--- title: What We Brought Home From the 2026 HomeShowExpo description: The Skogman Homes team toured the 2026 HomeShowExpo in Des Moines. See our favorite design trends, custom features, and ideas we're bringing back to Eastern Iowa. image: https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hubfs/1-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-1919-PM.png --- [![skogman-logo](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/skogman-logo.png?width=176&height=51&name=skogman-logo.png "skogman-logo")](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/) ##### Navigation - Find Your Home - [Cedar Falls & Waterloo](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/new-homes/iowa/cedar-falls-waterloo) - [Cedar Rapids Metro](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/new-homes/iowa/cedar-rapids-metro) - [Independence](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/new-homes/iowa/independence) - Why Skogman - [Our Process](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/our-process) - [Built For You](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/built-for-you) - [Testimonials](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/testimonials) - [10 Year Warranty](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/ten-year-warranty) - [Vendors & Trade Partners](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/vendors-and-trade-partners) - [Home Trade Program](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/home-trade-program) - [Energy Advantage](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/energy-advantage) - Who We Are - [Our History](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/our-history) - [Our Team](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/our-team) - Homebuyers - [Financing](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/financing) - [Refer a Friend](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/refer-a-friend) - [Homeowner Maintenance](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/homeowner-maintenance) - [Blog](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/?__hstc=12939688.ead009bfd76f7b6f259567ae975dd849.1760380931721.1761325345428.1761328525749.10&__hssc=12939688.1.1761328525749&__hsfp=292221219) - [Warranty Requests](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/warranty) - Our Homes - [Our Plans](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/plans) - [Image Gallery](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/image-gallery) - Contact - [Contact Us](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/contact-us) - [Land For Sale](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/land-for-sale) - [Realtors](https://www.skogmanhomes.com/realtors) Contact - Contact Us - Land For Sale - Realtors ![](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hubfs/Parade%20of%20Homes%20Blog%20Photos%20(2).png) Blog # What We Brought Home From the 2026 HomeShowExpo **Posted on:** Oct 12, 2026 Every so often, our team hits the road to see what other builders are doing. This September we headed west for the HBA of Greater Des Moines 2026 HomeShowExpo to tour new homes, trade ideas, and see which trends homeowners are loving right now. We came home with full camera rolls and a long list of ideas. Below are the designs, details, and custom touches that caught our eye, but first:   ## Why We Tour Other Markets We've built more than 12,000 homes over 75+ years, and we're still learning. Walking through homes in another market helps us spot new ideas early and think about how they could work for families in Eastern Iowa. We pay attention to the big design moments, but also the small details that make a home easier to live in. It's one more way we keep our semi-custom plans fresh and give our buyers more options to make their home their own. ## Design Trends That Caught Our Eye ### 1. Wallpaper Is Back Wallpaper showed up all over the HomeShowExpo, and it wasn't your grandma's floral. We saw bold prints in powder rooms, subtle textures in laundry rooms, and playful patterns in kids' spaces. A single accent wall or small room is an easy way to add personality without committing a whole house to one look. ![1-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-1919-PM](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-1919-PM.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=1-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-1919-PM.png) ### 2. Moody Colors and Rich Textures Bright white walls are making room for deeper, richer shades. Forest green, navy, chocolate brown, and maroon showed up in offices, dining rooms, and powder rooms. Some homes even took it a step further by color drenching, painting the walls, trim, and ceiling all the same shade for a bold, wrapped-in-color look. ![2-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-1999-PM](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-1999-PM.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=2-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-1999-PM.png) ### 3. Tile With Personality Some of the best tile we saw was right under our feet. Patterned tile and mixed shapes turned mudrooms, laundry rooms, and bathrooms into statement spaces. Backsplashes and fireplace surrounds kept up too, with zellige and fluted tile adding extra texture. ![3-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-0338-PM](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-0338-PM.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=3-Sep-24-2026-07-21-46-0338-PM.png) ### 4. Checkered Patterns are Still Going Strong Checkerboard isn't going anywhere. We spotted checkered floors and tile in mudrooms, laundry rooms, and bathrooms throughout the HomeShowExpo. Softer color pairings like cream and tan or sage and white keep the look timeless instead of loud. ![4-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-0696-PM](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-0696-PM.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=4-Sep-24-2026-07-21-48-0696-PM.png) ### 5. A Return to Traditional Design Many homes leaned into classic details: paneled walls, arched doorways, crown molding, and furniture-style cabinetry. It's a warm, lived-in look that feels like it was built to last. ![Parade of Homes Blog Photos](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Parade%20of%20Homes%20Blog%20Photos.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Parade%20of%20Homes%20Blog%20Photos.png) ### 6. Warm Wood Tones Gray floors and cabinets are fading out. Warm woods like white oak and walnut are taking over on floors, cabinets, beams, and ceilings. Wood adds warmth and pairs well with both moody and light color palettes. ![6-1](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6-1.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=6-1.png) ### 7. Recreation Spaces Homes are being built for fun. We toured basements with home theaters, golf simulators, game rooms, bars, and more. These spaces give families a reason to stay home and a great place to host. ![7-4](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/7-4.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=7-4.png) ### Custom Pieces We Loved Some of our favorite moments at the HomeShowExpo came from the small details that make a home work for the people living in it. **Built-in robot vacuum stations.** A hidden nook under the cabinets or stairs gives the robot vacuum its own home. It charges out of sight and rolls out when it's time to clean. **Dog bowl filling station.** A pot filler over a built-in pet feeding area makes mealtime easy and keeps bowls off the floor. Pair it with a pull-out food drawer and your pup's corner is complete. **Built-in shelving.** Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and built-in display nooks made rooms feel finished and personal. It's storage that doubles as a design feature. ![Parade of Homes Blog Photos (1)](https://blog.skogmanhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Parade%20of%20Homes%20Blog%20Photos%20(1).png?width=1920&height=1080&name=Parade%20of%20Homes%20Blog%20Photos%20(1).png) ### Ideas We’re Bringing Back to Eastern Iowa Good news: you don't have to drive to Des Moines to get the look. Our semi-custom plans already include options like warm wood cabinetry, built-in shelving, and statement tile. And there's more on the way, from water bottle stations and archways to hidden storage and the latest color palettes.   ### Make These Ideas Part of Your Home A big thank you to the HBA of Greater Des Moines and all the builders who opened their doors for the 2026 HomeShowExpo. We left inspired and can't wait to put some of these ideas to work. With a semi-custom Skogman home, you can personalize your finishes, layout, and features to fit the way you live. Want warm wood cabinets, a moody accent wall, or a custom spot for your dog's dinner? Our team will walk you through your options, help you make selections, and bring your ideas to life in a home built just for you. 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