Decorating
Will These Be the Top Design Trends of 2020?
See if you agree with these interior design predictions for the year ahead
We’ve searched through Houzz data, browsed hundreds of interiors photos, and interviewed professional designers to bring you this collection of materials, colours and other home design ideas that you can expect to see a lot more of in 2020.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming a more frequently requested feature by homeowners on Houzz, with 15% of renovators stating that ‘integrating green materials’ was a priority when completing renovations, according to Houzz research. The word ‘eco’ also made it into the 2019 most-searched-for keywords on Houzz.
“This is perhaps the biggest issue of all,” Eva says. “People are interested not only in improving energy efficiency, but in buying products and materials from sustainable sources.”
Many of the design fairs around the world this year saw designers rise to the challenge by experimenting with eco materials and recyclable products and by putting a big focus on the life cycle of a product, and this looks set to continue in 2020.
Take a tour of this Victorian home in Manchester and see how it’s been retrofitted to improve its eco credentials.
Sustainability is becoming a more frequently requested feature by homeowners on Houzz, with 15% of renovators stating that ‘integrating green materials’ was a priority when completing renovations, according to Houzz research. The word ‘eco’ also made it into the 2019 most-searched-for keywords on Houzz.
“This is perhaps the biggest issue of all,” Eva says. “People are interested not only in improving energy efficiency, but in buying products and materials from sustainable sources.”
Many of the design fairs around the world this year saw designers rise to the challenge by experimenting with eco materials and recyclable products and by putting a big focus on the life cycle of a product, and this looks set to continue in 2020.
Take a tour of this Victorian home in Manchester and see how it’s been retrofitted to improve its eco credentials.
Statement-making bathrooms
With Houzz research finding that bathrooms were one of the most renovated rooms in the UK last year, it isn’t surprising that homeowners are upping the ante when it comes to updating them.
Gone are the days of the all-white bathroom; now, designers on Houzz are tapping into a desire for a bathing space homeowners can show off and, more importantly, retreat to for some quality relaxation time.
Next year, Houzz expects to see more luxury finishes, statement tiles and bold colours in bathrooms. For homeowners looking to make a bigger statement, we predict we’ll see more pastel-coloured sanitaryware in soft pinks, greens and blues.
Inspired to start your own home design project in 2020? Find the right professional on Houzz today.
With Houzz research finding that bathrooms were one of the most renovated rooms in the UK last year, it isn’t surprising that homeowners are upping the ante when it comes to updating them.
Gone are the days of the all-white bathroom; now, designers on Houzz are tapping into a desire for a bathing space homeowners can show off and, more importantly, retreat to for some quality relaxation time.
Next year, Houzz expects to see more luxury finishes, statement tiles and bold colours in bathrooms. For homeowners looking to make a bigger statement, we predict we’ll see more pastel-coloured sanitaryware in soft pinks, greens and blues.
Inspired to start your own home design project in 2020? Find the right professional on Houzz today.
Black interiors
We’re noticing dark colours becoming more popular among the Houzz community, and this trend looks set to rise even further. Searches for ‘dark’ and ‘black’ interiors appeared in the most popular list for the first time in 2019, with ‘black kitchen’ in particular increasing 46% year on year.
A surprising addition to the most popular search terms was ‘black bathroom’, which wasn’t in the charts at all in 2018. Some of the most popular photos at the end of 2019 back up this emerging trend, with images featuring black painted walls, black metal-framed screens and even black slate wall coverings all finding their way onto the site.
We’re noticing dark colours becoming more popular among the Houzz community, and this trend looks set to rise even further. Searches for ‘dark’ and ‘black’ interiors appeared in the most popular list for the first time in 2019, with ‘black kitchen’ in particular increasing 46% year on year.
A surprising addition to the most popular search terms was ‘black bathroom’, which wasn’t in the charts at all in 2018. Some of the most popular photos at the end of 2019 back up this emerging trend, with images featuring black painted walls, black metal-framed screens and even black slate wall coverings all finding their way onto the site.
Green schemes
This year, we saw a rise in searches for ‘green kitchens’, which have increased by 50% since 2018, along with searches for ‘green bedrooms’ and ‘green bathrooms’, which both made their way into the most popular list for the first time.
“When we think about green, we often refer to nature, and it can impart a feeling of peace; this is what we probably all need in these fast modern times,” Sara Ripamonti and Amit Malhotra, co-founders of Aflux Designs, say.
“Darker tones of green are usually associated with feelings of relaxation and calm, while lighter shades bring a sense of revitalisation and freshness to a room,” they say.
“Painting a wall or using a decorative wallpaper in shades of green will harness this trend,” they add. “You could also use the colour on a ceiling to create a deep sense of protection.”
This year, we saw a rise in searches for ‘green kitchens’, which have increased by 50% since 2018, along with searches for ‘green bedrooms’ and ‘green bathrooms’, which both made their way into the most popular list for the first time.
