Home Depot Rockville Design Center, One of Three, Permanently Closes

The Home Depot Design Center at 12087 Rockville Pike in Montrose Crossing closed permanently, with its last effective day reported as January 13, 2026. The Rockville storefront was one of only three Design Centers in the United States and operated as an upscale, two-floor showroom focused on luxury kitchen and bath fixtures and appliances since it opened in September 2020.

The closure trims a niche element of Home Depot’s retail footprint that catered to higher-end remodels and professional customers seeking in-person design consultations. At the time the shutdown was reported on January 16, the Rockville listing still appeared on HomeDepot.com but redirected users to the company homepage, suggesting an administrative wind-down of online scheduling and location services tied to the showroom.

For workers at the Rockville site, the immediate impact centers on specialized roles such as design consultants, showroom associates, and customer service staff who handled appointments and project coordination. Those employees filled functions distinct from typical store associates, including trade-facing sales and detailed design work with fixtures and appliances. The loss of a local Design Center reduces in-person opportunities for customers to meet with design staff and for associates to generate higher-margin project business tied to luxury goods.

The broader implications for Home Depot’s workforce depend on corporate decisions that have not been publicly disclosed. Employers in retail operations commonly pursue a mix of reassignments, transfers to nearby store locations, or layoffs when specialty locations close. For contractors, suppliers, and local installers who relied on the Rockville showroom for lead generation and product selection, the closure removes a nearby referral hub and may shift business toward standard Home Depot stores or digital channels.

The Rockville site opened in September 2020 as part of a small experiment in upscale, design-forward retailing. Its shuttering may prompt questions about the company’s strategy for high-end showrooms and how Home Depot balances in-person design services with online sales and traditional big-box locations. Customers who had appointments or ongoing projects tied to the Rockville Design Center should check HomeDepot.com or contact Home Depot customer support for guidance on rescheduling or transferring services.

For associates and managers affected by the closure, the next steps will be key: monitor internal communications, consult HR for information about transfers or severance, and update clients and contractors about service changes. For workers and customers alike, the closure is a reminder that specialized retail formats can be especially vulnerable to shifts in corporate strategy and local demand. Measure twice and plan the next move carefully.