5 renovation trends shaping Aussie homes and the way we live
A lot has happened in the last 50 years across building and interior design, none more so than style and how we choose to integrate it into our homes.
From the classic brick and mahogany tones of the 1970s homes to the minimalist movement of the early 2000s and the ‘greenification’ of properties over the last few years, our dwellings have undergone quite an evolution.
Over the past five decades Carpet Court, an Australian-owned and operated company, has been at the forefront of the trend movements, changing and expanding their offering so Aussies can achieve their dream home.
And as they mark their 50th anniversary in 2023, their influence continues to shape our homes and lifestyles.
To celebrate, we caught up with Darren Palmer, their longstanding ambassador and renowned interior designer to get his insights on some of the most influential housing trends over the past 50 years.
He reflected on how much has changed since 1973, when shag carpet dominated Carpet Court’s showrooms to the trends of today, and how they have impacted our homes and lifestyles.
1. Minimalism and maximalism
The flip-flop between minimalism and maximalism is a trend that has come and gone. One decade may favour over-the-top and exuberant colours and materials, while the one following might react by going for all-white everything.
The 1980s, for example, were all about decadence, and the 90s were considerably more stripped back.
Floorboards are a great way to add a statement to the room, or keep it simple. Picture: Carpet Court
Right now, though, it seems the two are coinciding. Palmer mentions that both brutalism and flamboyant interiors are popular at the moment, despite being more or less at odds with each other.
On one end, today’s renovators might opt for soft, muted floorboards – like the Hickory Elegance hardwood timber floor – to create a minimalist look.
On the other, they may prefer to make a statement – using the Grand Oak Herringbone timber floors in the darker, moodier Black Opal.
“Some people want that nostalgic feeling of creating a warm home, whereas some people wanted a totally clean look, which is why we’re seeing minimalism and brutalism embraced – because they can be both.”
2. International influences
Despite being a fairly isolated country geographically, Palmer says Australia has largely inherited trends and aesthetics from overseas.
In the 1980s, the Memphis style of design – with its bold geometric shapes, funky colours and striking patterns – flew in from Italy and graced houses around Australia.
In the early 2000s, influences from Bali and Thailand were widespread, with everything from Thai temple doors to Buddha statues adorning our interiors.
From the 2010s to now, we’ve once again been looking further beyond our borders to gain an even wider perspective. Palmer mentions that this could be a key reason why, these days, style is less homogenous than it was in decades past.
Plantation shutters have a very European and stylish feel to them. Picture: Carpet Court
“We saw social media boom and we saw Pinterest and we saw Instagram and we saw … a lot of information from across the world and from different designers’ points of view,” Palmer says.
“I think that’s when we saw a broader proliferation of design styles and things happening faster and more on top of each other.”
3. Dateless design
Despite trends coming and going over the years, one constant has been classic, timeless design.
Neutral tones, traditional shapes, subtle textures and well-made furnishings are always in vogue and have remained perpetual favourites.
When designing his own projects, Palmer opts for perennial pieces from the Carpet Court range.
They have an everlasting quality, especially where windows are concerned, and Palmer prefers enduring styles of window dressing – like sheer curtains, roller blinds and plantation shutters.
The decision to go for a classic design is especially tied to the economy, says Palmer, as renovators typically feel more comfortable doing something more eccentric when money is flush.
In fact, design, decor, furnishings and colours that don’t date may be especially popular now, given current economic conditions – particularly for those looking to undertake an investment property renovation on a budget.
Sheer curtains add a sense of luxe to any room. Picture: Carpet Court
“I think people will need to be doing something that’s got broad market appeal and is classic and has longevity so that they don’t have to redo it in a short period of time,” he says.
“That’s why I love the ranges from Carpet Court and one reason why I love working with them, because they’re so classic, allowing you to style the range any way you like.”
“And with 50 years in the game, it’s no surprise they’ve nailed what customers want.”
4. Sustainability first
Sustainability and energy efficiency might be top of mind now, but it wasn’t always this way.
The homes of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, for instance, were mostly insulation-free.
“10 years ago, that’s what eco-consciousness was – a buzzword,” Palmer says.
Now, in light of global challenges like climate change, Aussie homes have started to adapt, and features such as solar panels, rainwater tanks and recycled materials like brick, tiles and timber are commonplace.
Palmer says this is a particularly crucial movement in renovations that will only become more and more prevalent.
“If you’re not thinking about the materials you use and their source, solar and how you heat and cool your spaces, and all those things that we automatically think about now, you’re missing the market,” he says.
“That’s what people expect.”
5. Individual expression
In the past, particularly throughout the 1970s, housing design was a lot more uniform. Palmer says all of this changed in the 80s when self-expression became more popular.
But perhaps now more than ever, Aussies are putting their own stamp on their renovations and builds.
Palmer says one of the biggest trends emerging now is personalisation, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that we’ve got so many sources of inspiration to choose from.
“People are a lot more educated because they have a lot more reference points so that they can craft their own individual aesthetic,” he says.
In fact, this is another big reason Palmer loves working with Carpet Court: “They are about providing inspiration and providing information and education to their customers so that people feel more comfortable to express themselves in their homes.”
“Carpet Court want to inspire Australians to create their dream homes, and with this education, they definitely can.”
As far as how to go about putting yourself into a renovation, Palmer says rugs are a great medium for self-expression.
“I think rugs make a maximalism statement like art,” he says.
“Rugs are even more of an opportunity for a bigger statement – they’re more graphic, more colourful, more of a statement, they have more pattern, more maximalism.”
Individual touches like curtains, blinds and rugs are what makes a house a home. Picture: Getty
Palmer also says individual expression is the best way to go for any renovation or building project.
Ultimately, rather than following the prevailing trend, renovators should think about their personal preferences and create a home that truly sparks joy – especially given how much of an impact design can have on our lifestyle, our health and our overall mood.
“Your environment reflecting you and your personality is the ideal outcome,” he says.
“Expressing yourself on your own will always make you feel better. Seeing yourself reflected back at you will always make you feel better. You’ve got a space that’s yours.”
So if you’re leaning into a renovation, and putting your own unique spin on things, it pays to go with long-standing market leaders like Carpet Court that have seen it all before and whose expertise can bring your home design dreams to life.