Pros Reveal the Design Styles Their Clients Request the Most
Designers tell us the popular styles and aesthetics their customers want right now and what’s no longer top of mind
Kyle Troutman
September 13, 2022
Clients can form strong emotional attachments to a design style, aesthetic or point of view before you meet with them. Homeowners choose certain design styles — whether it’s traditional, midcentury modern or a newer aesthetic like cottagecore, coastal grandmother or Japandi — for different reasons.
Lance Thomas, principal designer at Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, Louisiana, says the pandemic is one of those reasons. It’s forced homeowners to rethink what they want their homes to look like and how to make them more functional. Thomas believes homeowners used their free time during lockdowns to learn about design styles they may not have considered before. In his area, for example, he’s used to clients opting for French country traditional-style interiors. However, lately he’s noticed they’re wanting spaces that reflect their individual taste over what’s on trend in their locale.
Lance Thomas, principal designer at Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, Louisiana, says the pandemic is one of those reasons. It’s forced homeowners to rethink what they want their homes to look like and how to make them more functional. Thomas believes homeowners used their free time during lockdowns to learn about design styles they may not have considered before. In his area, for example, he’s used to clients opting for French country traditional-style interiors. However, lately he’s noticed they’re wanting spaces that reflect their individual taste over what’s on trend in their locale.
Other pros agree that homeowners are rethinking their style choices. “As we’re experiencing an unprecedented time period, where ideas and creativity are traveling at lightning speed with the use of social media and mass marketing, we are definitely bracing for quick, continuous shifts in style popularity,” say Vy Truong and Han Dang, co-owners and creative directors of Very Handsome Studio in Houston. “Just as we are currently experiencing a fever dream of Y2K [style] blending with groovy disco-era aesthetics, we will quickly move through another phase of melded styles and configurations.” Things are always changing.
We spoke with a number of design pros about the styles their clients are asking for most these days and the aesthetics they’re no longer interested in. Read on to see which design styles these pros say are having a moment right now.
We spoke with a number of design pros about the styles their clients are asking for most these days and the aesthetics they’re no longer interested in. Read on to see which design styles these pros say are having a moment right now.
Styles Homeowners Are Asking for the Most
Coastal. “In the South, in particular Myrtle Beach, many clients like a coastal look,” says Laurie Dragunoff, interior designer at Decorative Interiors in South Carolina. “Brightly painted furniture is more in style and requested here and gives a laid-back beach vibe.” On the other hand, her more affluent customers want traditional-style interiors — characterized by conservative colors, materials and details — that feel sophisticated.
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Coastal. “In the South, in particular Myrtle Beach, many clients like a coastal look,” says Laurie Dragunoff, interior designer at Decorative Interiors in South Carolina. “Brightly painted furniture is more in style and requested here and gives a laid-back beach vibe.” On the other hand, her more affluent customers want traditional-style interiors — characterized by conservative colors, materials and details — that feel sophisticated.
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Traditional. Interior designer Mel Bean in Tulsa, Oklahoma, loves that her clients are finding their way back to using traditional style and classic elements in their homes. “I believe the pendulum swing that pushed away from traditional — in response to overly formal or excessively ornate [designs] — is settling nicely somewhere between a literal repetition of traditional designs and new items that lack history,” Bean says.
Some design pros say their traditional-leaning clients are interested in incorporating vintage and antique furnishings in new and interesting ways. Brittany Farinas, CEO and creative director of House of One in Miami, finds that homeowners are excited about sourcing vintage pieces for their remodels. When given the green light to go in this direction, she gives rooms extra layers and depth by mixing vintage finds with new decor.
The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner can help you create accurate 3D images of room designs to give clients a realistic view of your proposed design.
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Some design pros say their traditional-leaning clients are interested in incorporating vintage and antique furnishings in new and interesting ways. Brittany Farinas, CEO and creative director of House of One in Miami, finds that homeowners are excited about sourcing vintage pieces for their remodels. When given the green light to go in this direction, she gives rooms extra layers and depth by mixing vintage finds with new decor.
The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner can help you create accurate 3D images of room designs to give clients a realistic view of your proposed design.
Find out more about the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool
Transitional. Interior design couple Robin and Regina Reaves of R&R Interior Design 365 in Charlotte, North Carolina, say they’ve seen more customers requesting transitional spaces — a blend of design styles from a wide range of influences — with pops of color, depth and modern flair.
Transitional style can be easier than a strictly defined style for consumers to understand and get on board with. “I think this style can be morphed into so many different spaces and can also be elevated but still functional for everyday life,” says Jessica Nelson, who designs homes in Seattle.
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Transitional style can be easier than a strictly defined style for consumers to understand and get on board with. “I think this style can be morphed into so many different spaces and can also be elevated but still functional for everyday life,” says Jessica Nelson, who designs homes in Seattle.
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Contemporary. Contemporary style remains popular among homeowners, says Brigid Wethington, principal interior designer of B. Chic Interiors in Columbia, Maryland. Other pros agree.
Miami’s Farinas believes homeowners are looking for clean spaces with interesting accent pieces and bespoke features that feel current, leading them to ask for more contemporary rooms and landscapes. Travis Wyatt, president and principal designer at Unique Outdoor Designs in Yorba Linda, California, says contemporary landscape design, in particular, is highly requested by his customers because they want gardens and yards that will be extensions of their contemporary interiors and exteriors.
