7 Popular Home Design Trends Happening Now
See the top styles, materials, colors and features professionals say homeowners are asking for
If you want to know which design features people are asking for in their homes right now, just talk to the professionals receiving those requests. And that’s exactly what we did. We reached out to more than 50 home design and remodeling pros and asked them to share the colors, materials, tile styles, construction methods and other trends their clients have been interested in lately. Here are seven home design trends that came up again and again.
“Color is back in a calmer, warmer, welcoming way,” designer Pamela Forman of PBF Homes says.
Designer Linette Dai agrees. “Color is definitely back in a big way, and clients are unafraid to embrace deep tones such as burgundy, mustard, sienna, browns,” she says. “And green is now pretty much considered a neutral.”
Designer Marcia Moore leaned on a warm neutral palette in this St. Louis living room, which features a shimmery bronze ceiling, creamy white walls, coppery side chairs, rich yellow pillows and other cozy colors.
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Designer Linette Dai agrees. “Color is definitely back in a big way, and clients are unafraid to embrace deep tones such as burgundy, mustard, sienna, browns,” she says. “And green is now pretty much considered a neutral.”
Designer Marcia Moore leaned on a warm neutral palette in this St. Louis living room, which features a shimmery bronze ceiling, creamy white walls, coppery side chairs, rich yellow pillows and other cozy colors.
Shop for living room furniture
“We’re seeing shades of earth tones that include browns, greens, reds, yellows, oranges and blues, as well as neutrals like beige, white, grays and shades of black — even mixing these hues for a bold impact,” designer Veronica Sanders says.
This Orange County, California, kitchen by Joseph Rodrigues Interiors shows a beautiful blend of earth tones.
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This Orange County, California, kitchen by Joseph Rodrigues Interiors shows a beautiful blend of earth tones.
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2. Jewel Tones
While warm neutrals are popular, some designers say they’re hearing a lot of requests for bold, saturated jewel tones.
This Tampa, Florida, living room by Lisa Teague Upcoast Design shows how it’s done with a vibrant green sofa and fireplace surround, as well as a blue coffee table, a punch of pink in the pillow and rug, and colorful wallpaper.
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While warm neutrals are popular, some designers say they’re hearing a lot of requests for bold, saturated jewel tones.
This Tampa, Florida, living room by Lisa Teague Upcoast Design shows how it’s done with a vibrant green sofa and fireplace surround, as well as a blue coffee table, a punch of pink in the pillow and rug, and colorful wallpaper.
Shop for sofas and sectionals
“We are designing with deep, rich saturated jewel tones right now,” says designer Micaela Quinton of Copper Sky Design + Remodel, who used a moody blue-topaz-like color for this Atlanta home bar. “And a color trend we’re also loving and seeing more of is plum and raisin.”
Speaking of plum, designer Whittney Parkinson enveloped this Indianapolis mudroom in the color, giving a playful yet sophisticated update to the Tudor home.
Interior design firm Far Studio also embraced the color, using it on the paneled walls in this Philadelphia bathroom.
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3. Timeless Style
But not all homeowners are gravitating toward bold color. Many are requesting more traditional details and materials that create a timeless style. A phrase that came up repeatedly in conversations with design pros about this trending style was “quiet luxury.”
“Design in general is leaning back to more traditional and transitional design, quiet luxury and understated elegance,” Forman says.
“Old is new again,” designer Alex Thies of Adelyn Charles Interiors says. “We are seeing a lot of even our most modern clients incorporate ‘old’ elements such as brick, handmade clay tiles, rustic wood elements and arches everywhere. It’s a new eclectic ‘earthy modern’ vibe that we are here for.”
Kraft Custom Construction used a variety of classic elements in this Portland, Oregon, kitchen, including wood cabinets and beams, a subway tile backsplash and stone countertops.
But not all homeowners are gravitating toward bold color. Many are requesting more traditional details and materials that create a timeless style. A phrase that came up repeatedly in conversations with design pros about this trending style was “quiet luxury.”
“Design in general is leaning back to more traditional and transitional design, quiet luxury and understated elegance,” Forman says.
“Old is new again,” designer Alex Thies of Adelyn Charles Interiors says. “We are seeing a lot of even our most modern clients incorporate ‘old’ elements such as brick, handmade clay tiles, rustic wood elements and arches everywhere. It’s a new eclectic ‘earthy modern’ vibe that we are here for.”
