As summer approaches, interior design trends continue to lean toward warmth, grounded colors and materials, and feel-good living spaces. But a new report suggests homeowners are also increasingly drawn to nostalgia, wellness, and design that supports slower rituals, with old-school spaces surging in popularity.
One trend gaining remarkable traction was “mahjong room,” which skyrocketed by 2000% in the last year, according to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Emerging Summer Trends Report.
Also, climbing are searches for card rooms, poker rooms, board game rooms, and playrooms, all spaces for deliciously slow pastimes, a welcome break from the fast pace of digital living in 2026.
This shift toward analogue-focused spaces aligns with buyers’ views of the home as a sanctuary. Today, what matters most is having space to unwind and unplug.
Beyond hobby spaces, the search trends from the Houzz report around color, materials, wellness, and experience-driven outdoor spaces reflect a longing for the simplicity of the “good old days” and that homeowners are using design as a form of escape.
For new-build buyers, new construction offers a strong foundation for many of these trends, from flex rooms that easily accommodate analogue-focused hobbies to thoughtfully designed outdoor areas that make socializing easier and offer a daily retreat, along with wellness-focused features already integrated into many newer homes.
Here are some of the standout trends from the Houzz Summer Trends Report, and what they reveal about how homeowners want to live right now.
Curves, Texture, and the Return of Warmth
Comfort at home has been a major theme in design for several years now, and the Houzz report suggests homeowners are continuing to gravitate toward curves, texture, and warmth.
Curves infuse rooms with subtle warmth, especially in areas with lots of hard surfaces, like kitchens and baths.
As kitchens become larger and more integrated with living spaces, homeowners increasingly want them to feel softer and more inviting to linger in as social hubs, not simply for prep.
Searches are climbing for wavy and scalloped tile, rounded kitchen islands, arched pantry doors, and arched range hoods.
Curved staircases are trending too, reflecting the broader shift toward softer architectural forms.
Beyond shape, homeowners are also turning to texture and natural materials to create warmth throughout the home. Searches are rising for sandstone, limewash paint, linen wallpaper, and seagrass wallcoverings, while architectural details like wainscoting continue to gain traction.
Flooring trends are leaning heavily into natural patina and imperfection. Searches for terracotta and travertine flooring are climbing, both of which bring warmth, texture, and an old-world feel that softens newer interiors. Part of the appeal lies in their variation and imperfect finish, which makes spaces feel more layered and lived-in.
That same warmth is also influencing color palettes. Rust, chocolate brown, sage, taupe, and cream are all climbing in popularity, reflecting a broader move toward earthy, grounded interiors.
Wellness Design Goes Mainstream
Health and wellness have been shaping home design for years, but the concept of home as a sanctuary that supports mental and physical health is moving from luxury to a baseline expectation, especially among new-build buyers.
That shift is evident in growing searches for wellness rooms, sensory rooms, yoga rooms, home gyms, spa bathrooms, wet rooms, and biophilic design, according to the report.
Many homeowners are looking for ways to recreate spa-like experiences at home, while others are thinking more broadly about how spaces can support restoration, focus, and decompression.
Outdoor Spaces Are Designed Around Experience
Search trends indicate homeowners are gravitating toward smaller, well-designed outdoor spaces that prioritize relaxation and socialization over maintenance. Searches for small front yards, small backyards, and courtyards are climbing, reflecting growing interest in outdoor areas that feel functional and intimate.
That sentiment echoes recent buyer research presented during a webinar by Mollie Carmichael, principal of master plan and product insights at Zonda. She noted that buyers are willing to have smaller backyards if the space is thoughtfully designed and enjoyable to use, with features like shade structures, seating areas, and fire pits.
Search trends indicate that some homeowners are looking for bigger, immersive outdoor spaces too, inspired by the romance of French and Italian courtyards. Searches tied to these styles are surging, reflecting a desire for outdoor spaces that feel transportive, layered, and escapist. Think cobblestone plazas, sunny terraces, fountains, and lush landscaping.
While these approaches to outdoor design differ, the sentiment is the same. Buyers want outdoor spaces that feel like an experience, not just leftover yard space. It’s about creating a destination for daily escape.
Speakeasies and Reading Rooms Bring Back the Cozy Hideaway
One of the simplest ways to escape for a few hours is curling up with a good book, and homeowners are embracing that mentality. According to the report, searches for “bibliothèque” are climbing, alongside rising interest in speakeasies and other nostalgic, old-world spaces designed for lingering.
At the core of the bibliothèque aesthetic is built-in shelving, layered lighting, and cozy architectural moments like reading niches and window seats. Speakeasy-inspired spaces lean into many of the same ideas, with moodier lighting, richer materials, and intimate gathering spaces that feel tucked away from the pace of everyday life.
For new-build homeowners, these features offer ways to make newer homes feel warmer, more personal, and more collected over time.
