The Top 10 Architectural Movements in 2025.
Judie Docs, Executive Officer – CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM
North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) ncbia.com
Here are the top architectural design trends this year:
- Timeless and Traditional: Home buyers are looking to the past for timeless design inspiration but with a refreshed way of doing so, balancing traditional form with modern elements.
Examples include arched doorways, windows and built-ins, and vernacular design integration to create localized distinction, such as:- Shutters in coastal communities,
- Adobe-style exteriors in the Southwest,
- Acadian-style homes in Texas and the Southeast, and
- Dutch Colonial homes in the Northeast.
- Right-sizing and Personalizing: For first-time home buyers, attainable homes are getting smaller because of market conditions, so designers can offer personalized options. The tighter spaces demand efficient design decisions and thoughtful floor plans but allow for memorable details and features that stand out, such as bold wall colors and unique fixtures.
- Housing Diversity: Thinking beyond single-family housing will appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Town homes, paired homes, duplexes, triplexes, and patio homes are examples of how builders might accommodate current housing needs and budget constraints.
- Universal Design: Some families care for both small children and aging relatives, so proactively designing living spaces to be inclusive and accessible is important. Design elements that anticipate diverse needs include zero-step entries, wide doorways, lever handles and walk-in showers.
- Resilient Design: With climate-related disasters occurring more frequently, home buyers want to make sure their homes can withstand natural forces such as wind, fire, and storms, so building with resilience in mind is important in most regions. Hip roofs tend to be the most wind resistant, and non-combustible siding can protect against wildfires.
- Expanding Kitchen Function: The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and although houses are getting smaller, kitchen space is still critical because its purpose extends beyond cooking and eating. Optimizing storage needs with pantries or prep kitchens (depending on square-footage) and including an additional destination like wine storage or a coffee station are ways to make the kitchen more functional.
- Natural Connections: Biophilic design — designing with the goal of increasing occupant connectivity to the natural environment — remains popular amongst home buyers. Maximizing natural light and including greenery and organic materials are ways of giving homeowners the indoor/outdoor connection they crave.
- Emotional Connections: Colors, shapes, and textures can evoke emotion in a living space. Details such as a reading nook or large windows can help buyers feel more connected to the home.
- Health and Wellness: A home is meant to be a place one can go to rest and recharge, so there is a big connection between mental health and housing design. Home gyms, meditation spaces and tranquil bathrooms are examples of designing with health and wellness in mind.
- Building Connections: In addition to a home of their own, buyers want community. They want to know their neighbors and connect with those nearby. Shared spaces such as courtyards and common rooms can serve as communal places in which people can engage with one another.
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