Designing for today

You can’t have failed to notice that homes are getting smarter, with voice-controlled lights and heating that tailors itself to the weather. Buildertrend predicts that this is the year when bathrooms will start to feature built-in Bluetooth speakers while, in the kitchen, smart means sustainable, too. From water-saving dishwashers to reflective surfaces paired with big windows to reduce the need for electrical lighting during the day, “it is all a smart choice for Mother Earth”.

CountryLiving is looking up, not down. It says that in 2020 the kitchen ceiling is its ‘5th wall’ where we should be considering ‘a fun hint of colour, wallpaper or wood panelling to add dramatic flair’. Meanwhile, marble will always be in style, but if you’re a red wine drinker, quartz could be a much better fit for you and your kitchen. While it looks like a natural stone, engineered quartz is more affordable and less prone to stains.

Looking to the future

As the climate becomes less predictable, there is increased emphasis on our homes being a safe refuge from extreme weather – and in reducing their contribution to the problem. The BBC reported at the start of March 2020 that two thirds of UK homes fail on energy efficiency targets, leaving owners paying more to heat them up or cool them down, depending on the season. By taking the ‘selfish’ step of fitting (or fixing) double glazing and investing in cavity wall insulation this year, homeowners can not only offset the cost by saving themselves money in the long term, but also help the UK achieve its goal of zero net carbon output by 2050.

Writing on Forbes, wellness design consultant Jamie Gold suggests that greater awareness of our surroundings, and the impact our consumption can have on both the environment and our health is influencing how we approach design and renovation. “Wellness-focused changes can include paint, flooring or cabinetry with non-toxic materials, touchless faucets that reduce germ spread, circadian lighting that improves sleep, water and air purification systems [and] bidet style toilets for enhanced hygiene.”

Inspired by the past

If you, like Chanel and YSL, believe that style is more important than trends or fashion, look to the past for inspiration. WowHaus has a mission to pick out ‘architecturally interesting houses, both old and new, as well as interesting and relevant interior design’. Site editor David really knows what he is talking about, too, and you could easily while away an afternoon building an online mood board with your pick of the best art deco, modernist, mid-century… in fact, any style you like.

Likewise, The Modern House, despite looking like a trendy online design mag, is actually an estate agent specialising in houses with a touch of something special. “We believe in design as a powerful force for good,” it explains, and its pages are filled with great examples of seemingly effortless design, which will be a great source of inspiration. GQ voted the site one of the best things in the world.

Ultimately, the decision is yours: do you want to create something stylish that will be a joy forever – or a long time, at least – or would you rather follow the trends and fashions of today so that you have an excuse to fresh up again five years down the line?