Kraft Custom Construction used a variety of classic elements in this Portland, Oregon, kitchen, including wood cabinets and beams, a subway tile backsplash and stone countertops.
Designer Casey Howard is also noticing an interest in traditional details. “We are seeing a shift away from trendy design styles and an appreciation for more timeless design choices that allow our clients to appreciate and live well in their homes,” she says.
Some designers say the trend is a result of many homeowners looking to stay in their homes well into their retirement years and wanting materials and features they won’t grow tired of. “Our clientele is exclusive ‘forever home’ homeowners, which means that our work is intended to last for a long time,” designer Patricia Calasich of KasaMia Interiors says. “I’m cautious about trends because they may be dated a few years from now. Instead we focus on design elements that are timeless and functional.”
This San Francisco bathroom by Angela Grace has several classic details, including basketweave marble flooring, marble shower tiles, white millwork and a furniture-style vanity.
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Some designers say the trend is a result of many homeowners looking to stay in their homes well into their retirement years and wanting materials and features they won’t grow tired of. “Our clientele is exclusive ‘forever home’ homeowners, which means that our work is intended to last for a long time,” designer Patricia Calasich of KasaMia Interiors says. “I’m cautious about trends because they may be dated a few years from now. Instead we focus on design elements that are timeless and functional.”
This San Francisco bathroom by Angela Grace has several classic details, including basketweave marble flooring, marble shower tiles, white millwork and a furniture-style vanity.
How to Choose a Bathroom Vanity: Your Step-by-Step Guide
4. Handmade Features
Of a piece with the trend toward timeless style is an embrace of handmade features and details. Pros say this includes handmade tiles, custom bathroom vanities and other bespoke elements. “We are gravitating toward materials with handcrafted and organic qualities, such as plaster work, caning and wallcoverings with a hand-painted or watercolor feel,” Quinton says. “We are incorporating chiseled, tumbled, zellige and hand-cut tiles into almost every design.”
Quinton points to the Atlanta bathroom shown here, which Copper Sky designed with stunning hand-cut marble tiles and a custom vanity with storage components that feature mirrored door fronts.
Of a piece with the trend toward timeless style is an embrace of handmade features and details. Pros say this includes handmade tiles, custom bathroom vanities and other bespoke elements. “We are gravitating toward materials with handcrafted and organic qualities, such as plaster work, caning and wallcoverings with a hand-painted or watercolor feel,” Quinton says. “We are incorporating chiseled, tumbled, zellige and hand-cut tiles into almost every design.”
Quinton points to the Atlanta bathroom shown here, which Copper Sky designed with stunning hand-cut marble tiles and a custom vanity with storage components that feature mirrored door fronts.
This Dallas kitchen embodies the look with rough-cut backsplash tiles and a handcrafted furniture-style island.
Similarly, this Washington, D.C.-area kitchen by Case Architects & Remodelers features hand-cut zellige-style backsplash tiles that give the walls a raw, organic look and feel.
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5. Butler’s Pantries
If there’s one trend that has catapulted into the mainstream lately it’s the rise of the butler’s pantry, or scullery. These secondary kitchen spaces help minimize visual and physical clutter in the main kitchen by creating space for pantry items, small appliances and extra countertops.
“We have done many of these recently and continue to receive requests for them,” designer Kristin Whalen of Cape Home Kitchen & Bath says. “They allow homeowners a hidden yet practical storage solution for small appliances and groceries — items that would otherwise clutter kitchen countertops.”
Designer Bria Hammel created this butler’s pantry off a Minneapolis kitchen. It features a speed oven, beverage fridge, countertop space, open and closed storage and a secondary sink.
If there’s one trend that has catapulted into the mainstream lately it’s the rise of the butler’s pantry, or scullery. These secondary kitchen spaces help minimize visual and physical clutter in the main kitchen by creating space for pantry items, small appliances and extra countertops.
“We have done many of these recently and continue to receive requests for them,” designer Kristin Whalen of Cape Home Kitchen & Bath says. “They allow homeowners a hidden yet practical storage solution for small appliances and groceries — items that would otherwise clutter kitchen countertops.”
Designer Bria Hammel created this butler’s pantry off a Minneapolis kitchen. It features a speed oven, beverage fridge, countertop space, open and closed storage and a secondary sink.
This beautiful Los Angeles butler’s pantry by designer Shannon Ggem features open and closed pantry storage, as well as a large wine fridge, a sink and even an oven and refrigerator.
