8 Design Trends Emerging in 2026
Houzz search data shows homeowners are drawn to tactile textures, nostalgic spaces and other trends on the rise now
Searches on Houzz offer insights into where home design is headed. So we looked at Houzz search terms from January through March 2026 and compared them with searches from the same period last year to see how homeowner priorities might be evolving.
Sandstone walls, scalloped tile, mahjong rooms and French courtyards are just a few of the trends gaining momentum this season as homeowners reach for spaces that feel sensory-rich, nostalgic and deeply personal.
Sandstone walls, scalloped tile, mahjong rooms and French courtyards are just a few of the trends gaining momentum this season as homeowners reach for spaces that feel sensory-rich, nostalgic and deeply personal.
2. Tactile Textures
Texture is having a major moment, with homeowners showing growing interest in surfaces that add depth and dimension. Searches for “sandstone” are up 257%, while “linen wallpaper” (up 104%) and “seagrass wallpaper” (up 94%) are also trending higher. “Venetian plaster” is seeing a strong resurgence too — searches are up 94%.
Underfoot, “terracotta flooring” searches rose 55%. “Limewash interior paint” is gaining ground as well, with searches up 53%, reflecting growing interest in chalky, layered finishes with an old-world feel. Architectural details are also part of the trend, with “wainscoting” searches up 32% as homeowners lean into wall treatments that add texture and character.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Texture is having a major moment, with homeowners showing growing interest in surfaces that add depth and dimension. Searches for “sandstone” are up 257%, while “linen wallpaper” (up 104%) and “seagrass wallpaper” (up 94%) are also trending higher. “Venetian plaster” is seeing a strong resurgence too — searches are up 94%.
Underfoot, “terracotta flooring” searches rose 55%. “Limewash interior paint” is gaining ground as well, with searches up 53%, reflecting growing interest in chalky, layered finishes with an old-world feel. Architectural details are also part of the trend, with “wainscoting” searches up 32% as homeowners lean into wall treatments that add texture and character.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
3. Warm, Earthy Colors
Warm, earthy tones are gaining traction as homeowners gravitate toward color palettes that feel cozy, layered and timeless. Searches for “rust colors” jumped 178%, while “chocolate brown” climbed 153%, pointing to a growing interest in rich, saturated hues. Softer neutrals are also on the rise, including “mushroom color” (up 69%), “sage” (up 55%), “taupe” (up 50%) and “cream” (up 44%). Together these shades create interiors that feel calm, inviting and grounded, offering a warmer alternative to cooler, minimalist palettes.
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Warm, earthy tones are gaining traction as homeowners gravitate toward color palettes that feel cozy, layered and timeless. Searches for “rust colors” jumped 178%, while “chocolate brown” climbed 153%, pointing to a growing interest in rich, saturated hues. Softer neutrals are also on the rise, including “mushroom color” (up 69%), “sage” (up 55%), “taupe” (up 50%) and “cream” (up 44%). Together these shades create interiors that feel calm, inviting and grounded, offering a warmer alternative to cooler, minimalist palettes.
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4. Nostalgic Spaces
Rooms dedicated to analog entertainment and old-fashioned fun are seeing a surge in interest. Searches for “mahjong room” skyrocketed more than twentyfold, while “card room” (up 129%), “board game room” (up 45%) and “poker room” (up 38%) all climbed, signaling an interest in tabletop gaming and social gathering spaces. On the literary side, “bibliothèque” searches rose 191%, and “speakeasy” was up 75%. Searches for “playroom” are up 38%, rounding out a picture of homeowners investing in spaces for screen-free enjoyment.
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Rooms dedicated to analog entertainment and old-fashioned fun are seeing a surge in interest. Searches for “mahjong room” skyrocketed more than twentyfold, while “card room” (up 129%), “board game room” (up 45%) and “poker room” (up 38%) all climbed, signaling an interest in tabletop gaming and social gathering spaces. On the literary side, “bibliothèque” searches rose 191%, and “speakeasy” was up 75%. Searches for “playroom” are up 38%, rounding out a picture of homeowners investing in spaces for screen-free enjoyment.
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5. Wellness Retreats
The home as a sanctuary is becoming a clear design priority. Searches for “wellness rooms” are up 164%, while “calming” as a design keyword has surged 139%, underscoring the desire for environments that feel restorative as well as protective. Interest in “biophilic design” is up 112%, while “spa” searches have increased 68% as homeowners invest in private, retreat-like bathrooms and wet rooms, as confirmed by the 2025 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Searches for “home gym” are up 46%, while more specialized spaces like “sensory room” (up 43%) and “yoga room” (up 20%) point to a broader, more holistic approach to wellness at home — from physical fitness to mental well-being.
