One lesson we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was the importance of creating a home that’s stylish, functional, and comfortable enough that we wouldn’t mind being there 24 hours a day if necessary. To a certain extent, there was also a shift from focusing on what’s best for resale value and more of an emphasis on design choices that reflect personal style.
In the years following the pandemic, we’ve seen impressive demonstrations of creativity, especially during the summer months. Houzz recently released the 2025 Houzz U.S. Emerging Summer Trends Report, which identifies 8 new home design trends. “As summer approaches, homeowners are embracing bold, expressive and highly-personal design choices — many of which reflect a desire to blend creativity with comfort, and style with functionality.” says Mitchell Parker, Houzz home design expert. Below, he explains Houzz’s 8 emerging summer home design trends and provides photos that demonstrate the trends.
Bold and espressivo color schemes are trending for the summer. “Searches for color drenching, where a single hue is used across walls, trim and furniture, is up a staggering 4 times compared to last year,” Parker says. “Whether opting for cool color schemes (up 3 times) or warm color schemes (up nearly 2.5 times), or getting artistic with monochromatic and analogous color schemes (up 2 times each), homeowners want to create immersive, mood-setting environments,” he explains.
Monochromatic color schemes use variations of a single hue, while analogous color schemes use three or more colors that are next to each other on the wheel.
Warm Metal Accents
Homeowners are using metallic details to add sparkle to their home interiors. “Whether it’s copper pendant lighting (searches are up 3.5 times over last year), gold bathroom vanity lights (up nearly 2 times) or brushed gold bathroom faucets (up almost 1.5 times), search insights give a nod to metal accents with sophisticated, modern flourishes,” Parker says.
Also, searches for gold lamps are up 42%, and Parker explains that these lighting fixtures are a stylish way to bring both warmth and luxury into living spaces and bedrooms. “Copper kitchen sinks and range hoods (up more than 20% each) round out this glam-meets-industrial look that feels fresh and luminous, especially in bright spaces,” Parker says.
Beverage Stations
Homeowners are also elevating their entertainment options as they host family and friends this summer. Searches for dedicated whiskey bars are up nearly 2 times compared to last year, and searches for coffee bars are up 19%. Other popular searches are for beverage and wine fridges, small wet bars, and stylish beverage bars – which have jumped almost 1.5 times each.
“These additions reflect a desire for easy, accessible and visually appealing drink setups, perfect for summer evenings with family and friends or quiet mornings on the patio,” Parker says.
Fun Zones
to dedicated beverage stations, homeowners also want to carve out spaces to play. “Alongside mingling and hosting, there’s a renewed appreciation for areas designed for downtime, creativity and fun,” Parker says. Searches for putting greens are up nearly 2 times compared to last year, while Lego rooms, billiard rooms and video game rooms are up almost 1.5 times each. In addition, Parker says searches for poker tables are up 77%, and game tables are up 20%. “These dedicated zones allow people to unwind, play and create lasting summer memories together right at home,” he explains
Wood-Drenched Spaces
Natural materials continue to be popular among homeowners – and for good reason, as Parker says they have a calming, grounding effect. He notes that wood is really surging in Houzz’s Emerging Summer Trends Report. Searches for living rooms with light hardwood floors increased 5 times compared to last year. Also, searches for wood paneled offices and woven wood shades increased by nearly 1.5 time each. “White oak storage solutions also gained traction, particularly in kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities (up 46% and 20%, respectively),” Parker says.
French Country Style
Houzz searches for French country bathrooms increased by 54%, while searches for French country chandeliers spiked 4 times compared to last year this time. “Romantic and timeless, French country style is finding fresh appeal,” Parker says.
Also, floral wallpaper searches have increased almost 2 times, and Parker explains that the airy elegance and cottage-core charm explains why it’s being embraced. “The style’s mix of vintage elegance and relaxed comfort is also making its way into the heart of the home, with searches for modern French country kitchen up 45%,” he says. “Altogether, this aesthetic offers a perfect approach to home refreshes that feel both tranquil and transportive.”
