Tag: design trends

The top 6 influential design trends coming your way

Post author By Yuri Nagata
Post date July 28, 2021
No Comments on The top 6 influential design trends coming your way

Collecting insights from the community of homeowners and home professionals, Houzz Australia & New Zealand editor Vanessa Walker predicts the next six top design ideas that are set to take off on our shores this year and next.

“As we continue to cautiously navigate our way through the pandemic, solitude in nostalgia has translated into design trends with a retro resurgence in furnishings, fixtures and colour choices by homeowners and designers,” she says.

The return of feel-good furnishings

Right now we’re seeing designers and architects on Houzz manifest a wave of the ’70s in building forms from curves to rounded panelling, arches and sunken rooms.

As we continue to cautiously navigate our way through the pandemic, solitude in nostalgia has translated into design trends with a retro resurgence in furnishings, fixtures and colour choices.

Following suit, soon we will experience a resurgence of the style return in feel-good furnishings. Be prepared to see decor including tufted cotton, fringed bedspreads and floral bed linen in ’70s colourways, such as russet offset by soft pastel-like hues.

It’s hip to be square

While organic shapes are perennially popular, we’re seeing more square tiles appearing in fashion-forward kitchens and bathrooms on Houzz.

An aesthetic that lends itself to linear conformity but also zellige-style in variations of colour, glazes and rippled surfaces. More and more, hip squares will take form in tiled furniture, in particular benches, side tables and coffee tables.

Terrazzo palazzo

Interiors experts at Houzz unanimously agree that terrazzo and porcelain terrazzo-look tiles are still experiencing a rocket-like popularity this year.

Often terrazzo is used as a playful touch, a way to instil a sense of movement and personality in a space. It’s telling that the phrase ‘terrazzo bathroom’ had one of the highest search volume surges on Houzz in 2021 compared to the same period last year.

The slim shaker

Shaker cabinet style gets a ‘slim’ shake-up. This version of the trend features a flat centre panel and square-edged border – but with finer, narrower frames and with recessed handles or subtle finger pulls.

Professionals on Houzz say it solves what has long been a design conundrum, how to have a streamlined contemporary kitchen with just enough detail to give it a sense of place in period homes.

Wallpaper as a textural feature

Wallpaper makes a comeback, but not as the once regarded hero of the room. Trendsetters on Houzz demonstrate it’s now all about layering wallpaper with other highly textural elements. A trend that is a carefully crafted visual expression of colours and movement. It’s worth noting that these highly curated mixed material combinations require the specialist experience of an interior decorator or designer.

Creative brickwork

Curved, cut-out or coloured, the rise of artisanal bricks and using brick materials in creative ways is being more readily integrated into Australian architecture. Creating far more unique and interesting home facades, this trend will cement itself as a modern 21st-century exterior style.

Houzz is the leading platform for home renovation and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish.

Cottagecore is trending and it’s big in bathrooms!

From ‘cottagecore’ to rustic vogue, cottage bathroom interiors are super trending in the design world. Seamlessly integrating traditional cottage elements with modern design features, this nostalgic style whisks people away…

Tags 1970s, design trends, expert tips, kitchen design, terrazzo, textured wallpaper, tile trends, tiles, trends

Decorating 101 Design Homewares Styling

New interior trends 2021: highlighting texture, nature & clever design

Post author By Skye Viviers
Post date December 1, 2020
No Comments on New interior trends 2021: highlighting texture, nature & clever design

If there’s one thing architects, interior experts, forecasters, and leading designers agree on it’s this: our collective experience of lockdown will fundamentally alter the way we live in our homes in the future. What we place importance on – from the materials we choose, to the design of our living spaces – has changed dramatically and may continue to evolve as we cautiously navigate our way through the pandemic.

Home design, decoration, and renovation brand Houzz has searched through its data in order to create this collection of materials, colours, and other home design ideas that we can expect to see a lot more of in 2021.

1. The rise of antibacterial materials

One thing we’ll definitely take away from this year is the importance of hygiene. As sanitary practices have become a life-saving routine that we’ve integrated into our daily lives, we’re seeing a rise in automatic washbasins, touch-less flushing, and infrared sensors in bathrooms to meet the desire to reduce unnecessary touching. And in kitchens, we have started to see similar intentions through voice-activated appliances and cooktops with sensors.

Professionals on Houzz are reporting a greater demand for surface coatings that are bacteriostatic (capable of inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria) and antimicrobial metals. Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze, fulfil this criteria, so we expect to see more of these materials in tapware, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures such as sinks and splashbacks in 2021.

