1. Blending indoors and outdoors

Lately we’ve been seeing more vertical gardens, plant walls, internal courtyards and blending of the indoors and outdoors. This trend is perfect for us here in Australia as we tend to have such beautiful weather – so why not bring the outdoors in?

If you live in an apartment, you can still have fun with this trend. You could create a removable mini vertical garden filled with succulents, or invest in some statement potted indoor plants; indoor palms and trees are perfect for this! I know many apartments don’t have outdoor taps available, so these options can all be easily hand-watered.

2. Tiny homes movement

I’m certainly no minimalist, so I don’t think I’ll be personally relocating to a tiny home anytime soon, but making the most of small spaces is always a huge part of our job as Interior Designers.

Casabela has been busy working on many beautiful terrace homes going up for sale all the time, so we’ve gotten used to working with narrow rooms and really opening up the space. It’s a great reminder that the right furniture and styling choices can make any space amazing, even if you think you don’t have much to work with!

3. Line art

Image: Morning Madness by Salventius

If you’re a fan of abstract art you’ll love this one. Line art is everywhere right now! The best part is, this art style looks fabulous in almost any home, so it really is foolproof.

Given how popular this art has become, it’s not all created equal. My tip is to go directly to an artist who creates their own original works, rather than a cheap mass-produced print that you will see copies of everywhere.

I also like to go for a big print size, so these art pieces really make an impact in the space.

4. Emerald Green

Emerald green is still everywhere to be seen and I’m here for it!

If you’re loving this colour right now, but worried you might get tired of it later, you don’t need to over-commit. Just add some beautiful velvet cushions or a quilt cover to test the waters. Hint: I love pairing this colour with tan or gold – try it!

5. Wall and ceiling paneling

Plain walls, ceilings and cornices might look clean, but they are a little boring, don’t you think?

Okay, if you love the modern and minimal look, then avoid this trend, but I’ve been really pleased to see these traditional elements make a resurgence.

I can’t even describe how much more luxe a property can feel with these simple details added. Of course, they’re more common in original terraces or older buildings, but anyone can actually add this trend to their home – even if the original panelling has been removed, or you’re living in a new house!

Suppliers like Easy Craft or Intrim make beautiful panelling that you can install anytime. I love this idea if you’re renovating and want to totally transform your property.

6. Arches are back

At first, I was a little surprised to see arched doors coming back in du jour. These were massive in Australian homes during the ‘80s – but that’s the thing about trends, I guess, everything old is new again!

I think these look best when kept minimal (painted a clean white) and surrounded by an otherwise-contemporary interior. Mixing an arched doorway with exposed brick could feel too dated.

7. Sustainable, natural materials

There are so many options now if you want to fill your home with ethically-produced pieces, or those made from sustainable materials.

I recently discovered Pampa, a brand that works with skilled artisans in Argentina to create the most stunning textiles. See what I mean? Everything they sell is beautiful and ethical. No compromises here.

8. Macrame

Speaking of stunning handmade pieces, another handmade and natural element I always come back to is macrame. Similar to the art I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of low quality versions out there, and some can look cheap if they’re not well-made. My favourite go-to for macrame is Elafi – not only does this beautiful brand happen to be owned by amazing friend, Dimitra, but she custom makes every single piece!

9. Modern industrial

This trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but I always like to put a modern and luxe feel on it. It’s important for an industrial-style home to still feel comfortable and lush. If you’re calling an industrial-style space home, you can warm it up with beautiful soft furnishings and lots of greenery or fresh flowers. Don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful scent in your home either – a favourite candle or diffuser scent can take it from ex-factory to home-sweet-home in 30 seconds flat.

I also love to play with colours, materials and texture to really give these special homes the warmth they deserve. They are rare to find and I can tell you by being involved in a real estate world, they get lots of attraction, get snatched very quickly and often go for big bucks.

10. Exposed brickwork

Now, what was I saying about exposed brickwork having ‘80s vibes? As with arched doorways, I think exposed bricks can actually look amazing and add so much interest and texture to a space – you just need to balance them out!

If you have the opportunity to embrace exposed brick in your home (lucky you!); think about the colour of the brickwork, does it work with the room? If not, you could always paint over it in a neutral colour. I’ve seen this executed really well in a lot of Sydney terrace homes.