What's hot for homes in 2014
Industry insiders share their forecasts for the key trends that will shape our homes this year.
HEAVY METAL
"This season's absolute must-haves are copper and brass - they add instant warmth to your home," Freedom homewares buyer Korryn Bentley said.
GOOD WOODS
Timber is still coming through strongly.
"Everything from dark wenge to lighter, honey-colour woods such as walnut and oak are looking fresh - mixing colours and textures creates a contemporary modern interior," Fiona Steddy, owner, buyer and designer for Minkz Furniture and Homewares, said.
RAISING THE ROOF
Whether it's a bar, sundeck or rooftop garden, it's time WA reclaimed its roof spaces, according to David Weir, of David Weir Architects.
"A roof space can be the ultimate entertaining space, or the perfect hideaway," he said.
"I'm a big fan of getting as big a tree as possible on a roof deck - shade, birds, movement and sound.
"Failing that, get yourself a decent vertical garden and grow something edible."
INTO THE BLUE
"Turquoise and aqua were everywhere at the overseas fairs late last year, so we can expect to see it here in 2014," Ms Steddy said.
Salvatore Fazzari, of Claremont's Mobilia, agreed.
"Turquoise is a colour you can expect to see a lot of in 2014."
SEVENTIES VIBES
"Texture will be added to spaces through handmade objects created by craft techniques popular in the 1970s," Jessica Bellef, head of styling for online retailer Temple & Webster, said.
"Crochet, fibre art, rough pottery and macrame will hang on our walls, sit on our sideboards and dangle from our ceilings, giving our spaces a cool 1970s LA bungalow vibe."
BETTER TOGETHER
Reza Khan, design and new product manager at builder Webb & Brown- Neaves, predicted that home layouts would move towards more integrated spaces rather than dedicated rooms.
"Theatre rooms are becoming redundant as people realise that dedicating one room purely for a theatre that rarely gets used and isolates its occupants doesn't make sense," he said.
"The notion of togetherness is now the flavour of lifestyle, considering children are staying at home longer."
This also extended to studies. "Integrated workstations within living areas, or behind cupboards were far more sensible."
HOT HUES
According to Dulux creative directors Bree Leech and Heather Nette King, this year the focus is on colour combinations rather than homing in on a single colour.
"My absolute favourite combination from the 2014 trend forecast comes from within the Dulux Digital Nomads trend - the shades Curd, Mid Tan and Tango," Ms Nette King said.
LESS IS MORE
The advice of Mr Weir, who believes "McMansions" have outlived their welcome, was to go small.
The best way to invest was in a small but high-quality home. "We are currently working on well-appointed but small homes in range of 90-150sqm," he said.
"Well-appointed means spending good money to get the best of design and materials in a small footprint.
"As West Australians get older, get more design educated and stop pandering to imaginary concepts of 'resale value', a small house that caters to the owners' needs, is cheap to run and easy to maintain is an extremely desirable thing."
RIDE THE COASTAL WAVE
We will continue to be swept away by the coastal theme in 2014, according to Ms Bentley. "Add this through raw-finished ceramics and decorative cushions - these pieces are forever classic and offer understated beauty."
ACCESSORISE WITH COLOUR
"After the recent popularity of the monotone schemes of Scandi design, colour will now be rolling back in," Ms Bellef said.
"But it won't be painted on walls - the strong colours will come through in decor choices, large-scale artworks and hero furniture pieces.
"Rich, deep colours will be popular - turquoise, emerald and indigo will continue to pop up, with the 2014 Pantone colour of the year Radiant Orchid showing us that red-violets will also filter through."
SCULPTURAL LIGHTING
When it comes to lighting trends, sculptural metal pieces are key, according to Halo Lighting managing director Reg Campbell.
"Available in a variety of colours, this is a fun way to add contemporary elements to a refurbishment or new home."
CLIMATE CONTROL
The number one trend for all West Australian homes should be passive-solar design, according to Mr Weir, who recommended seeking out the services of an architect or designer who knows how to get the best from the sun, shade and breezes.