2. Artistic tiles

Many international artists have started working with manufacturers to turn these common furnishings into artform, and now this influence is working its way to Australian shores. In fact, due to COVID-19, many Australian designers have started working with more local manufacturers for their tiles and stones as – due to supply chain delays – materials from Europe may not come in time. One rising style is the use of zellige tiles, which are commonly handmade in Morocco. 2021 will see tiles push the boundaries in both shape and colour.

3. Bricks

Bricks are back in 2021! Homeowners like to experiment with colour and texture primarily through paint colour and application, but lately we’re seeing homeowners take that idea further, moving onto bricks – with incredible results. Rather than 60s red brick we all know, or building blocks, homeowners are instead looking for beautiful bricks, used externally or internally, adding robustness and warmth to the space. In the new year, we expect to see bricks and tiles being used as vehicles of self-expression.

4. Clever small home design

This year and into the next year, we will see more homeowners making better use of their small space, using joinery and furniture to create functional areas of the home. Small spaces and awkward layouts are common pain points for homeowners, which is confirmed by increasing search terms such as “small apartment” and “U-shaped kitchen”. Designers are responding to these new demands with study nooks, and clever joinery to maximise a small space.

5. Adaptive large-home layouts

The belief in “set” layouts that can’t change and grow with a family will be revisited. Our houses will need to be more adaptable in the future. Larger homes have the luxury of playing with more modularity. Many people are considering multipurpose rooms, non-permanent walls that can be shifted, and inventive ways that rooms can be opened up and shut off as needed.

6. Nature as saviour

The lockdown certainly heightened the value we place on our outdoor areas. A Houzz survey from mid-2020 found the outdoor area to be the most desirable for upcoming improvements. Increasingly, architects and interior designers have reported a demand for designs that connect the indoors with the outdoors through biophilic design including green roofs, internal courtyards, and garden walls.

7. Biodesign

Biodesign, the creation of furniture and objects from living organisms, is another important way we will see advancements in product design and materials in the foreseeable future. Indeed, technology has advanced so much that furniture could be made using waste, bacteria, and fungi. Designers have explained that this trend goes beyond environmentally-friendly, as we learn more about how science can truly innovate design.

8. Natural and rich colour palettes

It’s not just through actual flora that we will seek to simulate a natural environment; colours will help us to achieve this too. Colour specialists have predicted that earthy tones will be strong interior colours in the new year, which include sand, soft greens, warm browns, and terracottas. On the flip side, rich reds, inky blues, and mustard tones have also been gaining popularity as homeowners look for more ways to express themselves.

For more on these trends

Dulux colour forecast 2021: soothing colours for challenging times

With most European design and architecture shows cancelled this year, the Dulux Colour Forecast for 2021 has been informed by extensive virtual research into global trends to stay abreast of…

Paint trends 2021: Haymes Paint announces tranquil new palettes

Haymes Paint has launched its Volume 14 colour library, with new shades designed to reflect the shifting home trends in the wake of this tumultuous year. Embrace is inspired by…

Paint colour trends 2021: Wattyl forecast organic, reassuring tones

This year, the way in which the home functions has fundamentally altered, as it has played a more meaningful role than ever in our daily lives. Wattyl have reflected this…

Tags 2021 trends, design trends, interior design trends, interior design trends 2021, trends

Expert Tips Interviews

Japanese design 101: Colour, materials & texture unite!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 5, 2019
No Comments on Japanese design 101: Colour, materials & texture unite!

With many of us currently enveloped in a KonMari decluttering frenzy it’s no surprise that people are looking to the Japanese for more than just their home organisational habits. The logical extension of looking east is a renewed interest in their distinct design philosophies, many of which were observed recently by Haymes Paint colour and concept manager Wendy Rennie when she went there to attend the Interior Lifestyle Living international trade fair. “Overall the Japanese design and approach feels refined and focused and it is in the simplicity that the genius lies,” says Wendy who brought back plenty of insider tips as to how to inject your home with some Japanese cool.

Colour
“There is a unique, subtle use of colour in Japan. It’s part of the fabric of the country and is blended with texture and materials to create its own aesthetic. Accents of colour are often used against white to create a striking contrast, that includes the use of green and earthy tones found in the natural landscape and floral colours such as pink and lavender. These colour combinations create a serene beauty that would fit well in Australian interiors and lifestyles,” says Wendy.

Materials
“Wood was showcased in many diverse forms from light to dark. There was a lot more light wood used, which was quite a contrast from Milan where dark wood was a focus. The use of wood in furniture exhibits simplicity in design that is effortless and refined,” says Wendy.

