4-shoe-trends-that-are-in-right-now-and-3.jpeg

4 shoe trends that are in right now and 3 that are out, according to stylists

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • Business Insider asked professional stylists to share which shoe trends are in and out for spring.
  • They said footwear with fun accents and low soles are trending this season.
  • However, sky-high heels and dressy sneakers are on their way out.

Fashion trends are always cycling in and out, and shoes are no exception.

That’s why Business Insider spoke with three professional stylists about the spring shoe trends gaining momentum — and the ones finally being put to bed. Here’s what they said.

Loafer mules are stepping into the spotlight this season.

Loafer mules offer a more polished look.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Patrick Kenger, the lead personal stylist and founder of styling and image consulting company Pivot, said the chunky, casual mule styles popular in recent seasons are evolving into a more polished look in the form of loafer mules.

“Instead of chunkier styles, we’re seeing slimmer silhouettes made from materials like leather or suede,” Kenger told BI.

He said the backless shoe keeps the easy slip-on feel of a mule, but features a closed-toe, classic loafer-style top that can elevate casual outfits.

This season, people are leaning into fun and expressive footwear.


Sparkly black heels with sparkling and feather embellishments.

Shoes with fun embellishments and bold prints are in.

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

All three stylists agreed that people are turning to footwear as a way to show more personality in their outfits.

From embellishments and color blocking to bold prints and interesting materials, Natalie Tincher — the principal stylist and founder of BU Style — said statement shoes are gaining momentum after several seasons dominated by minimalist styles.

“We’re seeing things like extra straps, bold prints like zebra or leopard, and even more adventurous materials,” Kenger told BI. “In men’s shoes, that might mean loafers in snakeskin or other textured finishes.”

Vintage-style clogs are making a comeback.


A woman wearing a pair of brown clogs with a wooden sole.

Clogs with wooden or cork soles will be popular this spring.

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Stylist Vanessa Powell said boho-inspired clogs are reemerging this season, as vintage styles continue to make a comeback.

“It’s fun to see the vintage resurgence because you can find these styles in so many vintage stores, but a lot of brands are bringing them back as well,” Powell told BI.

Featuring earthy tones, including mustard, beige, and soft pink, this trend leans into natural materials like wooden or cork soles, the stylist said.

Low-profile sneakers are popular because of their versatility.


A person wearing low-profile New Balance sneakers.

The slender design of low-profile sneakers helps create a balanced look.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

“Low-profile sneakers offer a cleaner look and work with the wide range of bottom silhouettes that are trending right now,” Tincher said.

Because these shoes sit closer to the foot, she said the slender design creates more balance than bulkier sneakers. Plus, they feel less athletic than traditional running shoes, making them easier to wear with a range of outfits.

Some versions feature decorative laces or satin finishes, while others lean toward a simpler, minimalist look.

However, hybrid dress sneakers are on their way out.


A man wearing dress shoes with sneaker soles.

This season is all about shoes that clearly lean casual or formal.

Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images

Once popular in offices as a way to bridge comfort and professional attire, Kenger said the hybrid-style sneaker ultimately misses the mark.

“They’re kind of like a dress shoe on top and a sneaker on the bottom,” the stylist told BI. “They don’t really play a good role in either situation.”

Instead, he said many people are moving away from this in-between style and choosing shoes that clearly lean casual or formal.

Practical, creative styles are replacing sky-high heels.


A woman wearing high heels.

Lower heels are replacing sky-high styles.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

According to Tincher, as fashion shifts toward comfort and wearability, towering heels are becoming less common.

“Instead of sky-high heels, we’re seeing more block heels or heels with interesting shapes,” Tincher told BI.

The stylist said curved heels, in particular, are trending right now, because they keep the height more practical while still offering a fashionable aesthetic.

Stark-white sneakers are starting to lose their appeal.


A woman wearing a pair of white sneakers.

All-white sneakers are being replaced by beige and light-grey styles.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Although white sneakers will always be considered classic, Tincher said the bright-white look can feel limiting.

“I would consider updating a white sneaker to something off-white or with softer neutral tones, like ecru or light gray,” she told BI.

Plus, the softer shades make the shoes more versatile year-round, and are easier to style with a wider range of outfits.




Source link

The-home-design-trends-that-will-be-everywhere-in-2026-—.jpeg

The home-design trends that will be everywhere in 2026 — and what’s going out of style

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • Zillow analyzed millions of listings to identify the features that people are searching for most.
  • It identified seven design trends it predicts will be popular among homebuyers in 2026.
  • Buyers are obsessed with eco-friendly homes and vintage aesthetics.

Another year is on the way, and with it comes a fresh wave of home design trends. Zillow analyzed hundreds of design styles and home features across millions of for-sale listings in 2025, and identified the top emerging home trends for 2026.

