With many of us spending more time in our homes than ever before, shifts in lifestyle are influencing the look, feel and functionality of our interiors. Here are my top 10 interior trends for 2020.
What’s wonderful about the trends happening at the moment is that they don’t require an overhaul of your entire home. They are all about looking to nature for inspiration and to creating a personal space that you love. A thoughtful curation of your existing pieces, perhaps a couple of new accessories and a trip outdoors and you can absolutely nail the look.
1 | BE YOU
Gone are the days of homes that look like a perfectly matching magazine spread, void of any actual form of life. Trends themselves are becoming obsolete and instead people are resonating with what they find beautiful. Our homes should be as individual as we are, and in a world brimming with technology and mass production, we want to create unique, authentic spaces that reflect our personalities.
A more eclectic approach to design is the key. Mixing different textures, colours, styles and periods to create a space that tells your story and brings you joy. This is one of my favourite interior trends for 2020 and ever!
2 | THINK SUSTAINABLE
Just as there is ‘fast fashion’, there are ‘fast interiors’ that utilise cheaply made furnishings that won’t wear well or stand the test of time. In 2020 there seems to be a growing respect to for handmade craftsmanship as well as vintage and unique bespoke pieces. I really encourage my clients to purchase pieces they love (handmade locally if possible) that they will treasure for a lifetime instead of constantly replacing and adding to landfill.
Whether it’s sculptural, iconic, tactile or antique, make a statement with your furniture and accessories! Curate your furniture like you would your wardrobe, with each piece carefully collected over time. Re-purpose when you can and only spend your hard-earned money on things you love.
Sustainability is also about creating environments that enhance our well-being with less toxic materials, integrated plants, an abundance of natural light and beautiful outlooks.
3 | UTILISE TEXTURE
Layering your home with tactile finishes will bring interest, variety and another dimension to your space. I love to contrast textural materials with smooth elements. Think raw timber, woven artworks, stone, linen, leather, rattan, mohair, earthenware and long pile rugs alongside polished concrete, velvet, hand-blown glassware, brass, chrome and marble.
4 | EXPERIMENT WITH PATTERN
Minimalism is becoming more personalised with the addition of pattern and texture. Floral patterns are moving from fashion into interiors. From tiny prints to large scale blooms there are opportunities galore. Mix florals with stripes, animal print and tribal designs to create a visual feast by layering pattern upon pattern.
5 | EMBRACE NATURE
In many parts of the world people still aren’t able to move around freely It’s not surprising that subconsciously reconnecting with nature is a current focal point of interior design. Inviting nature into our homes is about creating tranquil spaces that ground us to the earth. Surround yourself with nature. It could be a gorgeous shell collected from your favourite beach or a wooden bowl discovered on your travels, a floral wallpaper, organic materials like raw timber or a beautiful potted plant.
Nature is also evident in the soothing colour palettes of sophisticated neutrals. A subtle and refined palette of layered neutral tones balanced with a touch of charred grey is calming. Think soft eucalypt greens, earthy terracottas and browns, crisp whites and cool pebble grey.
6 | CREATE YOUR ESCAPE
A big trend in interiors at the moment is based around our need to escape from the world. Our homes have become our own personal sanctuary. With no international travel on the cards, they have taken on a resort like ‘other worldly’ feel with a laid-back aesthetic and rustic touches.
A refuge from the stresses of the outside world, comfort is key. Think linen curtains blowing in the breeze, terracotta or slate floors, cabana stripes, floor cushions, plenty of indoor plants, rustic touches and natural materials. All that with a calming palette of natural tones and whites – bliss!
7 | A TOUCH OF LUXE
The perfect juxtaposition to raw tactile finishes and earthy elements is a touch of luxe glamour. Metallic details make a space seem luxurious. A touch of gold via a lamp base, a gilded frame or a silver trinket box adds a new dimension. Tassels and fringing on cushions also add a touch of luxury with their embellishment and rich texture play.
Glass lighting is a massive interior trend for 2020 and another way to add that luxe feel with the sparkle of glass.
8 | UTILISE ORGANIC FORMS
An emphasis on strong organic forms including curved walls and arches is back. From tapware to joinery we are seeing hard edges and corners go and become softer on the eyes and hands. Soft shapes will be at the forefront of forms from arched bed heads and niches to flowing couches and round mirrors. These organic curves offer a gentle feminine aesthetic and a throwback to 70’s and 80’s retro design.
9 | BE BOLD
Integrating your favourite colour or pattern is a great way to show your personality in a space. If you love of colour, bright jewel tones used as bold highlights are a trend that will give your space a contemporary aesthetic as well as brightening your mood. Choose one high pigment colour that compliments your natural finishes (cobalt blue for instance) and sprinkle it sparingly but with confidence.
You can read more about creating a Consistent Colour Palette here.
10 | MAKE YOUR KITCHEN ‘DISAPPEAR’
The final design trend on my list is the kitchen that is seamlessly integrated into an open plan living area. We are designing specially crafted cabinetry that actually conceals the working elements of the kitchen while not in use. To clarify, this integrates the kitchen as an extension of the social areas of a home. It means that by incorporating detailing and a colour palette from the rest of the home, the kitchen becomes a design feature, seamlessly integrated into the living space.
I’d love to hear which interior trends for 2020 you are loving and which you don’t want to go anywhere near. I think the key is to embrace elements you absolutely love and ignore the rest. Make your sanctuary as unique as you are.
Ready to revamp your interior? I’d love to help! Whether you need a small refresh or a total overhaul, my expertise will create a look you’ll absolutely love.
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