Design Details Of The HGTV 2026 Dream Home We Are Loving

The 30th HGTV Dream Home is a beautiful retreat found in Charlotte, North Carolina, along the edge of Lake Wylie. The 3,2000-square-foot home sits on a peninsula offering peace and privacy. Inside, there are 3 beds and 3.5 bathrooms, as well as plenty of lounging, cooking, and working space to fit almost any family. To see a full walkthrough of what the home has to offer, designer Brian Patrick Flynn provides a tour on HGTV's YouTube channel.

Though there is a lot to enjoy about this house, some design details really pull everything together. The biggest draw is obviously the stunning lakeside view, and the designer kept it in mind with every part of the home. Outside, materials and color choices were chosen to help allow an unobstructed view, and to have it blend in with the water. There was an obvious effort to bring in unique pieces that are sure to charm, but not take away from the stunning location. For example, the custom outdoor table has a unique pattern, but also highlights the glittering of the sun on the waves. 

Additionally, rooms in the home that overlook the water are made to be less flashy. Though they offer plenty of texture and charm, such as beautiful rugs and rustic brick, most of the color choices in those spaces are more neutral. Not only does this add a sort of timeless charm, but it also helps to draw the eye through the windows and to the stunning expanse beyond.

While the design centered around the lake is beautiful, you may worry that the other aspects of the home have been somewhat neglected. However, for this design, every detail was considered with care. Where there isn't a focus on the water outside, the designer grew bolder in color and design choices. Instead of warm grays and browns, shades of reds, blues, and greens were brought in. For example, the pantry and storage area are a beautiful green. Though it could still be classified as a more neutral color, it offers a bright burst of vitality and energy that might otherwise be missing.

Despite the color shift, the room doesn't feel separated from the rest of the kitchen. Decor pieces and the furniture choices help tie it back to the main area. This is seen all over the house, in fact. The dining room makes its own statement with partially paneled walls, a stunning clay color, and decorative pieces.

Upstairs, the rooms feature shades of orange, red, and green, making each one distinct from the others and fitting the themes of the spaces. There are also bright areas of color in the bathrooms and hallway to help to better unite the entire design. The addition of classic home decor trends that stand the test of time, like wicker baskets, timeless patterns, and neutral colors, helps to ensure this home is stunning for years to come.

While this house looks incredibly beautiful and elegant, the design feature that stood out the most during the walkthrough was the level of thought the designer put into making this house actually functional. With other impressive homes, the space feels more staged and like an art piece rather than an actual livable area. Thankfully, that wasn't the case with this HGTV Dream Home.

The furniture, both inside and outside, has a cozy element to it that makes you almost eager to curl up and relax. Additionally, there were a lot of practical features, such as a grocery door in the pantry, and areas with a lot of hidden storage. One of the most impressive spaces, though, was the laundry lounge. This space was designed with hobbies and function in mind, like the once-popular old-school room that deserves a comeback – a sewing room. Having a space you can work, focus on hobbies, and get laundry done at the same time can help keep you focused and productive throughout the day.

The designer even broke some of the "rules" of design, such as where furniture goes on area rugs, which is generally that you want things centered. However, in the morning room, the designer chose to offset some pieces to add both form and function. The layout also accounts for foot traffic, so that nothing is blocking the entrance to the doorway leading outside.