5 Home Design Trends Taking Over This Fall, According to Houzz

5 Home Design Trends Taking Over This Fall, According to Houzz

As the seasons change, so do our home design preferences. Houzz's 2026 U.S. Fall Design Trends Report reveals that homeowners are moving away from minimalism and towards warmer, more personal spaces. Here are the top 5 trends to expect this fall.

1. Warm Paint Colors and Wood Tones Are Replacing Stark White and Gray

Houzz's report highlights the growing trend of warmer interiors, where homeowners are bringing warmth to several parts of a room. Instead of relying on a single warm color as an accent, homeowners are incorporating earthy wall colors, brass and bronze finishes, and plaster-style walls to create a cozy atmosphere.

Wood cabinets and furniture can add warmth to a room, while handmade-looking tile and aged brass or bronze finishes can bring in warmer tones without requiring a major remodel. According to general contractor Nathan Svoboda of Wichita Home Works, homeowners are gravitating towards warm wood tones, plaster-style walls, handmade-looking tile, aged brass or bronze finishes, earthy colors, and old-world or Mediterranean-inspired details.

How to Achieve a Warm and Cozy Interior

1. Use warm paint colors: Consider using earthy tones such as beige, taupe, or terracotta to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
2. Incorporate natural materials: Wood cabinets, furniture, and accents can add warmth to a room.
3. Add texture with handmade tile: Plaster-style walls and handmade-looking tile can bring in warmer tones and add visual interest to a room.
4. Bring in brass and bronze: Aged brass or bronze finishes can add a touch of elegance and warmth to a room.

2. People Are Moving Away From Matching Furniture and Minimalism

Houzz's report finds growing interest in interiors that mix old and new pieces, leaving room for things homeowners already own. Vintage furniture can sit beside newer pieces, while artwork, family items, and furniture picked up over the years can stay rather than getting replaced just to match a new decorating scheme.

According to designer Judi Lee-Carr of Jubilee Interiors, homeowners want their homes to feel collected and personal rather than brand new and overly polished. This trend is all about embracing individuality and creating a space that reflects one's personality.

How to Mix and Match Furniture

1. Combine old and new pieces: Don't be afraid to mix vintage furniture with newer pieces to create a unique and eclectic look.
2. Leave room for personal items: Display artwork, family photos, and other personal items to add character to a room.
3. Emphasize texture and pattern: Mix different textures and patterns to create a visually interesting and unique space.

3. Homeowners Are Choosing Personal Design Details Instead of Decorating for Resale

Houzz's report finds that more homeowners are choosing what they actually want to live with instead of sticking closely to neutral choices they think a future buyer might prefer. This trend is all about embracing individuality and creating a space that reflects one's personality.

Homeowners are opting for unique features such as wallpaper, unusual tile patterns, inherited furniture, or paint colors with more personality. Original features in an older home can also become part of the design rather than something automatically covered or replaced.

How to Make Your Home More Personal

1. Choose a unique paint color: Select a paint color that reflects your personality and adds character to a room.
2. Incorporate vintage or inherited furniture: Display vintage or inherited furniture to add a touch of history and personality to a room.
3. Add wallpaper or a unique tile pattern: Use wallpaper or a unique tile pattern to add visual interest and personality to a room.

4. Natural Stone, Wood, and Handmade Tile Are Showing More Texture

Houzz's report highlights the growing trend of natural materials with more texture. Wood cabinets and stone countertops are not new, but homeowners are paying more attention to the natural differences within those materials.

Stone sinks are one example, while natural stone is also appearing in furniture and light fixtures. On countertops, honed and leathered finishes offer an alternative to highly polished stone. Handmade or high-variation tile can bring noticeable differences in color and surface from one piece to the next.

How to Add Texture with Natural Materials

1. Choose a natural stone sink: A natural stone sink can add a touch of elegance and texture to a bathroom.
2. Incorporate natural wood: Use natural wood for cabinets, furniture, or accents to add warmth and texture to a room.
3. Select a handmade tile: A handmade tile can bring noticeable differences in color and surface from one piece to the next, adding texture and visual interest to a room.

5. Embracing Imperfection and Character

Houzz's report finds that homeowners are gravitating towards materials with some variation, such as handmade tile or an older metal finish that changes with age. These differences can make a room feel less manufactured and more unique.

According to architect Donovan Davis of Danze & Davis Architects, homeowners are moving away from highly polished finishes and towards natural materials that develop character over time.

How to Embrace Imperfection and Character

1. Choose a handmade tile: A handmade tile can bring noticeable differences in color and surface from one piece to the next, adding texture and visual interest to a room.
2. Select an older metal finish: An older metal finish that changes with age can add a touch of character and uniqueness to a room.
3. Incorporate natural materials: Use natural materials such as wood, stone, or brick to add warmth and texture to a room.