Interior Design
Architecture
Decorating
Sunken Lounges to Spice Palettes: The Trends for Summer & Beyond
Soft and curved, sustainable and adaptable are core concepts behind the main emerging trends for the home
Our homes were the one constant through all the changes wrought upon us during the pandemic years. It follows that how we live in our homes, and our needs and aspirations for that space, have been shaped by our collective altered reality. Read on for the latest interior, architecture and lifestyle trends and take comfort in the fact that the outcome of these changes are, first and foremost, natural, humane and sustainable.
Image of Big Friendly sofa courtesy of Dowel Jones.
Shapes
Rounded, bold and curved forms are still going strong as the dominant shapes, as enforced time at home led the rejection of angles and sharp edges.
This desire for softer, fluid forms is seeing every facet of the home, from curved island benches, to dowelled surfaces and chubby sofas reflect the wish for a gentler, calmer sanctuary.
And it’s no surprise that the type of soft, tactile fabrics – chenilles, ribs and bouclé – that complement these shapes are also on the rise.
Shapes
Rounded, bold and curved forms are still going strong as the dominant shapes, as enforced time at home led the rejection of angles and sharp edges.
This desire for softer, fluid forms is seeing every facet of the home, from curved island benches, to dowelled surfaces and chubby sofas reflect the wish for a gentler, calmer sanctuary.
And it’s no surprise that the type of soft, tactile fabrics – chenilles, ribs and bouclé – that complement these shapes are also on the rise.
These trends are underpinned by the increasing embrace of biophilic principles in every aspect of home design and living: specifically, the science that our connection to the natural environment via direct nature (views, fireplaces, airflow), and indirect nature (rounded forms, sustainability and calm colours) has physical and mental health benefits, as well as environmental and economic.
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Image courtesy of SLH Furniture.
Adaptability + innovation
Spaces that incorporate indoor and outdoor living have been gaining traction in recent years, with an upswing in users on Houzz searching year-on-year for terms such as ‘coastal kitchen’, ‘decks’ and ‘outdoor dining’.
An unexpected aspect of furniture designed to provide a seamless aesthetic between indoors and out is that this trend is beginning to work in reverse, with outdoor products – durable goods that use fade-resistant fabrics, denser foam and sturdier construction – increasingly being brought into transitional spaces and slowly edging indoors.
Adaptability + innovation
Spaces that incorporate indoor and outdoor living have been gaining traction in recent years, with an upswing in users on Houzz searching year-on-year for terms such as ‘coastal kitchen’, ‘decks’ and ‘outdoor dining’.
An unexpected aspect of furniture designed to provide a seamless aesthetic between indoors and out is that this trend is beginning to work in reverse, with outdoor products – durable goods that use fade-resistant fabrics, denser foam and sturdier construction – increasingly being brought into transitional spaces and slowly edging indoors.
Image courtesy of SLH Furniture.
A flow-on effect is that manufacturers are beginning to prioritise products that are more adaptable and environmentally friendly.
An example is the ReClips range, seen here, by Danish design house Houe, and distributed in Australia by SLH Furniture. Made from 98-percent-recycled household plastic, the chair seat and back ribs are available in a range of colours that can be changed (and clicked into place) to suit the season or the decor.
Browse more beautifully designed decks
A flow-on effect is that manufacturers are beginning to prioritise products that are more adaptable and environmentally friendly.
An example is the ReClips range, seen here, by Danish design house Houe, and distributed in Australia by SLH Furniture. Made from 98-percent-recycled household plastic, the chair seat and back ribs are available in a range of colours that can be changed (and clicked into place) to suit the season or the decor.
Browse more beautifully designed decks
Image of Gus Modern sofa courtesy of M+Co Living.
In a similar vein, M+Co Living showcased a new sofa at Decor + Design that hints at the possibilities of environmentally friendly choices in Australia.
While the Gus Modern sofa looks and feels like traditional leather, it is made from is ‘AppleSkin Leather’, a material formed by upcycling discarded fruit fibre. Designed and made in Italy, the fabric is created from re-purposed remnants from the country’s apple orchard and juicing industries.
It serves the dual purpose of making use of surplus waste materials while meeting global demand for an alternative to animal leather. The inner filling features a new PET fill; an ultra-soft, long-strand fibre material that offers the comfort and feel of traditional duck down, but is achieved by diverting plastic bottles away from landfills and waterways.
In a similar vein, M+Co Living showcased a new sofa at Decor + Design that hints at the possibilities of environmentally friendly choices in Australia.
While the Gus Modern sofa looks and feels like traditional leather, it is made from is ‘AppleSkin Leather’, a material formed by upcycling discarded fruit fibre. Designed and made in Italy, the fabric is created from re-purposed remnants from the country’s apple orchard and juicing industries.
It serves the dual purpose of making use of surplus waste materials while meeting global demand for an alternative to animal leather. The inner filling features a new PET fill; an ultra-soft, long-strand fibre material that offers the comfort and feel of traditional duck down, but is achieved by diverting plastic bottles away from landfills and waterways.
Knock-on effects
Another form of adaptability is the way interiors are responding to pandemic-related shortages and supply-chain delays.
Architect Rebecca Naughtin says that current availability issues are leading to the increased use of colour-matched walls and joinery; a cost-effective approach that allows for onsite painting and last-minute colour changes as well as flexibility after construction.
“Colour-matched joinery is becoming more popular as clients and designers search for ways to make cabinetry more discreet and integrated, given that it is the colour that dominates,” she says.
