The 8 Top Architecture and Interior Directions to Influence 2020
Author: Vanessa Walker Date Posted:25 November 2019
From the 'unkitchen' kitchen to arches galore and new approaches to cladding, here are eight trends you'll see next year
The year 2020 might see the end of the ‘offical’ kitchen area and the rise of cheeky leftover spaces. It’s certain to see terrazzo move from an accessory to a foundational material in a home. And metal will definitely clothe the most fashion-forward homes. Read on to see what else we’re betting will be big in interiors and architecture in 2020.
1. The unkitchen
It’s no surprise that kitchen design has turned away from a look of pure functionality with two-pack polyurethane cabinetry, utilitarian tapware and practical flooring. Instead, contemporary kitchens are beginning to integrate furniture-like elements that reflect the rest of a home’s more personalised decor.
In most kitchens, it will appear in touches, says kitchen designer Anne Ellard of Kitchens by Kathie. “Think metal or timber legs extending out from island benchtops, upholstered bench seats adjacent to work areas and hanging metal shelves replacing overhead cabinets.”
Keen to future-proof your renovation? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for help incorporating trends in a timeless way
It’s no surprise that kitchen design has turned away from a look of pure functionality with two-pack polyurethane cabinetry, utilitarian tapware and practical flooring. Instead, contemporary kitchens are beginning to integrate furniture-like elements that reflect the rest of a home’s more personalised decor.
In most kitchens, it will appear in touches, says kitchen designer Anne Ellard of Kitchens by Kathie. “Think metal or timber legs extending out from island benchtops, upholstered bench seats adjacent to work areas and hanging metal shelves replacing overhead cabinets.”
Keen to future-proof your renovation? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for help incorporating trends in a timeless way
But, at the extreme end, we will see kitchens that disappear completely into bespoke cabinetry, so all their functionality is hidden away when not in use.
Again, decorative devices such as moulding, shiplap and unkitchen-like colour choices will help disguise the purpose of the space. These features will help continue the aesthetic personality in the rest of the home through to the kitchen.
Read the inside story behind this hidden kitchen
Again, decorative devices such as moulding, shiplap and unkitchen-like colour choices will help disguise the purpose of the space. These features will help continue the aesthetic personality in the rest of the home through to the kitchen.
Read the inside story behind this hidden kitchen
2. The cheeky extras
Have an extra 1.5-metre space at the end of your kitchen-renovation floor plan? Clever homeowners will no longer decide between a pantry or more bench space if they have spare metreage. Instead they will extend into the space, building in integrated study nooks, kitchenettes, banquettes and more.
Have an extra 1.5-metre space at the end of your kitchen-renovation floor plan? Clever homeowners will no longer decide between a pantry or more bench space if they have spare metreage. Instead they will extend into the space, building in integrated study nooks, kitchenettes, banquettes and more.
Adding these lifestyle-focused elements to the kitchen area “is helping to create multifunctional spaces, which is particularly important in smaller inner-city properties,” says Ellard. And because they’re essentially in the same space as the kitchen, they will be in the same finishes as kitchen joinery, or will flow directly from the kitchen cabinetry for a greater sense of aesthetic fluidity.
Consider 2020 as the end of the ‘official’ kitchen and the beginning of the ambiguous kitchen.
Consider 2020 as the end of the ‘official’ kitchen and the beginning of the ambiguous kitchen.
3. The rise of curves and arches
Curves and arches will emerge as an interior-design trend in big ways next year. “[In the kitchen] curved ends to island benchtops, open shelves with curved fronts and other rounded elements such as round handles, fish-scale tiles and light fittings with curved details will all add a feminine and inviting touch,” says Ellard. “This creates a softness in a space that is otherwise filled with hard surfaces.”
Curves and arches will emerge as an interior-design trend in big ways next year. “[In the kitchen] curved ends to island benchtops, open shelves with curved fronts and other rounded elements such as round handles, fish-scale tiles and light fittings with curved details will all add a feminine and inviting touch,” says Ellard. “This creates a softness in a space that is otherwise filled with hard surfaces.”
