Warm & Woodsy
From statement stone to soulful spaces, the looks redefining home in 2026
If the past few years were about crisp whites and safe neutrals, 2026 is confidently color-drenched and deeply personal. Today’s style is about layered textures, sculptural lighting and moody earth tones. Turns out, when it comes to home design and décor, the trends aren’t really trendy at all. If you ask those transforming homes in our area, it’s about creating spaces that truly reflect the people who live in them.
Natural Materials, Cozy Finishes, Functional Design
Jeremy and Angie Freyenhagen have been the dynamic duo behind Freyenhagen Construction for years. Angie takes care of colors, finishes and design. Jeremy’s skill is creating the structure and function behind every project.
“Right now, Montana homes are moving towards warmth, authenticity and personality — spaces that feel elevated but still livable,” Angie says.
And construction, Jeremy says, is aimed at not only helping homeowners live in their homes longer, but adding space for extended family.
“This past year we’ve done several projects that are multi-generational projects where the intention is to have mom, dad along with grandma and grandpa and maybe an adult child all living under the same roof,” Jeremy says. That includes creating in-law suites, multiple masters or aging in place options. “That is something we are seeing more and more of.”
If Angie could define the looks making up today’s aesthetic, the list would focus around expression and warmth.
“I do feel people are feeling more confident with color,” Angie says. “Color drenching, where walls, trim and ceilings are all one tone, is becoming a very popular trend.”
So are warm metals. As Angie says, “They bring quiet elegance without feeling flashy.” Think champagne bronze, brushed gold and warm brass. Black, meantime, is being used with intention. “Using black accents in windows, lighting, faucets and even cabinetry gives a home structure and sophistication,” she adds. When balanced with wood, it adds contrast without feeling cold or heavy.
“We are seeing a strong return to stained wood cabinetry and accents,” Angie says. Oak, walnut and maple are being paired with creamy, warm-based whites to keep kitchens and baths feeling bright and welcoming.
No matter the choice, Angie and Jeremy are committed to bringing each homeowner’s vision to life.
“Our goal is always timeless design with a personal touch, so every home truly reflects the people who live in it,” Angie says.
Building Curb Appeal
The outside of a home is often seen as “the face,” that first impression right from the curb. It’s here you’ll find a shift back to natural elements and bold design.
“We are seeing that earthy component in siding,” says Joey Godwin, owner of Lynnrich Seamless Siding, Windows and Doors. “But the trifecta seems to be a mix of stone, natural wood and some type of metal on the home’s exterior. It has a really sharp design and a contemporary kind of appeal to it.”
While shades of siding are bringing warmth, the placement is going vertical.
“We used to see horizontal siding to the gable of the home and then there would be a transition board and then it would be vertical from there up,” Joey says. “We are seeing a lot of vertical siding for the entire home.” The result, he says, gives visual height to the home’s façade.
Homeowners are also blurring the lines between the inside of their home and the landscape around it by turning to extra-large windows and doors.
“We are seeing 16-foot patio doors that have a fixed panel on both sides and the two center panels open to create an 8-foot opening in the middle,” Joey says. It’s helping to open up space to create expanded living areas.
Instead of those small patio spaces with a concrete slab, Joey is seeing homeowners use that square footage to enclose a space for year-round enjoyment.
“The patio then becomes essentially interior finished space and again, it connects the outside to the inside. You can be inside your home and still feel like you're in the backyard,” he says.
And with the kind of winters Montana ushers in, having a four-season space dedicated to relaxation just makes sense.
Grounded In Style
While earthy hues like honeyed oak, caramel walnut and soft beige are helping ground a home’s style, if you ask Richard Miller, owner of Rich’s Modern Flooring, that doesn’t mean homeowners aren’t expressing themselves with bold patterns or pops of color.
“We are seeing a lot of blues, teals, greens, some rusty ’70s colors, even lavender,” Richard says. Those hues are showing up as accents in tile backsplashes or some flooring lines are showing off these colors in carpet.
Patterns are also taking center stage in flooring and tile. Geometric shapes, even florals, are being cut to create a repeating a pattern in plush carpet or being used to create a 3-D effect in tile.
While luxury vinyl products have been the top pick for years, that trend is now ebbing. Laminate floors, made popular decades ago for their click-together appeal, are making a big comeback.
