Home Design Trends Set to Define Summer 2026

Summer is rapidly approaching, bringing with it a wave of new home design trends. According to home remodeling and design platform Houzz's Emerging Summer Trends Report, homeowners are gravitating toward high-texture, sensory rich environments that prioritize wellness and a connection to the outdoors.

Texture, curves, and soft geometric shapes are taking over

Homeowners are leaning into fun shapes and heavy texture. Rounded silhouettes and wave-like forms are becoming more popular in architectural features. Searches on Houzz for “scalloped tile” surged more than three times year-over-year, while searches for “wave tile” also increased by 38% during the same period. Additionally, searches for “rounded kitchen island” and “curved peninsulas and islands” increased by 123% and 61%, respectively.

Texture is just as important as shape. Interest in sandstone is up 257%, and searches for “linen wallpaper” grew by 104% year-over-year.

Warm, earth-tones remain popular

Neutral earthy tones remain popular among homeowners. Rust and chocolate brown are expected to be especially popular this summer, but softer neutrals are also on the rise, such as mushroom and sage.

Homeowners are incorporating eco-friendly products and materials into their designs

Sustainable design is becoming a bigger priority for homeowners as well. Searches on Houzz for “solar energy” soared nearly 18 times over the past year, while “repurposed materials” almost tripled. The search term "sustainable" also rose by 42% year-over-year, while the term “passive house” increased 37%. 

Small outdoor spaces are in

As summer kicks off, homeowners are looking to revamp their outdoor spaces. Homeowners this summer are showing increased interest in compact outdoor spaces that are easy to care for. Searches for “small front yards” rose by 79% year-over-year, while “small courtyards” climbed by 63%, and “small patio garden” increased by 57%.