Utah Valley Parade 2026 Review

The Utah Valley Parade just closed last weekend, and Lighting Design had the opportunity to attend. Every home was beautiful and put together so well. There were many homes with similar styling and trends, and we, of course, had some favorites. Keep reading to find out our thoughts on all the home tours we took. 

Trends We Saw in the Parade

Here are some home trends we saw across many of the Utah Valley Parade homes. 

More rooms/spaces for crafting, homework, etc.

This one probably surprised us the most. Many homes had spaces where you typically don't see extra rooms. These rooms were clearly meant for something such as crafting or a place for homework to be done. Typically, you would see a table with chairs around it or even individual built-in desks. In one particular craft room, it had a built-in sewing area with a center island. People are looking for ways to use the extra space in their homes. 

Soft traditional

Now this is a perfect term to describe what Lighting Design saw in the parade homes. Homeowners across the nation are turning toward more cozy and traditional aesthetics for their homes, and Utah homeowners are no exception. Soft traditional is a modern take on classic traditional interior design with added modern elements. Usually, things like architecture, lighting, or furniture will have the timeless shapes we have come to know and love. But then the traditional is softened with neutral colors, clean lines, or feminine styling. 

Wallpaper

Wallpaper was in every single home in the parade. If it wasn't in a main living area, there was at least wallpaper present in a bathroom or a secondary bedroom. And often, the wallpaper had floral designs, with rich blues, greens, or reds to highlight the walls. Wallpaper has been trending for a couple of years now, and 2026 confirmed it is here to stay. 

Copper exterior lanterns 

When you work in lighting, the first thing you notice about homes is the lighting. Almost every house we pulled up to had copper outdoor lights and matching copper gutters. The majority of the copper lanterns were made by Coppersmith Lighting. It's easy to see why when you look at the craftsmanship and attention to detail these lanterns have. The lanterns are available in both electric and gas, so you can decide what aesthetic you wish to have. 

European-inspired tile and lighting 

We saw some of the most unique lighting throughout the Parade. A lot of the light fixtures were sourced through European lighting brands or European-inspired styles. These ranged from chandeliers to pendants, picture lighting, and even sconces. 

Additionally, European-inspired tiling was found in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. The tiles were often characterized by a floral pattern and an off-white background with a square shape. 

Our Favorite Homes

In no particular order, here are a few of our favorite homes we visited in the 2026 Utah Valley Parade. 

Avonlea Manor Home No. 14

This home felt like it was built to stand the tests of time. The design and decor were made to be classic and have architecture and decor that never go out of style. The clean lines, wall, and crown moulding present a classic charm. 

Mapleton Manor Home No. 29

Mapleton Manor was built by Wilson Built Construction. They are new builder to the seen and this was their first home. We were shocked at the attention to detail that sometimes even seasoned builders miss. The home had a modern and clean interior design. Lighting was provided by our very own Ashley Williams of Lighting Design. 

Oxford Road Estate Home No. 23

Standing at over 26,000 square feet, the Oxford Road Estate Home is not a home you can miss. Every detail in this home was thoughtfully planned and executed. Designed by Shea McGee of Studio McGee, this home had everything. From an outdoor amphitheater to an indoor court that changes graphics to fit the sport you want to play. 

Maison Claire Home No. 9

Last, but certainly not least, is the Maison Claire from E Builders. Designed by Hansen Design Firm, this home is the quintessential modern, luxury, European-inspired home. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, this year's Utah Valley Parade was an absolutely stunning display of thoughtful design and build. Home design is returning to a more cozy and personal style. We can't wait to see what next year's Parade brings!