Big Changes Are Coming To Home Depot In 2026

Home Depot is looking to make some significant changes and additions to its stores in 2026, which come, at least in part, because of lower-than-expected profits for the company. According to CNBC, this is the third quarter in a row where sales have fallen short of expectations, thanks to fewer homeowners shopping at Home Depot in 2025. However, the company leaders are making several changes in the hopes of bringing in more customers and adjusting to the ever-changing needs of the market.

These are some big changes, and they encompass several different areas related to how the company operates. Though the savvy shopping secrets DIYers should know about Home Depot are always worth taking time to learn, understanding these new changes may be even more important. Some of them are ones customers will likely not notice as much, such as the layoff of 800 employees, a push for workers to return to the office, and cutbacks to distribution centers and the supply chain. However, many of Home Depot's changes will be much more obvious. Additions of AI, a focus on professional features, food, and an upgraded smart home system are also in the company's future.

One of the changes for 2026 is a new round of smart products under the Home Depot Hubspace 2.0. These are designed to create an even smoother integration of smart homes. For example, previously, turning off a physical light switch would also end the connection to your home lights, rendering any features useless. However, instead of completely cutting power, new light switches and dimmers command the lights to turn off, retaining the use of all your smart features when needed.

In addition to smarter switches, Hubspace 2.0 also includes numerous features to make life easier. For example, "Vacation Mode" helps to keep your home safe, even when you aren't there, by turning on lights and smart plugs in ever-changing cycles so it always looks like someone is there. Another feature — "Circadian Lighting" — adjusts the temperatures of the light throughout the day, going from cool tones in the middle of the day to warmer and more relaxing ones in the evening as you're looking to wind down. There are also some features to help you create a softer space and make better adjustments. 

Down the line, Hubspace 2.0 will incorporate more smart features and tools outside of lighting. This may include locks, thermostats, and timers for hoses. Security will be a big area, as Home Depot is collaborating with Kwikset, a company known for its residential security tools. 

Perhaps one of the most surprising additions in 2026 is the partnership with Wahlburgers. Known as a casual burger restaurant and chain owned by actors Donnie and Mark Wahlberg, as well as their chef brother, Paul Wahlberg, this food company is looking to make an upgrade in 2026, and Home Depot is jumping on the offer. 

Together, the companies created the idea of trailers that will sit outside of several Home Depot locations and offer limited menu options, including a series of breakfast choices, shakes, Our Burger, Smashburger, BBQ Road Burger, and the Crispy Chicken Ranch. Currently, three Home Depot locations in Florida are already touting Wahlbuger food trucks. In 2026, it's looking like more stores across the country will start to add them, though it is unclear at the time of writing how many and which stores are to be included in the first wave.

Home Depot hopes that adding food close by will help to improve experiences for shoppers. At many locations, there are already food stalls, but these are simpler options, usually just offering hot dogs. By bringing in a more famous chain, there is hope that the combination will benefit both companies, though it is considered a nontraditional growth choice. 

Some of the features target professionals with a lot of work ahead of them. In 2025, Home Depot acquired GMS Inc., which will be fully integrated in early 2026. This change focuses on assisting more professional builders. With homeowners and DIYers slowing down in their purchases, focusing on professionals can help them secure a footing in the professional contractor market. Home Depot is also launching a new AI to help people figure out what items they need for a project more easily. Called Material List Builder AI, this is meant to create a roster of tools and products needed in minutes. There are templates to help people get started, as well as options for customers to create lists from voice-to-text, using normal language, and by uploading files. 

This update is targeted at professionals and is available free to anyone with a Pro Xtra membership. Though these perks are labeled as for professionals, depending on the size of the work you need done, you may be able to sign up for some pro perks and get the benefits above. It's something Home Depot employees won't tell you, but sometimes, a professional account can be more beneficial to a DIYer.