Every summer, homeowners start planning improvements, and the search data they leave behind shows what is actually on their lists. Houzz, a platform used by homeowners, home professionals and design enthusiasts, publishes a seasonal trends report that tracks those search patterns. The 2022 edition found clear movement toward outdoor upgrades, stronger front entries, statement lighting and a handful of specific design styles. The same research approach works for anyone planning a refresh: check what people search for, compare it with your own priorities, then spend where the impact will be largest. Even owners who design and build a home with a team in another state can use these signals to brief architects and builders before construction starts.
What Design Trend Data Can Tell You
Search volume is not a perfect predictor of what will look good in your house, but it is a reliable measure of what homeowners are actually planning. When a term doubles or triples year over year, it usually signals that products, builders and service providers are starting to respond to real demand. The percentages also separate passing fads from durable shifts. A steady climb across several related categories, such as outdoor work or lighting, points to a change in how people use their homes rather than a single viral image. Comparing two years of reports is more useful than reading one in isolation, because the direction of a trend matters as much as its size.
Trend data works best when it feeds the early planning stage. The architectural design and building envelope decisions made first will determine which later upgrades are possible, so it pays to review the numbers before the layout is locked in.
The summer search snapshot
The report’s numbers cluster into a few themes. The table below summarizes the movements that stood out in the 2022 data.
| Category | Search term | Change vs. prior year |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor upkeep | landscapers | +42% |
| Outdoor living | hot tubs on decks | +130% |
| Water conservation | drought tolerant landscaping ideas | Doubled |
| Front entry | iron front doors | Growing |
| Lighting | statement lighting terms | +30% to +223% |
| Style | midcentury modern kitchen ideas | +576% |
| Style | Japandi bathrooms | +229% |
| Style | beach style design ideas | +143% |
| Material | kit kat tile | +797% |
| House type | barndo | +154% |
Two patterns stand out. Homeowners are getting more specific, searching for exact styles and materials instead of generic terms. The biggest jumps cluster in categories where a single decision, such as a front door or a light fixture, changes a whole room. Both patterns suggest that focused, well-planned upgrades beat scattered spending.
Outdoor Living and Landscaping Lead the List
Outdoor work dominated the summer search report. Interest in professional landscapers rose 42%, and searches for drought tolerant landscaping ideas doubled from the previous year. Water conservation is a practical response to rising water bills and seasonal watering restrictions, and it shapes plant selection, irrigation and grading on many properties. Lawns appear less often in the searches, replaced by planted beds, permeable patios and mulch areas that need less water.
At the same time, homeowners are investing in outdoor comfort. Searches for hot tubs on decks jumped 130%, a sign that decks are being treated as a second living room rather than a pass-through space. Subtle design shifts such as adding a second seating zone, upgrading exterior lighting or rearranging patio furniture can elevate a space without a full contractor visit.
A step-by-step outdoor plan
- Walk the property and list problem areas: drainage, bare patches, worn decking, weak lighting.
- Set a water budget and choose plants that match it; drought tolerant species cut irrigation demand.
- Define zones for cooking, dining, lounging and any hot tub or water feature.
- Sequence the work so grading and drainage come before planting and deck refinishing.
- Book professional help early, since landscaper demand peaks in summer.
Water features remain popular, but the data suggests buyers want them paired with conservation-minded landscaping. A hot tub on a deck can coexist with native plantings and drip irrigation, and that combination tends to hold its appeal better than either feature alone.
Front Door Upgrades Make a First Impression
Front doors drew steady search interest through the year as owners upgraded the first thing they and their guests see. Iron front doors are the standout material choice, prized for durability and a substantial look that suits traditional and modern homes alike. Bold colors are also in the mix, with red and green finishes appearing often in searches.
The door itself is only half the project. The entry includes the surround, hardware, lighting and the transition from porch to interior, and each piece needs to work together. Builders know that a model entry which feels like home sets expectations for everything inside, which is why so many show homes invest heavily in the front door.
