From natural colour palettes to stone archways, here are the top 10 design trends we have spotted in Grand Designs Australia Magazine, ready to inspire your next project.
The best colour palette has always been at our doorstep and it’s time to start taking cues from nature. Think natural colours, shades of greens from sage to forest borrowed from outside trees to allow for seamless indoor outdoor flow and lifestyle to match.
If natural is not sophisticated enough - navy hues, dark timbers and brass accents have shaped ‘riverside living’, a new take on ‘coastal living’ whilst still keeping relaxation front of mind.
This will come at no surprise, but Nordic design is here to stay with its captivating minimal lines, striking patterns, and natural timber. Whilst a constant in design, curved shapes are up and coming in Nordic, minimal architecture.
The arches, stonework and whitewashed walls of Spanish influenced Californian Architecture is captivating the outdoor environment. Consider a central fire pit, light materials and decor, or gravel garden beds with cacti and palms reinforcing a desert theme.
If there is one thing that comes from Grand Designs is that Bigger is not better. Bigger spaces are not sustainable long term as they are dysfunctional spaces. Multiple rooms each with one sole purpose is wasteful. Mindful buildings and purposeful spaces are now incorporated into a buildings design. Gone are the days of extravagant, glitz and glamour spaces!
Make the natural light a feature! Floor to ceiling windows to let light leak or including a void in the stairwell will draw attention to the natural light as it filters through the entire home.
Pay attention to the finer details when it comes to your home. The skirting chosen, tapware and panel are just as important as the marble kitchen bench top.
Sustainable design in the use of local context and climate. Ceiling fans are a key design feature to these types of homes, increasing comfort by introducing air movement. Big Ass Fans use a very small amount of electricity over traditional fans and save you money in the long run. Conventional fans start at 90 Watts, Big Ass Fans start at 2 watts and go up to 30 watts. Utilising the local climate and ceiling fans to maximise comfort while minimising energy use puts homeowners back in touch with the environment in which they occupy and encourages ventilation, all which provide a happier, healthier and more environmentally responsible home.
Design a home not just for aesthetics, but your health and wellbeing. Research shows the presence of wood can lower blood pressure, heart rate, increase productivity and positively impact our emotions and mood. Natural, insulating and warm, the innate attraction to nature, in particular timber, is a key to our aesthetic, intellectual cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
Let there be White. Consider the crisp white palette layered with modern metallic fittings. By using the white-on-white aesthetic and displaying different textures, you can breathe fresh new life into your home. To elevate a coastal summer house, the Haiku Driftwood is a matt white finish that adds dimension and texture to a space, while being a fresh white for the home.