Here we get the crystal ball out and make some predictions about how the interior design world will shake itself up in the coming years, in response to market factors and changing customer needs.

With the housing market set for one of it’s biggest changes ever as our needs and wants continue to shift, what does this mean for design? House and land prices continue to rise; daily commutes in our cities are an ongoing problem; the environment is on everyone’s radar; people continue to desire better work/life balance; and there is a real ‘back to the land’ movement gaining momentum as people leave the big cities in search of a different life.

And underpinning these market factors are personal desires, such as seeking out the unique and a want to create homes and spaces that represent us as people and welcome us home – wherever that may be.

For the Designbx business, these shifting factors provide much opportunity to reach new audiences – but in order to serve clients effectively we must not only respond to trends and demographic changes, but be able to accurately predict what’s on the horizon. Determining upcoming needs and wants is key to delivering beautiful, functional and practical design solutions for our clients.

Here we identify our top predictions for interior design in the next five years, that will help you stay ahead of the curve.

No matter the size, we need smarter design
We will see homes take very new shapes and sizes over the next five years. Small and tiny houses are slowly creeping into the real estate vernacular in Australia – and with the trend booming across most of the world it’s only a matter of time before it becomes mainstream here. With this change brings a need for smarter designs that maximise space, utilise practical storage solutions and walk the fine and delicate line between function and form. But there are always two sides to the coin. In contrast, large homes will still exist, but we will see clever designs and planning that will allow multiple generations to live together under one roof. Driven largely by affordability, this trend will also feed into our second prediction…

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…The return of community
The desire for support and community has been gaining momentum for some time, and we believe this will be reflected in the way people design and live in their homes. With an ageing population, families having fewer children than at any other time in history, and the financial and ethical issues surrounding aged care in Australia, it is only a matter of time before this impacts the way we design our family homes. Granny flats have long been part of the Australian real estate landscape, however in recent times they have become less about families co-existing and more about generating additional income to help make ends meet. We see the next five years adding a level of maturity to this model, with small houses being built as communities, and larger houses being cleverly designed to cater for multiple generations under the one roof. We are personally incredibly excited about this prediction as it not only lends itself to out of-the-box design, but it will encourage a revival of community – something we wholeheartedly believe everyone is craving.

The environment will take centre stage
The environment is increasingly on the agenda, and as business owners and global citizens we have a responsibility to respond with smart and ethical solutions for our clients. Eco building is on the rise as the environmental movement gains more and more traction and people become conscious of the footprint they are leaving on the earth. Be it working closely with architects to ensure spaces are designed to maximise natural light and cooling; locally sourcing products to reduce our transport footprint; or simple shifts like using using recycled and repurposed furniture. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting and colourful space in the next five years, and we look forward to growing and collaborating with our clients to become more sustainable in all that we do.

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Transportable design
Australians are an incredibly house-proud nation. And while the great Australian dream of owning your own home may be harder than ever to achieve, more and more people are choosing to make the spaces they occupy feel like home. More people are renting than ever before, so when it comes to design we have to provide smart and transportable solutions that enable our clients to recreate their dream space, no matter the location of their lease. That means designs that do not alter the structure of a building; solutions that are mindful of bond and owner lease requirements; as well as selecting furniture and homewares that are unique yet versatile enough to work in multiple settings. It’s a new challenge facing the industry as we lift the lid and make interior design accessible to more people – and it’s a challenge we’re excited to tackle.

All in all, we don’t see our side of the industry slowing down at all with the housing market recovering and new trends on the way. But only time will tell. We foresee much innovation in the interior design space, including how we as designers provide concepts to our clients; how clients can view and receive products in their homes; and also how we communicate during the design phase. And we are confident e-decorating will continue to gain momentum thanks to the convenience and affordability upside. But we also don’t see this taking away from traditional designers – we feel we are opening up interior design to a whole new audience, and this can only be beneficial to everyone in our industry, and ultimately, our clients.

The post Interior design predictions: The next 5 years appeared first on Designbx.

It’s called Glamping (of course) and now that Aussies are being swept up by the interior design revolution, it’s time to extend that style to mobile homes. We’re about to make our campers so cool, the teenagers will be begging to hit the road this summer. They may even forget to bring their phones and game consoles (okay, maybe that’s a bit unrealistic).

Let’s check out some camper tips that will make grey-stubbled jaws drop when you roll into your favourite beachside trailer park this summer.

1. Cosy seating and lush Manchester

Let’s not get too literal about this whole ‘camping’ thing. Glamping requires a whole new mindset. First we’re laying down a tarp, so our ridiculously huge picnic rug won’t get wet. Our outdoor area will have all the comforts of home during its evening mode, thanks to beanbags and blow-up couches. Your trailer park neighbours will be sitting on their fold-up canvas chairs, green with envy as you inflate your luxurious plastic lounge.

When it comes time to bed down for the evening, we’re doing it in style. We’re basically bringing everything from the bedroom with us, except the furniture. Instead of sleeping bags, let’s cover our rug with throw blankets and cushions, and snuggle up in our favourite dooners. The great thing about our tarp and rug set-up is how easy they are to sweep and clean in the morning.