When it comes to architecture, expect to see circular windows, arches and curved walls. Why? “Because innovation in technology allows us to be more adventurous with form,” says architect Rebecca Naughtin.
“In the hope of a return to crafted, high-quality builds, architects are looking to use the best-trained skilled labourers, who can lend themselves to more handcrafted designs.”
“In the hope of a return to crafted, high-quality builds, architects are looking to use the best-trained skilled labourers, who can lend themselves to more handcrafted designs.”
4. The reign of terrazzo
The emergence of terrazzo will turn into a full-blown reign in 2020. Terrazzo – a composite material that can be poured in situ or pre-cast and formed with chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass – has mostly been seen in small measures such as bathrooms, splashbacks and homewares. But this is about to change, with terrazzo being seen in more fittings and fixtures in the home.
The emergence of terrazzo will turn into a full-blown reign in 2020. Terrazzo – a composite material that can be poured in situ or pre-cast and formed with chips of marble, quartz, granite or glass – has mostly been seen in small measures such as bathrooms, splashbacks and homewares. But this is about to change, with terrazzo being seen in more fittings and fixtures in the home.
“[We will see it in] benchtops and floors next year,” says Naughtin. Architects love how hardwearing this composite material is, plus the colour variation is amazing for hiding marks. It’s the real deal: pretty and practical.
Read how a terrazzo tile inspired the revamp for this heritage bathroom
Read how a terrazzo tile inspired the revamp for this heritage bathroom
5. The popularity of metal cladding
There is usually a sequence of events that leads to trends, they’re not just plucked out of thin air. They could emerge from a combination of technological innovation, the desire for greater sustainability, the need for safety, or from always-changing realisations about wellbeing in the home.
One of the biggest trends, the rise of metal cladding, is coming about because of issues with combustible materials, as well as limitations on insurance premiums for designers and building surveyors, says Naughtin.
There is usually a sequence of events that leads to trends, they’re not just plucked out of thin air. They could emerge from a combination of technological innovation, the desire for greater sustainability, the need for safety, or from always-changing realisations about wellbeing in the home.
One of the biggest trends, the rise of metal cladding, is coming about because of issues with combustible materials, as well as limitations on insurance premiums for designers and building surveyors, says Naughtin.
So, goodbye rendered brickwork and timber slats. Hello corrugated steel, zinc, copper – which has a long lifecycle and needs little treatment or maintenance with wear and tear – and Corten steel, which patinates so beautifully.
An example can be seen in the exterior facade of this edgy house in Melbourne, Victoria, which uses dark zinc shingles that have the appearance of paper-thin fish scales.
5 Exterior Metal Cladding Types for a Flash Facade
An example can be seen in the exterior facade of this edgy house in Melbourne, Victoria, which uses dark zinc shingles that have the appearance of paper-thin fish scales.
5 Exterior Metal Cladding Types for a Flash Facade
6. The colour trends
Natural is normal: Colour forecaster and creative director of Nexus Designs, Sonia Simpfendorfer, says beige, stone, soft eucalypt greens and earthy browns will be strong interior colours in 2020.
They’re hues that are seen in natural materials such as sisal and jute; the colours of unbleached, undyed wool; and untreated clay and stone. “These are the colours of nature, wellbeing and authenticity,” says Simpfendorfer.
Natural is normal: Colour forecaster and creative director of Nexus Designs, Sonia Simpfendorfer, says beige, stone, soft eucalypt greens and earthy browns will be strong interior colours in 2020.
They’re hues that are seen in natural materials such as sisal and jute; the colours of unbleached, undyed wool; and untreated clay and stone. “These are the colours of nature, wellbeing and authenticity,” says Simpfendorfer.
The neutral and naturals trend comes from a strong movement towards finding wellness and calm to balance and manage our hectic lives, an increased desire for authenticity, and a greater connection to the natural world.
“The global wellbeing trend leads to seeking out things that are good for us and kind to our environment: uncoloured, unbleached yarns; beige, stone and natural colours instead of synthetic; and minimal processing and packaging,” says Simpfendorfer.
