8 More Must-Know Renovation Trends Straight From the Experts
In the second of this two-part series, architects and designers reveal eight new trends every renovator needs to know
Georgia Madden
24 July 2020
Building or renovating your home? Don’t commit to a thing until you’ve read this – four design experts share eight of the hottest new renovating and decorating trends you may want to incorporate into your design.
Read the first story in this series here.
Read the first story in this series here.
Image by James Greer; project collaboration between Nexus Designs and Sally Draper Architects
Sonia Simpfendorfer, creative director at Nexus Designs, says:
1. Earthy neutrals are in; think brown, beige and buff
Grey has dominated interior design and architecture trends for a long time, but there is now a move towards calming, grounding neutrals that seem to be drawn from the landscape. They feel natural, soft, warm, welcoming and connected.
Sonia Simpfendorfer, creative director at Nexus Designs, says:
1. Earthy neutrals are in; think brown, beige and buff
Grey has dominated interior design and architecture trends for a long time, but there is now a move towards calming, grounding neutrals that seem to be drawn from the landscape. They feel natural, soft, warm, welcoming and connected.
Earthy neutrals are very versatile and you’ll find they work no matter the style of the house. Layer multiple tones for visual flow throughout your home and carry them through to your outside spaces.
Itching to renovate? Discuss your ideas with a local architect on Houzz
Itching to renovate? Discuss your ideas with a local architect on Houzz
Image by James Greer; project collaboration between Nexus Designs and EMArchitects
2. Spaces for wellbeing
The desire to have healthier houses and buildings that are energy-efficient, well-orientated, cross-ventilated and suited to the environment – and better for the inhabitants – is gaining strength. Think great natural light, a connection to landscape and natural materials.
More care for the environment and concern about waste are driving designers to take a more mindful approach to interiors and architecture. The focus is on less waste, more recycled and recyclable materials and smart hybrid materials that perform well.
2. Spaces for wellbeing
The desire to have healthier houses and buildings that are energy-efficient, well-orientated, cross-ventilated and suited to the environment – and better for the inhabitants – is gaining strength. Think great natural light, a connection to landscape and natural materials.
More care for the environment and concern about waste are driving designers to take a more mindful approach to interiors and architecture. The focus is on less waste, more recycled and recyclable materials and smart hybrid materials that perform well.
When designing for wellbeing focus less on what you want and more on what you really need to live well, such as sunlight, air and well-considered storage.
Image by James Greer; project collaboration between Nexus Designs and EMArchitects
3. Thoughtful design
There’s a focus on renovating carefully rather than on wholesale demolition and starting from scratch; valuing buildings with some age and history and making them work harder and smarter to suit how we live now.
It’s about the quality of a space rather than the quantity. There is enormous satisfaction to be had in creating something better within an existing building envelope – as well as reducing waste.
3. Thoughtful design
There’s a focus on renovating carefully rather than on wholesale demolition and starting from scratch; valuing buildings with some age and history and making them work harder and smarter to suit how we live now.
It’s about the quality of a space rather than the quantity. There is enormous satisfaction to be had in creating something better within an existing building envelope – as well as reducing waste.
Small changes can have a powerful impact, such as simply changing a doorway to free up space or adding power points to make a space more flexible.
Adrian Ramsay, design director at Adrian Ramsay Design House, says:
4. New ways with LEDs
Energy-efficient LED lighting is being used in new and innovative ways. Gone are the days of just wall and ceiling LEDs – we’re now seeing curved LEDs, LED strip lights set into the plaster board of ceilings, LEDs used as under-lighting on joinery and all manner of mood lighting effects.
4. New ways with LEDs
Energy-efficient LED lighting is being used in new and innovative ways. Gone are the days of just wall and ceiling LEDs – we’re now seeing curved LEDs, LED strip lights set into the plaster board of ceilings, LEDs used as under-lighting on joinery and all manner of mood lighting effects.
Be aware that LED lighting does have its side effects. It has been found to have ‘photo-toxic effects’, which can lead to macula and retina degeneration, plus it can alter your circadian rhythms, which makes it harder to sleep. Using LED lights with a warm white tone is currently the most successful way to combat this. But as LED technology evolves, these issues are likely to be solved.
Zakkia Embers wall planters designed by Adam Robinson Design
5. Indoor plants creeping into fixtures
The indoor plant trend isn’t going anywhere. This year has seen greenery shift from pots and planters to more permanent fixtures such as lighting – think sconces and pendant lights with dedicated space for indoor plants.
