- Home design priorities heavily shaped by nearly two years of lockdowns and restrictions, says BGC interior designers
- Space, functionality and connection to nature highly sought-after by home builders, renovators and buyers
- Biophilic designs, earthy tones and feature walls predicted to be prevalent in the new year
Western Australia’s largest home building company, BGC Housing Group, has revealed their predictions for 2022’s hottest home design trends.
The past two years have been tumultuous as Australians tackled the isolation and loneliness of lockdowns.
While home confinement was not always convenient, spending more time at home has taught Australians the value of their space.
BGC interior architects Tayla Hampson and Courtney Pellegrino said design priorities are shifting as a result, and shared the home design trends they believe will emerge in the new year.
Top 5 home design trends to watch out for in 2022
1. Biophilic designs
Biophilic design principles revolve around increasing the connectivity to the natural environment within the built environment.
With restrictions over the past year governing time spent outdoors, many home builders and renovators are looking to bring the outdoors inside by incorporating biophilic design elements.
“We are seeing more people seek space, functionality, and connection to nature within their home, which is incorporated in many different ways.”
Tayla Hampson & Courtney Pellegrino, BGC Interior Architects
“Western Australia is known for its outdoor-focussed culture and our way of life is very much centred around the environment.
“Now, the desire to be connected to nature is becoming an even greater priority for buyers,” agreed Ms Hampson and Ms Pellegrino.
Homebuyers are embracing biophilic design to its fullest, going much further than a few houseplants here and there.
“Biophilic design is an ever-growing building trend, with more people not just
incorporating ‘natural’ elements in their homes but now putting nature at the forefront in their design, through features such as indoor greenhouses, expansive trees or skylights,” said Ms Hampson and Ms Pellegrino.
2. Natural tones and textures
While earth tones have been a classic minimalist’s love for many years, the trend is shifting away from just satisfying personal aesthetics and is growing in popularity across the board.
The stress of the past two years may come into play, with suggestions homebuyers are choosing a natural palette for its soothing benefits.
“Research has shown that colour can have a mental and emotional effect on different
people, and natural colour schemes have been found to have a calming impact on people.
“Similarly, organic materials and textures such as wood, rattan, stone, or bamboo help to create a more soothing, natural feeling within the home, aligning with current and emerging buyer priorities,” the BGC interior architects agreed.
3. Feature walls
A late 1990s favourite, feature walls are making a comeback and popping up in many Australian homes as a bold statement piece.
“The past two years have seen restriction in our day-to-day lives, and as a result, we are
seeing a trend of ‘rebellion’ across a variety of sectors – including home design,” said Ms Hampson and Ms Pellegrino.
Mostly gone are the days of over-the-top quirky feature walls, with many opting for sleeker designs and experimenting with texture.
“We’re not only seeing feature walls created with paint or wallpaper, but many
buyers are also using textured materials to create a statement wall,” said Ms Hampson and Ms Pellegrino.
4. Functional spaces
Flexible working arrangements have been a blessing for workers across the nation, although many have found their spaces to be improperly set up for productive work.
Work from home spaces are transitioning from a luxury to a necessity, gaining prevalence in many homes.
“We expect this trend to continue into the new year, as people opt for flexible working schedules and require highly functional, multipurpose spaces that can accommodate both work and leisure activities,” agreed BGC’s leading designers.
5. Local products
Supporting local business is at the forefront of minds, particularly as international and interstate import routes have slowed significantly.
This has presented an opportune time for home builders and renovators to incorporate local products into their homes design.
“Since the pandemic, there has been a great movement towards buying locally and we’re seeing this trend throughout the entire homebuilding process. Many people are favouring locally sourced and manufactured materials, as this has become a more convenient and transparent option that also supports local businesses.
“This can be seen in the materials chosen to build homes, right through to the décor used in the completed home,” concluded Ms Hampson and Ms Pellegrino.
