Design trends across the US, from industrial evolution driven by the building industry, innovation from designers and the demands of home buyers all pull the property market in varying directions.
Just like consumer fashion, the classics of brick and columns can be in vogue for a few years, with demand for ultramodern looks of steel and glass then taking hold.
Whatever the trend, there is plenty of housing stock across most growth areas, from gated communities in lush green surrounds to high-rise luxury in city centers. And if supply is constrained, or new builds are lagging behind schedule, there is always a wide range of fixer uppers allowing buyers to remodel and design a property to their own specification.
The Shifting Sands of Design Trends
Wherever you are searching for a property, there are regional and local trends at play, with many areas, especially on the east coast, proud of their design traditions, and eager to maintain a certain aesthetic.
From New England’s British-inspired Boston town houses to Northern Virginia’s stucco homes and impressive condos, to the west coast’s Mediterranean and Spanish-revival properties, there’s always something to consider in your property searches.
For 2025 and into the rest of the decade, the return of organic and natural elements continues to lead across many construction sites, supporting styles like modern cottages or colonial properties. Limewash curved walls, shaded brickwork, and use of wood are all popular choices.
The Push to Sustainable Buildings
Sustainability is also a major design trend, with smart buildings using solar roof tiles to lose the ugly panels of old. The use of natural materials for exteriors and to provide shade, can be augmented by light tunnels to brighten up rooms.
Heat pumps and organic cooling systems are replacing power hungry HVAC models, while smart home technology keeps optimal temperatures around the largest homes and minimizes power consumption. Even good old concrete is available in low-carbon form to reduce construction emissions.
Inside, natural materials add to the luxury quality and style in a broad range of design trends, while for construction efficiency, modular design is becoming more popular. That doesn’t mean boring and uniform, Huf Haus homes are a global trend offering customisable pre-fab homes in style. While 3D printed buildings could soon be the norm to speed up construction and deliver housing where it is urgently needed.
Design Trends in Home Decor
When it comes to home decor, global trends come to play in American homes with a plethora of Asian, European and Latin American trends influencing US design sensibilities.
From the serene design minimalism of Japanese paper and wood to low-level furnishings to Scandinavian designed furniture inspired by IKEA, there are any number of approaches you can take to create a comfortable yet stylish look indoors.
Kitchens can range from the ultra-modern with smart appliances ordering the milk or whole meals on your behalf, to the highly traditional with ranges and classic pizza ovens creating a space that all the family can use for their favorite meals.
Whatever your choice of kitchen designs, from classic wood to modern ceramics, they can be topped out with metal splashbacks and tin ceiling panels to create a charming space that reflects light and improves the atmosphere.
Gardens and Patios for Changing Environments
Whether you believe in climate change or not, the heating planet is changing how our gardens looks. From changes in balcony and patio plants to cooler states adopting olive trees, citrus fruit plants and other stylish foliage plants, there are endless new ways to spruce up a garden.
From hot-sun resistant grasses, flowers that support new insects and birds on changed migration patterns to plants from the far-flung corners of the world, who doesn’t want a dragon fruit plant as a talking point?
To support hotter climates, built-in smart garden technology can water and feed gardens on an as-needed basis, removing the effort and risk of the garden suffering during hot periods.
And in hotter summers, what better than a veranda or patio style garden area and furniture to celebrate with family or friends. Weatherproof furniture is affordable to all, and cooking has moved on from the BBQ to a wide range of outdoor appliances to cook how you like, with entertainment on tap through powerful media centers. Or you can simply enjoy a warm eco-friendly lamp in the fall evenings to watch the stars.
Summary
Building and home design will always keep moving forward as new trends and inspirations appear on the horizon. Whatever approach you take, from the formal to a mix-and-match effort, finding the right design for your or your family is a journey to be celebrated, and an education that will help you better understand the design ideas behind the homes we live in.
