Not every design trend is going to add style to your home. Think back to the days of carpeted walls, spa baths and water beds. It is tempting to follow the latest trends but which ones are on the way out? We asked the experts for their advice.
Hexagon tile
“2015 was a fun year, we used the hexagon tile,” says Nathan Ruttner, Interior Designer at Techne Architecture and Interior Design in Melbourne.
“This tile, acting as a feature, allowed us to break our rules stepping away from mainly using the square and rectangle tile. But as fast as it has come in, the overuse of it has really given the hex a dated look.”
Once fashionable: The overuse of hexagon tiles has resulted in a dated look. Photo: Stocksy
Dan Mulcahy, managing director of Mulcahy’s Construction Group (MCG) in Melbourne thinks too much tiling should be avoided. “It is becoming outdated to have tiles run throughout a house. Tiling should be kept to the bathroom and kitchen.”
Feature lighting and feature walls
“Putting lights over benches, over vanities in bathrooms and over dining tables is an overused idea,” says architect Jesse Linardi, design director at DKO Architecture in Melbourne. “It’s not so much that the idea has no merit, rather that lighting fixtures tend to date very quickly.” The same applies for feature walls using fake stone or wallpaper, he adds. “Simple classic and natural finishes tend not to date.”
Vertical garden
“The idea of the feature wall has given birth to the vertical garden,” says Ruttner. “Indoor plants themselves are a great way to liven a space especially when they are in beautiful ceramics pots. Although vertical gardens add a nice touch of ‘greenery’ to the space it does feel like a done idea, usually done wrong.”
Metallic finish
Warm metallic finishes – gold, rose gold and brass – are “overused, overrated and far from timeless. I don’t see any of these lasting,” says head of interior design Narelle Cuthbert from Plus Architecture in Melbourne. “Instead we will see a trend where lighting and key pieces will remain in these tones contrasted by other finishes and textures.”
Hotel-style ensuite
“From a design point of view, open area ensuite bathrooms used as a feature off the master bedroom look great but from a practical sense they give you no privacy,” says Robert German from Beller Real Estate in Windsor, Melbourne. “Steam can flow from one room to another and quite often it connects to an open walk-in robe which obviously isn’t good for your clothing.”
Lighting fixtures tend to date quickly. Photo: Stocksy
Butler’s pantry
“They create a real disconnection in the kitchen area,” says German. “The old-fashioned three steps to anything is probably the best case scenario. I think that living with a butler’s kitchen is not as practical as originally thought.”
European-style laundry
“Many homes have these but I think we will will move back to the more traditional-style laundry room,” says German. “People say they don’t want to waste the space by having a traditional-style laundry so they create a Euro-style laundry. But it is a shortfall if you don’t have the ability to have storage in your laundry, somewhere to have your dirty clothes, ironing board and ironed clothes.”
In-wall coffee machine
“Whilst there is a definite trend towards concealing appliances where possible for a more streamlined kitchen appearance, these are one of the appliances that people prefer to have exposed,” says Cuthbert.
Removing period features
“It has been disappointing to see some clientele wanting to get rid of period history features by removing lead glass windows, skirting and architrave and in some cases chimneys” says Mulcahy. “Period features are increasingly sought after by purchasers and can increase the value of a property. It is important when the renovation is in its early stages of design to brief an experienced architect who will be able to continue the period theme throughout the house.”
[Source:- Domain]
