New homes trends to watch for 2016

The year is drawing to a close and we are already wondering what will the ultimate home style for the year of 2016 be?

1. It’s time to shine
The coming year is your home’s chance to shine with a touch of metallic. “From acid wash metallic cow hide rugs to brass cylindrical vases for your flowers through to brushed brass side tables, there aren’t many homewares or interiors products that don’t work well in metallic tones,” says interior designer Emma Blomfield. You don’t have to spend much to get in on this trend, she adds: “Metallics should be considered the jewellery for your home with things like drawer handles and copper catchalls through to candle jars.” 

2. Nature comes inside
If you don’t have a backyard with access to greenery in its natural habitat, then bring it to you. “Urban living comes with a detachment of the natural sources that generate our food, longer supply chains and less personal interaction with what we eat,” says Emir Lopez from Fluid Growers, who make portable gardens to grow in your kitchen. “We all long to be connected back to nature and back to food, and to learn and teach our children where food really comes from.”

3. Practical items become features
The practical parts of your home no longer have to be boring, as more interesting designs become accessible. Aaron Lee, co-creator of online emporium Prinkbox, says it’s all about creating conversation. “People desire something they can socially share to start that conversation,” he explains. “Many interior designers are shifting towards the reinvention of everyday items as a way of reinvigorating living spaces.”

4. Bathrooms go au naturale
In the bathroom, vanity units are going au naturale. “2016 is well and truly on track to be the year of the timber top,” says Scott Beechey, Design and Selections Specialist from Mitcham Plumbtec. While stone tops have been cast aside as drab and cold, Beechey says, “timber allows a new dimension in adding a natural warmth and feel.”

7. Colours are deep and moody
With four trend-setting colour palettes recently released, Dulux is declaring 2016 the year of moody shades, futuristic inspiration and throwbacks to times past.

(Picture Source http://bedroom891.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/this-is-cool-space-saver-to-do-twin-bed.html)

Their first offering is dubbed Infinite Worlds. “This is inspired by a growing focus on space travel and research,” says Dulux Colour Planning and Communications Manager Andrea Lucena-Orr. The dark blues and purples are contrasted with flashes of red, pink, coral and space age metallics.

Two palettes, Future Past and Retro Remix, see us looking back to the 60s and 70s. Browns and caramels are making a comeback, as are the more vibrant retro colours. Lucena-Orr says it’s all about creating a look that suits your personality: “Colour combinations can be used in unexpected ways to help create a more youthful and playful space.”

Finally, the Bio Fragility palette takes its cues from nature, with soft greens, beige and grey. “Scheming these colours together creates a beautiful, tranquil setting that’s easy to live with in most rooms within the home,” says Lucena-Orr.

9. Sustainability is king
The human conscience isn’t letting up, with people caring more and more about where the items in their home come from. “Sustainability is becoming a must design element in 2016,” says Lee. “We’re seeing more experimental ideas of mixing new sustainable and old upcycled materials, and people are opting for organic recyclable accessories.”

(Picture Source: http://builditbackgreen.org/bushfires/in-the-media/sept-2011/bushfire-rebuild-wins-highest-honour,-building-design-of-the-year.aspx)

Source:  domain.com.au