Making your house a home is one of the best parts of being a homeowner. Taking builder-grade rooms and features and turning them into something stylish and functional can give your home personality and a sense of fun!
Focusing on originality and functionality during home remodeling is a great way to add flair to your Phoenix area home. Check out some great Arizona home decorating ideas to jumpstart your next remodel or upgrade.
1. Natural Elements with Modern Functionality
One of the best things about Arizona-style home decor and homes, in general, is their unique ability to blend the exterior landscape into interior design. Desert hues like terracotta, sandy beige, dusty brown, and sage green are seen all across our landscape. This is why Arizona home styles are naturally colored bungalows, Pueblo revivals, and Spanish colonial homes.
The complementary stucco and fiber cement siding choices pull from the landscape’s colors, which can easily be brought inside as well. Showcase exposed wood within the structure of your home through ceiling beams or with built-in cabinets.
Biophilic design is also becoming more popular, which includes upgrades like adding more natural light and ventilation. Natural shapes like columns and arches also add dimension and aesthetic appeal.
2. Wow Guests with Secret Doors
Who wouldn’t want to surprise their friends and family with a secret door or two in their home? Bookshelves that move to reveal children’s playrooms or a library can give your home the “wow” factor you have always been dreaming of.
You just have to make sure the secret door will connect to another room or you have space behind the wall to utilize. Also, ensure there are no important electrical or plumbing lines before demoing your space.
3. Bring the Outdoors In
What better way to celebrate the unique climate and flora of Arizona than to bring it directly into your home? Add plants and other natural materials to your home and it will instantly elevate your Arizona-style home decor by connecting it to the outdoors.
Sturdy plants like succulents and potted palms can be great additions to your space, and many are easy to maintain. Just be sure to set up any potentially dangerous plants like cacti away from your curious children and pets!
4. Install Automatic Shades
There’s no doubt about it — Arizona summers are hot. Temperatures can easily swing beyond 100°F, and this oppressive heat can certainly cause your home to heat up quickly.
Phoenix residents understand the importance of keeping out the sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, but who has time to pull curtains and shades all the time? Install automatic shades or blinds that can be controlled with a few clicks of a remote or an app on your phone. Some models can even be set on a schedule and will close and open on their own.
You will not only enjoy a more comfortable, cooler home during the summer, but you will also enjoy a lower energy bill along the way! Passively blocking out heat rather than running your air conditioner on high will positively impact your energy bills.
5. Invest in Skylights
Natural light will always be trendy, even in warmer climates. Skylights offer a great way to add natural light while also providing beautiful views of a classically bright Phoenix sky.
You can also install skylights that can open or aid in ventilation, which can help pull hot air up and away from your home on the hottest days.
6. Upgrade with Energy-Efficient Windows
In addition to automatic shades, energy-efficient windows will help your home stay comfortable no matter the season. As windows age, they become less efficient at blocking out the heat and the cold, and some can even start to sag in their panes. Gaps and cracks can appear, letting in even more of that unconditioned air.
Older windows are also less efficient at controlling energy transfer than the newer models on the market. This is why investing in new energy-efficient windows can be so helpful for your home! They will be insulated properly and fit snuggly in your frames, which will help regulate your home’s temperature and block drafts.
7. Cool Down with Canvas Roofs
Living in a desert climate comes with unique considerations for daily life. Some days might be comfortable and idyllic, and others may be downright sweltering and overwhelmingly hot. On those days when the weather is nice but the sun is strong, you can still sit outside if you install a canvas roof over your patio.
Canvas roofs are lightweight and aerodynamic, allowing them to bend and fluctuate with high winds. They are also water-resistant and require minimal maintenance. They can be installed based on your home’s positioning to the sun, allowing you to spend as much time outdoors as possible while also being comfortable.
8. Clerestory Windows
Have you ever heard of a clerestory window before? Clerestories, or a row of windows above eye level, quickly flood a space with natural light, making the entire room open and bright.
Since they are set higher on the wall, they don’t let in the direct or harsh light that traditional windows allow. Clerestory windows also will make any room appear larger and airier, which is a great benefit for a smaller or cramped room.
9. Sunken Living Rooms
Sunken living rooms can make your entire family space feel welcoming and cozy. To do this, your couch and coffee table area is sunk into your floor, making the top of the couch flush with your floorboards or tile.
Doing so opens up your living room space and offers stunning landscape views around your home without being blocked by bulky furniture.
Related Reading: Interior Elements for Luxury Arizona Homes
10. Enjoy the Seasons with an Indoor-Outdoor Pool
If you love the water, make sure you get to use your pool year-round. An indoor-outdoor pool can be installed to allow you to enjoy the changing seasons inside and outside without sacrificing comfort.
However, it is important to remember that any excess humidity in your home or patio area will require additional ventilation. Do your homework before deciding if an indoor-outdoor pool is right for you.
11. The Trend of Infinity Pools
It is common to see pools in the backyards of many Phoenix homes. After all, what better way to cool down when the temperature starts creeping up?
Infinity pools offer a touch of class and elegance to any outdoor space. They also offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape if you live in an area with views of the mountains.
