BY RAJI DAOU, CEO, DMDC
It was believed for many years that improvements would raise the value of a house. When it comes to home improvements, living is the most important factor to consider in the present day, and particularly in the next year. Rich households are no longer interested in acquiring essential things; rather, they are looking for game-like environments that are beneficial to their health, work, and family life.
The most recent sales figures point to a change. According to Dubai Land Department, commercial real estate transactions reached a total of over 326 billion dirhams during the first half of 2025, representing a 39% increase from the previous year. The fact that sales had surpassed AED 559.4 billion by October 2025 is evidence of the confidence that the city’s real estate market exhibits.
Not all of this increase may be attributed to more risky investments. Demand is being driven far more than ever before by end-user goals such as community, culture, and utility.
Wellness is the new luxury
We believe that designs that are centered on health will be the most popular trend in the year 2026. For example, you may have private gyms that are designed to encourage healthy living, biophilic elements that bring nature inside, and restrooms that have the appearance of being part of a spa. These things are particularly vital in Dubai, where the climate and the quick pace of life make interior spaces very important. Therefore, these items are quite important.
I am often asked why health is such a significant factor in design in this day and age. If you want to know the answer to this question, it is simple: people desire houses that not only look nice but also make them feel better.
The proximity of everything, such as a swimming pool and a fitness center, a space for meditation, or play areas for children, may be of great assistance in a number of situations. Finding the optimal equilibrium between these characteristics without compromising either the quality or the appearance is the art. When health design is executed well, it increases the value of a house in terms of both its mental and financial worth.
These days, houses are comprised of more than simply a place to reside. As time goes on, they are increasingly resembling a synergy of work, play, and social areas. When living in a city like Dubai, it is really beneficial to be able to host, work, and relax all via the same location.
With everything from home offices that are outfitted with smart technology to entertainment zones that can also be utilized as locations for the whole family to gather together, the emphasis is placed on adaptability across the board.
Future-proofing for generational living
Renovating so that people of all ages can live together might be the most important trend that no one is talking about. In Dubai, families want homes that can adapt to their needs. For example, they might want a home that can fit older parents, kids who are growing up, or families with people of different ages.
It is possible for houses to keep their high-end look while also making them easier to get to and more helpful.
Renovating high-end homes in a way that takes into account the needs of different groups (open floor plans, easy design, and built-in features) is the best way to make them future-proof. I really believe that this is where real worth lies: not in the size or finish of the space, but in how it can change as the people who live there do.
It’s clear that fancy homes in Dubai are worth more than ever. But what 2026 is really about is how they will feel. Renovations aren’t just done to make homes worth more; they’re also done to make places that are good for health, work, and family life.
This dream should come true if the right company does everything right. It shouldn’t look weird for a fancy house to have a sauna or gym. A room for meditation should look and feel as classy as a living room, and play places for kids should match the style of the rest of the house.
Real luxury is this mix between style and comfort.
Dubai keeps getting buyers from all over the world and setting new records for real estate deals. Homes that are built with this in mind will stand out.
It won’t just be another year of rising prices in 2026. At that point, people who own expensive homes will find them more useful and significant in their lives.