“Today’s laminate flooring is more scratch-resistant. It’s more water-resistant than it ever was before, so it can withstand some moisture,” Richard says. Aside from being more durable in high traffic areas, Richard adds that laminate planks appear more realistic, delivering a high-end look without the maintenance of hardwood.
Finishes are also getting a facelift. High gloss is being replaced with wire-brushed or embossed textures. The result is an attractive floor that disguises scuffs and footprints — a practical bonus for busy households.
Inspired by Nature
Gone are the days when a kitchen or bath counter was purely functional.
“Big statement pieces have become very popular, whether it be a big island with lots of movement, full-height backsplashes, or a full-wall fireplace,” says Jordan Hoffman with Magic City Granite. “People are using stone as the focal point of the room.”
Earthy hues are making a splash here, as well, with greens and browns at the forefront.
“Personally, I love this change back to a warmer home and I can’t wait to make these visions come to life,” Jordan says.
Homeowners aren’t afraid these days to get a little creative. Picture a large island dressed in bold color with a more neutral counter around the perimeter of a kitchen. “It really brings the kitchen to life,” Jordan says.
Finishes are evolving, too. Glossy surfaces are giving way to matte and leathered finishes. While the leathered look was once one of rustic charm, it’s now gaining popularity across all design styles.
“It provides a more organic and natural feel within the home,” Jordan says.
It’s all about embracing natural warmth, tactile surfaces, and expressive materials that balance beauty and function.
“Because natural stone selections come directly from the earth,” Jordan says, “it brings a piece of the landscape that we have all grown to love into your home.”
Curated & Cozy
If there’s one defining shift in interiors right now, it’s a full swing back to traditional, warmer, personality-filled spaces. Think cozy rooms layered in camel, beige, brown, and green, with rich accent colors like blue, plum, rust, and terra cotta.
If you ask Tiff Blades, owner of Davidson Design, the mood feels collected and comfortable — a home that tells a story rather than follows a formula.
“Incorporate family antiques, if you have access to them; shop antique outlets for accent pieces; reupholster pieces that have interesting and traditional silhouettes,” Tiff says. And, if you want to ditch cool hues or grays, the fix, Tiff says, is simple. “Change paint colors in different rooms to add the warmth and personality.”
Texture plays a major role in creating that inviting feel. In her design, Tiff is leaning more toward organic materials like mohair, tweeds, velvets, shearling and heavy linens. In accessories, ceramics, painted metals and darker, richer wood tones are adding contrast and flair. Furniture silhouettes are softening too — curved sofas, rounded arms, skirted pieces, and organically shaped wood tables are replacing sharper, more angular forms.
While lighting has its purpose, Tiff says today’s design puts the fun in function.
“Lighting is definitely an accessory in our homes now versus being simply there to perform a function,” she says. That means adding unique chandeliers or wall sconces to a space, adding an extra layer of interest.
“The real takeaway,” Tiff says, “is the strong return to warm and rich colors, bold patterns, darker woods, softer lines on everything and the desire to have a home that has a lot of personality and tells your personal story.”
Warm & Toasty
Radiant heat fireplaces are experiencing a surge in popularity — and it’s easy to understand why. One of the biggest draws, Jane Geering of Geering Home Co. Hearth & Home explains, is their independence from electricity.
“The valve itself creates its own electricity,” she explains. “Our stoves are designed to heat well without electricity and without a blower.” In practical terms, that means reliable warmth even during a power outage. All that’s required is proper venting.
The way radiant heat works is rather simple.
“Think of the sun coming through your windows or standing in a place where the sun is warming you up,” Jane says. “It’s that same feeling.”
Radiant heat warms people and objects directly, creating a steady, enveloping comfort. Instead of hot and cold pockets, homeowners experience corner-to-corner warmth with a more consistent temperature throughout the space.
“When you have radiant heat, it is generally using less energy because once the walls are warm and furniture is warm, it takes less to keep it warm,” she explains.
Since these units don’t require blowers to push heat through, homeowners enjoy improved indoor air quality. They also work to preserve natural humidity.
With features like programmable remote controls, automatic pilot shut-off, and advanced heat distribution options, Jane says today’s radiant fireplaces deliver everyday convenience, and long-term value — along with that unmistakable, sun-warmed feeling homeowners love.
