Architecture
Renovating
Expert Eye: 6 Architectural Trends You Need to Know About in 2019
Building or renovating this year? An architect reveals the top six home-design trends set to dominate this year
Just like fashion, architectural trends are constantly evolving. From maximalism and shape-shifting rooms to Mad Men-inspired detailing, here are six architectural and design trends we can expect to see more of in 2019.
The simplicity of modernism, as exemplified by the mid-century Palm Springs, USA, houses of movie stars, will continue to be a driving influence for architects in 2019.
Classic mid-century features – such as large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple glass doors that allow for seamless indoor-outdoor flow – will continue to be a popular choice in bespoke residential architecture in the coming year.
Learn how to bring Palm Springs-inspired mid-century modernism into your home
Classic mid-century features – such as large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple glass doors that allow for seamless indoor-outdoor flow – will continue to be a popular choice in bespoke residential architecture in the coming year.
Learn how to bring Palm Springs-inspired mid-century modernism into your home
2. Rooms that change shape and size
Over the past decade, the pre-GFC trend for oversize houses with multiple, single-purpose rooms has given way to more rational space planning. Today, homes feature fewer rooms and they tend to be multi-purpose.
Advances in technology also contribute to this development. The home cinema is a classic example of a single-function space that has now become largely redundant as higher-resolution televisions draw this activity back into the communal living areas in the house.
Over the past decade, the pre-GFC trend for oversize houses with multiple, single-purpose rooms has given way to more rational space planning. Today, homes feature fewer rooms and they tend to be multi-purpose.
Advances in technology also contribute to this development. The home cinema is a classic example of a single-function space that has now become largely redundant as higher-resolution televisions draw this activity back into the communal living areas in the house.
The next step in the open-plan movement is for spaces that can be adapted to suit different activities; think sliding and retractable doors and walls that can be closed to create a cosy dining room or opened up to accommodate a group of guests, or a section of built-in joinery that conceals a home office.
3. Raw and natural building materials
Homogeneous uniform materials are making way for earthier, more rustic materials in 2019, including hand-crafted and recycled bricks, natural blockwork, uncoated fibre-cement sheeting and off-form concrete.
Timber is becoming more prevalent, often left in its raw state and allowed to weather naturally. Vertical timber-batten screens are also commonly used as feature facade elements.
Feature roofs are also coming to the fore; expect to see roofs in oxidising metals such as zinc and copper forming eye-catching, natural patinas over time.
In another nod to the resurgence of Mad Men modernist ideals, breeze blocks are back in vogue, albeit in a higher quality, polished finish and in a wider range of colours than what was available half a century or so ago.
Homogeneous uniform materials are making way for earthier, more rustic materials in 2019, including hand-crafted and recycled bricks, natural blockwork, uncoated fibre-cement sheeting and off-form concrete.
Timber is becoming more prevalent, often left in its raw state and allowed to weather naturally. Vertical timber-batten screens are also commonly used as feature facade elements.
Feature roofs are also coming to the fore; expect to see roofs in oxidising metals such as zinc and copper forming eye-catching, natural patinas over time.
In another nod to the resurgence of Mad Men modernist ideals, breeze blocks are back in vogue, albeit in a higher quality, polished finish and in a wider range of colours than what was available half a century or so ago.
Inside the home, flooring choices du jour include polished concrete, wide-format timber boards and textured tiles that add character and interest to a space.
Hybrid flooring, which combines the appearance of timber with the durability and ease-of-maintenance of vinyl and laminate, is also gaining traction. It’s water-, scratch- and stain- resistant, and can be used in all rooms of the home, including wet rooms.
Narrow steel window frames are another modernist throwback coming through. These slender frames replace wider aluminium frames, which helps maximise views.
Choose the Right Hard Flooring for Your Open-Plan Living Area
Hybrid flooring, which combines the appearance of timber with the durability and ease-of-maintenance of vinyl and laminate, is also gaining traction. It’s water-, scratch- and stain- resistant, and can be used in all rooms of the home, including wet rooms.
Narrow steel window frames are another modernist throwback coming through. These slender frames replace wider aluminium frames, which helps maximise views.
