Every year brings a new wave of trends in home design, DIY, and renovation shaped by shifting lifestyles, changing climates, and rising living costs. And as we head into 2026, one theme stands out above all others: resilience.
From energy instability to water scarcity and unpredictable weather patterns, South Africans are facing new pressures at home. This is driving a fundamental shift in the way people renovate, maintain, and upgrade their properties. What was once considered niche energy efficiency, water-saving systems, and smart automation is now becoming mainstream.
According to Orlando Luis, CEO of Brights Hardware, resilient renovations are no longer a “nice-to-have” but an essential part of responsible homeownership. “People are renovating not just to refresh a space, but to prepare for the future. They want homes that cost less to run, can handle extreme weather, and offer greater independence from rising energy and water costs.”
Solar and Backup Power for Daily Use, Not Just Emergencies
With electricity prices continuing to rise, 2026 will see more South Africans shift from reactive load-shedding solutions to long-term, strategic energy upgrades. The focus is moving from “coping in a crisis” to reducing monthly bills and stabilising household energy use.
Solar adoption continues to grow as households install systems to reduce reliance on municipal supply and generate their own clean energy during the day. Smaller rooftop setups and entry-level solar options remain popular because they quickly cut monthly electricity costs.
Backup power remains a key renovation priority, from rechargeable bulbs and portable power stations to inverter-and-battery setups and hybrid solar systems. These systems aren’t about prepping for outages anymore; they’re about cost control, continuity, and comfort.
Whether someone starts small or invests in a full system, the goal is predictable, reliable energy, not just surviving load shedding. To keep pace with this shift, new-to-market innovations are emerging, such as compact modular backup-power stations that can be expanded over time, smart plugs that track real-time energy use, and micro-inverter solar kits designed for smaller spaces or balconies. These innovations make energy resilience more accessible, even for households taking their first steps into solar.
Water-Wise Living: Harvesting, Recycling & Reducing
Water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall are no longer a seasonal challenge; it’s a long-term reality shaping how South Africans renovate. And, in 2026, homeowners will continue to adopt systems that reduce pressure on municipal supply and improve household water security.
Rainwater harvesting remains one of the most effective ways to reduce reliance on municipal water. A water tank connected to a gutter downpipe can supply water for irrigation, laundry, toilet flushing, pool top-ups, and more, with systems scaled to suit any home, from small slimline tanks to larger capacity installations that can be interconnected.
Another trend that will continue into 2026 is greywater recycling. Greywater systems divert water from baths, showers, and washing machines into the garden, saving up to 200–300 litres per day. Many modern greywater solutions are now compact, easy to install, and ideal for suburban homes, and are an ideal way to reuse water that would otherwise end up flushed into the water treatment facilities.
Water-use reduction will also continue to remain top of mind in the new year, with low-flow showerheads, tap restrictors, and dual-flush conversions ranking among the highest-impact DIY upgrades, delivering savings without compromising comfort.
“To support the growing demand for water security, innovative new products are entering the market,” advises Luis, “including clip-on low-flow shower modules, compact greywater diverter pods for smaller homes, touchless tap-sensor adapters that prevent wastage, and micro inline water filters for safe use of harvested rainwater. These align perfectly with 2026’s continued push toward practical, everyday water stewardship.”
Climate-Adaptive Building: Weatherproofing, Protection & Durability
With hotter summers, heavier storms, and stronger winds becoming part of South Africa’s climate reality, homeowners will continue taking bolder steps to protect their properties. Waterproof coatings, roof maintenance, gutter repairs, and sealing external cracks are fast becoming non-negotiables. Added to this are improved insulation, reflective paints, and passive ventilation strategies, which help stabilise indoor temperatures and reduce heavy reliance on fans and air conditioners during heatwaves.
In high-risk areas, fire-resistant roofing, cladding, and coatings are gaining traction among homeowners wanting long-term protection and will continue to grow in popularity. To manage the increased risk of flooding that we are seeing in many places, non-return valves, improved drainage, strategic landscaping, and raised electrical points help protect homes during severe rain events.
People are renovating with climate adaptation at the forefront of their minds. They want homes that can cope with heat, storms, or strong winds, and that means building with durability as a priority. To keep pace with rising climate volatility, manufacturers are developing clever home-protection solutions such as smart leak-detection sensors, weather-responsive roof vents that adjust based on heat and humidity, and heat-activated fire-resistant coatings that expand to protect exterior surfaces, all of which strengthen the overall resilience of the home.
Smart Homes as the New Standard
What began as a tech trend is becoming an expectation. In 2026, smart home adoption will accelerate as homeowners embrace devices that save energy, enhance security, and streamline daily life. Motion-sensor lights, programmable switches, smart plugs, and Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs are becoming everyday staples, offering convenience, savings, and improved safety.
Homeowners will also increasingly adopt monitoring devices to track water and electricity consumption patterns and identify waste. Affordable plug-and-play wireless security sensors and app-based cameras will also continue to grow as part of a broader shift toward accessible, DIY-friendly protection. Smart homes are no longer reserved for tech lovers.
They’re becoming one of the easiest ways to save energy, increase comfort, and modernise a home, and the entry-level options are very easy to use. In line with this trend, innovations include multi-device automation hubs, AI-driven routines that learn household behaviour, and wireless sensors that track everything from door activity to water usage. These tools make smart, efficient living accessible across a wide range of budgets.
Outdoor & Garden Resilience
Outdoor spaces remain central to South African living, and will see a growth in upgrades that make these areas more climate-ready and low-maintenance. Weather-ready entertainment areas using durable materials, shade structures, and outdoor cooking zones will grow in popularity as homeowners create versatile spaces that can handle heat, wind, and rain.
Water-wise gardens will also continue to dominate, with indigenous planting, mulching, vertical gardening, and efficient irrigation systems remaining top trends as people shift toward low-water landscaping. Innovations to meet this trend include brightness-calibrating solar pathway lights, smart soil-moisture sensors that prevent overwatering, and modular vertical garden systems with built-in drip irrigation ideal for water-wise, low-maintenance gardens.
2026: The Year Homes Become Smarter, Tougher & More Cost-Efficient
Across all these trends, one thing is clear: homeowners are prioritising renovations that deliver long-term resilience, reduce monthly costs, and increase quality of life. 2026 is the year of future-proofing. Homeowners are making intentional, sensible choices that pay off over time, upgrades that create homes that are efficient, comfortable, and ready for whatever lies ahead.
If you’re looking for reliable contractors, pop into your nearest Brights store to learn more about our new Trade Plus service, a regional directory linking you with trusted service providers who can assist with virtually any home project, big or small.