12. Install a Curved Kitchen Island
Curved lines are becoming more popular in homes, so get ahead of the trend by installing a curved kitchen island. A curved countertop can offer safety for your children, and it adds a unique flair to an otherwise typical part of your kitchen space.
They can also offer more communal seating for breakfasts or quick meals, which is great for larger families.
Related Reading: The Guide to Kitchen Remodeling Trends
13. Utilize Your Staircase Space
Use the space you have, right? The space under your staircase is the perfect opportunity to add storage or a fun secret room. Install drawers that can hold shoes and outdoor gear, or turn that space into a hang-out area for your kids or your beloved pet.
If the space is large enough, you can even turn it into a small half bath for your family to use as they come and go. The options are endless!
14. Cook with Smart or Double Ovens
Do you love to host or do you have a big family? If you have a lot of people in your home regularly, having a kitchen space that works for you is essential.
This is especially true when you are making a meal that requires your oven. Ovens are known to heat kitchen spaces quickly, and you certainly don’t want that when it is already warm enough outside. Invest in a smart oven that can be turned on and off from an app on your phone, or install a double oven to get your baking done in half the time.
15. Stay Cool with an Island Fridge
Who doesn’t love easy access to cool drinks? Installing an island fridge in your kitchen is a great way to encourage your family and friends to serve themselves while you go about your busy day.
16. Relax in a Freestanding Tub
Live a life of luxury by installing a freestanding tub in your master bathroom. Freestanding tubs offer a higher level of sophistication in your bathroom space and can be relaxing no matter the season.
Check out one of our latest bathroom remodels that boasts a spa-like experience!
17. Add a Walk-In Pantry
Keep your food fresh and easily accessible by incorporating a walk-in pantry into your kitchen. New pantry designs can even be climate-controlled to prevent food spoilage.
18. Additional Outdoor Cooking Options
If you just can’t muster up the courage to turn on your oven during the summer, bring your meal times outdoors with a brand-new entertaining and dining area. Add a dedicated grill space or something fun like a pizza oven, smoker, gaucho grill, or a tabletop griddle.
You can also win bonus points with your kids if you add entertainment options like a small putting green or playground area next to the patio!
19. Enjoy a Waterfall Shower
Do you want your shower experience to feel like you are at a beautiful waterfall? Install a waterfall showerhead in your shower for a spa-like experience. In addition to making your showers more luxurious, they can add serious value to your bathroom space if you decide to sell now or in the future.
20. Shine Bright with Statement Chandeliers
Light your home in style with a new chandelier! Chandeliers offer elegance to any space, and they can also be great light sources in darker areas of your home.
Entryways, dining rooms, and even kitchen spaces can all be brightened with a fun or whimsical chandelier.
21. Harness the Power of Solar Lights
Solar energy is common in the Phoenix area, so use it to your advantage. Installing solar lights over your back patio or adding individual lights along your walkways can offer ambiance and safety when you are spending time outdoors after the sun goes down.
An added benefit of solar lights is that they don’t rely on your electricity to operate. They will obtain the energy they need during a typical day and will kick on when the evening arrives.
22. Showcase Temperature-Responsive Tiles
Did you know there are tiles on the market that change color? Think of temperature-responsive tiles as mood rings for your home. They reflect a heat map of whatever touches them, changing to orange or red as the tiles warm up and to blue or green when they cool down.
Adding temperature-responsive tiles to bathrooms and kitchen areas can add an element of fun to these spaces, as well as your outdoor patios and pathways.
23. Stay Cool with a Shaded Carport
If you don’t have the room to add garage space, add a carport to your driveway instead. These shaded areas can protect your car from sun damage and they will also ensure your car stays cooler for a more comfortable ride.
They can also offer protection during storms, as they will block debris from falling on your car during a wind or rain storm.
24. Add a Firepit
Yes, it does get chilly in Arizona during the winter months! As the temperatures cool down, your backyard can become the oasis your family deserves if you install a firepit.
You can enjoy the fresh, cool air while also staying cozy. You can almost guarantee memories will be made roasting marshmallows around the fire as the sun sets.
Your new Arizona-style home decor upgrade awaits! Contact 123 Remodeling to book a free consultation now and enjoy a newly remodeled home this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about Arizona home decorating ideas? Check out these frequently asked questions below.
What are the most common Arizona home styles?
The most common Arizona home styles include ranch, Pueblo revival, midcentury modern, and single-story bungalows.
What do you call Arizona decor?
Classic Arizona decor is called desert modern, which brings the colors of the desert into a home using leather, geometric patterns, and desert plants.
How do you decorate a home in Arizona?
You decorate a home in Arizona however you like! Trending decor ideas include brighter woods, light neutrals, and an abundance of natural light.
What is a new decorating trend for 2025?
A new decorating trend for 2025 is focused on biophilic design, bringing the outdoors inside by creating spaces inspired by nature.
What is a good home remodel with a high resale value?
A good home remodel with a high resale value would either be a kitchen or a bathroom upgrade. These two spaces will ensure a high return on investment.