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The home as a sanctuary is becoming a clear design priority. Searches for “wellness rooms” are up 164%, while “calming” as a design keyword has surged 139%, underscoring the desire for environments that feel restorative as well as protective. Interest in “biophilic design” is up 112%, while “spa” searches have increased 68% as homeowners invest in private, retreat-like bathrooms and wet rooms, as confirmed by the 2025 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study.
Searches for “home gym” are up 46%, while more specialized spaces like “sensory room” (up 43%) and “yoga room” (up 20%) point to a broader, more holistic approach to wellness at home — from physical fitness to mental well-being.
8 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa
6. Eco-Friendly Choices
Sustainable design is becoming increasingly important for homeowners looking to create beautiful spaces that also support long-term environmental goals. Searches for “solar energy” soared nearly eighteenfold, while “repurposed materials” almost tripled. Outdoor sustainability solutions are also picking up steam, with “permeable patio” searches up 137% and “native landscape” up 59%.
Indoors, interest is growing in environmentally conscious materials such as “recycled glass countertop” (up 84%) and “bamboo flooring” (up 32%). Searches for “sustainable” rose 42%, while “passive house” increased 37%, highlighting increased interest in energy-efficient and environmentally responsible living.
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Sustainable design is becoming increasingly important for homeowners looking to create beautiful spaces that also support long-term environmental goals. Searches for “solar energy” soared nearly eighteenfold, while “repurposed materials” almost tripled. Outdoor sustainability solutions are also picking up steam, with “permeable patio” searches up 137% and “native landscape” up 59%.
Indoors, interest is growing in environmentally conscious materials such as “recycled glass countertop” (up 84%) and “bamboo flooring” (up 32%). Searches for “sustainable” rose 42%, while “passive house” increased 37%, highlighting increased interest in energy-efficient and environmentally responsible living.
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7. Compact Outdoor Areas
As homeowners look to make the most of their outdoor living space, interest is rising in smaller-scale landscapes. Searches for “small front yards” jumped 79%, while those for “small courtyards” were up 63% and “small patio garden” increased 57%. Searches for “small backyards” grew 43%, indicating a focus on finding creative ways to turn compact outdoor areas into functional spaces for entertaining, gardening and relaxation.
Landscaping pros on Houzz suggest that thoughtful layouts, layered plantings and multifunctional furnishings can help even the smallest outdoor spaces feel more inviting and expansive.
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As homeowners look to make the most of their outdoor living space, interest is rising in smaller-scale landscapes. Searches for “small front yards” jumped 79%, while those for “small courtyards” were up 63% and “small patio garden” increased 57%. Searches for “small backyards” grew 43%, indicating a focus on finding creative ways to turn compact outdoor areas into functional spaces for entertaining, gardening and relaxation.
Landscaping pros on Houzz suggest that thoughtful layouts, layered plantings and multifunctional furnishings can help even the smallest outdoor spaces feel more inviting and expansive.
10 Must-Have Landscape Features Pros Recommend
8. European Garden Romanticism
European-inspired outdoor spaces are having a big moment in U.S. searches. Searches for “French courtyards” soared nearly sixfold, while “Italian courtyards” increased more than fourfold, highlighting interest in outdoor spaces inspired by classic European plazas and terraces. Searches for “cottage patios” grew 204%, while “English cottage patios” rose 131%, underlining growing appeal for lush, layered gardens and relaxed outdoor settings. Together these trends point to homeowners embracing gardens with a more romantic, transportive feel.
See the 2026 U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report
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European-inspired outdoor spaces are having a big moment in U.S. searches. Searches for “French courtyards” soared nearly sixfold, while “Italian courtyards” increased more than fourfold, highlighting interest in outdoor spaces inspired by classic European plazas and terraces. Searches for “cottage patios” grew 204%, while “English cottage patios” rose 131%, underlining growing appeal for lush, layered gardens and relaxed outdoor settings. Together these trends point to homeowners embracing gardens with a more romantic, transportive feel.
See the 2026 U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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Rounded silhouettes and wavelike details have been popular for a while, and now they’re gaining greater momentum in architectural features. Searches for “scalloped tile” more than tripled, while “wave tile” searches increased 38%. In kitchens, searches for “arched range hood” and “arched pantry door” climbed 177% and 130%, respectively.
Interest also grew for “rounded kitchen island” (up 123%) and “curved peninsulas and islands” (up 61%). Elsewhere, sculptural features like “curved staircase” saw a 66% increase in searches. Together these softer shapes add a sense of movement and visual warmth to interiors.
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