As we enter both a new year and a new decade, it’s time to consider what new home design trends lie on the horizon and which ones are going out. To find out, we’ve taken a look at what new designs are causing the most buzz and which trends many people are saying goodbye to. Whether you’re planning a home renovation this year or buying a new home, your home mustn’t look as if it belongs to another time. So, sit back, get out some pen and paper, and read on for some inspiration on home design trends for 2020.
Design Trends that are IN…Design Trends that are IN…
Sustainable Natural MaterialsSustainable Natural Materials
With each passing year, sustainability becomes a more pressing issue. So much so that it’s now no longer a trend, but an expected part in any homes design. Buyers and homeowners are increasingly aware of the need for eco-friendliness in home design. They want to see energy-saving appliances and the use of natural, sustainable materials. But this desire for more -eco-friendly designs doesn’t just stop at the practical. Increasingly, homeowners want to see it reflected in the décor of their homes.

Translates into a kind of pared-back minimalism that makes people feel more connected to nature. Expect to see more home designs that include fixtures and fittings made from natural materials like wood, undyed yarns, and warm terra-cotta earthenware. As more people begin thinking long-term, there is an increased desire for materials and furnishings of a high-quality that will last. Something that this trend plays perfectly.
Japanese InfluencesJapanese Influences
With this trend of natural minimalism taking over, it’s hardly surprising to hear that the Japanese aesthetic will be making a comeback. This trend has always been around, but we can expect to see more of it this year. A sense of elegance combined with simplicity and purity is at the core of this style. The idea of finding beauty in Imperfection, known as Wabi-Sabi, is also central to this.
Beyond the use of bonsai trees and bamboo, expect to see more unique designs from the Japanese homeland. For instance, the wood-charring technique, known as Shou Sugi Ban, is becoming a popular texture for furnishings. This fits perfectly with the desire for eco-friendly materials. Expect to see more designers looking to Japan for home décor inspiration this year.
AuthenticityAuthenticity
The idea of home-as-sanctuary will grow this year as more people look for ways to design their homes in ways that reflect their tastes and passions. Millennial homeowners are increasingly saying no to cookie-cutter home designs that you can pick out of a catalog. Instead, they want an “uber-unique” décor that sets them apart as individuals. But don’t think this is just about having a one-of-a-kind sofa or a uniquely handcrafted glass bowl. This is about authenticity and creating a décor that tells their story. Expect to see more individual home designs with hand-crafted materials in furnishings and architecture.
Earthy Vibrant Colors are the New NeutralsEarthy Vibrant Colors are the New Neutrals
Say goodbye to cool tones because now it’s all about earthy, vibrant color schemes. Expect to see more warm colors and saturated hues in tiles, cabinetry, and walls. Think natural, earthy tones that create a sense of the great outdoors. For example, tinted grays, tactile beiges, yellow ochre, and dusty greens. Subdued colors like this have usually been regulated to the background, but we can expect them to rise to the fore in 2020.
Design Trends that are OUT… Design Trends that are OUT…
Cool Color TonesCool Color Tones
With vibrant earthy colors now becoming the new trend, it stands to reason that cool neutral tones are out. Cool neutrals tend to give off an institutional feeling and doesn’t gel with the desire now to create spaces that show off a homeowner’s personality. So if you’re thinking of redoing your all-white kitchen or replacing your grey sofa set with something more vibrant, then don’t think twice. If you need some replacement ideas, then look for colored cabinetry, dynamic stone counters, and patterned flooring.
The Faux LookThe Faux Look
With the desire for authenticity being all the rage now, you can bet that faux-anything will be out. This relates to things like faux plants, faux finishes, and anything else that looks like something it’s not. As people look for more quality and authenticity in their home décor, they’ll start replacing their faux fixtures and fittings with the real thing. However, don’t expect faux to go away entirely. Faux fur throws will still be around since real fur, while still beautiful, isn’t ethical in this day and age. The difference is between faux that knows its faux, and faux that’s trying to be something it’s not.
Accent WallsAccent Walls
Whether it’s wallpaper, a bright paint color, or a photo gallery, accent walls look to be going further out of style this year. While wallpapered accent walls can still work when made to serve as a significant art piece, we’ll likely see less of them this year. Having all four walls wallpapered or painted the same color will be much more common.
Singular Design SchemesSingular Design Schemes
As people seek to create unique home designs that speak to their personalities, there will be fewer design schemes based on a unique look or trend. I guess you could say that this is a trend of not having a trend, at least not an overall one. In keeping with the Japanese design principle of Wabi-Sabi, there will be a growing desire for less perfection in home design. This means a slight mix of two or more styles, like a modern style with a bit of vintage. So, if you’re planning a home renovation or new interior design, try to think a bit outside the box.
Single-Use SpacesSingle-Use Spaces
With the open-floor plan apartment becoming more common, how it’s being used is also evolving. Building on the desire for more sustainability, homeowners are starting to look for more practicality and less formality in their home design. It’s now a lot more common to see multi-use spaces, like a home office that also doubles as a guest room, or a home gym that doubles as a walk-in closet or reading room. Expect to see less single-use spaces this year as more homeowners look for ways to make every square inch of space count