As we move into a new decade, international and Australian creatives are taking a more thoughtful approach to interior design.

Turn the clock back ten years and the mood was flashier…louder. Walls were painted in shiny bright colours and there was less of an emphasis on the provenance of materials.

The new mood is more considered. The big difference is that sustainable design and living has moved from the periphery to front and centre. 2020 will bring a stronger emphasis on conscious design, with clients thinking more deeply about how they consume and investing in pieces that are made well and promise longevity.

Areas to consider as we move into the new year…

High-Quality Recycled Materials

Being more sustainable in design doesn’t mean compromising on style. It’s possible to minimise waste, reduce the overall carbon footprint and produce a long-lasting, beautiful aesthetic.

There is an increasingly innovative array of recycled materials which also look chic. When it comes to construction, there will also be an emphasis on sustainable upgrades to make homes more energy and water efficient.

We’ll be hosting a new Sustainability Hub at the 2020 Decor + Design show, which will showcase some of the latest materials and ideas.

We love these rubber planters from Upcycle Studio, which are made from recycled rubber tyres which were destined for landfill.

Recycled Rubber Planters, Upcycle Studio. www.upcyclestudio.com.au

The Colour Green

While Pantone have selected Classic Blue as the 2020 Colour of the Year, there are other indications that shades of green will be the palette du jour this year.

Fifty Shades of Green. Image: Homes to Love

Dulux selected the sage-like ‘Tranquil Dawn’ as their colour for this year, while pastel and mint greens have been pervasive from other forecasting groups like WGSN. The latter describes the hue as ‘neo mint’ and it references the next decade’s optimism about science and technology. An example can be seen in the image at the top of this article – perforated cladding in neo mint wraps the University Science Institute in Portugal by Claudio Vilarinho. Photography by Joao Morgado.

Organic Shapes

Feeling comforted and nurtured is a key component of luxury – and luxury can be created through clever design rather than spending a fortune.

Organic shapes were huge at Milan Design Week last year and celebrate asymmetry and shapes that appear more frequently in nature. Using recycled and naturally-occurring materials, they move away from geometric symmetry and don’t reference any particular pattern.

We love the idea of curling up into the flowing folds of this Etcetera Chair from Artilleriet!

Etcetera Chair from Artilleriet. Image: Italian Bark

It’s going to be an interesting year in design. Make sure you subscribe to receive updates on directions from Australia and around the globe. Plus, mark your diaries for the 2020 Decor + Design show, 16 – 19 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Alongside the trade exhibition, design leaders will be discussing Thoughtful Design at the Australian House & Garden International Seminar Series. Stay tuned for the full program release in March!