An upside is that the bold colours or matching materials, such as plywoods, create a singular language for a project. “This approach gives a clean and sophisticated look perfect for kitchens, ’robes, and cabinetry.”
Interior designer Sophie Kost at My Beautiful Abode agrees that instead of feature walls or mostly white rooms, there will be a resurgence of people painting all their walls in colour.
“I’m talking about immersing ourselves in colour that makes you feel energised/happy/
calm/serene,” she says.
Another form of adaptability is the way interiors are responding to pandemic-related shortages and supply-chain delays.
Architect Rebecca Naughtin says that current availability issues are leading to the increased use of colour-matched walls and joinery; a cost-effective approach that allows for onsite painting and last-minute colour changes as well as flexibility after construction.
“Colour-matched joinery is becoming more popular as clients and designers search for ways to make cabinetry more discreet and integrated, given that it is the colour that dominates,” she says.
An upside is that the bold colours or matching materials, such as plywoods, create a singular language for a project. “This approach gives a clean and sophisticated look perfect for kitchens, ’robes, and cabinetry.”
Interior designer Sophie Kost at My Beautiful Abode agrees that instead of feature walls or mostly white rooms, there will be a resurgence of people painting all their walls in colour.
“I’m talking about immersing ourselves in colour that makes you feel energised/happy/
calm/serene,” she says.
Image of Troye Sivan House by Anson Smart.
Given the rise in building costs and the difficulties faced by some volume builders, Michael Drage of Reimagined Habitat, expects smart, well-planned renovations to replace knockdown-rebuilds.
He believes the core areas people will be addressing will be a greater focus on biophilic design, decluttered spaces, and investments in air quality and consistent internal temperatures.
Drage also predicts the move to home being a place for ‘all things’ will see dedicated spaces or multi-tasking areas designed for those things we once left home for: be it yoga, work, art, exercise or entertainment. This was also reflected in increased searches on Houzz this year for niche areas such as ‘home bar’, ‘media room’, ‘library’, ‘studio’ and ‘rumpus room’.
Given the rise in building costs and the difficulties faced by some volume builders, Michael Drage of Reimagined Habitat, expects smart, well-planned renovations to replace knockdown-rebuilds.
He believes the core areas people will be addressing will be a greater focus on biophilic design, decluttered spaces, and investments in air quality and consistent internal temperatures.
Drage also predicts the move to home being a place for ‘all things’ will see dedicated spaces or multi-tasking areas designed for those things we once left home for: be it yoga, work, art, exercise or entertainment. This was also reflected in increased searches on Houzz this year for niche areas such as ‘home bar’, ‘media room’, ‘library’, ‘studio’ and ‘rumpus room’.
Architecture
This desire for a house to meet all needs is hastening the return of some of the proven design elements of the past, says Naughtin.
In the longer term, she singles out the return of the much-loved sunken lounge, which also fulfils our desire for a more cosseting home in uncertain times.
“Mid-century modernism has had a huge resurgence in the past few years and people are beginning to be bolder with their application of ideas,” she says. “The sunken lounge is a key modernist feature and makes for an impressive living room.
“It defines a space through floor set-downs, rather than walls, typical of modernism. [Sunken lounges] create an intimate space for the family or for hosting guests. After two years of lockdowns, people are looking to amplify these moments of comfort and cosiness in the home.”
This desire for a house to meet all needs is hastening the return of some of the proven design elements of the past, says Naughtin.
In the longer term, she singles out the return of the much-loved sunken lounge, which also fulfils our desire for a more cosseting home in uncertain times.
“Mid-century modernism has had a huge resurgence in the past few years and people are beginning to be bolder with their application of ideas,” she says. “The sunken lounge is a key modernist feature and makes for an impressive living room.
“It defines a space through floor set-downs, rather than walls, typical of modernism. [Sunken lounges] create an intimate space for the family or for hosting guests. After two years of lockdowns, people are looking to amplify these moments of comfort and cosiness in the home.”
Outdoors
With climate change front and centre of people’s minds, outdoors there is a trend towards balancing environmental concerns with visual beauty.
Landscape architect James Dawson expects more bee- and butterfly-attracting flora, coupled with water sources and designs that complement and sustain native plants. This trend was also reflected in search traffic for ‘Australian native gardens’, on Houzz, which doubled when compared to 2021.
Your turn
Which of these trends are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Dive into more of our trends coverage with Salone del Mobile 2022: Key Trends From the Iconic Trade Fair
With climate change front and centre of people’s minds, outdoors there is a trend towards balancing environmental concerns with visual beauty.
Landscape architect James Dawson expects more bee- and butterfly-attracting flora, coupled with water sources and designs that complement and sustain native plants. This trend was also reflected in search traffic for ‘Australian native gardens’, on Houzz, which doubled when compared to 2021.
Your turn
Which of these trends are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Dive into more of our trends coverage with Salone del Mobile 2022: Key Trends From the Iconic Trade Fair
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Colours
From the great European furniture fair, Salone del Mobile, through to Australia’s premier interiors trade show, Decor + Design, terracottas and forest greens have emerged as the dominant colour palettes for the coming year.
A rejection of industrialisation and the machine-made, these natural and quietly robust hues are grounded in earthy living; the embrace of the artisan and handmade.
In interiors, this ‘clay- and forest-inspired’ core palette is being complemented with colours that are reminiscent of Indian spices; think mustard and turmeric yellows, burnt siennas and saffron pinks.