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6. Wood Cabinets, Flooring and Details
While always classic, wood cabinets and other details tend to ebb and flow in popularity. Right now the material is booming. “We’ve had a lot of interest in natural and stained wood cabinetry lately — walnut, quartersawn oak and rift-sawn oak,” designer Julie Deuble of Sierra Unlimited Construction and Arbor Craft Cabinetry says. “Also wood accents in painted kitchens. It’s a nice change from the endless white painted kitchens.”
Studio M Interiors incorporated numerous wood details into this Minneapolis kitchen, including the island, flooring, range hood and arched doorway.
While always classic, wood cabinets and other details tend to ebb and flow in popularity. Right now the material is booming. “We’ve had a lot of interest in natural and stained wood cabinetry lately — walnut, quartersawn oak and rift-sawn oak,” designer Julie Deuble of Sierra Unlimited Construction and Arbor Craft Cabinetry says. “Also wood accents in painted kitchens. It’s a nice change from the endless white painted kitchens.”
Studio M Interiors incorporated numerous wood details into this Minneapolis kitchen, including the island, flooring, range hood and arched doorway.
“Wood cabinets are coming back,” designer Gretchen Carhart of 2SL Design Build Collaborative says. “I often see clients wanting walnut or white oak cabinets in their bathrooms rather than painted ones. It adds nice warmth to a space.”
Allard + Roberts Interior Design added a custom light washed wood vanity to this spacious North Carolina bathroom.
Allard + Roberts Interior Design added a custom light washed wood vanity to this spacious North Carolina bathroom.
7. Sustainability
Some home designers are seeing increased interest in sustainable upgrades. “Insulation, solar, battery backups, car-charging equipment, heat pumps, natural ventilation and air filtering, gray water systems and on and on,” architect Lincoln Lighthill says. “There’s a revolution in how we build new homes and upgrade existing ones that is adding comfort, convenience and cost savings, all while contributing to the health of our environment and the planet.”
The Seattle home shown here by Rhodes Architecture + Light features several sustainable building elements, including a high-efficiency heat pump, an energy-recovery ventilation system and solar panels.
And it’s not just building systems on people’s radar. Homeowners are making more eco-conscious decisions when it comes to interior furnishings and decor. “I’m finding that many of my clients are looking for more sustainable design choices,” designer Miranda Frigon says. “With a growing awareness and care for the environment, people are looking into more environmentally friendly options — washable rugs and natural eco-friendly fabrics. It’s also leading a lot of people to buy secondhand used furniture and decor. As an environmentalist myself, I personally encourage this with all my clients.”
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Some home designers are seeing increased interest in sustainable upgrades. “Insulation, solar, battery backups, car-charging equipment, heat pumps, natural ventilation and air filtering, gray water systems and on and on,” architect Lincoln Lighthill says. “There’s a revolution in how we build new homes and upgrade existing ones that is adding comfort, convenience and cost savings, all while contributing to the health of our environment and the planet.”
The Seattle home shown here by Rhodes Architecture + Light features several sustainable building elements, including a high-efficiency heat pump, an energy-recovery ventilation system and solar panels.
And it’s not just building systems on people’s radar. Homeowners are making more eco-conscious decisions when it comes to interior furnishings and decor. “I’m finding that many of my clients are looking for more sustainable design choices,” designer Miranda Frigon says. “With a growing awareness and care for the environment, people are looking into more environmentally friendly options — washable rugs and natural eco-friendly fabrics. It’s also leading a lot of people to buy secondhand used furniture and decor. As an environmentalist myself, I personally encourage this with all my clients.”
More on Houzz
See more trending design ideas
Browse home design photos
Find a pro
Shop for products on Houzz
By far the most talked-about trend happening now is a move away from cool grays and stark whites to warmer neutrals like beiges, creamy off-whites and rich browns.
“In the last few years, since people have been spending a lot more time at home, it’s become really important to feel good in your space,” designer Nicole Peter says. “As a result of that, I think that the color trends have really shifted quickly away from the austere grays and whites that we were seeing to much softer mushrooms, taupes and warm whites. Even in a very traditional or formal space, people are wanting to feel a level of coziness and comfort.”
This Dallas living room by Urbanology Designs is a good example with its tan sofa, cayenne-colored velvet curtains and other warm tones in the decor and art.
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