Texture
“Texture was all encompassing in Japan with sophisticated applications in design from small to large scale projects. There was a focus on ensuring textures weren’t clean or perfect, with the beauty in the imperfection,” says Wendy who spotted it everywhere on her travels.

“Variations I observed included texture in paper screens, woven papers, quilted upholstery, ribbed carpeting, linen and incredible textured applications for walls using layering to create a tactile, bespoke space,” says Wendy.

For more paint inspo | Our favourite stylish storage solutions

Tags design, design trends, haymes paint, homewares, interior design, interiors, japanese design, paint

Design DIY Outdoor & Exteriors Styling

2019 trends: home decor, according to Pinterest

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date December 28, 2018
No Comments on 2019 trends: home decor, according to Pinterest

Natural swimming pool — Image source: Pinterest/

Pinterest recently unveiled its fifth ‘Pinterest 100’ report – an annual peek into the top trends that we’ll be seeing over coming year. And with over 250 million users with 175 billion ideas saved to 3 billion boards, the platform is a pretty reliable barometer of trends.

Though 83 per cent of home-related searches are for DIY home projects, Pinterest is also used by people looking to build, renovate and landscape too. From natural pools to outdoor fireplaces and tin-clad walls, next year looks to be an interesting one for interiors.

Painted tiles
Searches for ‘painted floor tiles’ are up 1,276 per cent as our renovation fervour continues. A fabulous, cost-effective alternative to starting again, people are painting floor tiles in all sorts of ways ranging from block colour to patterned iterations – the latter is surprisingly achievable with a large-scale stencil.

Pinterest painted floor tiles — Image source: Pinterest/Red Magazine

Geometric paint
Another easy but effective paint DIY, searches for ‘geometric paint’ are up 225 per cent. We featured this look a while back and it’s a fairly risk-free venture given the affordability of paint. Why not tackle a geometric wall over the summer?

Textile art
With macramé, crochet and weaving still solid trends, it’s no surprise that searches for ‘textile art’ are up 1,718 per cent as people look for that homespun (via the 1970’s) vibe. I’ve noticed countless textile art short courses popping up locally and Pinterest is a great place to gather inspiration for your next project.

Mustard yellow
From a feature wall to a bold sunshine-inspired bedding look, searches for mustard yellow are up 45 per cent. An uplifting shade, mustard is a great accent colour for on-trend monochrome spaces in particular.

Vertical gardens
Our obsession with plants continues with searches for ‘vertical gardens’ up 287 per cent. With more and more people living in apartments, the vertical garden isn’t going anywhere soon – I’m not sure there’s a better way to line a small courtyard wall. Not only does a vertical garden make a space feel larger but it delivers that all-important pop of green to urban spaces.

Tin
This one’s a little surprising but searches for ‘tin interiors’ are up 563 per cent. No doubt inspired by the glorious original pressed tin found in older homes, from splashbacks to wallpaper, tin is in!

Tin wall — Image source: Pinterest/rebelwalls.com.au

Bold wallpaper
I’ve always been a fan of bold wallpaper so the fact that searches for bold-print wallpaper are up some 401 per cent excites me very much. From large scale tropical leaves to bright geometric prints, statement wallpaper is a quick way to inject serious texture and personality into a space.

Creative cacti
While the fiddle-leaf fig, monstera and devil’s ivy have been on high rotation in our homes for years now, the cactus is currently enjoying the limelight. But given searches for ‘cactus arrangements’ are up 235 per cent, it would seem that a lone cactus will no longer suffice!

Indoor and outdoor fireplaces
Searches for ‘contemporary fireplace’ are up 763 per cent and the more slick and modern the better. There’s also been a rise in the outdoor fireplace – a fabulous addition to an outdoor room.

Natural swimming pools
Using plant filtration, rather than chlorine or salt, natural swimming pools look to be the next big thing for backyards. Searches for ‘natural swimming pools’ are up 262 per cent on Pinterest and when shaped in a curved, free-form fashion (as if they were always part of the landscape), it’s easy to see why. It’s a gorgeous look.

For more | 2019 design trends according to Etsy

Tags 2019, 2019 trends, design, design trends, interior design, interior design trends, interiors, pinterest, trends

Design Homewares

Starburst lights: all you need to know about this trend

Post author By Phoebe Bates
Post date November 5, 2018
No Comments on Starburst lights: all you need to know about this trend

Celestial light fixtures are one of the biggest design trends at the moment, with Pinterest saves for the starburst design increasing 137% globally since last year, according to the Pinterest Home Report.

