Experts predict the biggest interior design trends for 2017

Want to know what the biggest interior design trends will be in 2017? We asked some of Australia’s top interior experts to reveal their design predictions.

Natural tones

“In 2017 we will be seeing more natural tones, which create a rustic yet controlled vibe,” says multi-award-winning Melbourne interior designer David Hicks. “Olive, terracotta, cinnamon and indigo are a few big ones to look out for. Accents of copper and silver will also continue to be big.”

“Colours to look out for are mustard, shades of purple and mauve and variations of green and blue,” says Jessica Bellef, head of styling at Temple & Webster, the online retailer of furniture and homewares. “Indigo is a continued darling of the colour trend world, but we will see the evolution of it in washed finishes and lightweight chambray fabrics, lending a more casual feel to the look.”

Image: Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers.

Earthy textures

“As a nation, we are collectively moving towards sustainable practices and pieces, and home interior trends are reflecting this positive change,” says Justine Stedman, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors in Sydney. “Materials that have greater longevity, and age more gracefully, are quickly becoming a more regular fixture in the 21st-century home. This means more natural and textured fabrics and materials, such as crepe, cotton, linen and leather, are more prevalent than ever.”

Artisan and custom pieces

Work by contemporary crafts-people (ceramics and glassware through to custom lighting and furniture) will become a focus as consumers are beginning to look for more unique pieces, as well as, high quality materials from ethical sources, says Anya Haywood, principal designer at Anya H Interiors in Sydney. “This has become the new definition of luxury, to have something a little different from the mass market range available online.”

Image: Amara.

Vintage globes and suitcases

“It looks like furniture designers are taking inspiration from historical explorers and naturalists,” says Haywood. “You’ll see more vintage globes and suitcases as feature pieces, as well as, plant drawings and butterfly motifs.”

Wicker

“I predict we will be seeing even more wicker in 2017,” says Haywood. “From chairs and lampshades to accessory pieces. Toffee-coloured wicker contrasting against a crisp white will make a winning combo.”

Global nomad

“Interiors inspired by the concept of the ‘global nomad’ will be on-trend, featuring textiles rich in colour, embellishment and pattern. Traditional African handcrafts, Indian block prints and Aztec motifs will be a big focus,” says Bellef.

Temple and Webster. Photography Sue Stubbs. Stylist Jono Fleming. 

Moroccan mosaics

“Going into 2017 I see Australians far more interested in using handmade products and steering away from mass-produced items,” says Georgia Ezra, interior architect at Gabbe in Melbourne. “This would certainly be seen in the creative use of tiles. Moroccan hand-made mosaics are huge at the moment, I don’t see these ever going out of style. Tilesofezra have a beautiful range of Moroccan zellige mosaics. These are timeless creations that have been manufactured for centuries, sustaining the craft and tradition of Morocco and allowing for the end user to have a product in their home which adds intense dramatic layering and a bespoke aura one cannot see in a mass produced tile.”

Terrazzo

“In terms of materials, marble has been a huge trend over recent years because it is refined and timeless. However, other natural materials such as terracotta, cork and terrazzo are on the rise,” says Bianca Hung, senior associate at Hayball, a Melbourne-based architecture, interior and urban design practice. “We are starting to see terrazzo in more and more designs with black/white and grey hues leading the way. But as the trend becomes more popular, incredible hues of green, amber and terracotta will spring up in Australia as they have in Italy.”

Source: insideout.com.au. Photographer: Brooke Holm.

Elaborate interiors

“Glamour will shine through in 2017,” says Bellef. “Think lots of brass and gold through art-deco-inspired wallpaper design and Shanghai-inspired luxe with rich fabrics or furniture with intricate inlay details.”

Sydney interior designer Crystal Amesbury says she has been excited to see an increase in suppliers bringing in more adventurous colour options in both kitchen sinks (think black, brass and rose gold) and bathroom basins. “An incredible array of colours are now becoming available in ceramic, such as moss green, coal, pearl, copper and taupe.”

“There has been a noticeable shift towards more elaborate, ornate interiors and away from the stark, minimalist lines that have dominated the interior design scene,” says Stedman. “Think gorgeous wainscoting, dado rails, picture rails and lots of gold brass and metal hardware.”

Luxury ‘strokable’ fabric for modern chairs and sofas

“We will see more luxurious, glamorous fabrics being used across even the more mainstream furniture brands,” says Haywood. “There will be an increased use of velvet and faux fur fabrics and wall coverings. I’m personally happy to see the increased use of velvet. For families, velvet is such a great bullet-proof fabric to use with kids and pets around.”

Image: interiorsecrets.com.au.

Mid-century design

“We will see a move away from contemporary design, with the focus coming back to form and function rather than design for design’s sake,” says Hicks.  “Mid-century will return to favour as a core design influence. This trend will play up the beauty in everyday materials and will be almost brutalist in its aesthetic.”