2. Find two trees and get into the swing of camping

We’re talking about hammocks. Hammocks are an intriguing invention because you might wonder what all the fuss is about…until you try it for the first time. Yes, it may be a little difficult to mount your first hammock, but it’s a lot harder to escape. That’s because they’re so relaxing, you never want to move again, except for the gentle swaying motion that makes you regress to early childhood.

For a cheaper option you can get a tarp from your local Bunnings, but hammocks aren’t expensive. And the great thing about this mobile form of furniture, which just happens to be the most relaxing thing on the planet, is that you simply unhook it and roll it up into the size of a yoga mat. Easy to store and hang up at your next location. If you’ve never hammocked before, nothing could possibly come more highly recommended.

3. Entertainment – Glamping-style

Glamping modernises the camping experience, so I’m afraid fans of eye-spy and Kumbaya singalongs around the camp fire may be disappointed. Just because we’re in the bush doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. We’re bringing speakers, a laptop, a white drop-sheet and a projector. It’s time to set up an outdoor cinema under the stars.

Surprisingly, Australia’s natural wildlife seldom gets to see Hollywood blockbusters, so think of it as giving a little back to nature. Just make sure your laptop is loaded with plenty of choices for the whole family, and don’t forget your charger or there will be tears.

4. Make it rain!

We Glampers like to be surrounded by nature but we have to draw the line somewhere. For instance, we don’t do insects. It’s simply unacceptable to be bitten by mosquitos. We also make sure we’re maintaining an urban level of hygiene, so those communal bathrooms? Na-uh. That’s not happening.

We’ll be investing in an ensuite tent and a cheap shower. Think of it as a slightly scaled-down version of your actual home. We’ll even be bringing solar-powered garden lights to make sure we can easily navigate between the tent and shower. Just because we’re outdoors doesn’t mean we’re ‘roughing it’.

5. Wine and dine, not whine and dine

We’re bringing most of the kitchen with us, including pre-cooked meals. That’s why a good camping fridge/freezer is essential. While our camping neighbours are staring disconsolately at a scorched marshmallow hanging from the end of a twig, or shovelling baked beans from metal bowl, we’ll be enjoying a fine roast, perhaps with a smooth, sweet Merlot. Wine-not?

There are a whole range of amazing portable ovens and of course, the trusty gas stove tops which give you the freedom to show off your culinary skills. There’s not much you can’t do with two hot plates, some veal, maybe a few truffles…okay we’ve gone too far.

When it comes to the dining setting, bring along a couple of citronella plants. Not only do they add a lovely homey feel, but it’s also the closest thing to kryptonite for mosquitos.

The key to effective Glamping

Glamping isn’t just about avoiding nature while being surrounded by it; it’s also about styling your camper van. This summer we expect to see a bit of creativity out there on the road. We’re looking forward to Scandi-vans, Art-deco-trailers, Boho RVs and Luxe tents. Bring a little flair and style to the highways and bushlands this summer. Join the Glamper revolution.

Inspiring van and caravan conversions:

1. Retro

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2. Scandi

3. Mountain wood

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4. Nautical

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5. Bohemian

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The post Top tips to get Glamping! appeared first on Designbx.

Children would lay out nests for their eggs, and carrots for the bunny, with the hopes of extra treats. Why wouldn’t bribes work on a bunny? Cookies worked for Santa, right? From humble beginnings, this fatastical hare’s influence has spread across the world, becoming an intrinsic part of every childhood. The bunny trumps the Tooth Fairy and runs a close second to Santca.

Here in Australia we celebrate Easter much the same as the rest of the western world, by putting out coloured eggs, eating lots of chocolate and family feasting. But while the holiday in the US and Europe marks the ushering in of spring and some much-needed reprieve from a cold winter, Down Under it’s a bit different.

 
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After a record-breaking hot summer, most of us are eager for Autumn and all the cosiness associated with the season. Fashion and design trends go hand in hand with any seasonal change, and this Autumn is no different. This Easter, we’re loving the idea of deep reds to celebrate the holiday. Fortunately for us, there’s a lot of beautiful ruby red homewares and furniture out there to tickle our collective fancy. Rich velvets, gold framework furniture and deep red botanical flowers highlights.

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Ruby red is an indulgent colour, exactly what this season calls for. Think dark chocolate, melty cheese and red wine. As we’ve noted before, red used in its pure form can induce anxiety, speed and hunger (those fast food marketers are no fools), but earthy reds are great for areas where we want to relax, socialise and of course, indulge.

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The tradition of dying eggs is seeing a comeback. To dye Easter Eggs in this seasons trend jewel toned colours, like Ruby Red, use brown eggs instead of white. Here’s a guide to create the perfect ruby red Easter egg.

If eggs aren’t your cup of tea check out our Easter table setting article.

The post 2017 design trends – Easter bunny delivers ruby red treats for autumn appeared first on Designbx.