HOME RENO AWARDS

After six months of rigorous lab and field tests, experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab are sharing our 2026 winners!

- DAN DICLERICO

Kitchen & Bath

Chic Countertops

GH's design team adores this four-color engineered stone collection from Cosentino, in a medley of natural hues with metallic accents and subtle veining. The low-maintenance surface doesn't need to be sealed to retain its beauty.

LAB RESULTS: The nonporous countertop repelled tough stains like grape juice and mustard. Our health experts like that it contains less than 10% crystalline silica, which produces a hazardous dust during fabrication.

COSENTINO LE CHIC BOHÈME BY SILESTONE XM, PRICING BY REQUEST

Durable Paint Line

Walls, cabinets, and other kitchen surfaces call for a hard-wearing paint with a smooth finish. Behr's Dynasty line of interior paints repels stains, resists scuffing, and has low chemical emissions.

LAB RESULTS: Dynasty posted the top score in our abrasion test, which involves hundreds of passes with fine-grit sandpaper, simulating years of abuse. The paint also fended off oil and tomato sauce, and our experts liked its even coverage and fast drying.

BEHR DYNASTY INTERIOR PAINT, FROM $61 PER GALLON

Waterproof Wood Floors

Densified hardwood, including Timber Legends from Robbins, is the latest innovation in engineered wood floors. Made from natural hardwood subjected to intense heat and pressure rather than treated with chemicals, it delivers waterproof protection.