What to check before you order a new door
Fit and security
- Measure the rough opening and confirm the jamb depth before ordering.
- Check the U-factor and weatherstripping if the entry faces harsh sun or wind.
- Choose hinges and locksets rated for exterior use; iron doors are heavy and need reinforced hardware.
- Confirm the swing clears interior walls, stairs and light switches.
A front door upgrade can be completed in a weekend with accurate measurements, and it is one of the few exterior changes visible from the street. Pair it with matching exterior lighting so the investment reads clearly from the curb.
Maximizing Space in Every Floor Plan
Space is the quiet theme running through many of the summer searches. Homes of every size face the same question: how to make rooms do more. Built-in storage, pocket doors and furniture that does double duty all show up in planning conversations, and the search data confirms homeowners are hunting for answers.
Compact sites sharpen the problem. Narrow lot design lessons from real builds show how thoughtful layouts turn a tight footprint into a comfortable home, and the same tricks, including vertical storage and shared circulation zones, apply to any small space.
Three patterns repeat in successful space plans:
- Built-ins that follow the room’s actual dimensions instead of off-the-shelf sizes.
- Multi-use rooms with defined zones rather than single-purpose spaces.
- Daylight that makes small rooms feel larger, with lighting and mirrors filling the gaps.
Storage is where most space plans succeed or fail. In a typical 2,000-square-foot house, a few well-placed closets, a mudroom bench with cubbies and kitchen cabinets that reach the ceiling free more usable floor space than adding a room. The search data backs this up: storage terms consistently appear alongside space-related queries.
Statement Lighting and the Styles Homeowners Are Choosing
Lighting searches doubled year over year, with kitchen ceiling lights, flush mounted fixtures and task lighting all climbing. Statement pieces drew even more attention: extra-large chandeliers, lantern chandeliers, industrial pendant lights and wicker pendants each rose between 30% and 223%. The message is clear: homeowners want fixtures that work as sculpture as well as light sources.
Style searches tell a similar story of specificity. Midcentury modern kitchen ideas spiked 576%, beach style design ideas rose 143%, and Japandi searches climbed 229% for bathrooms and 104% for kitchens. The midcentury influence shows up in details too: kit kat tile searches jumped 797%, and bouclé fabrics and curved sofas continue to attract interest. Even the components of a style generate their own searches, which tells designers exactly where to focus.
Lighting by room
Kitchens and baths
- Kitchens: combine a statement pendant over the island with under-cabinet task lighting.
- Bathrooms: backlit mirrors and layered sconces reduce shadows at the vanity.
- Living rooms: one oversized fixture anchors the space, with floor lamps for reading zones.
The barn-inspired barndo continues its run, with searches up 154% and barndominium kitchen searches up 138%. Owners who like the look without the full footprint can borrow the details, such as exposed beams, metal accents and open shelving, in a single room.
Efficiency still matters while the style choices get made. Owners planning a larger overhaul can study net zero energy design lessons to pair the new look with lower operating costs.
Building a Cohesive Plan Around the Trends
Trend data is most useful when it produces a plan. Modern home design strategies such as open floor plans, home theaters and primary suites often determine which of these upgrades fit your house, so review the big layout choices before buying fixtures.
A practical sequence keeps the project coherent:
- Confirm the layout and building envelope first; retrofits get harder after walls close.
- Pick two or three trends that match how you actually live, not everything that spiked in the data.
- Budget by room, giving the front door, outdoor space and lighting priority when they matter most to curb appeal.
- Schedule outdoor and structural work for dry months, and interior finish work for any season.
- Revisit the plan after each phase; search data changes every year, but the house should not be redesigned every year.
The summer data rewards homeowners who make a handful of confident decisions. Outdoor space, a strong front entry, purposeful lighting and a defined style cover most of the searches in the report, and each can be delivered across a wide range of budgets.