5. Indoor plants creeping into fixtures
The indoor plant trend isn’t going anywhere. This year has seen greenery shift from pots and planters to more permanent fixtures such as lighting – think sconces and pendant lights with dedicated space for indoor plants.
Bunnings Home Design Verde pendants
Frances Cosway, design director at White Pebble Interiors, says:
Plants are my top tip for decorating success – they bring oxygen inside, connect a space to nature and add a sense of calm.
Whether in fixtures or in portable pots, you can use plants anywhere – on your desk, hung in baskets on the balcony, on the dining table, a window sill or to fill an empty corner.
Frances Cosway, design director at White Pebble Interiors, says:
Plants are my top tip for decorating success – they bring oxygen inside, connect a space to nature and add a sense of calm.
Whether in fixtures or in portable pots, you can use plants anywhere – on your desk, hung in baskets on the balcony, on the dining table, a window sill or to fill an empty corner.
If you’re not confident with greenery, it’s best to stick with low-maintenance varieties, such as devil’s ivy, spider plants and monstera.
Kate Beilby, architect and director at Milieu: Architecture + Design, says:
6. The rise of timber veneer
Natural timber veneer is featuring strongly in interiors in 2020, with a focus on locally sourced sustainable timber species. In a recent renovation, we used spotted-gum veneer in the kitchen and bathroom for its warm colour and beautiful grain.
6. The rise of timber veneer
Natural timber veneer is featuring strongly in interiors in 2020, with a focus on locally sourced sustainable timber species. In a recent renovation, we used spotted-gum veneer in the kitchen and bathroom for its warm colour and beautiful grain.
Not all timber veneers are made the same. When selecting a natural timber veneer, check the timber has been sustainably sourced.
Cosway says:
7. Naturally aged finishes
Naturally aged, blemished or flawed materials and finishes, such as petrified timber and living and burnished brass, are key trends in interior design and architecture. The natural wear and tear of time enhances the appearance of these materials for an intriguing and ever-changing look.
There’s also a renewed appreciation for artisan products, where the natural flaws are a key component of their beauty.
7. Naturally aged finishes
Naturally aged, blemished or flawed materials and finishes, such as petrified timber and living and burnished brass, are key trends in interior design and architecture. The natural wear and tear of time enhances the appearance of these materials for an intriguing and ever-changing look.
There’s also a renewed appreciation for artisan products, where the natural flaws are a key component of their beauty.
Textures and finishes that have a history and a story to tell are gaining traction, both indoors and out. They’re great for adding texture, depth and interest to a space.
8. Sustainable materials
With a growing societal emphasis on the environment, there’s a push towards building sustainably with natural materials, local resources and an awareness of our carbon footprint.
With a growing societal emphasis on the environment, there’s a push towards building sustainably with natural materials, local resources and an awareness of our carbon footprint.
Use sustainable materials on external facades, on indoor floors, vanities, cabinetry, benchtops and handles.
For design success, be consistent with your material choices and keep in mind the mantra ‘less is more’. Choose the same finish, for example chrome or burnished brass, in the kitchen and bathrooms. When it comes to timber, use no more than one or two species per room. More than this and the design starts to look too busy.
For design success, be consistent with your material choices and keep in mind the mantra ‘less is more’. Choose the same finish, for example chrome or burnished brass, in the kitchen and bathrooms. When it comes to timber, use no more than one or two species per room. More than this and the design starts to look too busy.
Your turn
Are you planning on incorporating any of these trends in your renovation or build? Tell us your favourite features in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more renovation trends? Take a look at the first part in this series: 5 Design Trends You Need to Know About Before Renovating
Are you planning on incorporating any of these trends in your renovation or build? Tell us your favourite features in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more renovation trends? Take a look at the first part in this series: 5 Design Trends You Need to Know About Before Renovating
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I applaud all of these. I do hope mission brown never again sees the light of day, but browns with depth like terracotta, natural wood and rammed earth are very welcome. Especially when they play with the greenery of plants and colour. I particularly love aged finishes and the values that comes with wabi-sabi. My main issue is wood veneer, which is not, by definition, easy to repair or recycle at the end of its life - overlaid as it is, on inferior products like mdf. It looks pretty in the short term, but it sits uncomfortably with the other 'trends' of sustainability and natural aging in this article.
I do like the window seats and areas where it’s possible to sit and soak up views of nature outside whatever the weather. So important especially in these covid lockdown times.
2 & 3 and 7 & 8 are good points.
There are a lot of beautiful brown tones that have nothing to do with mission brown.
These days we are much more likely to be de-greying our homes rather than de-browning.
Glad to be seeing the back of glossy and blingy finishes.