If 2020 has taught us one thing, it’s that we’ll probably be spending a lot more time at home in the future. Interested in interior design trends? Yes? Then look on the bright side! This is the perfect opportunity to revisit the design choices you made back when you were commuting two hours a day and sitting in an office five days a week.
With this in mind, our expert interior design team here at Wonderlux Canberra have come up with a list of ways that you can future-proof your living areas without breaking the bank – giving you a sleek, elegant home and improving your well-being all in one go! We figure it always helps to have a think about how you can make your space as comfortable as possible.
Indoor Plants
There are plenty of reasons to love a house plant that literally ‘thrives on neglect,’ and here at Wonderlux their growing popularity has not gone unnoticed. Plants clean the air and can make an eye-catching statement in any room, plus they can grow to fit into any space. Their inclusion in the home even has a fancy name: ‘Biophilic design’. This refers to the modern trend of incorporating nature into our living spaces to help improve our health, happiness, and the environment.
Our favourites include the Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa), Devil’s Ivy, and Japanese Peace Lily. Each of these can be placed just about anywhere, and can tolerate both direct and indirect light. You won’t even need to water them that often!
Mini Desks & Home Office Spaces
Haven’t you heard? It’s the new normal – hand sanitizer, face masks, and working from home. With more and more workplaces embracing the flexibility of a remote working environment, our Wonderlux team predicts that having a traditional dedicated ‘study’ will be forgotten in favour of a more informal desk area that can exist alongside your other living spaces.
A home office doesn’t necessarily have to be a super serious and closed-off affair. Instead, wedge a mini desk next to a sofa, or integrate it within a bookshelf. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and check out our write-up on creating the best possible home office for you.
Exposed Materials - Wood & Concrete
Interior design has a reputation for excess. A million different types of finishes and coatings, unique materials created specifically for distinctive looks, and layer upon layer of creative ideas. Sometimes though, it helps to pare it all back. Enter the exposed materials trend.
It’s a way of emphasising a space’s natural warmth by presenting wood and concrete raw and exactly as they are. It’s cheap, engaging, and has a really appealing durable look that draws attention to the architecture and craftsmanship on display.
Smarter Storage Solutions
Whether you’re an apartment dweller or have a hundred acres to run wild in, space and storage is set to become an even bigger deal over the next decade. Luckily, there are some really creative ways of saying goodbye to clutter within your home and optimizing the storage capabilities of the space you have.
If you’re in an apartment, this means using items that can be collapsed. You’d be surprised at the range of nifty dining tables that look great but can also be folded up and hidden discreetly in a corner.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to storage is laying everything at ground level. That road leads to mess! It’s far more worthwhile to store your possessions vertically. The less ground space you use, the more dynamic your home appears and you’re less likely to trip over in the dark.
Sustainable Design Choices
For too long we’ve been content to stick with old habits and waste our own money when it comes to sustainable living. Small adjustments like smart lights and green kitchen appliances are so simple they’re basically a no-brainer.
Did you know that even something as simple as changing a few colours in your interior design scheme can reduce your utility bills in the long run? Remember that lighter colours reflect, meaning that cream, white, and beige walls will make it far easier to maintain cool airflow in summer months.
The right flooring can pay dividends as well – it’s usually the largest surface in your home, and so will have the biggest impact on electricity consumption. While timber boards and tiles are great at keeping the place cool, in winter they might benefit from a rug to trap in precious heat AND add a bit of visual flair. Even the placement of furniture is important. Think about how you want air to circulate in your home before you put a couch in front of a hallway. This stuff might seem super simple, but they can make a BIG difference. Happy decorating from the team at Wonderlux!
