5 Emerging Home Trends
Home design trends evolve in a variety of ways. Changes in living needs, the availability of new products & materials & reactions to existing trends play key roles. A good way to get a snapshot of what homeowners are looking for in their homes right now is to check out the design features & styles they’re searching for online.
Houzz looked at data from January - March 2024 & compared them with searches from the same period last year to see how people’s home design preferences might be evolving. Below are the top 5 emerging trends from organic modern style, dark & moody interiors, to Japanese influences (my favorite) & other design.
1. Organic Modern Style
As the name implies, this style encompasses natural (organic) materials, colors and shapes used in a modern way. Think natural stone and wood, creamy off-white tones, natural upholstery such as linen and rounded shapes like arches and curves. This combination creates a warm and welcoming look that feels comfortable and relaxed. Many search terms associated with this style increased year over year, including “organic modern bedroom” (245%), “organic modern dining room” (146%) and “organic modern kitchen” (97%).
PRO TIP: When combining straight lines (modern) w/ soft curves (organic) keep in mind the Scale as it relates to the room & the juxtaposition of pieces already in the space.
2. Dark and Moody Interiors
Sometimes new design trends emerge as a reaction to existing trends. For years, bright whites and light grays dominated interiors. Now many homeowners are looking for something, well, opposite. Dark, moody looks are rising, as evident in an increase in searches for “moody living room” (130%), “moody kitchen” (102%) and “moody bedroom” (85%). These spaces mix deep, dramatic colors and materials to create an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere with a touch of drama.
PRO TIP: Instead of black choose a dark green such as Essex Green by Benjamin Moore or Jasper by Sherwin Williams.
3. Reading Rooms
Spaces dedicated to reading and relaxing are also on the rise. Searches for “book nook” are up 69% year over year, while searches for “reading corner” increased 45%.
PRO TIP: Make the space multipurpose add a cushioned window seat with tucked away storage underneath or custom bookshelves with outlets for charging or lamps.
4. Japanese Influence
A look at recent Houzz search data shows an uptick in Japanese influence on home design. Searches for “Japanese bathroom” climbed 20% year over year.
People looked for deep soaking tub, wood elements, warm green tones and Shoji screens.
PRO TIP: Remove framed bulky shower doors and replace it with a Soji screen style shower panel door.
5. Wellness Features
Health and wellness features are becoming increasingly popular in home design, especially for bathrooms. Recent Houzz search data bolsters this trend~ searches for “cold plunge,” jumped 74% and backyard sauna, search term up 30% over last year.
Searches for “indoor sauna,” heated up 69%.
Meanwhile, a spa-like bathroom is a goal for many homeowners, as evident in searches for “home spa,” which jumped 34% year over year. Searches for “large windows” and “skylights,” both of which can boost a feeling of wellness by bringing more light and views into interiors, are up as well.
PRO TIP: Replace countertop with Danish sealed natural oak or add cedar wooden shelves in nooks/ corners. If allowanced add freestanding oval tub.
