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Top interior design trends of 2020

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2020 has been a year to remember across all walks of life and the interior design landscape is no exception. This year, property interiors have been transformed by an inspiring and eclectic blend of new looks and iconic designs that have hit the scene with high impact, ranging from minimal and modern, to retro revival and must have maximalism. Here we reveal the most popular interior trends this year.

Photography by Hutomo Abrianto

MINIMALISM

Minimalism has been at the forefront of design trends for some time and continued to be a mainstay in this year’s style guide. We’re seeing stylish, clutter-free interiors that maximise space and functional living. A key element to the minimalist style is strategically placed furniture, homewares and artworks that promote light and enhance a home’s architectural features.

Photography by Pillow Talk

RETRO COLOURS & MATERIALS

Retro-inspired textures and colours are experiencing a resurgence in 2020. This year, we saw warm earthy tones like sage green, mustard yellow, burnt orange and dusty rose make a splash across the interior landscape. These colours, paired with textured materials such as velvet and corduroy and designed with a modern twist, have seen the retro revival forge a new path for couches, armchairs, cushions and homewares.

Photography by Kari Shea

STANDALONE ARMCHAIRS

The armchair has become one of the most celebrated statement pieces of furniture this year, regularly coined the ‘must-have’ item to buy in 2020. Whether it’s one chair or two, the right piece can elevate your living space to a new level. We’re seeing a mix of styles and designs with textured, patterned fabrics or more subdued colours paired with bright cushions and throws.

Photography by Life Interiors

TERRAZZO

What is old is new again. Terrazzo is a stylish, 16th-century Italian flooring look that has made a big comeback this year. This composite material carefully combines marble offcuts with cement and is a sustainable, durable and easy-to-maintain flooring alternative. Terrazzo comes in bespoke colours and compositions and has the power to complement the look and feel of any interior space, whether living, kitchen or bathroom.

Photography by Cotton Bro

DRIED FLOWERS

While the greenery of real plants gained in popularity this year, the new floral trend taking over interiors in 2020 is dried floral arrangements. Chic pastels, muted grey arrangements, long-stemmed grasses and dried wildflowers have all been in high demand this year. A trend that’s predicted to last, dried flower bouquets are as beautiful as fresh blooms but are a guiltfree, eco-friendly alternative with minimal maintenance.

Photography by Julien Lanoy

MIX ‘N’ MATCH PATTERNS & TEXTURES

Clashing patterns and mis-matched textures became a popular and effective choice for interior design in 2020. This year we saw prints such as spots, stripes, floral, animal print and geometric shapes smartly paired and layered with unique textures such as wool, velvet, linen and corduroy to create a beautifully coordinated space with a touch of contemporary maximalism.

Photography by The Block Shop

NESTED TABLES

Why have one table when you can have three? The nested look has made a big impact on the trends list this year and for good reason. This stackable, spacesaving design can come in all shapes, sizes and materials and is just as much about style and sophistication as it is about multi-purpose functionality. The beauty of nested sets is their flexibility, where they can serve as nightstands, coffee tables as well as side tables.

Photography by Minh Pham

MOTHER NATURE

Statement greenery became one of this year’s big ticket trends, with the ability to make as much of an impact as a piece of furniture or artwork at a fraction of the price. We’re seeing an abundance of statement greenery strategically placed throughout living areas, introducing colour, texture and contrast against plain walls while adding an organic element to interior decor. The character of a plant comes from how it grows organically so natural flora is the preferred option over artificial alternatives.

Photography by Temple & Webster

SOFT CIRCLES, ARCHES & CURVES

We have seen a subtle shift from straight, sharp lines to rounded edges, gentle arches, curved walls and soft corners. We are seeing this new look applied to mirrors, doorways, cushions, lamps, coffee tables and in the form of softer, circular furniture. Curved silhouettes and a more rounded design approach aims to create a ‘cocooning’ interior that oozes warmth and comfort.

Photography by Photo Media

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACES

This year we saw a shift away from segmented, single-purpose spaces to the blending of interior, multi-functional zones. As we spend more time indoors, the home must now cater for all needs – the office, home schooling, rest, and play – making the multi-purpose design approach our new normal. We are seeing hybrid spaces subtly separated with unique storage solutions, furniture, rugs, and lighting, while still remaining open planned and adaptable.

Photography by Josh Hemsley

GEOMETRIC RUGS

Rugs have always been a key aspect of interior styling, often coined one of the most important purchases because they can make or break the look of a room. This year, geometric designs have become the rug style of choice with a play on different pattern sizes, textures and colours. A carefully selected geometric design paired with sleek, simple furniture and stylish soft furnishings has the power to make a room pop.

Photography by Kmart Australia

RATTAN & WICKER FURNITURE

Rattan and wicker furniture has gone from fad to fashionable this year. These textured styles are seeing a revival as designers combine traditional materials and weaves with contemporary designs and colours. Rattan and wicker are now becoming a popular and stylish addition to indoor and outdoor living spaces in the form of chairs, sofas, coffee tables, lamps, baskets and planters.

Photography by Katsia Jazwinska

BIOPHILIA

Biophilic design is all about incorporating back-to-nature beauty into our interior spaces and in 2020 its popularity grew in spades. We are seeing biophilic elements with the increasing number of plants in our homes, the blurring of boundaries between indoor and outdoor architectural design (think vertical gardens) and the use of sustainably sourced outdoor materials in our interior decor. Biophilic elements can also mean a fish tank at home or an indoor water feature. This emerging trend comes with a range of wellness benefits including improved air quality, increased mental health, and more, so let’s hope it’s here to stay.

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