Furnishings and fixtures, colours and completely new concepts, here are the trends that will matter this year and next according to Houzz Editor Vanessa Walker. See below for the six design trends she predicts are on the horizon.

Want to see which trends are on the horizon? Here, we round up the six most significant ‘looks and feels’ that are likely to influence the way we design and live in the near future.

1. The Return Of Feel-Good Furnishings

Continuing on from the ’70s trend in building forms, which manifested as curves, rounded panelling, arches and sunken rooms, we are about to experience a resurgence of ’70s feel-good furnishings. Delivering a hint of nostalgia as well as a sense of whimsy, be prepared for the kind of decor some of us remember from the first time round. We are starting to see local, independent creators (particularly from Melbourne companies) issue updated classics including tufted cotton, fringed bedspreads and floral bed linen in ’70s colourways, such as russet offset by soft pastel-like hues. Even retail giant Kmart’s designers, intuiting our need for comfort, safety and a return to innocence, is in on the act. They have issued sweet, small-floral motif sheet sets with names such as Floral Meadow, Lottie and Iris. These soft furnishings feature a loose, sun-kissed aesthetic and often have russet-like hues at their core, offset by sweet yellows, blues and pinks. They are a natural extension of the indoor-plant, wall-hanging, cane furniture trend we’ve experienced in recent years. Australian soft-furnishing companies are continuing to pursue collaborations with Indigenous creators and will likely influence mainstream design soon.

2. It’s Hip To Be Square

Contrasting with, yet complementing, this floral look is the return of the square tile, in kitchens, bathrooms, on furniture and as a motif on soft furnishings (where it manifests as checkerboard or gingham). While organic shapes are perennially popular, we anticipate more square tiles appearing in fashion-forward kitchens and bathrooms; their linear conformity offset by zellige-style characteristics such as natural colour variations, crazed glazes and rippled surfaces. However, one of the benefits of using square tiles is their relative affordability, and the way they lend a streamlined, graphic edge to an interior. An example of the furthering of this trend is tiled furniture, in particular benches, side tables and coffee tables. At this early stage, these creations are the arena of small-scale makers such as Fleur Studios and P0ly Designs (a creative couple that started their business from home during Melbourne’s 2020 stage four lockdowns). Their rising popularity is also due to the ability to be custom-made in a range of tile-grout colour combinations. However, if you’re not a fan or don’t want to commit to a rectilinear look, don’t despair. Interiors experts agree that terrazzo and porcelain terrazzo-look tiles, are still experiencing a rocket-like popularity this year, especially when 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.

3. The Slim Shaker

It’s clean, sophisticated, refined… and perfect for bridging the gap in heritage homes that require modern interventions. We are talking about the new ‘slim Shaker’ cabinet profile, which is like the ‘old Shaker’ – featuring a flat centre panel and square-edged border – but with finer, narrower frames and with recessed handles or subtle finger pulls. This skinny Shaker version 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.

4. Wallpaper As A Textural Feature

Wallpaper is also making a comeback, albeit with a markedly different treatment. Where once it was the hero of a room, a feature you were meant to stand back and admire, now it’s about layering wallpaper with other highly textural elements so the eye sees a confusion of (carefully crafted) colour and movement.

5. Creative Brickwork

With so many renovations of heritage homes as well as new builds, underway in Australia while there’s a global timber shortage, it’s timely that creative brickwork is on the rise. Moving away from red bricks laid in a stretcher-bond pattern, curved and coloured bricks are being more readily integrated into Australian architecture. “There’s a strong shift towards natural materials and texture as we all take refuge in our homes in these uncertain times and as we long for the connectedness and grounding that nature brings us,” says Melissa Bonney. “The rise of artisanal bricks and using products such as brick in creative ways gives really unique finishes and outcomes to a project.” With increasing demand for interesting and unique facades, companies such as PGH Bricks & Pavers have been offering more artisanal products, such as La Paloma Special Shapes range which includes tile-look square bricks (yes, that trend again), curved and wave-like surfaces.

6. The Eco-Friendly Subscription Revolution

One of the biggest changes to the way we live – and the trend that is guaranteed to see exponential growth – is the replacement of off-the-shelf shopping with eco-subscription delivery services for common household items. Many start-up companies (which often began life as a crowd-funded idea) are finding clever ways to deliver environmentally friendly essentials to our doors, saving the earth and saving us hassle at the same time. Think 100-percent recycled-fibre toilet paper company Who Gives a Crap (which donates 50 percent of profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries) and tree-free How We Roll toilet paper, which donates to reforestation projects. You simply sign up to these companies online and manage your single orders or subscriptions from your account. Recent notable entrants include Tirtyl’s zero-waste hand soap refills. You simply buy soap tablets online, get them delivered, then when you need more hand soap, pop a tablet in a dispenser and just add water. The company donates two percent of sales to social causes. Subscription eco-laundry detergent strips (which dissolve in the wash) such as those from Spacewhite (which donates 100 percent of profits to charity) and Biocasa are also challenging the use of bulky plastic bottles or boxes of powder or liquid detergent taking up space in our laundries. It’s easy to dismiss the idea of trends as frivolous, but they provide great insight into the changing priorities in our lives. These environmentally friendly products demonstrate the importance of constantly thinking about how we can improve and enjoy the way we live in our homes and why evolution is the name of the game.

Here at Hurst Homes we are big on energy efficiency as HIA GreenSmart Professional. From the solar orientation of your home, to insulation and double glazing, and the heating and cooling appliances we install. We ensure your needs are met and running costs that be be reduced are where possible. We also get all of our homes individually energy rated for our clients so they know how their house compares to others when they go to sell. For a free preliminary estimate on your dream home contact us today on 0438 692 962.

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