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Miami’s Farinas believes homeowners are looking for clean spaces with interesting accent pieces and bespoke features that feel current, leading them to ask for more contemporary rooms and landscapes. Travis Wyatt, president and principal designer at Unique Outdoor Designs in Yorba Linda, California, says contemporary landscape design, in particular, is highly requested by his customers because they want gardens and yards that will be extensions of their contemporary interiors and exteriors.
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Scandinavian. Entering the post-pandemic era, pros are also saying homeowners want spaces that feel peaceful and relaxed. Wethington gets a lot of inquiries about Scandinavian aesthetics — a simple, functional design with clean lines that incorporates connections to nature and wellness. “Many of my clients request a calming space with natural fibers like wool and linen to avoid harsh chemicals and off-gassing,” Wethington says. Homeowners’ priorities are changing, and they’re leaving some of their previous ideas and styles behind.
10 Home Design Trends Taking Off Right Now
10 Home Design Trends Taking Off Right Now
Pros see farmhouse style evolving to incorporate industrial elements, such as in this Napa, California, home.
Styles Homeowners Are Losing Interest In
Farmhouse. Design enthusiasts’ love for all things farmhouse style is beginning to fade, pros say. Modern farmhouse or farmhouse style “feels very tired,” says designer Nelson. Farinas of Miami concurs. “I definitely see a decline in modern farmhouse design, and I can’t say I’m not happy about that,” she says.
Some customers remain steadfast in their commitment to the mainstream aesthetic but with a twist. “We are seeing this style evolve from a traditional farmhouse look to a more comfortable, clean and open look that incorporates more industrial elements,” says Kim Coombs, president and founder of KBCO Design in Orlando, Florida.
5 Simple Ways to Persuade Clients to Go in a Different Direction
Styles Homeowners Are Losing Interest In
Farmhouse. Design enthusiasts’ love for all things farmhouse style is beginning to fade, pros say. Modern farmhouse or farmhouse style “feels very tired,” says designer Nelson. Farinas of Miami concurs. “I definitely see a decline in modern farmhouse design, and I can’t say I’m not happy about that,” she says.
Some customers remain steadfast in their commitment to the mainstream aesthetic but with a twist. “We are seeing this style evolve from a traditional farmhouse look to a more comfortable, clean and open look that incorporates more industrial elements,” says Kim Coombs, president and founder of KBCO Design in Orlando, Florida.
5 Simple Ways to Persuade Clients to Go in a Different Direction
Midcentury and midcentury modern. Homes modeled after these styles typically feature geometric shapes, clean and sculptural lines, wood, and neutrals paired with bright and saturated hues. These types of interiors — popular during the majority of the 2010s — are losing traction, says Houston design duo Truong and Dang.
Pros say homeowners are starting to embrace wabi-sabi aesthetic principles, as illustrated in this design, over stark minimalism and perfection.
Minimalism. Truong and Dang also say there’s been a rise of interest in wabi-sabi, a traditional Japanese aesthetic and world view centered on finding beauty in imperfection, which is causing home pros and clients to lean away from minimalist interiors. Interior designer Tamara Marie in View Park, California, says homeowners want spaces that feel cozy rather than stark and minimalist.
Coastal Grandmother and Her Kin: Translating Top Design Trends
Minimalism. Truong and Dang also say there’s been a rise of interest in wabi-sabi, a traditional Japanese aesthetic and world view centered on finding beauty in imperfection, which is causing home pros and clients to lean away from minimalist interiors. Interior designer Tamara Marie in View Park, California, says homeowners want spaces that feel cozy rather than stark and minimalist.
Coastal Grandmother and Her Kin: Translating Top Design Trends
Traditional-style landscapes. “[There’s] definitely a shift away from older-style landscapes that feature large turf grass lawns and hydrangeas up against the house,” says Jeffery M. Smith, president of JMS Design Associates in Beverly Hills, California.
Michael Thiel, owner of Plantaysia in Miami Beach, Florida, says formal and zen gardens are also going out of style with his customers. Homeowners want more modern designs that take sustainability into account.
Michael Thiel, owner of Plantaysia in Miami Beach, Florida, says formal and zen gardens are also going out of style with his customers. Homeowners want more modern designs that take sustainability into account.
The Big Picture
Pros are noticing that their clients want spaces that reflect their individual styles and functional needs. Bean of Tulsa says home design is trending in a way that’s more personal and expressive. Well-defined, clear-cut design styles aren’t always good fits for clients.
“I’ve seen a real interest in individuality and creating a space that isn’t necessarily ‘one’ thing,” says Thomas of Louisiana. “They just want their space to feel like ‘their’ thing.”
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Pros are noticing that their clients want spaces that reflect their individual styles and functional needs. Bean of Tulsa says home design is trending in a way that’s more personal and expressive. Well-defined, clear-cut design styles aren’t always good fits for clients.
“I’ve seen a real interest in individuality and creating a space that isn’t necessarily ‘one’ thing,” says Thomas of Louisiana. “They just want their space to feel like ‘their’ thing.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
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Adhering to a single style, for me is very one note. What I love is walking into someone’s home and having it tell a story of the residents - their history, families, travels and passions. A mix of eras and styles feels really interesting, yet grounded. It’s endearing for someone to walk me through their home, sharing special memories about their pieces. ❤️
I agree, but think nobody could be expected to understand the real story of a family or a house, that’s the intriguing part
This could be said at any time -- styles come and go. Texas Farmhouse seems to be everywhere --- I'm kind of over the black windows and white white interiors with wood accent walls. Farmhouse -- as in a real one will always have a following.
Wanting to personalize a space -- how is that new?