Design Trend of the Month – 2019 Recap & Design Trends 2020 Forecast!

Peek into the past; peer into the future. Join us as we look back at our favourite Design Trends of 2019 and dive into our Design Trends 2020 Forecast!

 

Relive the Design Trends of 2019…

 

…and explore our Design Trends 2020 Forecast!

 

Biophilia

biophilia (n.): an innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world.

As we move into the ’20s, we yearn to reconnect with spaces that nourish us. As a result, we will see a continued significance with all things natural; timber, stone, organic materials and – most importantly – an abundance of plants.

 

Mindfulness

Our homes are a place to recharge; with this in mind, there will be a desire to create spaces that support us to slow down, realign and me in the present moment.

Conscious consumer concepts will also continue to flourish in 2020. Therefore, there will be an emphasis on making sustainable choices, reducing wasteful practices, supporting Australian companies and investing in durability over convenience or short-term affordability.

 

Small gardens

You don’t need a sprawling block to indulge in the revitalising world of biophilia! Small pop-up gardens are becoming more frequent in Aussie homes. If you’re looking to add more green space to you home, some potential locations include:

• Balcony gardens
• Rooftop gardens
• Internal courtyard gardens
• Bathroom sandbox gardens
• Foyer gardens
• House facade planter boxes
• Kitchen counter-top edible garden
• Screening plants along the side of the home
• Vertical gardens & green walls

Article: How to build a drought tolerant garden

Drought tolerant gardens

Investigating further into plant choice trends, gardens will move toward low maintenance, drought tolerant plants. As the drought progresses, thirstier plants will struggle, needing to be moved to pots, protected under shade or replaced with more sustainable choices; think Palm Springs succulents, Aussie natives and textured ornamental grasses.

 

Warmer neutrals

Next year, neutrals are shifting from cool whites and greys to warmer, earthier tones. Think of sun-drenched hay fields, sandy beaches and dusty dirt roads; or simply explore Dulux’s Grounded palette for more neutral inspo.

 

Calming, nature inspired palettes

Once again, the Dulux Colour Forecast 2020 is ringing true; Cultivate and Comeback set the tone for next year’s colour palettes, embracing the lush shades of nature.

Whilst contrasting spot colours might be used for visual effect, the overall palettes for 2020 will focus on shades found in the natural world, embracing blues and greens against the aforementioned earthy neutrals.

Case Study: The Designory Choose ModularWalls for Byron Bay Villa

Darker canvases

However, when it comes to landscaping canvases — fences, boundary walls, feature walls, privacy screens — we’re seeing a shift from the clean white to a darker charcoal. For instance, the dark ModularWalls canvas has been used recently by both The Designory’s Barefoot Bay Villa and The Block’s Alisa & Lysanda, in their Design Duo reno.

It’s also far easier to keep clean! Just beware of using a true black; the intensity can overwhelm a space with too stark a contrast and steal the show.

 

Large scale art and wall murals

Speaking of canvases, walls and fences are getting some character of their own. Feature tiles, cladding, murals, mosaics and wall art will make a big comeback within designer boundaries and feature walls.

 

Performance fabrics

Expanding on the concept of mindfulness and sustainability, the issue of waste reduction is another hot topic. Performance fabrics will become a popular choice for educated consumers looking to make quality purchasing decisions and reduce unsustainable product turnover.

Also known as smart fabrics or interactive textiles, these innovative materials have been engineered for stain resistance, abrasion resistance, thermo-performance (both heating or cooling), water-resistance, UV resistance, colour retention, wrinkle-resistance and even antibacterial properties.

Say goodbye to single-season outdoor furniture; say hello to highly aesthetic, high performance alternatives that can be reused or recycled for many years to come.

Video: Three Birds Renovations create VogueWall zones for House 11

Zoned backyards

With the celebration of organic, open plan living spaces comes the heightened need for defined, functional living zones; especially in backyards. Instead of a single, large, multi-functional space, the trend will shift toward zoning your backyard for various uses.

This design trend 2020 forecast is something we’re already noticing in the renovation world; in fact, zoning was a huge feature in Three Birds Renovation’s House 11 and Little Dwelling’s DIY backyard reno! With people’s busy schedules and tight budgets, homeowners are tackling outdoor renovations one zone at a time, instead of uprooting their entire outdoor area at once.

 

Written by Evelyn Kandris

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