Trend Forecasting: What we’ll be seeing in 2020 and beyond

Colour was such a large element of the forecast this year. Although it is always covered, we have been gravitating towards neutral, softer pallets for many years now. Accent colours are sage greens, light blues and blush pinks and peaches. What we might start to see moving forward, though, are bolder colours, such as Koi red, mustards, deep sea greens, purples and indigos. What goes around eventually comes back around and we’re particularly keen on some of the beautiful, colourful carpets on offer at the moment as well as floor rugs that demand attention.

Different trends are emerging that don’t share too much common ground in the way of materiality and texture. Some explore new technologies, some are glossy and patent in appearance, while others celebrate authentic, natural materials, such as lava stone and shearling. From a timber flooring or timber-look flooring perspective, jindai cedar was highlighted, a beautiful Japanese variety. Within the Australian market, this would be similar in tone to some ash, beech or eucalyptus varieties.

Each year, this theme reinvents itself, ramps up and becomes more and more relevant to our lives, particularly within consumer culture and design. There is some anxiety surrounding what, at an individual level, can be done to counter this crisis. And if our individual attempt at leading a more sustainable life is even helping in the grander scheme of things. Collectively, if we each do our bit, it will make a difference. From a design perspective, this can mean buying quality over quantity and products that are built to last. It can also focus on newly imagined materials and products constructed from recycled content. Products such as EnviroTred carpet underlay by Dunlop are leading the way, constructing their foam underlay from 90% recycled content (old foam sent back from flooring retailers).

If sustainability is something you’re interested in, there are some flooring products that will stand out. You can read more about sustainable choices here and, more specifically, about rugs here.

Working across disciplines, or multi-disciplinary design has been happening for some time, but here we start to see, in particular, a reinterpretation of traditional crafts in contemporary settings. Consider this: traditional weaving/ sculpting or carving reimagined in new modern ways, collaborations between artist and maker or crafts-person and producer. This is a very grass-roots style trend emerging and tends to be colourful, modern and highly-patterned. You might see examples of this across homewares, paint colour collaborations or textile design, for example.

The future is bright as consumers demand more from their purchases. They will seek deeper meaning from the products they buy. Sustainability, socially conscious, quality or even spirituality. What does this mean for the everyday man on the street? It means they want something beautiful but loaded with meaning, whether that be from an environmental perspective or otherwise. Homes that look considered, lived in and not overly stark come to mind. Furniture made from recycled content, family heirlooms woven into the decor and maybe a few travel mementos thrown in the mix, too!

Where can I buy blinds in Australia?

Many Flooring Xtra store sell blinds across Australia. Check with your local store to see if they can help you find the best possible window treatment solution today!

Is vinyl flooring good for a kitchen?

Vinyl flooring installed in a kitchen is a great option. It’s durable, easy to clean and some products are also water resistant. Perfect for busy family homes!

What are the benefits of a professional flooring installer?

Deciding what new flooring you will install at home is a big deal! There is a lot to consider and it’s an investment which is why it’s important to get the installation done by the professionals- they know what they are doing and are incredibly knowledgable. They have all the right tools, they can problem solve, drawing on years of experience and get things done promptly. Each Flooring Xtra store has its own professional installers so you can relax while the experts get the job done!

What carpet is good for a dining room?

Carpet is a comfortable and warm flooring material. In high-traffic areas or where there is likely to be more mess, a stain-resistant fibre is a good option. Look for fibres like nylon, triexta, solution-dyed nylon, polyester and polypropylene which are more resilient to staining. Always make sure spills are cleaned up as soon as possible though, regardless of the carpet material!

What should I consider when choosing a rug for my bedroom?

There are a few things to consider here. Do you want the rug to feel plush underfoot or would you prefer a flatter pile? Do you want the rug to become a feature (with pattern and colour) or more understated? Bedrooms are not incredibly high-traffic spaces so you can afford to choose something like wool or a light colour which you may not, say, in an entryway. Ensure the rug is large enough too, you can see a few different size and placement ideas in our Rug Guide.