The Ideas Defining Home Renovations Today, According to Top Architects

Top architects Michael K. Chen and Elizabeth Graziolo go behind the designs of their latest projects—from vision to executionPresented by MieleEvery great home renovation comes down to a handful of defining decisions. From planning and materials to kitchens and technology, our Home Renovation Report 2026 reveals that residential renovations are more intentional than ever, focused on longevity design, healthy materials, and future-proofed layouts that allow clients to live in their beloved homes longer.Continuing the conversation at AD PRO Design Dialogues, Senior Editor Catherine Hong sat down with top architects Michael K. Chen of MKCA and Elizabeth Graziolo of Yellow House Architects, as well as Miele Director of A&D Development Briana Ryan on the choices that shape extraordinary homes, becoming the work clients remember, editors notice, and firms become known for.Read MorePsst! AD Insiders Share How to Shoot and Pitch ProjectsPhotographer Stephen Kent Johnson and AD editors Mayer Rus, Bebe Howorth, and Michael Shome reveal best practices for pitching projects to AD and other publicationsInside AD PRO Design Dialogues, Our 2026 Industry SummitTop creatives and industry leaders gathered at AD’s headquarters in New York for a day of inspiration, connection, and community at AD PRO’s inaugural design summitKelly Wearstler on What It Takes to Be a Creative Entrepreneur TodayKelly Wearstler has spent her career expanding our idea of what an interior designer can be. Now, the AD100 Hall of Fame talent shares her secrets to successAD PRO’s Home Renovation Report 2026Breathing new life into a home takes more than vision—it takes the right decisions at every turn. From historic preservation to climate-proofing to aging in place, AD PRO breaks down the planning, materials, and technologies behind today’s most thoughtful renovations.Designers Are Rethinking These 8 Home Renovation IdeasLeading architects and designers reveal their home remodel no-gos—and what they suggest instead10 AD-Approved Millworkers to Perfect Your Next Project’s Built-InsDesign pros trust these industry favorites add finesse, function, and flexibility to any home interiorClients Want to Age in Place. These 8 Innovations Let Them Do So BeautifullyRenovating a home so clients can stay in the place they love is one of the most meaningful projects a designer can take on. Here, experts share eight thoughtful ways to prepare homeowners for the years aheadAD PRO’s Outdoor Design Forecast 2026Because backyard design deserves a personal touch, AD PRO dives into the newest amenities, layouts, materials, and products for customized indoor-outdoor living11 AD-Approved Architectural Lighting Designers to Make Your Next Project GlowLighting specialists are the not-so-secret weapons of top architects and interior decorators—and these luminaries are the industry darlingsAD PRO LIVE: The Outdoor Design Forecast 2026Hear what’s next in outdoor design—straight from the prosIs the Open Floor Plan Really Dead?New demands on our homes—more multiuse than ever—have increased the desire for separation, but connected living is still very much in playThe Dirty Kitchen Is Still in Demand—Here’s How to Get It RightPros with deep experience designing the popular workhorse spaces share best practices