Some home purchases that once seemed excessive are becoming surprisingly normal parts of American renovations.
1. Beverage Stations
A dedicated coffee or drink zone would have sounded extravagant a decade ago. Now, 24% of homeowners renovating kitchens add beverage stations, making them the second-most-popular built-in feature after pantry cabinets.
2. Outdoor Kitchens
The backyard is becoming a second kitchen. 12% of homeowners upgrading outdoor spaces are adding or improving outdoor kitchens, and 95% of those projects are being built from scratch.
3. Beverage Refrigerators Outside
A refrigerator specifically for drinks sounds excessive—until the numbers show how common it is. 62% of newly renovated outdoor kitchens now include beverage refrigerators, according to Houzz’s 2026 study.
4. Home Wellness Rooms
The home gym is no longer the only wellness upgrade. Houzz recorded searches for “wellness room” up 164%, while searches for “home gym” rose 46% and “spa” increased 68%.
5. Hidden Charging Stations
Charging phones used to mean finding an outlet behind the sofa. Now designers are building charging stations directly into cabinetry and millwork. Houzz lists hidden charging stations among the 2026 integrated-home features gaining attention.
6. Outdoor Living Rooms
The backyard is increasingly being treated like another part of the house. 83% of renovated outdoor spaces now include a lounge or seating area, and 71% have a sofa or lounge chairs.
Sources:
- Houzz, 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study
- Houzz, 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- Houzz, 2026 U.S. Emerging Summer Trends Report
- Houzz, 25 Home Design Trends Defining How We’ll Live in 2026
