In analyzing search insights on its website from January to March versus the same time period in 2022, home renovation and design site Houzz has identified a selection of emerging midyear home design trends for 2023.
The nine trends below reflect a desire to create new living areas, from basements to rooftops, and improve existing spaces to better fit current and future lifestyles.
Finished Basements: Many homeowners are looking to expand their living space to basements, making a destination for watching movies, playing games, and exercising. In fact, searches for “basement golf simulator” spiked an astounding 1,905%.
Rooftop Living: Looking in the opposite direction, people are increasingly utilizing their rooftops to expand livable space as well, particularly in metropolitan areas. Searches for “outdoor rooftop terrace” shot up 1,555%. “Rooftop deck” and “rooftop patio” grew by 90% and 40%, respectively.
Accessible Bathrooms: With many owners hoping to stay in their current home through their retirement years, searches for “aging-in-place bathrooms” and “handicap-accessible bathrooms” more than doubled compared with the same period in 2022. Features like “handheld shower head,” “ADA-compliant bathroom vanities,” and “curbless showers” all grew in prominence as well.
Industrial-Style Kitchens: Instead of the once-popular farmhouse style, there’s been a lot of interest in “industrial kitchens” and associated features, with searches tripling for “kitchen track lighting” and “pull-down kitchen faucets” and doubling for “stainless steel countertops” and “brick kitchen wall.” Interest is also emerging for “concrete countertops” and “copper kitchen backsplash.”
Enjoyable Entertaining: Beyond specific kitchen styles, searches for “walk-in kitchen pantry” jumped 27 times compared with the same period in 2022. “Large kitchen island with seating” also grew 187%, while “open concept kitchen to family room” increased 76%, suggesting owners want to engage with their guests as they prepare a meal.
Closed Concepts: While open-concept design may be popular in the kitchen, Houzz saw increased interest in design elements that create temporary separation, such as a “living room divider,” “Shoji screen,” and “partition wall” (up 446%, 60%, and 41%, respectively).
Statement Ceilings: Often an overlooked surface, design enthusiasts on Houzz are calling attention to ceilings with paint and texture. Searches for “high-gloss ceiling,” “painted ceiling,” and “black ceiling” have all increased compared with the same period in 2022, and interest in “tongue-and-groove ceilings” grew 73%.
Historical Revival: Two historical styles are standing out in emerging search trends: Colonial and Spanish Colonial. Searches for Colonial-associated “front porch,” “exteriors,” and “living room” all increased when compared with the same period in 2022. Searches for “Spanish Colonial living room” jumped significantly, up 1,470%.
Small Summer Fits: Homeowners aren’t letting space limitations keep them from enjoying the outdoors this summer. Searches for “small screened-in porch ideas” are up 522%, while “small plunge pool” and “small pool house” jumped nearly four times and three times, respectively. Interest in “small outdoor kitchens” also more than doubled.
