PALO ALTO, Calif. – As summer approaches, homeowners are leaning into tactile, sensory-rich environments that feel personal and purposeful, according to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report.
Blending nature-inspired textures, curved forms and warm color palettes with spaces designed for wellness, connection and play are part of what’s trending in homes this season, based on Houzz’s latest search insights from U.S. home professionals, homeowners and design enthusiasts.
Curves & soft geometry: Rounded silhouettes and wave-like details, which have been popular in furniture, are now gaining momentum in architectural features and other areas as homeowners move away from rigid lines in favor of softer, more fluid forms. Searches for “scalloped tile” surged more than 3x, while “wave tile” also saw an uptick (up 38%).
These graceful forms bring a sense of movement, softness and visual comfort to interiors.
Tactile textures: Touch is becoming as important as sight in home design, where traditionally flat surfaces become rich, touchable dimensions. Searches for “sandstone” have skyrocketed 257%, while searches have doubled for “linen wallpaper” (up 104%) and “seagrass wallpaper” (up 94%). “Venetian plaster” also is making a comeback, with searches up 94%.
Elsewhere, “terracotta flooring” (with searches up 55%) and “Limewash interior paint” (with searches up 53%) is gaining ground. And architectural detailing is on the rise, too, with searches for “wainscoting” up 32% for added texture, dimension and timeless character.
Warm, earthy colors: Rich, earthy hues are taking center stage in palettes that feel cozy, grounding and timeless. Searches for “rust colors” jumped 178%, while “chocolate brown” climbed 153%. Softer neutrals are also on the rise, including “mushroom color” (up 69%), “sage” (up 55%), “taupe” (up 50%) and “cream” (up 44%).
Nostalgic spaces: Homeowners are increasingly designing rooms dedicated to analog entertainment, connection and old-fashioned fun. Searches for “Mahjong room” skyrocketed nearly 20x, while searches also climbed for “card room” (up 129%), “board game room” (up 45%) and “poker room” (up 38%), underscore the popularity of game tables.
Elsewhere, “bibliothèque” searches have risen 191%, and speakeasies are similarly having a moment, too, with searches up 75%. For kids, searches for “playroom” are up 38%.
Wellness retreats: The home as a sanctuary is no longer just a concept, with searches for “wellness room” are up 164% and “calming” as a design keyword has surged 139%. “Biophilic design,” the practice of incorporating nature into the built environment, is up 112%, while “spa” searches are up 68%. Other key searches include: “home gym,” up 46%; “sensory room,” up 43%; and “yoga room,” up 20%.
Eco-friendly choices: Sustainable design is becoming a bigger priority for homeowners seeking beautiful spaces that also support long-term environmental goals. Searches for “solar energy” soared nearly 18x, while “repurposed materials” almost tripled. Other key searches include: “permeable patio” up 137%, “native landscape” up 59%, “recycled glass countertop” up 84%, and “bamboo flooring” up 32%.
Compact outdoor areas: There’s increased interest in smaller-scale landscapes, with searches for “small front yards” up 79%, “small courtyards” up 63% and “small patio garden” increased 57%.
European garden romanticism: European-inspired outdoor spaces are capturing the eye of U.S. homeowners in a big way, with searches for “French courtyards” up nearly 6x and “Italian courtyards” are up 4.5x, “cottage patios” up 204% and “English cottage patios” up 131%. Together, these trends paint a picture of homeowners longing for a little European escape right at home.
Data reflects year-over-year growth in U.S.-based searches on Houzz from January-March 2026 versus January-March 2025. Read the complete report here.