Choose the Right Hard Flooring for Your Open-Plan Living Area
4. Maximalism
After reigning supreme for years, minimalism is finally moving aside and maximalism is coming into fashion. Interior spaces in today’s bespoke homes are filled with more pieces, more materials and more colour than they have been for years.
After reigning supreme for years, minimalism is finally moving aside and maximalism is coming into fashion. Interior spaces in today’s bespoke homes are filled with more pieces, more materials and more colour than they have been for years.
Where colour isn’t desirable, light neutral tones are being replaced by rich dark finishes: black is very much back.
Natural materials including stone, timber, steel and leather are also being used in joinery and furniture pieces.
7 Stylish Ways to Make Black Kitchen Cabinets Work
Natural materials including stone, timber, steel and leather are also being used in joinery and furniture pieces.
7 Stylish Ways to Make Black Kitchen Cabinets Work
5. Integrated kitchens
With open-plan kitchens increasingly the norm, integrated kitchens concealed behind cabinetry are gaining in popularity. And it’s not just appliances, but much of the workings of a kitchen – such as the secondary sink and preparation space – that are being hidden.
The look is sleek and fuss-free; cabinetry handles are replaced by concealed finger pulls or push catches so that kitchen joinery blends seamlessly into the surrounds.
Butler’s pantries that contain storage, bench space and even a second fridge and dishwasher, are increasing in prevalence as homeowners look to keep their open-plan kitchen clutter-free.
With open-plan kitchens increasingly the norm, integrated kitchens concealed behind cabinetry are gaining in popularity. And it’s not just appliances, but much of the workings of a kitchen – such as the secondary sink and preparation space – that are being hidden.
The look is sleek and fuss-free; cabinetry handles are replaced by concealed finger pulls or push catches so that kitchen joinery blends seamlessly into the surrounds.
Butler’s pantries that contain storage, bench space and even a second fridge and dishwasher, are increasing in prevalence as homeowners look to keep their open-plan kitchen clutter-free.
Appliance design has evolved to suit the changing fashion in kitchen design, too. Now, even those that can’t be fully concealed, such as cooktops, are designed to sit flush with the benchtop for a cohesive look.
Be inspired by these stunning contemporary kitchens
Be inspired by these stunning contemporary kitchens
Image by Tractile
6. Ever-smarter homes
New smart-home technologies and the potential lifestyle improvements they promise are developing rapidly.
As battery storage becomes more efficient and affordable, solar panels have transformed from ugly, retrofitted roof panels to fully integrated composite solar tiles that blend seamlessly into your roofline and generate electricity, hot water, and provide thermal insulation.
6. Ever-smarter homes
New smart-home technologies and the potential lifestyle improvements they promise are developing rapidly.
As battery storage becomes more efficient and affordable, solar panels have transformed from ugly, retrofitted roof panels to fully integrated composite solar tiles that blend seamlessly into your roofline and generate electricity, hot water, and provide thermal insulation.
Wireless charging will soon be available in a range of solid materials that will allow you to charge your smart phones and devices simply by placing them anywhere on a benchtop surface.
Home-automation systems are increasingly the norm, and many now integrate voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) devices, such as the digital home assistants Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
The Verdict: 5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
Home-automation systems are increasingly the norm, and many now integrate voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) devices, such as the digital home assistants Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
The Verdict: 5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
Tell us
Are you tempted to use any of these ideas in your next home build or renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, like and share this story, save the images and join the conversation.
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Keen to modernise your home with these contemporary features? Find a local architect here and chat through your ideas
Are you tempted to use any of these ideas in your next home build or renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, like and share this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Keen to modernise your home with these contemporary features? Find a local architect here and chat through your ideas
Architects continue to push the envelope in bespoke building design in 2019. Exciting designs to look out for include curved, organic forms and unexpected roof forms. Large, floating cantilevered roofs are one such trend – you’ll even see whole portions of upper stories that appear to float in mid-air with no obvious means of support.
Eave overhangs are getting larger than ever – a stylish look that can also boost your home’s eco cred. Generous eave overhangs protect window openings from the sun and rain, limit heat exposure and maximise the potential for natural ventilation. This results in reduced running costs, which contributes to a more economical and sustainable building.