“When we think about green, we often refer to nature, and it can impart a feeling of peace; this is what we probably all need in these fast modern times,” Sara Ripamonti and Amit Malhotra, co-founders of Aflux Designs, say.
“Darker tones of green are usually associated with feelings of relaxation and calm, while lighter shades bring a sense of revitalisation and freshness to a room,” they say.
“Painting a wall or using a decorative wallpaper in shades of green will harness this trend,” they add. “You could also use the colour on a ceiling to create a deep sense of protection.”
Bamboo
With a rising interest in all things sustainable, we’ve noticed bamboo starting to trend as an eco-material, cropping up in the most-searched terms on Houzz for the first time this year. We’re also seeing more and more photos uploaded that feature it.
A fast-growing grass, bamboo is a sturdy and renewable raw material that can be used for flooring and furniture and can even be woven into fabric.
Professionals on Houzz flagged this trend earlier this year, and while this material isn’t new, it’s definitely enjoying a renewed interest going into 2020, thanks to its eco credentials.
What do I need to know about bamboo flooring?
With a rising interest in all things sustainable, we’ve noticed bamboo starting to trend as an eco-material, cropping up in the most-searched terms on Houzz for the first time this year. We’re also seeing more and more photos uploaded that feature it.
A fast-growing grass, bamboo is a sturdy and renewable raw material that can be used for flooring and furniture and can even be woven into fabric.
Professionals on Houzz flagged this trend earlier this year, and while this material isn’t new, it’s definitely enjoying a renewed interest going into 2020, thanks to its eco credentials.
What do I need to know about bamboo flooring?
Navy bedrooms
‘Navy bedroom’ is a new search term that climbed into the most popular searches this year and looks set to lead in 2020. This possibly takes its cue from the trend for the inky blue living rooms and kitchens of previous years, and gives a nod to the move away from Scandi-inspired minimalism and into darker and more atmospheric interiors.
“I’ve noticed an interest in embracing dark colours for rooms that are naturally dark,” Eva agrees. “Dark greys are still loved, but a lot of clients also enjoy navy décor, as much in accessories as on walls.
“Navy and white is an easy palette to work with,” she adds, “and offers lots of choice in fabrics, rugs, cushions and throws.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
‘Navy bedroom’ is a new search term that climbed into the most popular searches this year and looks set to lead in 2020. This possibly takes its cue from the trend for the inky blue living rooms and kitchens of previous years, and gives a nod to the move away from Scandi-inspired minimalism and into darker and more atmospheric interiors.
“I’ve noticed an interest in embracing dark colours for rooms that are naturally dark,” Eva agrees. “Dark greys are still loved, but a lot of clients also enjoy navy décor, as much in accessories as on walls.
“Navy and white is an easy palette to work with,” she adds, “and offers lots of choice in fabrics, rugs, cushions and throws.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Biodynamic lighting
In a talk on Colour and Wellbeing at London fair 100% Design this September, Jim Ashley-Down of Waldmann Lighting discussed biodynamic lighting, which follows the body’s circadian rhythms.
There were also multiple examples of impressive developments in the replication of daylight on show across the London Design Festival. From lights that can use GPS to pinpoint your exact location and recreate the light outside your window at any point during the day, to designs that replicate natural light patterns, designers are taking a new approach to this fundamental element of home design.
See our full trend report here.
Tell us…
Which of these trends would you embrace in 2020? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
In a talk on Colour and Wellbeing at London fair 100% Design this September, Jim Ashley-Down of Waldmann Lighting discussed biodynamic lighting, which follows the body’s circadian rhythms.
There were also multiple examples of impressive developments in the replication of daylight on show across the London Design Festival. From lights that can use GPS to pinpoint your exact location and recreate the light outside your window at any point during the day, to designs that replicate natural light patterns, designers are taking a new approach to this fundamental element of home design.
See our full trend report here.
Tell us…
Which of these trends would you embrace in 2020? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
“The biggest trend we’re seeing and loving is that more clients are experimenting with the use of colour in their kitchens,” Jayne Everett, design director of Naked Kitchens, says.
One of the new search terms on Houzz this year is ‘yellow kitchen’, proving that homeowners are prepared to go bold with their colour choices. ‘Cream kitchen’ also made an appearance in the rising search terms list, marking a step away from the classic white kitchen.
“More customers than ever are exploring the use of bright colours for their cabinets or even using several different shades within their kitchen,” Jayne says. “Pink, yellow and green are colours that are being requested more and more in our kitchen designs.”
“I notice that people are interested in introducing a strong note of colour in a tiny part of the kitchen,” designer Eva Byrne of Houseology says. “It’s like they’re daring to emerge from the blanket of snow we’ve been living under to try out some colour for a change.”