They’re a throwback to the ’60s era of mid-century modern glam and evoke serious Mad Men vibes. However, you don’t have to be a mid-century lover to incorporate this trend into your home. The fixtures also work exceptionally well in modern, contemporary and Scandinavian interiors.

Scroll through this edit of Pinterest inspiration to see how a starburst chandelier can steal the show in myriad different spaces.

Pinterest’s 2018 Home Report

For more Pinterest trends: Monochrome kitchens & bathrooms

Tags celestial light fixtures, chandelier, design trends, interiors trends, lighting, pinterest, pinterest trends, statement lighting

Designers Expert Tips

The top 10 interior design trends for 2016/17

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date July 14, 2016
1 Comment on The top 10 interior design trends for 2016/17

By Kerena Berry

When it comes to self-expression, interior design has become every bit as important as the outfit you’re wearing right now (hopefully you’re not reading this while wearing an ancient pair of trackie dacks). Like fashion, design trends change with the seasons, but here are 10 movements in interior design that will be making waves for the next 12 months.

1. Two-tone kitchens

Stark and bold, the two-tone kitchen purposely limits colour range to create diversity in other ways, most notably finishes. From afar, the simple palette is deceptive because on closer scrutiny, brave combinations of textures reveal the complexity of the design. Rustic finishes on cabinets may not marry well with marble benches in your imagination, but in reality can work beautifully, creating a dramatic textural statement brought to life by the two-tone approach.

2. Wall tiles outside the kitchen and bathroom

Wall tiles are on the move, no longer trapped in their traditional domains. They’re migrating from kitchens and bathrooms to become features in common areas, and the effect is stunning. Now that they’re making their mark as ornamental bling in living areas, the humble tile is now enjoying a rapid evolution as designers compete to think outside the box and produce work that is aesthetically and practically superior. Tile designers are pushing the boundaries of shape, colour and functionality.

3. Mirrors as decor

They’ve always been a handy way to trick the eye into believing a room has greater dimensions (or simply to make sure we’re gorgeous), but mirrors are now being used much more creatively. With an increasingly diverse range of shapes and colours, you can throw out your old notions of where a mirror belongs, and start considering them as a feature that will add vibrance to any room. As with the more unorthodox use of tiles, consider using mirrors as decorative elements rather than functional items.

4. Wallpaper becoming more a part of the room

Finally shedding the yolk of tradition, wallpaper is making a comeback by becoming a more active element in a room’s styling. Rather than a backdrop, it becomes a partner for furniture by matching wallpaper pattern with fabrics. This brave combination generates a striking effect on the eye that is currently inspiring a wallpaper renaissance.

5. High-gloss cabinetry

Always preferred for its durability, high-gloss is now producing startling results in modern designs. Rich and vibrant, high-gloss is a finish that continues to surprise, using its relationship with light and reflections to offer a range of bold and unpredictable effects.

6. Pendant lights

Initially used to produce clean lines and hidden sources of light, pendants have evolved and are refusing to be concealed. With rising popularity, they’re being used more creatively and can now be seen creeping into design plans as decorative elements. No longer limited to select spaces, we’re seeing pendant lights as a general preference, even in powder rooms. With the right planning, it’s easy to use these lights more artistically by creating interesting sequences and patterns.

7. Moody colours

Expect deep and moody colours contrasted with two-tone walls. This is the trend of the year and although it may seem brave, this stark juxtaposition seldom fails when designed well. The same combination can also create a lighter, upbeat atmosphere but there’s no doubt that the use of deeper colours creates a sense of comfort. For added impact within the darker tones, a feature mirror can add spark.

8. Sustainability

The customer is always right and more clients are insisting on materials that satisfy their ecological standards. Although designers don’t usually embrace limitations, we certainly welcome sustainability. The preference for organic, recyclable and upcycling materials is now a mainstream trend. Aesthetics and textures are no longer enough. Rather than a hurdle for designers, embracing this trend can lead to the use of materials with greater character.

-Kerena Berry is an interior designer and co-founder of Designbx, Australia’s online interior design solution.

Tags 2016, 2017, design trends, designbx, edesign, interior design, interiors, kerena berry, mirrors, moody colours, online interior design, two tone kitchens, wall tiles, wallpaper

Expert Tips Kitchens

2015 interior trends forecast from Laminex Australia

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date July 18, 2014

By Neil Sookee

The 2015 Trends Forecast from Laminex Australia embraces global design trends and adds a hint of local flavour to inspire Australian homeowners and renovators. Three key themes – Essence, Impulse and Real – will influence interiors in 2015 and beyond. The three themes strip back to the bare essentials, encourage mixing colours, patterns and forms and embrace imperfections in natural materials.

