A peek into other people’s homes offers endless inspiration for your own. You can see what furniture pieces and homewares they brought together, how they made use of a space and what the overall feeling is when you look at the home, all information and learnings you can then bring into your interior design.
And while you can spend hours scouring home publications or Pinterest, home renovation and design platform Houzz has made it easy to do so, with its annual ‘Best Of’ awards, which recognises the best of the best in homes.
Ahead, Vanessa Walker, Editor of Houzz.com.au, shares 10 of the most stylish homes on 2022’s Best Of list, explaining why the spaces fit with current trends and how you, too, can recreate the home looks.
A Spa-Style Sanctuary in Sydney by Renotech Building
“The average spend on the bathroom has risen 15% in the past year, according to the latest Houzz & Home report. In the space, we can see homeowners with higher budgets opting for popular features that achieve hotel-worthy luxury.
“Searches on Houzz for ‘free-standing bath’ such as this one sitting beautifully at the centre of this bathroom, rose by 328% in the past year. Adopting a monochromatic palette, the detailing in the porcelain chevron wall tiles, the mosaic floor tiles and vanity, through to the repeated rose gold fixtures, makes this winning bathroom appear sophisticated and lavish.”
A Stylish Wine Cabinet in Melbourne by First Avenue Homes
“Wine enthusiasts looking to store beloved collections are gaining traction among the Houzz community, with ‘wine cabinets’ and ‘wine room’ topping searches YoY (337% and 245% respectively).
“And if there is one that is deserving of a toast, it’s this glamorous wine cabinet addition to a newly built kitchen. Incorporating black timber veneer, a marble worktop and splashback with brass glass hangers is a combination worth celebrating. In this craftmanship, we also see an attractive nod to curves, a trend designers and architects on Houzz say homeowners are requesting more and more for their home fixtures.”
A Crisp Laundry Space in Canberra by Studio Black Interiors
“Over recent years we’ve seen the laundry, once a purely utilitarian space, transformed with flair. For an added luxe feel, marble-look chevron ‘laundry tiles’, featured in this winning design, are having a moment, with searches on Houzz surging up by 203% than 2020.
“The white joinery pairs delightfully with the concrete benchtop, matt black tapware, and reclaimed-timber shelving. Topping it off, the natural light filtering through the glass door makes the space feel bright and open.”
A Powder Room Masterpiece in Geelong by Dylan Barber Building Design
“There is something to be said about a moody wash space, and we’ve noticed a growing number of ‘dark’ inspired spaces cropping up in homes on Houzz, with searches growing up by 294% more than the previous year.
“In this popular powder room, some may consider a contrast of materials to be the primary aesthetic, however, it’s the VJ panelling, gently veined vanity and grainy timber that we consider a masterpiece that ties the look together exceedingly well.”
A Beachside Kitchen in Wollongong by Chronis Building & Design
“When it comes to refreshing the kitchen, changing the layout is a priority for more than half of homeowners according to the latest Houzz & Home report. Searches on Houzz for an ‘open kitchen’ just like this stunner have proven to be popular among the Houzz community, with the search term increasing by 254% from last year.
“A spacious marble island adjoined with a timber breakfast bench creates a multifunctional space that serves to cook, provide an entertaining as well as workspace. Plus what’s not to love about a kitchen that takes advantage of its beachside location with endless views to the horizon.”
A Victorian Verandah in Perth by Suzanne Hunt Architect
“Outdoor projects are heating up across Australia, in particular, we can see users want to undertake improvement around their entrance areas, with searches for ‘front door’ inspiration experiencing a 666% year-on-year upswing.
“This Victorian verandah sticks to tradition, standing tall with its period trimmings, and a garden bed of ‘yuccas’, which is one of the most sought-after plant varieties on Houzz, with searches up by 1651% more than the previous year. It’s a scene that’s nothing short of charming and clear why it has earned a spot as a Houzz community favourite.”
An Indulgent Main Bedroom in Naremburn by Amanda Smythe Design
“The Australian Hamptons palette is very popular on Houzz. It’s a modern take on the traditional style, with a muted combination of serene neutrals, cool whites and lighter blue-based greys which appear in harmony in the soft and textured choices of cushions and throws in this main bedroom.
“Integration of picture-perfect ‘bay windows’ is also popping up more frequently in homes on Houzz, with 2021 searches up by 296% more than the previous year. They are a feature used to maximise the light entering the room, while also serving as a retreat to enjoy and wonder.”
A Space-Saving Home Office in Melbourne by Atticus & Milo
“Working from home has become the new norm for many Australians, and while not everyone has the space to create a dedicated home office, when enlisting the right professional to help, designs such as this one on Houzz illustrate what’s possible, even in the tightest of spots.
“It’s hard to not be drawn by the depth and dance of the wallpaper’s colours, which is paired wonderfully with the custom built-in desk and shelves that keep their profile to a minimum.”
An Indoor-Outdoor Lounge in Tweed by Donna Guyler Design
“No matter where you call home, searches for ‘beach house-’ inspired interiors and exteriors is surging up on Houzz, and are up by 125% compared to last year. And this winning living room design evokes the easy, carefree feeling of being by the coast.
“The vinyl plank flooring seamlessly connects the open-plan living areas internally, while the sliding recess doors allow the room to extend onto the ‘indoor-outdoor deck’, a popular addition we’re seeing increased searches for, and one that reinforces the sense of cohesion between the areas (up by 191% YoY).”
A Poolside Cabana in Bulimba by Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction
“Backyards are another area where homeowners are exploring hotel resort-style potential. Certainly, with good reason as they anticipated the warmer months, we saw searches for landscaping ideas — specifically for ‘gazebos’ and ‘pools’ — surge on Houzz by 303% and 226% respectively, when compared to last year. The white cabana and sun loungers beside the emerald-jade hues make this outdoor space feel like an everyday escape.”
The full list of Best of Houzz 2022 is here.
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