Homeowners are turning up the volume on personal style this summer, embracing bold design choices that prioritize self-expression and comfort, according to Houzz's 2025 U.S. Emerging Summer Trends Report based on search data from the platform's community of homeowners and design professionals.

Color Takes Center Stage

The standout trend driving interior design searches is "color drenching," where a single hue dominates walls, trim, and furniture throughout a space. Searches for this immersive approach skyrocketed 4x year-over-year, reflecting homeowners' desire to create mood-setting environments that make bold statements.

Supporting this color-forward movement, searches for cool color schemes increased 3x while warm palettes rose nearly 2.5x. Monochromatic and analogous color schemes each doubled in popularity, as homeowners work with interior designers to create cohesive, expressive spaces using visual mood boards and planning tools.

Wood Makes Its Mark

Natural materials continue dominating interior design preferences, with wood emerging as the clear winner for flooring and paneling applications. Searches for "living rooms with light hardwood floors" surged 5x, while "wood paneled offices" increased nearly 1.5x, indicating homeowners' preference for natural materials that provide grounding, calming effects.

White oak storage solutions gained significant traction in kitchen cabinets (up 46%) and bathroom vanities (up 20%), while woven wood shades also saw notable increases of nearly 1.5x as homeowners seek to incorporate natural textures throughout their spaces.

Vintage Aesthetics Gain Ground

Vintage design elements are experiencing a major resurgence as homeowners seek authenticity and character in their interiors. The trend may also offer cost-effective alternatives amid supply chain challenges and tariff-related pricing pressures facing the industry.

Searches for "vintage bathroom vanities" spiked 4x year-over-year, while interest in china cabinets and hutches jumped nearly 3x. Full-room vintage styling is also gaining momentum, with searches doubling for "vintage living rooms" and increasing nearly 2x for "vintage kitchens."

Metallic Accents Add Sophistication

Warm metal finishes are adding luxury touches to interior spaces, with copper and gold leading the trend. "Copper pendant lighting" searches increased 3.5x, while "gold bathroom vanity lights" rose nearly 2x and "brushed gold bathroom faucets" climbed almost 1.5x.

Gold lamps gained 42% in search popularity, offering homeowners stylish ways to introduce warmth and sophistication into living spaces and bedrooms. Copper kitchen elements, including sinks and range hoods, each increased more than 20%.

French Country Revival

The romantic French country aesthetic is finding fresh appeal in modern homes, with searches for "French country bathrooms" up 54%. Lighting plays a key role in this trend, with "French country chandeliers" spiking 4x as homeowners use fixtures to soften and elevate room atmospheres.

Details like floral wallpaper (up nearly 2x) are being embraced for their cottage-core charm, while "modern French country kitchens" increased 45%, showing how this timeless style adapts to contemporary preferences.

The trends reflect homeowners' desire to create highly personalized spaces that balance bold self-expression with functional comfort, positioning interior design as a key investment in home value and lifestyle enhancement. 

Read more: 2025 Design Trends: Comfort Meets Character