If the last few years were defined by "playing it safe" with gray floors and white walls, 2026 is the year our homes finally get their souls back. In Southeastern North Carolina, we are seeing a distinct shift in what buyers value. The sterile, "flip-house" aesthetic is officially retiring, replaced by a desire for warmth, resilience, and connection to our coastal landscape. Whether you are prepping a family home in Wilmington or updating a vacation rental in Surf City, hitting these design notes can mean the difference between a bidding war and a stale listing.

Here is what is trending IN for 2026—and what needs to go OUT.

IN: The "Warm Coastal" Palette

The cool, blue-gray tones that dominated the last decade are warming up.

The Look: Think "toasted coconut," sandy beiges, and terracotta rather than "battleship gray." Buyers are craving interiors that feel like a hug, not a hospital.

Color Drenching: This is the boldest trend of the year. Instead of painting just the walls, homeowners are painting the trim, baseboards, and even the ceiling the same color. In a powder room or a cozy study, a deep "haint blue" or warm olive drenched from floor to ceiling creates a high-design, custom feel that buyers love.

OUT: "Flipper Gray" Everything

If you are installing gray luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring in 2026, stop.

The Verdict: The "gray-on-gray" look is now the quickest way to date a property. It signals "2018 rental" to today's sophisticated buyers.

The Fix: Opt for warm, mid-tone wood floors (like white oak or walnut tones) that hide sand better and feel timeless.

IN: Biophilic & Resilient Landscaping

In Pender and Brunswick counties, "Curb Appeal" now means "Storm Resilience."

Native Leaders: Buyers are educated about drainage and maintenance. They love seeing Wax Myrtle, Muhly Grass, and Live Oaks—plants that drink up stormwater and survive salt spray without constant irrigation.

Permeable is Premium: Concrete slabs are out; permeable pavers are in. In flood-prone areas, a driveway or patio that allows rain to soak into the ground isn't just an eco-choice; it’s a selling point for flood safety.

OUT: High-Maintenance Turf Wars

The days of the manicured, golf-course green lawn on a beach island are fading. Buyers see vast sod fields as a weekend chore and a water bill liability. They prefer "landscape islands" with native ground cover and smaller, manageable patches of grass.

IN: The "Un-Fitted" Kitchen

The all-white, clinical kitchen is softening.

Texture Over Shine: We are seeing a move toward "rustic modern"—think matte quartz countertops instead of high-gloss granite, and cabinets in natural wood tones or muted greens.

The "Back Kitchen" / Scullery: In luxury listings, the "messy kitchen" (a small pantry area with a sink and counter space hidden behind a door) is the ultimate flex. It keeps the open-concept living area pristine while the real work happens out of sight.

IN: Flex Space > Formal Dining

Unless you own a historic estate in downtown Wilmington, the formal dining room is largely extinct.

The Shift: Families in 2026 want "Flex Rooms." That 12x12 room at the front of the house needs to work as a Zoom office on Tuesday, a playroom on Wednesday, and a guest room on Saturday. Staging these spaces with versatility in mind is key.

designing for Value

Trends come and go, but good design is about how a home feels and functions. In 2026, value is found in durability, warmth, and harmony with our coastal environment.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we help our clients see beyond the Pinterest board. We know which renovations offer the highest return in our specific market and which "trends" are just expensive distractions. Whether you are picking paint colors for a listing or visualizing a renovation on a new purchase, let us help you design a strategy that sells.