom windows while feeling completely fresh.
4. Sanctuary Spaces Sell
The most coveted feature in 2026 might not be a chef’s kitchen. It’s a quiet corner designed for reset. Meditation rooms, spa style bathrooms with soaking tubs, even Pilates studios are becoming real selling points. Staging a spare room? Style it as a wellness retreat rather than another generic guest bedroom.
5. Color of the Year: Depth Over Gray
Pantone chose “Cloud Dancer,” an ethereal white. Benjamin Moore went with “Silhouette,” a warm umber with charcoal undertones. Behr landed on “Hidden Gem,” a moody jade. The common thread? One note gray is out. Layered, intentional color is in.
Want the full report? Reply to this email or text me and I’ll send you the PDF.
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