7 Summer Home Trends That Will Make You Want to Revamp Your House This Weekend

Your beach reads don’t have to be reserved for afternoons by the shore; reading rooms of all kinds are on the rise, big time. When Houzz analyzed its year-over-year search data, it found we’re all craving ways to turn underutilized areas into places to curl up and escape, be it a book nook, reading corner or British-inspired snug. Just find a comfortable recliner or accent chair, add a cozy throw, some adjustable task lighting and a place to rest a mug, and you’re good to go.

Our gray days are behind us, and to prove it, a new must-have home color is emerging: “creamy” neutrals. Think shades of white and taupe with a warmer undertone, so they’re less stark, more inviting. Two experts I spoke to—Houzz VP of branding and Communications Allison Gervis and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Color Marketing Manager Ashley Banbury—both attested to this rise in popularity. These warmer undertones can make a space feel more comforting and cozier, Banbury explained.

Cold plunge therapy isn’t reserved for Polar Plunges anymore. In fact, as the benefits of the practice become more widespread, so has interest in bringing the activity home, something Yelp and Houzz data back up. You’ve got a range of options, too, from the Shark Tank-featured Plunge XL, which will set you back $6,990, to a $65 Sharper Image portable ice bath.

Gardening, in summer? It’s literally groundbreaking, especially if you plan on creating a sensory garden, which infuses your outdoor space with calming scents, sounds and colors. Picture lavender and rosemary—fragrant yet visually striking—alongside the gentle babbling of a water fountain (another top request, according to Yelp) and the twinkle of a wind chime. The textures of the plants can be equally soothing to run your fingers along as you relax outside, and any herbs grown could be used to season an alfresco dinner, activating all five senses at once.

Houzz has seen an uptick in families looking for ways to help their kids personalize their space, with increased interest in bean bags, teen lounge areas and even the retro race car bed all on the rise. Most notably, though, is the concept of creating a “kids gaming bedroom,” aka a space optimized for work, sleep and Fortnite.

Long gone are the days of basic plug-ins and candles; if you’re spritzing yourself with Baccarat Rouge 540, why not make your whole home smell just as luxe? At least, that’s the vibe of the latest wave of cleaning products, which substitute the classic pine or lemony fresh scent for something far more high-end. Two key examples: L’Avant Collective has become renowned for its moody-yet-citrusy Blushed Bergamot cleaning supplies, and Courteney Cox’s Homecourt collection is so crisp and refreshing our commerce editor wanted to wear it like perfume.

Organic modernism isn’t going anywhere, but the lingering effects of the dark academia movement remain. Banbury noted the popularity of saturated blues and greens throughout the house, and Yelp saw a dramatic rise in searches for ambient lighting and dimmers (the latter up a whopping 508 percent). Meanwhile, Houzz saw one word define the vibe of people’s homes: moody. It’s been a skyrocketing aesthetic for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, office and powder rooms, with the brand seeing particular interest in dark ceilings. The whole goal is creating an intimate, enveloping space.