Westside interiors are starting to feel like a long weekend, in the best way. Not themed. Not literal. Just quietly calibrated for the things people crave after a busy week: warmth, ease, fresh air, and rooms that make you exhale.
It makes sense. Southern California design is built around the relationship between home and environment. As Luxe puts it, indoor-outdoor living here “isn’t a trend” so much as a way of life, shaped by light, landscape, and climate.
Why this is happening now:
Two forces are converging:
- We’re nesting differently. Homes are expected to support work, wellness, entertaining, and recovery.
- Our favorite escapes are close enough to influence taste. Palm Springs, Ojai, and Santa Barbara don’t just inspire travel plans. They’re informing materials, color palettes, and layouts.
Bon Appétit even describes Ojai as “a go-to place for Angelenos to get away and recharge,” which pretty neatly explains why its relaxed, sun-washed aesthetic keeps showing up back in LA.
Palm Springs at home: desert modern, softened.
The Palm Springs influence isn’t about going full midcentury museum. It’s about clarity, comfort, and heat-friendly materials. The Los Angeles Times traces “desert modernism” back to Palm Springs’ midcentury architecture movement and its emphasis on harmony with the environment and clean, functional design.
Design moves that translate beautifully to the Westside:
- Limewash or plaster-like walls in warm neutrals
- Low-profile furnishings with strong silhouettes
- Strategic shading outdoors (pergolas, umbrellas, layered planting)
- A “one great room” feeling, even in smaller footprints
Ojai at home: relaxed, grounded, quietly artisanal.
Ojai style reads like a deep breath: textured materials, earthy color, and spaces that feel collected rather than curated.
Bring the Ojai mood home with:
- Natural woods with a matte finish
- Handmade tile or zellige-style backsplashes
- Vintage or vintage-inspired lighting (soft, not shiny)
- A kitchen that prioritizes ritual: coffee, citrus, simple breakfasts
Santa Barbara at home: coastal polish, not coastal cliché.
This is the easy elegance version of beach-adjacent living: airy, tailored, and light-filled.
The Santa Barbara cues that age well:
- Linen textures, stripe accents, and soft whites
- Arched details (doorways, niches, mirrors) used sparingly
- Outdoor dining that feels like a real room (lighting + shade + comfortable seating)
- Landscaping that looks intentional year-round, not seasonal
How this supports home value:
When these “weekend-house” upgrades are done thoughtfully, they tend to strengthen what buyers respond to most: comfort, light, and livability. Indoor-outdoor flow, calming materials, and spa-like bathrooms aren’t just pretty. They make day-to-day life feel easier and more restorative, and that’s exactly the kind of functional beauty design editors keep tracking.
Lighter, not louder.
The Westside version of luxury isn’t louder. It’s lighter. A home that feels like Palm Springs at golden hour, Ojai in the morning, or Santa Barbara at sunset is less about escapism and more about building the reset into your everyday.
