How to style a home on-trend in 2020

The top eight predictions for home design in 2020

1. The ‘unkitchen’ kitchen

As the most renovated room in any home, Houzz said it expects the Australian kitchen to continue to evolve.

“Contemporary kitchens are beginning to integrate small touches of furniture-like elements that reflect the rest of a home’s more personalized décor,” it predicted.

At the more extreme end of things, kitchens could begin to disappear altogether – behind bespoke cabinetry able to hide away such functionality when not in use.

2. The cheeky extras

In the past, Houzz said home owners who had managed to create extra space or meterage would aim to create more bench space or cabinetry.

But now? Home owners are extending into the space, with integrated study nooks, kitchenettes and banquettes all making more and more appearances.

“We saw this trend beginning in 2019, with study nooks searched on Houzz 26 per cent more than the previous year,” the platform has outlined.

3. More curves and arches

Houzz expects curves and arches to emerge as an interior design trend “in big ways”.

According to designers and architects, curves add a feminine touch and create softness in spaces otherwise filled with hard surfaces.

“Architectural elements of the home will embrace rounded edges through circular windows, arches and curved walls as advances to technology allows architects to challenge structural boundaries,” it’s been predicted.

4. Terrazzo to reign

The composite material that can be poured in situ or pre-case and formed of chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass has already seen a 28 per cent increases in searches in 2019, with Houzz expecting “a full-blown royal reign in 2020”.

While it’s mostly been seen in bathroom splash backs to date, in the new year it’s expected to move more towards benchtops and homewares, “with the chips becoming larger and colourways becoming bolder”.

5. Move towards metal cladding

Houzz has observed an increasing focus on technological innovation, as well as “the desire for greater sustainability, the need for safety and always changing realisations about wellbeing in the home”, which leads to its next big 2020 prediction: The rise of metal cladding.

With recent issues with combustible materials, Houzz indicated it’s already seeing professionals readjust to new demands.

“So goodbye, rendered brickwork and timber slats… And hello, copper, zinc and steel.”

6. Natural colours

Following recent popularity, Houzz said beige, stone, soft eucalyptus greens and earthy browns will maintain their popularity into the new year.

“They’re hues that are seen in natural materials such as sisal, jute, hem; the colours of unbleached, undyed wool, natural clay colours [and] natural stone.”

For lovers of bolder statements, Houzz said its colour professionals have noted strong colours with added shading will also be on trend, including merlot, peacock blue and spicy pink.

7. Homewares that don’t hurt the environment

Commonly held concerns about climate change, sustainability, the harm of single-use plastics and pollution are set to push professionals to innovate even more in the years ahead, according to Houzz, which expects new recycled and recyclable materials to become bigger in homewares and décor.

8. Wellbeing and biophilic design will take centre stage

Lamps that are able to adjust their intensity according to natural circadian rhythms, décor that seriously integrates plants, soothing palettes and architectural elements that are pointedly designed with wellbeing in mind will all be seen to “grow in importance and as a design conversation in 2020”.

Houzz said it is already beginning to see this pop up as designers and home owners introduce natural light from windows and skylights, improve exterior views, and use water sources like ponds and fountains that are able to be seen, heard and touched.