Trends in new homes from the tour
by Heather Benjamin
The Triangle Parade of Homes “Realtor Day” on Tuesday, Oct. 6 was a wonderful chance for agents to view cutting-edge design trends and new model homes around the region. The tour was open to the general public on three full weekends throughout October.
I toured several beautiful, distinctive homes in Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Lillington, and Raleigh, ranging in price from $407,000 to $5.2 million. Though they represented just a fraction of the 300+ homes on the tour, there were still design trends and commonalities among them. These were my notes on five aspects of today’s home:
Indoor-outdoor living
Is it a room? Is it a patio? Is it a courtyard? Why choose? Indoor-outdoor living means transitional spaces that resist definition, striking porch fireplaces or fountains, and large windows that bring in lots of natural light.
Flex spaces
Flex spaces—and more effort put into practical spaces—are now de rigueur. In a smaller home, it’s the inviting upstairs landing that you can turn into a study or playroom. In a luxury home, an atmospheric speakeasy with plush banquettes doubles as a safe room, and a laundry room has the classy look of a turn-of-the-century butler’s pantry.
Fixtures and materials
Graceful details and cohesive design make an elegant home. Brushed nickel fixtures and wall-to-wall gray are on the way out, thank goodness. Gold-tone, copper, and matte black faucets complement warm neutral walls and floors. Striking and artistic light fixtures abound, and creative tilework adds whimsy.
Home layout
Regardless of square footage, layout matters. Among these homes, rooms and hallways flow. Vaulted and tray ceilings make bedrooms feel more spacious. Extra-wide or arched doorways are visually inviting, and slender railings on landings allow more of the home’s center to catch and move sunlight throughout the day.
Extras and details
Thoughtful details make life a bit better. Whether it’s cabinet lighting that shows off your best crystal, a water bottle refilling station in the home gym, or privacy glass in the shower that you can flip with a switch, little things make a difference in the everyday.
The Parade of Homes presented striking spaces by 90 builders in the Triangle—truly a fantastic array of home inspiration to explore. I encourage you to check out the properties at triangleparade.com/events/2026-triangle-parade-of-homes/entries, and put the parade on your to-do list for next year!
A real estate agent can help guide you through all the steps of the homebuying process. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions—I serve as a resource for the community, whether client or neighbor. Post by Heather Benjamin, Broker/REALTOR®, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty.