The Eco-Friendly Home Trend Coming In 2026 That Greatly Reduces Your Water Usage

In 2025, 46 out of the 50 U.S. states have experienced some degree of drought. Slowly but surely, people are rethinking what their priorities are when it comes to water. Eco-friendly grass alternatives for yards, shortened shower times, and remembering to turn off the water during tooth brushing is back in vogue. Sustainability in general is looking hot for 2026, and in particular, WaterSense fixtures are on trend forecasters' radar. According to Realtor.com, WaterSense features showed up in almost 300% more listings in 2025 than they did in the previous year. WaterSense is an EPA-run certification program that awards its label to highly efficient water-oriented devices. Homeowners looking to green up their abodes have a wide array of faucets, toilets, showerheads, and sprinkler systems to choose from to save water in the bathroom, kitchen, and yard.

We can't live long at all without fresh water, but even the least ecologically-minded among us can't argue with home features that save  money. On average, American households can save $130 annually on water bills by switching to WaterSense-certified toilets alone. With homeowners in the U.S. spending an average of $1,000 per year on water, installing WaterSense (along with Energy Star appliances) can trim water waste — along with costs — by 20%. Although further certification is on hold, scores of products already bearing the label are available for you to choose from.

While water is arguably one of the most important resources worth protecting, other environmental considerations are at the forefront of home upgrades for the coming year, as well. Environmentally-friendly home improvement trends are centered around high-quality, recycled, and sustainable materials that cut down on waste. Even aesthetics are gravitating toward sustainability with biophilic design keeping our minds on all things natural and low-impact.

Realtor.com has noticed space-wasting features like wine cellars and three-car garages are becoming less desirable, and a shift toward efficiency and sustainability are taking their place. The China-based company Aquacubic has even predicted that home upgrades that are certified as eco-friendly will be a major selling point in 2026. Unlike aesthetic home trends, which are subjective and typically short-lived, sustainability benefits everyone and doesn't go out of style. Whether homeowners are moved by the threatening reality of climate change, or a steep price increase in utility bills, most are gravitating towards more environmentally-sound products and practices for the coming year.