Houzz identified the top emerging home design trends based on the latest search insights* from its community of U.S. homeowners, design enthusiasts and home professionals. The trends reflect a desire to evoke a sense of calm through organic modern design, Japanese influences, wellness features and reading rooms. Yet, some homeowners are seeking to make a bold statement with dark and moody interiors. This summer, Houzz is also recognizing a growing interest in creating dedicated spaces for leisure activities that suit adults and kids, alike.
Organic Modern Style
Organic modern design elements form a balanced mix of sleek lines and crisp white or neutral-colored surfaces, contrasted with natural forms and materials. With searches on Houzz for “organic modern bedroom” jumping nearly 3.5 times year-over-year, homeowners may be looking for a soft place to land at the end of a long day. But that’s not the only area of the home well-suited for this style. “Organic modern” searches have also grown over the past year for dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms.
Dark and Moody
In contrast, dark and moody decor is also gaining popularity, with searches for “moody living room” and “moody kitchen” more than doubling compared to the same period in 2023. This is likely a reaction to the bright whites and light grays that have dominated interiors in recent years. We see designers on Houzz use dark and moody colors to help make spaces feel cozy and intimate, or bold and dramatic. For example, layers of rich browns and dark reds can create a warm atmosphere in a “moody bedroom,” for which searches are up by 85% year over year. A dash of darkness can also bring about the desired effect. Searches for “dark ceiling” have reached new heights, up 60% compared with the same period last year.
Reading Rooms
“Dark academia” went viral in recent years, describing a scholarly subculture dedicated to reading, writing and learning. Initially tied to fashion, the trend has moved into the home with searches on Houzz jumping 3 times in the first quarter of this year, compared with Q1 2023. Searches for the British-style “snug” also grew 2.5 times, as homeowners may be looking to wall off a cozy area for reading or solitary relaxation. With searches climbing for terms like “library wall,” “reading corner” and “book nook,” it seems that many homeowners will have the perfect space to check off their reading lists this summer.
Japanese Influence
Japanese design, which embraces simplicity, natural elements and harmonious living spaces, is experiencing a resurgence, reflected in notable increases for searches related to kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. Searches for “Japandi living room,” a term which relates to a hybrid design style that merges Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality, have risen 48%. Two Japanese design aesthetics often associated with presenting the home as a sanctuary — "wabi-sabi" and “zen garden” — have also seen growth in searches on Houzz (up 44% and 22%, respectively).
Wellness
Wellness features continue to surface in trending searches on Houzz, with “cold plunge,” “indoor sauna,” “home spa” and “backyard sauna” all rising in the first quarter of the year, compared with Q1 2023. Homeowners are also finding professionals on Houzz to help bring in more natural light, which is important for maintaining the body’s intrinsic rhythm, with searches increasing for “large windows” and “skylights.”
Leisure Spaces
There is growing interest in creating leisure spaces within the home, as reflected in recent search trends on Houzz. “Listening room” searches have more than doubled, and searches for “living room pianos” have increased by 39%, indicating a desire for dedicated areas to enjoy high-quality music experiences. Outdoor leisure activities are also gaining traction, with searches for “bocce court” up by 23%, and indoor recreational spaces are gaining traction with searches for “bowling alley” and “game room" up 18% and 16%, respectively.
Kid Zones
Creating spaces for kids to express their personality and feel ownership within the home is growing in importance for homeowners, according to trending search data. From “race car bed” and “Jack-and-Jill bathroom” to “teen lounge” and “kids gaming bedroom,” which have all jumped in search traffic compared with the previous year, parents are turning to Houzz for inspiration as they think through new ways to meet their children’s changing needs.
*Source: Data reflects year-over-year growth in U.S.-based searches on Houzz from January-March 2024 versus January-March 2023.
