The 7 Most Popular Outdoor Design Trends Dominating the Summer

Jun 14
1 min read

For many homeowners, summertime isn’t just about pool parties and backyard barbecues. It’s also about home renovations and upgrades.

To offer some insight into current home renovation projects, Houzz, an AI-driven software platform for construction and design, just released its 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, the findings of which are based on a survey of nearly 1,200 U.S. homeowners who are using Houzz and are in the midst of, planning, or recently completed an outdoor renovation.

Overall, the study found that homeowners are increasingly transforming outdoor spaces into functional extensions of their home to prioritize comfort and everyday living over resale value.

And although deteriorated or broken outdoor elements remain the leading motivator for outdoor renovations, remaining steady at 41 percent, more homeowners are motivated to upgrade their spaces to be more accommodating this year as compared to 2024.

Some of the most popular outdoor design trends in 2026 include shade structures, natural wood decking, exterior beams, and fully equipped outdoor kitchens that support year-round entertaining. Homeowners are also embracing low-maintenance and sustainable landscaping with native plants, drought-tolerant gardens, synthetic turf, and expanded hardscaping. For home exteriors, warm beige tones, contrasting black trim, and architectural accents are gaining popularity as homeowners seek a balance of curb appeal, durability, and timeless design.

Read the entire article at: marthastewart.com