A new year calls for a look at the trends that will define the time. What do home designers in Australia love at the moment? What are the popular requests for 2023?
This year it’s time to step out from under the safety and simplicity of minimalism and embrace maximalist energy. Maximalism is the aesthetic of excess, the idea that more is more – think an eclectic approach with vibrant colour and character.
The pandemic created a period of reflection, which influenced the trends in the years that followed. We reflected on how we spend time in our homes, which has resulted in clients designing houses around their hobbies or family needs in the future.
All in all, 2023 is an exciting time in custom home design. Here are some of the major trends you’ll be seeing this year.
Bold, bright colours
You’ll know about “dopamine dressing” if you follow clothing trends. Dopamine dressing is choosing colours that make you happy, and custom home design uses the same principle this year. 2023 is about expressing your personality and eliciting positive emotion through colour. There are endless ways to embrace this trend, from standout bench tops (marble is big) and bright walls to vibrant accents. So how far do you go? Colour is a trend you can take as far as you like.
Tip: Colour shy? Stick with neutral tones as a base and consider colourful accents instead.
Wellbeing rooms
Wellbeing is more than spa days, early nights and wholesome dinners. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle that prioritises your core needs. The pandemic made us consider what we love to do in our downtime and how our home can encourage us to show up for it. We’re seeing a surge in rooms, “wellbeing rooms”, designed for specific hobbies. Whether you’re an audiophile or bookworm or know that you won’t work out unless you have a designated space, this trend is for you. You may build a custom space with perfect acoustics to record music, an exercise space with customised flooring to support your weights machine or a craft room with ample storage to house your art supplies. What you use your room for is up to you!
Tip: Save yourself from costly renovations by thinking about your plans for the room before you sign off on a custom home design.
Striking Marble
Over the last decade, marble design has lent towards Calacatta style, luxurious and elegant, with white marble and subtle charcoal veins. Marble is still a key design feature this year, but it has made a dramatic turn. Now it’s all about bold colours – think deep greens, ocean blues and pretty pinks – and dramatic striations that make the marble a work of art. We also see marble used in places other than kitchen countertops and islands. Home designers are bringing marble onto walls and shelving in living rooms and making it a theatrical feature in bathrooms.
Tip: Marble can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the cost down. Chat with your home designer for tips for making it work within your budget.
Image: Homes To Love
Multi-generational home designs
A trend that will continue to grow in popularity is multi-generational home design. An ageing population and adult children living at home means clients are designing homes for extended members of their families. What does this mean design-wise? Your home build will depend on the people who live with you. But what all multi-generational homes have in common are ample space and privacy and living areas with multiple functions. Parents, grandparents, and kids can live together peacefully with the right home design.
Tip: Talk to your WA home builder about your family’s lifestyle, and we can design a home accordingly.
Sustainability
Sustainability is more than a trend. It’s now a priority for every home. Designers look at every element through the lens of longevity and environmental impact. Making your home more sustainable can start with building materials. Opt for local materials to reduce shipping, like reclaimed wood or recycled metals. Energy efficiency will reduce your reliance on electricity and save you thousands on your power bill. Making insulation a building priority is a great place to start. The better your insulation, the less you will rely on heating and air conditioning, reducing your carbon footprint.
Tip: Every luxury home builder needs to follow the National Construction Code (NCC). We recommend aiming for a higher star rating to boost your investment.
2023 is your year to build. Speak to our home designer about incorporating these trends in your custom home.
