Summer has finally arrived, and so has a new set of emerging design trends from interior design experts Houzz. And instead of the colorful spaces we've come to expect from a season full of bright and long sunny days, summer 2024 seems to be about coziness, moodiness, and self care.
Trends were identified based on the most recent search data from homeowners, home professionals, and design enthusiasts in the U.S. from January through March 2024. Here's a closer look at the top seven trends of summer, according to Houzz:
Organic modern style
White or neutral-toned pieces made out of natural materials – like fluted furniture, which was one of Houzz's top design predictions of 2024 – are one major summer standout. But this style doesn't have to be limited to the bedroom; homeowner searches for "organic modern" dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms have also been on the rise over the last year.
Dark and moody decor
Those natural-colored details could come in handy while redecorating with the next emerging summer trend in mind: Moody spaces and dark decor. According to Houzz's research, online searches for moody-themed living rooms and kitchens more than doubled since 2023, aiming to counteract past trends of agreeable grays and bright whites that have sterilized many American homes in recent years.
This summer is all about creating a cozy, intimate space for yourself or your guests, Houzz says. Design enthusiasts can alternatively decide to go bold and embrace a dramatic feature, such as a dark ceiling.
"For example, layers of rich browns and dark reds can create a warm atmosphere in a 'moody bedroom'... A dash of darkness can also bring about the desired effect," the report said.
Reading rooms
There's no better place to create an alluring and cozy atmosphere than a reading room. Public libraries will commence their summer reading programs and challenges soon, and bibliophiles will delight in having a dedicated space to dive into their literary worlds and escape the brutal Texas heat.
This reading room was designed by Ruhl | Jahnes Architects.Photo by Nat Rea
Personal libraries have been trending in part thanks to the "dark academia" internet subculture, and BookTok, a popular category on TikTok (with over 33.1 million posts to prove it) that centers around reading, popular books, and book clubs.
Other popular searches that have seen exponential growth since this time last year include British-style "snug" rooms, "library walls," "reading corners," and "book nooks."
Japanese design influences
Simplicity and harmony are ideals many homeowners hope to achieve with their home design, and an increase in searches for Japanese interior design are helping to get to those goals. Most notably, U.S. homeowners are looking for "Japandi living rooms," also known as the hybrid style that blends "Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality," according to Houzz. Other design aesthetics that are popping up more often include "wabi-sabi" and "zen garden," which focus on decorating your home as a personal sanctuary.
This reading room was designed by Ruhl | Jahnes Architects.Photo by Nat Rea
