Home Renovation Trends in 2026: What Irish Homeowners Are Choosing

As we move into 2026, more homeowners across Ireland are deciding to upgrade, extend, and completely rethink their living spaces. Renovation trends are no longer just about what looks good in photos. They are about comfort, natural light, warmth, practicality, and homes that work for real family life. If you are thinking about renovating or extending your home this year, here are the key trends shaping projects in 2026 and why they are becoming so popular.

1. Warm, welcoming interiors instead of cold minimalism

For a long time, home design focused on very white, very empty spaces. In 2026, that is changing. Irish homeowners are moving toward interiors that feel inviting, calm and lived in. Timber details, textured finishes, soft lighting and layered materials are becoming more popular. Instead of clinical minimalism, people now want homes that feel warm when you walk through the door, especially with Ireland’s climate and long winter evenings.

Renovations are increasingly focused on comfort, not just appearance. That might mean underfloor heating, better layout flow or living spaces designed around how families actually spend time together.

2. Bringing in as much natural light as possible

Natural light continues to be one of the biggest priorities in renovations and extensions in 2026. Irish homes often struggle with dark rooms, small windows and long narrow layouts. Homeowners are now putting light at the centre of the design.

Popular upgrades include larger windows, roof lights, glass doors to the garden and brighter finishes that help reflect light around the room. Even small changes, such as widening an opening or changing a door, can transform how a space feels. More light means more comfort, better mood and a greater sense of openness in the home. It also adds long term value, which is a major reason many people are choosing to renovate now.

3. Open plan with smarter zoning instead of one big room

Open plan living is still popular, but how people use it is changing. Instead of one single open space, homeowners are now creating connected areas that still have some separation.

This is sometimes called broken plan living. It keeps the spacious feeling of open plan layouts but adds definition through internal glass doors, partitions, furniture placement or level changes. It allows people to cook, work, and relax in the same connected area without losing privacy or function. This trend is especially strong in extensions, where kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms are combined into one larger, brighter space.

4. Energy efficient upgrades as part of almost every project

In 2026, energy performance is not an optional extra. It is becoming a central part of any renovation or extension. Rising energy costs and BER rating awareness mean more homeowners are investing in how their homes perform, not just how they look.

Typical improvements include insulation upgrades, window and door replacement, heating system improvements and airtightness work. These changes increase comfort, reduce drafts and can significantly lower energy bills over time. A renovation is often the ideal moment to complete these upgrades. Walls are already open, floors are being replaced and layouts are being updated, so it becomes practical to improve energy efficiency while work is underway.

5. Kitchens designed for socialising, not just cooking

The kitchen has continued to grow as the heart of the home, and this trend becomes even stronger in 2026. Homeowners are choosing layouts that suit gatherings, family meals and everyday life. Kitchen islands, breakfast bars, open shelving and walk in pantries are becoming much more common. Materials like quartz worktops and durable flooring are popular for both appearance and practicality. Many people are also choosing bolder cabinet colours, or mixing light cabinetry with darker islands to create visual contrast. The modern Irish kitchen is now a place to talk, work, entertain and spend time, not just somewhere to cook.

6. Calm, spa style bathrooms

Bathrooms are moving away from purely functional spaces and toward calm, hotel inspired designs. In 2026, many renovation projects include walk-in showers, large format tiles, soft lighting and practical storage solutions that reduce clutter. People are looking for a place to unwind at the end of the day, not just a quick-use room. Underfloor heating, tiled niches, rainfall showers and elegant finishes are becoming much more common in both new builds and renovations.

2026 is about homes that truly suit the people living in them.

The biggest trend for 2026 is simple. People want homes that genuinely fit how they live. Families are growing, working habits are changing and many houses no longer feel functional or bright enough. Extensions and renovations are the way many homeowners are solving this problem. By rethinking layouts, adding light and increasing space, they are creating homes that work for today and add long term value for the future.

Considering your own renovation or extension?

Now is the perfect time to start planning! We would be happy to talk through your ideas and help you explore what is possible with your space. Get in touch with us for a free consultation and quote. We’re here to bring your vision to life with care, quality and experience.