Low-Water Landscaping
Water conservation is front and center as homeowners search for low-water landscape options. Searches for succulent gardens increased 3 times in searches year-over-year. “Mediterranean gardens and landscapes are gaining popularity, with searches jumping almost 2 times,” Parker adds. Another popular search includes decomposed granite landscapes (up 37%). “These sustainable choices are ideal for summer when water usage typically spikes, blending form with function in outdoor design,” he says.
Vintage Style
Consistently popular in home interiors, vintage style is now surging in popularity, and Parker says homeowners want to incorporate character, charm, and authenticity. “It may also offer an alternative solution to tariff-related pricing and supply chain challenges facing the industry,” he adds. Searches on Houzz for vintage bathroom vanities spiked 4 times year-over-year, and searches for China cabinets and hutches increased nearly 3 times. In addition, Parker says searches for vintage living rooms and vintage kitchens nearly doubled.
Read the full U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report
Also, these are some of the items that can help you incorporate the emerging summer trends in your home:
One way to add wood-based elements in your home is with the Cangshan OLIV Series 8-Piece Knife Block Set, which contains a 9” honing steel, 8” bread knife, 8” chef’s knife, 7” santoku knife, 5” serrated utility knife, 3.5” paring knife, 9” forged come-apart shears, and maple knife block. The knives also have ergonomic olive wood handles.
The 6’ x 9’ Ruggable Ionia Sapphire & Natural Outdoor Rug is durable enough to withstand the elements, but can also be used indoors. The easy-to-care-for rug resists fading, mold, and mildew, and is machine washable.
You’ll enjoy spending more time lounging in the bed on this Riley Organic Cotton Sheet Set. The 300-thread count sheet set is garment-dyed, and includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases.
Your HVAC may need a little help during the summer months, and this stylish Shark TurboBlaze Bladeless Tower Fan looks good while providing a cooling effect. It’s a bladeless fan that pivots, twists, and oscillates.
Regardless of your kitchen’s color scheme, Kilne makes cookware that can complement it. The Cookware Set has a nonstick ceramic coating and is oven safe up to 750 degrees F. The Ceramic Pan Pair (also oven safe to 750 degrees F) consists of a full-sized ceramic pan (11.5”) and a smaller 9.5” ceramic pan.
Never push a lawn mower in the summer heat again. The Eufy E15 Auto Robot Lawn Mower cuts your lawn while you sit in the house lounging on the sofa. Unlike robot lawn mowers that use wires or an RTK station, the E15 uses pure vision FSD technology with high-precision cameras and intelligent algorithms. The obstacle avoidance feature ensures it doesn’t roll over obstacles in its path, while the smart coverage detection system ensures that there are no uncut areas. You can use your smartphone to control the robot lawn mower, map the yard, and view the lawn mower’s progress.
Relax in bed or on the sofa with the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Body Pillow, which is made of cooling gel bead-infused memory foam and microfiber. The fill is also adjustable, so you can add or remove fill as desired. The pillow also has a cool-to-the touch outer cover for additional comfort.
If your mattress is too hard, or has seen better days, the Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Mattress Topper can make it more comfortable. The fill is made of a proprietary gel plus-shaped memory foam and microfiber blend. The mattress topper provides full body support and also pressure point relief.
Clean your home without lifting a finger – well you will need to lift one finger, but that’s all. At the press of a button, the Ecovacs X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum can vacuum your carpet and also vacuum and mop your floors. Strong suction (16,600 Pa) removes debris from floors, and the robot vacuum provides edge-to-edge cleaning, while the brushes resist hair tangles. The rob
ot vacuum can also mop hard floors, and the mop self-washes and dries itself, while dust and debirs are auto emptied. The AI assistant helps the vacuum work even more efficiently and you can control everything via smartphone.
Available in several finishes ranging from vibrant brushed modern brass to polished chrome, the Kohler Purist 2-in-1 Shower Combo Kit can provide a spa-like experience. It has a rotating rail for various shower head positions. Three shower options include full cover spray, pulsating massage spray, and silk spray, in addition to a pause function.
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