2023 is just around the corner—are you wondering what is the next home design trend in Sydney?
Australia has long been touted as one of the most innovative sources of design in the world. From unique architecture to creative homeware and interior design brands, its style effortlessly fuses modern western aesthetics with local materials.
You’ll find it has multicultural influences from its British past and from the indigenous people. Australian designers embrace the forms and fabric found in their nature and that’s what makes their craft so special.
But of course, trends come and go. Architects and interior designers take on new directions and these shape what we see in magazines and social media. And what’s been most remarkable in the past few years is the impact of the pandemic.
Home became where we spent most of our time. We were forced to retreat into our home offices, gyms, and living spaces. We found more of a need for a space of calm and comfort.
So what does this mean for the next home design trend in Sydney? Just browse any of the newly renovated Sydney homes for sale and you might catch a few.
Looks like it may not be just one, but several trends reflecting the evolution of our behaviours at home. Read on to find out.
The next top home design trends
Embracing sustainable practices
With people becoming more mindful of climate change, the aversion towards cheaply made products similar to ‘fast fashion’ grew stronger. Being sustainable meant investing in furniture and interior designs that would last.
Vintage pieces became more popular. Second hand items as well but also refurbishing older pieces instead of buying new ones.
This new sensitivity means commencing the sustainable practice from the source. Designers like Jardan are making their products more eco-friendly by adopting local materials, which reduces their carbon footprint, and also attempting to reduce waste during the manufacturing process.
The good news is that implementing these themes into your home could boost the value of your property in Sydney according to this Zillow survey.
Bigger, bolder colours
Because we’ve spent so much time at home, we’re asking more of our surroundings. We’re experimenting with what we have right now instead of waiting for that dream home.
Instead of a neutral palette, we’re going with bold colour. But that doesn’t mean we’re straying from nature.
Natural elements can produce the most beautiful colours. Think deep greens from the leaves of redbud trees, or dark claret reds from morello cherries.
Pro tip: you don’t have to go bold on the entire room—you can even do a statement wall in your dining
Textured walls
To give a little life to the walls that surround us, there are trends emerging within textured walls. Whether it’s paint, lime-wash or a living wall made of plants and foliage, we are adding elements to what are typically just white walls.
There are even some DIY textured wall treatments you can do at home by making your own textured paint.
Pro tip: try a gallery wall of your favourite art! Pick a theme or colour to avoid making it look too haphazard and work your way out from the centrepiece to create visual interest in the space.
Marble elements
Marble is an absolute classic. We have it in the kitchen, bathroom and even as candle and cheeseboards. The material is truly versatile.
So what the new trend in Sydney, and Australian home design in general, is how it’s shaped. Instead of sharp edges on a kitchen counter, we’re taking influences from Europe and rounding the edges, giving the space a more organic feel.
Pro tip: to start small, consider a marble coffee table or the base of a floor lamp.
Zig-zag and herringbone
The gorgeous herringbone pattern gives an instant luxe feel and can instantly turn an average looking space into a dream home.
Originally a popular element in the 80s, you can now find it in home designs and hotels on the floor, wall tiling, windows and other furniture.
You can go subtle with this trend and get some herringbone pattern pillows or a throw, or go a little more ostentatious and panel a wall with wood or deep green tile.
Pro tip: popular employments are a herringbone parquet in the entrance hall or emerald tiling in the bathroom.
Self-care in home designs
We retreated into our homes in 2020 and some of us stayed there. We expanded and created home offices but still needed a separation from the work and the stress of the outside world. So, we began creating spaces for wellness within our homes.
Be it a meditation corner or a workout space, the trend in home designs was a room or area for our daily self-care ritual. Those with bigger homes invested not just in a small room but whole areas towards wellness. Saunas, steam rooms, spas, hot and cold plunge pools and Japanese onsens popped up in luxury settings.
Antique, vintage, artisan and homemade
With a newfound obsession with pre-loved items comes an embracing of tradition. Antique objects, especially of European influence, made a comeback—objects like embellished, gold mirrors and copper bathtubs.
But the trend also popped up in more subtle areas like homeware—linen brand, Carlotta + Gee curates gorgeous bedsheets and tablecloths from France. The textured, artisanal material gives a warm, relaxed feel to bedrooms and living spaces.
Not sure where to start? Just head over to Pinterest to find inspiration for cool, interesting pieces that suit your new home.
The persistance of biophilia
Biophilia is the love of nature and the desire to connect to objects of nature. The word comes from the Greek word ‘bio’, which means living things and ‘philia’, which means to love.
This trend has grown much more popular over the past few years and isn’t going to stop anytime soon. A love for plants and greenery at home, heightened by lockdowns, is one of the ways biophilia is expressed.
You’ll also find it in colour palettes derived from nature, in a stone fireplace and wooden furnishings.
Pro tip: one of the areas of the house that is often forgotten when it comes to indoor plants is the bedroom! You can find soft leaved plants to place around the bed. The good news is that this trend is manageable regardless of your budget.
Unfinished stone
While stone has long been commonplace in the home, it is now displayed differently. Instead of shaping and shaving, we’re showing off the natural aspect of stone in the way mother nature intended.
What design trends are out for 2022?
While some trends might be getting more action, other trends are on their way out.
Minimalism
With many of us wanting to be entertained by our living spaces, minimalist tendencies are on their way out. Simple, clean designs are not satisfying us right now, and we’re favouring bold, textured and graphic designs.
Fast furniture
Like fast fashion, fast furniture has gotten a bad reputation. We’re swinging towards the side of curated, sustainable pieces instead, choosing to reward creativity and ingenuity in design.
Some of us are hunting down antique pieces at the local flea market and or shops, trying to find homeware that tells a story that resonates with us.
Copycat furniture
In the same way we’ve found a new appreciation for unique pieces, we’ve also grown more cognisant of copies. Copying designer work tarnishes the craftsmanship and beauty of the piece, taking away from the spirit of good design.
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