HGTV Editors Share Their Design Goals for 2026

The HGTV editors have some lofty resolutions for the new year — design resolutions, that is. From little updates and decluttering projects to backyard overhauls and more, our editors are sharing the home upgrades and design changes they're most excited to work on this year. Read on to get inspired — and maybe find your next weekend project.

"I recently upgraded from a queen-size mattress to a king in my main bedroom, so I’m taking that as an opportunity to refresh the entire space. I went a little too 'millennial gray' in the bedroom when I bought my house, so more color is my top priority. I’m adding a bit of moodiness with deep blue hues, but brightening it up with pops of light blue, pink and white. I also need to declutter and pare down furniture — the king bed takes up so much more space than the queen. I really want to keep things simple, so it feels calming and restful."

— Shannon Phillips, Managing Editor

"This year, I’d like to treat my primary bathroom to some renter-friendly upgrades. No one sees this space (besides me!), so I never prioritized decorating it; however, after a full year of tolerating stark white walls and a clear shower curtain, I’m ready to give my bathroom some much-needed pampering. I plan on making a splash with a colorful shower curtain (scalloped, perhaps?), a cushy-cozy rug and a beeswax candle for the small shelf above the toilet."

— Caroline Alkire, Managing Editor

"Back in 2018, I installed horizontal paneling in my entryway (a la shiplap). I've gone back and forth on whether to remove it, but after painting it something other than white last year, I fell in love again. So, this year, I want to try vertical paneling in my dining room. I've always loved how much character homes with wainscotting have, but I want a less formal look. I'm thinking a chair rail and vertical paneling below will suit my 100-year-old home perfectly."

— Ellie Sanders, Newsletter Editor

"After writing about Dutch doors over the summer, I couldn't stop thinking about how much charm one would add to my home. Plus, they are perfect for people with pets (like me), because you can open the top for fresh air without worrying about furry friends scurrying out. I already picked out the perfect Dutch door, and it will be installed soon. Now, I just have to decide what color to paint it!"

— Noelle Paredes, Online Editor

"Ever since I took down my Christmas tree, I've missed the soft glow the it emitted throughout my living room. So, my design goal for this year is to incorporate more ambient lighting throughout my home to achieve that warmth all year long. I’m going to start by grabbing an adorable mini lamp for my kitchen countertop."

— Morgan Faulkner, Editor

"I’d like to fill more spots in my home with art that I truly love. Owning art that makes me smile is something I know is worth investing in, but it takes time and persistence to find pieces that truly resonate. My budget isn’t large, and I want to support independent artists, so I’ve been keeping a Pinterest board of art I like from small businesses as I’ve noticed them in my feed over the past few months. I’m very into this colorful duck painting by Shelby Monteverde and this experiment with paint and light by Claire Buckley. Both sell prints of their original work that fit my budget but will still make a big impact."

— Lauren Piro, Editorial Director

"My family of three lives in a relatively small space (and we're pros at creative design solutions), so it's almost unbelievable that we have a seriously under-utilized corner in our living room. The space is conveniently located by a window and a bookshelf, so it naturally lends itself to a small reading nook. Choosing the right furniture will be key, so we've been looking for options that can do double duty, like a swivel accent chair that will create an enclosed nook — or rotate to face the living room (providing extra seating for guests). All we’ll need to finish the space is a cozy blanket, a plant or two and, perhaps, a few handmade collectibles nestled into the bookshelf."

— Kristie Collado, Editorial Manager

"This beautiful outdoor space represents a few of my design goals rolled up into one. First, we are fulfilling a lifelong dream of my husband's and getting a hot tub! Since we couldn't get the pricey and impractical (but aesthetically pleasing) Swedish wood-burning one I wanted (sigh), I plan on softening the look of our tub with container plantings. Growing in containers and raised beds, like the ones in the back of this property, is my outdoor design goal for 2026. I'm tired of constantly battling weeds in in-ground beds and looking to shift to growing more flowers and veggies in containers outfitted with irrigation."

— Kelly Smith Trimble, Senior Editorial Director

"As the new year approaches, I’m excited to bring more personality into my home with wallpaper. My first project: the powder bathroom. I’m envisioning vibrant colors paired with a striking pattern to make this room truly stand out. With today’s endless wallpaper options, including stylish peel-and-stick designs, the possibilities are limitless. I want this space to feel daring and eye-catching — a little edgier than the rest of the house. The right wallpaper will make that vision a reality."

— Lauren Fansler, Editor

"I wish my century-old home had built-ins in the dining room, but this year I'm determined to get the look without hiring a carpenter. I found a pair of solid wood corner hutches on Facebook Marketplace, and I'm planning to refinish them to match my walls to achieve a similar feel — and get some much-needed storage."

— Noelle Paredes, Online Editor

"My apartment has really high ceilings, so I have a lot of wall space to work with. The problem is, that also means a lot of space to fill. One of my goals for next year is to create a gallery wall behind my couch to make my living room feel cozier and more colorful."

— Sabrina Choudhary, Editorial Coordinator

"My design goal for 2026 is to liven up my space with more indoor plants. My home doesn’t get a lot of natural light so I haven’t had much luck with houseplants in the past, but I currently have a couple of low-light plants that are thriving, so I’m ready to branch out and try a few more. I’d love to add a trailing plant (like pothos) to bring some interest to a bookshelf in my living room, and something with height (like a snake plant) to fill an empty corner of my dining room."

— Shannon Phillips, Managing Editor

"I’ve become a bit of a pack rat. I have lots of collections of books, artwork and trinkets that are starting to pile up, so my goal for the year is to wrangle them and get them on display, so I can actually enjoy them. I can basically redecorate the entire living room with art I have sitting in a box. In the process, I can donate so many items that are no longer my style but are in great condition. I hope their next owner enjoys them!"

— Jessica Yonker, Editor

"I’m going to corral my son’s toys in a pretty, Montessori-style shelf he can reach. It’s taken me months to find a shelf that meets my requirements: beautiful, affordable and made from solid wood. I also want it to fade into the background; because our space is small, we don’t have a designated playroom and the toys are stored in the living room. I turned to Etsy and bought two open wooden shelving units. I asked the vendor to leave the wood unfinished; when it arrives, I’ll paint it the same color as our walls, so it blends in. The final step: Fill it with vintage baskets for toy organization."

— Heath Goldman, Editor