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When your clients are asking you what the key design trends are this season, can you tell them? If the answer is no, don’t stress we know staying on top of innovations in materials and design forecasts can fall to the bottom of a busy to-do list, so we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a painter, landscaper or tradie, interior designer Leah Henricks of Leah Henricks Interiors in Sydney unpack the key looks for you this autumn.
While white will always be a reliable backdrop in interior design, colours play an important role in setting the tone for a space.
For autumn 2024, earthy colours are making a comeback, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Australian landscape. Think of burnt orange, mustards and terracotta brown, coastal blues and aquas, and muted greens that echo the Australian bush. As well as subconsciously reminding us to connect with nature, the tones can also bring a sense of calm and grounding to our living spaces.
“I advise my clients to take inspiration from their surroundings – for example if they have a beautiful gum tree in their backyard, why not draw colour inspiration from there?” Leah says. “Sometimes rather than letting a colour palette drive your decisions, it’s starting with one element, like the tree, and building out your design from there.”
Design trends often come full circle, and nostalgic retro aesthetics are having a comeback this autumn, inside and outside the home.
Interior designers will be taking inspiration from the vibrant and eclectic designs of the 1970s. Abstract patterns in warm, rich colours are expected to show up in different parts of of the home, from sage green kitchen cabinets to pale duck-egg blue tiled bathroom feature walls – colours that can be extended to outdoor areas and landscape settings.
Wall textures are also key. “We are seeing a lot of experimenting with textures. For example, the exposure of original brickwork on internal walls that can be modernised by painting white or splatter-coat render to the exterior, also known as stucco render,” Leah says. “Venetian plaster is also making a comeback for internal walls, giving the flat surface of a wall a warm, textured feeling.”
The trick with retro elements is to incorporate them with modern design, to create a blend of nostalgia and sophistication.
Homeowners and renovators are increasingly seeking sustainable materials, energy-efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures.
“From recycled furniture to energy-efficient lighting, the focus is on creating homes that tread [more] lightly on the planet while offering comfort and style,’’ says Leah, who says there has also been an increase in customers asking for sustainable paint options with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) content for a healthier indoor environment.
In outdoor design, homeowners are investing in landscaping projects that enhance the beauty of their gardens, patios and balconies while creating cosy entertaining areas to enjoy autumn evenings and set them up for springtime get-togethers.
“One [current] trend is a desire to connect inside with outside,” Leah says. “There are lots of subtle ways to make that happen; things like using exterior deck timber that is similar to, or ties into, the timber flooring inside. It could be making sure a fire pit has a line of sight from the front door as you enter the house, creating that immediate connection with the outside, or choosing indoor plants that complement the garden outside.”
To help these spaces flow, “Rather than taking colour ideas from inside, I tell my clients to take textural ideas,” Leah says. “So, for example, if you have gone with a herringbone tile in the bathroom, you can continue that in the paving around the barbecue area.
In keeping with a more thoughtful approach to landscape design, homeowners are also incorporating native plants and sustainable gardening practices to create vibrant outdoor spaces that play into Australia’s naturally beautiful environment.