Trend 1: Essence

Essence is about reduction and simplicity, stripping back to the bare essentials. With Essence, we look to the past for inspiration, but view retro colours and styling in a fresh, new way. After seasons of red and yellow-based greys, Essence introduces a movement towards neutral and cooler greys. To generate a natural palette of neutrals and grey, materials are pure with colours derived from the materials themselves. Deepest black and linen whites become the base for natural tones of wheat, stone and elemental greys. These tones become important alongside white.

Soft, feminine and poetic forms are key in this trend. In the absence of colour, texture and geometric forms are used as focal points in interiors.

Trend 2: Impulse

The opposite of Essence, Impulse is eclectic and maximal. Impulse celebrates the importance of spontaneity, encouraging us to be adventurous and creative. More is more when it comes to Impulse. Impulse evokes a sense of happiness. It’s a provocative mix, embracing items that don’t match. A wild fusion of styles, colour and patterns, geometric shapes and tantalising, energetic colours are central to the trend. There is a strong tendency for bold colour against a backdrop of white, light woodgrains, cool neutrals or fine greys. Also implied is the bleaching effect of strong sunlight that gives rise to faded colour, bringing a new take on nostalgia.

Impulse allows for the unexpected and unconventional and there is only one rule: there are no rules!

Trend 3: Real

Real looks to nature and the natural environment. The trend deals with authenticity and finding balance in a complex world, exploring a new mindfulness of natural elements. Natural materials like wood or stone are central to this trend. The colour palette is soft and harmonious, with vegetal colours showing an earthy and organic tendency. Greyed mid tones are important, as are copper, bronze and golds. Wood is the cherished material and wood tones turn light and natural – and less rustic. Imperfection is authentic and desirable.

Real reflects the lifestyle movement of Australians re-embracing ‘simple things’ such as farming, handmade products, home baking, gardening and craftsmanship. With the Real trend, high quality products with unsurpassed craftmanship and luxury are blended with vintage and handmade decorative items.

– Neil Sookee is the design director of Laminex Australia Group, a leading marketer, distributor and manufacturer of decorative surfaces throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Tags 2015 design trends, colour, design, design trends, kitchen, laminex, laminex australia, natural materials, surfaces

Designers

Kobe Johns of designEX talks about this month’s event and the design trends for 2015

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 12, 2014

This year will mark Kobe Johns’ third as exhibition manager at designEX, Australia’s original design and architecture event. And with a new home and 10,000 industry professionals set to attend, Kobe promises this year’s event will be the biggest and best yet.

“Being at Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, which is actually a peninsular, is a great opportunity for us to present the event in a new way,” says Kobe. “It has allowed us to be more flexible in our thinking and planning and I can’t leave out that it has a great view. Those travelling by ferry are in for a treat, it’s the real Sydney!”

With a strong focus on Australian design, women in design (from here and abroad) and a seminar series focusing on the broader design team, such as scientists, engineers and healthcare workers, the May event aims to refresh the design conversation. “The team and I have relished being able to present this longstanding institution with fresh and innovative content and work to reinvigorate the event,” explains Kobe. “Definitely the fact that we are carrying on a tradition of design events in Australia, I see this as a great responsibility.”

With the event soon to launch, Kobe has had a lot of time to consider the upcoming design trends and for her it comes down to four pivotal things: homeliness, comfort, warmth and design that is not for design’s sake. “Objects, furniture and lighting should mean something and enhance our domestic lives when at home,” says Kobe. “This carries over to commercial design and interiors where sustainability and smart building is key, against lavish and gratuitous. Materials, methods and approaches need to be specified for a reason of provenance or sustainability.”

In terms of an Australian design standpoint, there are particular trends that Kobe believes we are pioneering: “In furniture and object I can see a beautiful theme coming through by Australian designers of mixed materials and finishes; particularly of using polished brass and matte finished timbers or block colour, woven fabrics and light coloured timbers.

“The overall theme is of quality and consideration for the materials as well as the end user’s sensory experience including touch, where there is the contrast of cold metals and warm textiles, the smell of leather and visually beautiful colour combinations.”

designEX’s inaugural show at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island will be held from 28-to-30 May 2014. For more information.

Tags architecture, design, design trends, designex, featured, furniture, glebe island, interior architecture, kobe johns, sydney exhibition centre, trade show, trend forecast