Home design trends are just like fashion – they’re constantly on the move.
What’s hot one month isn’t the next, and you’re left with an unfashionable interior.
While nobody can safely predict what the future holds, there are several hot new trends that are bound to leave their mark on home design in the upcoming years.
These include minimalistic décor, smart solutions, eco-friendly materials, and several other key elements.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at some fresh ideas that will shape the look and feel of interiors of the future:
1. Smaller, Urban Places
Unlike older generations, younger people aren’t that crazy about buying large suburban homes.
They are far more concerned with efficiency, reasonable energy use, and saving as much money as possible.
For Millennials and members of Generation Z, close proximity to city resources, as well as social and professional networks, are far more important.
In other words, they’re much more likely to prefer urban areas.
As expected, this translates to smaller properties.
However, with a couple of smart design choices, living in smaller quarters can feel just as comfortable as living in a large suburban house.
2. Open Plan
To put it simply, future generations don’t really like hallways.
This is why the floor plans will be more efficient and far more open.
A large kitchen with essential appliances remains a prerequisite, though. In order to allow fir easy entertaining, the kitchens will flow into other rooms.
This kind of open-plan design is often coupled with multifunctional furniture. For example, an end table that doubles as a coffee table or a bed with built-in storage will be preferred over huge couches and tables found in baby boomer homes.
3. Sleek & Minimalistic
Older generations preferred plenty of accessories and rustic décor. Newer generations, on the other hand, want to keep their homes clutter-free. Minimalism and functionality are more popular than ever before.
However, that doesn’t mean that the rustic and natural materials are gone completely (more on that later). They are, in fact, just limited in number.
In part, this is due to younger people occupying smaller spaces, as we already mentioned. Another reason is the rise of technology. Accessories that were once huge and physically present inside homes are now smartphone apps – like radio, music player, etc.
4. Natural Materials
As we said, younger generations aren’t that impressed by rustic interiors, preferred by baby boomers.
However, the youngest generation of homeowners is starting to show some interest.
There’s a rising trend to bring the outdoors inside through natural tones.
Scandinavian design, boasting soft hues and wooden accents, combines minimalism with natural materials to create a sleek, modern feel.
5. Horticulture
Indoor plants are once again gaining popularity.
Future generations, who will be focused on sustainability, are bound to embrace biophilic interior design.
And this doesn’t include just simple pots with plants, but also intricate greenery elements such as hanging horticulture and living moss walls.
Besides adding appeal to any interior, indoor greenery also introduces a number of health benefits.
So, having some foliage in your modern apartment won’t only contribute to the overall aesthetics, but also purify the air and help you get rid of anxiety and stress.
6. The Return of Tiles
Another big change concerning home design trends for future generations is the preference for tiles.
As they’re occupying smaller homes, Millennials can spend more money on the designs they like.
This typically translates to more money going into spa-like bathrooms and intricate kitchen designs.
Tiles in kitchens tend to be low-maintenance backsplashes.
On the other hand, wood-effect patterns and natural stone tiles dominate the floors throughout the rest of the house.
7. Home Office
We all know how the global workplace is being reshaped by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Once we combine it with the culture of connectivity, it’s no wonder that remote working has experienced such a huge boom.
Therefore, it’s quite safe to predict that the home office will become one of the home’s more valued rooms.
Home-based workplaces will require a lot more attention to function and design.
Telecommuters will need motivation (pleasing office art) and comfort (ergonomic furniture).
8. Smart Technology
It goes without saying that the future generations will be far more likely to boast about smart features in their homes than about new furniture or decorations.
The rapid advancements in technology have brought a myriad of Wi-Fi-connected devices to many homes. TVs, speakers, smoke detectors, heating, and lighting are now easy to control from smartphones.
All of these innovations require “technology friendly” spaces, which typically means a myriad of charging stations and outlets.
With more and more young people becoming homeowners, changes in home design are inevitable.
Deciding on the right design for your family can be overwhelming, but you can’t really make a mistake by following the trends mentioned above.