Thinking of renovating? Here's some inspiration for staying on trend, and on budget.

Spring is almost upon us, and if you're like many homeowners, the warmer weather is bound to bring with it an urge to get your house into ship shape for summer. But with so many big ideas and new trends taking over the home decor world, it can be a bit overwhelming. 

To help you know where to get started, we’ve broken down some of the top home decor trends of 2022. These are trends that will refresh your home and have maximum impact without requiring a full gut and redo. As new trends continue to emerge every year, you don’t want to commit too hard to one trend and find your home looking dated in just a few years. 

So how do you make your home trendy but timeless? We’ve got you covered. And how to do it all on a budget? You’re in the right place.

Moody Kitchens

First up, we’ve got everyone’s favourite week on The Block: the kitchen. While Hamptons and farmhouse styles have been and will be in style for a long time, the latest trend to emerge is black or a moody pop of colour in the kitchen. In particular, navy blue and dark green are having a major moment. 

While the current trend is a whole kitchen in navy blue or black, you might prefer to make the trend a bit more timeless by keeping the darker colour contained to certain elements like a splashback, or base cabinets. Then balance the depth with lighter aspects like open reclaimed-wood shelving and marble or butcher block bench tops. Finish with gold or silver hardware and you’ve got yourself a trendy kitchen that will last you years. 

Budget hack:

Want to make it your own but on a bit of a budget? You may not even need to splash out on brand new cabinetry – try your hand at DIY. Or, if you’d rather leave it to the professionals, look for a local business that can resurface your existing cabinetry often for a fraction of the cost of brand new cabinets.

Statement tiles

A statement tile could be a fantastic way to elevate your bathroom, whether you’re redoing the full bathroom or just choosing one element to refresh. 

Some of the more popular tiles popping up are hexagons, fish scales, geometric patterns, kit kats and mini subways. If you love the sound of a statement tile but don’t want it to age too quickly, opt for a simpler shape – which (sorry) might mean leaving the fish scales for the showroom. 

One of the most popular options is the subway tile – it comes in a range of colours, sizes and finishes and can be placed in a number of orientations to make it fit your space and personality. These are also very popular as a kitchen splashback and can lend your kitchen a luxurious feel. 

Budget hack:

Want to bring this trend into your bathroom but not sure if it’ll fit in your budget? Lots of tile retailers will sell these funky tiles in a sheet and tile cutters can be hired from your local hardware store, making it a great DIY project. Another way to save some dollars that also has an aesthetic benefit: have you thought about only tiling your walls up to the 1.2m mark? You’ll still need to tile higher in the shower, behind the vanity and in any other areas that require it, but only tiling partway up the walls can open up the space, give it a warmer feel and significantly cut down on your tile bill. This might also free up some space in your budget to redo your tapware or even vanity.

Parquet Flooring

Did you want to give your whole home a refresh but think a fresh coat of paint isn't going to cut it? Well, we’re pleased to say that parquet flooring is all the rage again, so go on, pull up that carpet you’ve never liked. 

Parquetry has been around since the 17th century and is perhaps best known for its use in Versailles and then again in many 1970s homes. The beauty of parquetry is that it comes in so many colours, widths, lengths and patterns, so you can customise it to your style and it’ll never get old. While parquetry was originally made from hardwood, these days it is often made of engineered wood which increases its durability and makes it a great flooring investment. 

Budget hack:

So how do you add a royal touch to your home when you’re on a budget? You guessed it – parquet flooring lends itself well to DIY, though it can require a bit more time than straight hardwood planks. Herringbone is a great option, not only because it works beautifully in modern homes, but it’s often the cheapest to install as well.

Wallpaper

With so many different interior design trends popular at the moment, including maximalism, cozy dark hues, and earthy textures and tones, it’s no surprise wallpaper is making a comeback. With a wallpaper pattern to fit every design style, it’s a great way to show off your personal style in your living room or bedroom. 

While murals and dark florals are very in at the moment, they might age a little bit quicker than an earthy tone or some simple greenery. If you want to go for something a little more distinctive, a peel-and-stick style wallpaper is a fun way to restyle a room without the permanence and commitment of traditional wallpaper. 

Budget hack:

While traditional paste-style wallpaper will last longer on your walls, it’s generally a touch more expensive than the peel-and-stick method. If you’re looking to try out wallpaper and don’t want to spend too much, try a peel-and-stick option. It’s also worth keeping in mind that a simple pattern will be less expensive than a mural.

Pergola living

Spring is just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to create the outdoor living space you’ve been dreaming about all winter long. Enjoy lazy weekend mornings, dinner parties and hot summer evenings under a custom-designed pergola and make the most of your backyard or patio. 

Pergolas are never out of fashion, but make yours timeless – or seasonless – by installing an overhead heater for the cooler months and a clear polycarbonate roof for protection from the elements, and even UV rays, for the warmer months. Or make it even more versatile with an electric opening roof!

Budget hack:

If you’re craving an outdoor living space but don’t have much room left in the budget, try a slatted open-top roof instead. Create an oasis by draping the roof and support beams in vines, or even wisteria for a romantic touch. 

Whether you’re updating one room or refreshing your whole home, there’s an interior design trend for every room in your house. If you’re dreaming big but don’t quite have the whole budget saved up, a Plenti home improvement loan could be the perfect way to upgrade your home in time for the warmer months.