“The interest in things such as Japanese ‘forest bathing’ (just walking in the forest and enjoying it) and ‘clean’ beauty and household products are part of our growing desire to have more natural, authentic, ‘real’ things in our lives,” she says.
“The global wellbeing trend leads to seeking out things that are good for us and kind to our environment: uncoloured, unbleached yarns; beige, stone and natural colours instead of synthetic; and minimal processing and packaging,” says Simpfendorfer.
“The interest in things such as Japanese ‘forest bathing’ (just walking in the forest and enjoying it) and ‘clean’ beauty and household products are part of our growing desire to have more natural, authentic, ‘real’ things in our lives,” she says.
Strong is supreme: Simpfendorfer also provides solace for those who love colour. As she says, another trend will be, “Strong colours that are not clear primary brights or pastels, with added grey or white to remove the edge off the intensity,” she says. “These colours are more complex, such as using spicy dark pink, rather than Millennial Pink.
“This is part of the continuing trend towards life being ‘Instagrammable’ and lives being lived and captured on-screen. These colours and textures photograph well and look good on screen,” says Simpfendorfer.
6 Top Paint Colour Trends For 2020
6 Top Paint Colour Trends For 2020
7. The homewares made of biomaterials
Our common concern about climate change, sustainability, the harm of single-use plastic and environmental pollution will push us to innovative even more in the years ahead, developing new recycled and recyclable materials.
This year, organisers of the London Design Fair chose biomaterials as the material of the year, highlighting just how focused the show, and the future, was on sustainability. The co-founders of British company Chip[s] Board displayed products made from potato waste; Mexican designer Fernando Laposse showcased items fabricated from the husks of endangered species of heirloom corn; and Diana Tso displayed biodegradable plant pots created from drift seaweed. To top it off, the lamp pictured here was made from banana-plant fibre by French brand Tedzukuri Atelier.
Our common concern about climate change, sustainability, the harm of single-use plastic and environmental pollution will push us to innovative even more in the years ahead, developing new recycled and recyclable materials.
This year, organisers of the London Design Fair chose biomaterials as the material of the year, highlighting just how focused the show, and the future, was on sustainability. The co-founders of British company Chip[s] Board displayed products made from potato waste; Mexican designer Fernando Laposse showcased items fabricated from the husks of endangered species of heirloom corn; and Diana Tso displayed biodegradable plant pots created from drift seaweed. To top it off, the lamp pictured here was made from banana-plant fibre by French brand Tedzukuri Atelier.
In Australia, one of the leading lights is the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT). This cross-discipline research group canvases the faculties of science, engineering and the built environment at the University of New South Wales. Its goal is to develop innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.
Its SMaRT tables (pictured here) are made from a blend of waste glass, single-use coffee cups, used coffee grounds and waste textiles, all sourced from waste aggregators, recyclers and community groups.
Tip: SMaRT Centre is our pick of Australian sustainable warriors to watch in 2020.
Its SMaRT tables (pictured here) are made from a blend of waste glass, single-use coffee cups, used coffee grounds and waste textiles, all sourced from waste aggregators, recyclers and community groups.
Tip: SMaRT Centre is our pick of Australian sustainable warriors to watch in 2020.
8. The primacy of wellbeing and biophilic design
Lamps that adjust their intensity according to natural circadian rhythms; decor that seriously integrates plants, soothing palettes and low-VOC paints; architecture designed for wellness… these will grow both in importance and as a design conversation in 2020.
Homes will be designed with:
Lamps that adjust their intensity according to natural circadian rhythms; decor that seriously integrates plants, soothing palettes and low-VOC paints; architecture designed for wellness… these will grow both in importance and as a design conversation in 2020.
Homes will be designed with:
- Natural light from windows, skylights, internal courtyards and clerestory openings.
- Lots of exterior views to nature.
- Water sources such as fountains, ponds and water features that can be seen, heard and touched.
- Handmade objects and minimally processed materials that reflect the local ecology and use natural fibres such as leather, stone and timber.
Your turn
Which of these trends inspires you? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
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