Mahjong is the newest fixture in Washington-area homes, as people turn underused rooms into dedicated parlors for playing.

Why it matters: The centuries-old Chinese tile game that's sweeping D.C. is "one of the best things that you can do for your brain," says Gregg Swain, a historian of the game with a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Catch up quick: A staple among Asian families and later beloved by Jewish communities, mahjong is part of a larger return to hands-on hobbies.

• Younger Asian Americans are embracing mahjong to connect with their heritage, while Gen Z and Southern transplants drive new growth, including in Washington.
• There are more than 40 global variations, including an American one, and "the game has been changing ever since it started," Swain says.

Zoom in: In Falls Church, Virginia, a space that was once a playroom and then a craft room now holds three mahjong tables, 12 chairs and at least one weekly game.

• "My family was getting a little tired of walking in and having mahjong in the main space" and "a bunch of ladies in the hallway," says homeowner Paige Hahn, who learned to play about a year ago.

In Arlington, the dining room in Jennifer Grillo's house sat mostly empty except for Christmas dinner and the occasional party.

• That changed when her husband, who owns a design and build firm, gave her a table that automatically shuffles mahjong tiles — sparking a room revamp that features floral wallpaper and glossy pink and green paint. Now it's a mahjong room.
• "It's nice to have an extra space for entertaining that you'll actually use," Grillo tells Axios. (She picked up the game a year ago, and so have her kids and neighbors.)

The big picture: Mahjong not only brings people together, but research suggests that it's also good for brain health.

• A 2024 review of 53 studies found mahjong is linked to better cognitive and psychological outcomes in older adults — though researchers say more work is needed to understand exactly why.
• The game fires up strategic thinking, pattern recognition and memory, which can support healthy aging.

Share with a mahjong fan

We asked some DMV homeowners who've created mahjong rooms to share what they've learned.

Why it matters: More people are hosting mahjong game nights. Events are up 94% this year compared to last, according to Evite data shared with Axios.

• And 2 in 5 of those gatherings are happening at home.

🀄️ Let guests bring their own tiles. Most players want to show off their sets, so you don't need to stock multiple ones, Hahn says.

🌈 Yes, but: If you have a collection, display it. Colorful tiles and mats, which are meant to reduce noise and provide a smooth playing surface, double as decor, says Alexandria homeowner Jennifer Miller.

• Hang them on racks or store them in clear containers.

🍷 Skip the spread. Miller usually doesn't serve food.

• Guests bring their own drinks in their own Yetis. Less prep and cleanup, more mahjong.

💪 Design with flexibility in mind. Hahn is keeping her renovation relatively simple — one wallpaper accent wall — in case the room needs to transition to a different use down the road.

More tips

People are finding new brain-boosting design features for their homes. And good news — they're not all big spends.

Why it matters: "The home is one of the most powerful and underutilized health interventions that we have," Melissa Batchelor, director of the Center for Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, tells Axios.

• "Research now shows that things like light, nature, social connection and smart technology built into our home environments can really have a meaningful impact on our cognitive health."

Zoom in: Batchelor says home additions like a front porch can help owners meet their neighbors.

• And the more windows, the better.

An affordable hack: Batchelor installed smart lightbulbs and programmed them to automatically follow natural light patterns — warm in the morning to cool-bright come afternoon, and amber tones for evening.

The intrigue: Moss walls — a trendy fixture in restaurants and office buildings — are making their way into homes, Tricia Skoler, a real estate agent and neuroscience specialist, tells Axios.

• "In real estate, I'm seeing more people want access to nature," she says. In the absence of yard space, a living or moss wallscape can stimulate similar senses.

Another trend she's seeing: multifunctional furniture, especially for tight spaces like tables or beds that double as storage, or modular blocks that can build furniture and also serve as a brain-tickling puzzle.

What's next

Ruby red Rumors, deep Midnight Blue and Dark Everglade, a green with "library-after-dark energy," were D.C.'s top-selling Behr paint colors last year, excluding neutrals, the company tells Axios.

Why it matters: Painting is one of the most affordable ways to refresh your home.

Zoom in: The city's picks "reflect a broader shift toward shades that feel layered, expressive and intentional," Behr's Kayla Kratz says.

• Rounding out the top five: Soft peach-orange Cotton Sheets and No More Drama, a rich red.

Peak patio season is upon us — and we want to see how you've upgraded your outdoor space.

• Did you put in an outdoor kitchen or sauna? Make the most of a small or shared space?
• What's the one upgrade that transformed it into your favorite spot to unwind or entertain?

Email [email protected] with your name and neighborhood. We may feature your insights in an upcoming newsletter.