Oct 74 min read

5 Big-Picture Design Trends Popular Right Now

If you want to know where home design is headed, just follow the enthusiasm. We asked dozens of design and remodeling pros what gets them excited lately, and their responses reveal a snapshot of popular colors, materials and features on the rise. Here are five

design trends

you can expect to see more of in the coming months.

GONTERMAN CUSTOM HOMES

1. Warmth

By far, the word we heard most from designers was “warmth.” Warm tones, warm woods, warm and welcoming spaces — homeowners are craving warmth. You see this manifest in a shift from cool whites and grays to warm off-whites, tans, beiges and creams. Earthy tones and organic colors are popular as well. “Lots of browns,” designer Lauren DeBello says. These palettes help create inviting and cozy environments. “Currently, our color palettes are focused on warmer tones,” says architect Justin Bell of Ruggles Mabe Studio. This Orange County, California, living room by Gonterman Custom Homes features many of the elements pros see trending now. They include a warm palette of creams, tans and browns; an organic modern style; arches and curves; and layers of pattern and texture.

JHL Design

This Portland, Oregon, kitchen by JHL Design also shows a warm palette of off-whites and woods.

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

Kelsey Leigh Design used a warm and rich burgundy on the cabinets in this Oklahoma City butler’s pantry to create an inviting look and feel.

Payne & Tompkins Design-Renovations

Organic Modern Style

Pros are also excited about a rising interest in organic modern style, which happens to embody the aforementioned warm and welcoming colors. “We are seeing a growing preference for organic modern elements,” architect Harper Halprin of AAHA Studio says. This style encompasses natural (organic) materials, colors and shapes used in a modern way. They include natural stone and wood, creamy off-white tones, natural upholstery such as linen and rounded shapes like arches and curves. This past summer, many search terms on Houzz associated with this style increased year over year, including “organic modern bedroom” (up 245%), “organic modern dining room” (146%) and “organic modern kitchen” (97%). “Lately, clients are increasingly drawn to natural materials and earthy tones, seeking a connection to nature within their homes,” says Gloribell Lebron of G. Lebron Interiors. “Organic forms in kitchens are becoming more common than square, boxy styles. We are seeing an inclination toward using curved islands and arches as interesting elements in the space.” The emphasis on curves and arches can’t be overstated. We’re seeing arches everywhere. “Arches are having a big moment,” says Ruchi Agrawal Mohan of DesignbyRuchi. “I’ve done arched doorways, arched beds, arched niches and arched millwork. It adds some playfulness to the design.” You’ll find many organic modern elements in this Cleveland kitchen by Payne & Tompkins Design-Renovations.

Studio QL

This Austin kitchen features organic modern details, including light wood cabinets custom-built by Studio QL, stone countertops and backsplash, warm white walls and curved panels on the walk-in pantry doors.

Keel Custom Homes

Keel Custom Homes integrated organic modern elements into this Richmond, Virginia, bathroom. A light wood vanity, creamy whites and wood-look shower tile create an organic look, while black details give the space a modern edge.

White Birch Design, LLC

3. Wood

Wood is a timeless material that never goes out of style. But, boy, is it experiencing a significant moment of popularity right now. It fits nicely with the two previously mentioned trends, helping to add warmth and contribute to an organic modern style. White oak is among the most common woods being used right now. But walnut and maple are also trending. White Birch Design used an abundance of maple cabinetry in this warm and welcoming Minneapolis kitchen.

First Impression Designs Inc.

A light wood vanity anchors this Vancouver, British Columbia, bathroom by First Impression Designs in warmth.

Form + Field

A wood feature wall and wood shelves and cabinets warm this Los Altos, California, living room by Form + Field. You’ll also notice warm reds used for the chair, shelf piping and stool.

haywoodmade interiors

4. Layers of Color, Pattern and Texture

Some designers are getting requests from homeowners for a more-is-more approach that layers bold color, pattern and texture. “I feel like after COVID, a lot of people turned to maximalism as a way to infuse their homes with energy, joy and fun elements that reflect their individual tastes,” designer Alexa Cowley of Alexa Interiors says. Designer Anastasia Harrison of AHD & Co. agrees. “Vibrant colors and intricate details are replacing the once-popular clean, minimalist design aesthetic,” she says. “The resurgence of layered colors and patterns in contemporary design projects is a delightful shift.” This Chicago sunroom by Haywoodmade Interiors shows how the layered look is done, with green shiplap walls and a green beadboard ceiling, patterned furniture and rug, and woven window shades.

Nicole Forina Home

Nicole Forina Home stylishly layered color, pattern and texture in this Summit, New Jersey, bedroom.

Savvy Interiors

Many designers are leaning on wallpaper to strengthen the layered look. “My clients keep asking me about wallpaper, saying they hear it’s back in, a trend,” designer Rebecca Pogonitz of GOGO Design Group says. “In my opinion, it never went out. Wallpaper has always been a wonderful way to add a dash of color, texture and pattern in ‘small’ ways, whether in a powder room or on an accent wall or ceiling. Right now I am papering three entire rooms in wallpaper.” A vibrant yellow butterfly wallpaper energizes this San Diego bathroom by Savvy Interiors.

Carl Mattison Design

5. Personality and Character

In conversations with design and remodeling pros, we heard repeated references to homeowners requesting spaces with personality, character, unique designs and custom curations. Designer Ricardo Guisse of Studio Guisse says many of his clients are asking about how to add “character and individuality while maintaining a modern design.” One-of-a-kind tile patterns and wallpaper designs, bold colors, artwork, custom cabinets and furnishings all help homeowners create styles that feel personal and special. Carl Mattison Design used a colorful floral print wallpaper and a wood dresser to personalize the style in this Atlanta bathroom.

Black Lacquer Design

Hard to imagine there’s a carbon copy anywhere in the world of this Los Angeles kitchen by Black Lacquer Design. Layers of patterned stone, wood elements, tile designs and custom details make it distinct.