Introduction to Summer 2025 Home Design Trends
The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a season of bold home design choices, according to Houzz’s latest annual "Emerging Summer Trends Report." After a summer of cozy reading rooms and moody color palettes in 2024, homeowners are now opting for vibrant and daring designs. The report is based on search data from U.S. homeowners, home professionals, and design enthusiasts from January through March 2025, and compared to results from last year.
Bold and Vibrant Color Schemes
One of the most noticeable trends this summer is the use of bold color schemes. Homeowners are moving away from the moody and dark decor of last summer and instead opting for monochromatic or analogous color schemes. A popular method is "color-drenching," which involves using a single color across all furniture, walls, trim, and even the ceiling. Searches for cool-toned color palettes have surged in popularity by 206 percent, while warm-toned schemes have also seen a boost in popularity of 106 percent.
Wood-Drenched Rooms
A modern take on ’70s-era wood-paneled walls has also captured public interest, with searches for wood-paneled offices up 43 percent since last year. "Wood-drenching" entails covering every wall in a room with natural wood panels all the way to the ceiling. This design choice can pair well with light hardwood floors and white oak storage cabinets, and capitalizes on the "calming, grounding effect" that natural materials bring to a space.
Embracing Vintage Style Elements
Homeowners are also embracing vintage style elements, with searches for "vintage living rooms" and "vintage kitchens" doubling in popularity. This trend involves letting vintage furniture shine by embracing its charm and originality. Hanging onto vintage furniture can also be a budget-friendly way to avoid tariff-related price fluctuations and supply chain challenges with new furniture.
Warm Metal Accents and French Country Style
In a move away from builder-grade chrome and brushed nickel finishes, warmer metal accents like copper and gold are entering the limelight through lights, bathroom faucets, and kitchen fixtures. French country style, characterized by busy floral wallpapers, "cottagecore" aesthetics, and an airy and open atmosphere, is also making a comeback. Searches for "modern French country kitchen" have increased by 45 percent, and this style offers a perfect approach to home refreshes that feel both tranquil and transportive.
Beverage Stations and Fun Zones
Homeowners are moving toward hosting dinner parties and cocktail hours in their own homes using customizable beverage stations. These can be entirely what the hosts make it, whether it’s a bar cart decked out with bartending tools, a whiskey bar, or a dedicated beer or wine fridge for storing favorite beverages. Dedicated "fun zones" like game rooms have also become more popular, with homeowners interested in poker tables, putting greens, and Lego rooms dedicated to building elaborate sets.
Low-Water Landscaping
Summers in Texas are notoriously hot, and a pristine lawn is much harder to maintain during brutal heat waves and droughts. Homeowners are finding unique ways to reinvigorate their yards using low-water landscaping ideas like succulent gardens, decomposed granite pathways, and Mediterranean gardens that prioritize drought-tolerant plants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the summer of 2025 is all about bold and vibrant home design choices. From color-drenched rooms to wood-drenched walls, and from vintage style elements to warm metal accents, homeowners are opting for daring and unique designs. With the rise of beverage stations, fun zones, and low-water landscaping, it’s clear that homeowners are looking to create spaces that are both stylish and functional. Whether you’re looking to refresh your living room or revamp your backyard, these summer trends offer a wealth of inspiration for creating a space that’s perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and making memories.