“Listing descriptions are short, so every word counts,” said Zillow’s home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. “When we see a sharp increase in certain features being mentioned in listings on Zillow, whether it’s spa-inspired bathrooms or bespoke artisan craftsmanship, it’s a clear signal that these details are capturing buyers’ attention right now and hint at what’s next in home design.”

While some of 2025’s biggest home trends, such as eco-friendly homes and spa-style wellness amenities, will carry into 2026, new ones are also emerging.

Here are seven home trends to watch in 2026 according to Zillow, from the evolution of the “man cave” into immersive sports spaces, to the growing demand for cozy reading nooks.

1. Colorful homes are in, and white and gray are out.

Today’s homeowners prefer color over the beige and gray of the past.

hemul75/Getty Images

Millennial gray is so 2020. There’s a whole rainbow out there, and today’s homeowners want bold, vivid color in their homes.

Zillow found that “color drenching” will be one of the hottest interior design trends in 2026. That’s when the interior surfaces — from walls to floors and sometimes even the furniture — are all the same hue, typically a vibrant statement shade.

Mentions of the trend have increased by 149% since 2025, according to the company.

2. Buyers want eco-friendly homes that help lower their bills.


A man and a young child gaze at a home with solar panels on the roof.

A home with solar panels on the roof.

Halfpoint/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Zillow found that words like “sustainable” and “green” are appearing 21% more often in listings, suggesting that buyers are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly homes.

Eco-friendly homes do more than help the planet. They can also help homeowners save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by cutting energy use and, in turn, lowering utility bills.

Mentions of zero-energy-ready homes — which are built to minimize energy use and maximize renewable production with features like advanced insulation and high-performance windows — are up 70%.

Listings mentioning whole-home batteries, which store solar energy and provide backup power, are also up 40%, while references to electric-vehicle charging have climbed 25%.

3. Safety from natural disasters is a top priority.


Homes and cars are submerged in water after a flood.

A Florida neighborhood during a flood.

Bilanol/Getty Images

From the Palisades wildfires to the Texas Hill Country floods, this year’s natural disasters have claimed many lives and cost the US government and its citizens billions of dollars.

So it’s no surprise that many buyers are seeking homes that offer better protection during extreme weather conditions. According to Zillow, 64% more listings mention flood protection, and references to elevation in relation to flooding have increased by 26%.

Buyers are also increasingly worried about fire risk. Zillow data shows fire-safety features are appearing more often in listings, with mentions of defensible-space landscaping up 36% and fire-protection systems up 28%.

4. People don’t want to leave home for self-care.


A woman covered in a towel lies down in a sauna.

Saunas and cold plunges have become popular home-wellness amenities in recent years.

Oleg Breslavtsev/Getty Images

In a culture built on convenience, anything you can get at home quickly becomes something you expect at home.

Many homeowners have moved beyond standard home-wellness amenities, such as home gyms and basketball courts, and into upgrades like saunas and cold plunges — features once limited to luxury spas but now increasingly attainable through thoughtful home design.

Wellness is set to remain a key driver of home design in 2026. According to Zillow, mentions of wellness features in listings are up 33%, and spa-inspired elements are appearing 22% more often on the site.

5. Home libraries are also increasingly popular.


A reading nook, next to a bookshelf, and a couple of couches.

Cozy reading nooks are in demand with buyers.

Jennifer A Smith/Getty Images

News flash: reading is cool again.

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the chic home libraries that young, design-minded homeowners are putting together. Big or small, they tend to be cozy and highly Instagrammable.

Buyers are taking note as we head into next year. Zillow found that mentions of “reading nooks” are appearing 48% more often in its listings.

6. Buyers want homes with character.


A 1970s-styled home.

A 1970s-styled home.

Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

Buyers are increasingly moving away from generic, copy-and-paste interiors in favor of homes that reflect their personalities.

According to Zillow, mentions of vintage accents, whimsical details, and artisan craftsmanship are up 17%, 15%, and 21%, respectively.

7. The “man cave” is getting a makeover.


A man in front of a golf simulator.

The “man cave” is out — homeowners want amenities like golf simulators and pickleball courts instead.

Nadzeya Haroshka/Getty Images

The once-ubiquitous “man cave” is finally fading, with Zillow data showing mentions in listings down 10% from last year — but spouses shouldn’t celebrate just yet.

Buyers don’t just want a room to watch the game anymore; they want spaces that let them fully immerse themselves in their favorite sports.

Zillow found that golf simulators are appearing 25% more frequently in listings on its site, while mentions of pickleball courts are also up 25%. Even batting cages are becoming more popular, with references rising 18%.




Source link