DESIGN TRENDS TO EMBRACE IN 2026 … AND THE ONES TO AVOID
Top architect Georgina Wilson reveals which popular design trends add lasting value and which risk ageing poorly in modern homes.
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Stainless steel kitchens. Built-in bunk beds. Pure linen curtains. These once-coveted features are rapidly gaining traction, but not all are built to last.
Architect Georgina Wilson, founder and principal of Georgina Wilson Associates, is urging homeowners to think beyond Instagram appeal and focus on choices that enhance longevity, flexibility and everyday liveability.
As Australia’s most followed architect, Wilson sees firsthand how trend-driven decisions shape how people live in their homes.
While some features genuinely improve functionality and future-proof a property, others quickly become high-maintenance burdens or costly mistakes. Here, she shares her honest perspective on the design choices worth embracing and those best left behind.
DESIGN CHOICES TO THINK TWICE ABOUT
Bookshelves: Considered, curated shelving? Yes. Buying hoards of books just to fill up your shelves? Not on Georgina’s watch. It’s a shortcut to turning your home into a dust haven.
100% linen sofa covers and curtains: While lovely in theory, 100% natural fibres aren’t always the most functional. Linen can shrink, wrinkle and sag over time, so your pieces can end up looking dishevelled.
Kitchen serveries: They might look great on Pinterest, but in reality, kitchen serveries feel like you’re running a tuckshop and can block the primary access to the outside.
Stainless steel kitchens: While visually striking, stainless steel kitchens fall short in everyday life, unless you enjoy constantly wiping away fingerprints, of course.
Built-in bunk beds: Your kids will inevitably outgrow them, and you’ll have to rip them out. The one exception? A holiday house where you need to maximise temporary accommodation.
DESIGN CHOICES WORTH INVESTING IN
Doggy baths: Georgina has had seven requests for dedicated doggy baths in the past three months alone, signalling a growing desire to design homes that cater to every inhabitant. While some may see them as niche, she believes they’re a smart, practical addition that keeps daily life running smoothly for pet-owning households.
Multigenerational living: Georgina is seeing more clients request spaces for grandparents or explore subdividing homes to accommodate adult children, reflecting the rise of multigenerational living. Alongside this, there’s been a notable increase in lifts being retrofitted as families look to future-proof their homes for long-term use.
Two primary bedrooms: An emerging request Georgina has seen several times this year is for two primary bedrooms within one home. While she jokes it sounds like a dream, it speaks to a growing desire for flexibility as living arrangements and family dynamics evolve.
Mudrooms: These remain hugely popular, with clients recognising their value as hardworking, functional spaces that keep homes organised. Georgina notes that the key is to ensure they enhance circulation rather than interrupt it.
Enclosed studies: As working from home becomes a permanent fixture, Georgina says clients are increasingly prioritising fully enclosed studies over makeshift dining table setups. It reflects a shift towards creating proper separation between work and home life.
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The partnership gives Citizen Kanebridge members priority access to elite rallies, track days and Formula 1 hospitality, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix.
2 min
Citizen Kanebridge Car Club has announced a major new partnership with Bullrush Rally, Australia’s leading automotive lifestyle community, unlocking a powerful series of exclusive driving and motorsport experiences for its private members.
The collaboration will give Citizen Kanebridge members privileged access to Bullrush Rally’s coveted calendar, including supercar rallies, private track days, curated drive events and premium Formula 1 hospitality.
It marks a significant expansion of the club’s automotive offering and reinforces its position as a private members’ platform built around access, connection and exceptional experiences.
“This partnership with Bullrush Rally represents exactly the type of exclusive opportunities Citizen Kanebridge was created to deliver,” Marwan Rahme, CEO of Kanebridge Media, said.
“Bullrush has built an extraordinary community around automotive passion and lifestyle, and we’re incredibly excited to give our members access to these experiences.
“It’s about creating unforgettable moments and bringing like-minded people together through shared passions.”
The first experience available through the partnership will see Citizen Kanebridge Car Club members offered access to the Bullrush Rally Suite at the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, March 8.
Positioned on Walker Straight with a private trackside balcony, the Bullrush Rally Suite offers prime views of the main straight alongside gourmet dining, premium beverages, live entertainment and exclusive hospitality.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Günther Steiner, the former Haas Formula One Team Principal and one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, following his starring role in Netflix’s global hit series Drive to Survive.
Known for his candid leadership style and pivotal role in establishing the Haas team in Formula 1, Steiner has become one of the most influential and charismatic personalities in modern motorsport.
Founded in 2014, Bullrush Rally has grown into one of Australia’s most respected automotive communities, bringing together successful entrepreneurs, executives and enthusiasts through curated rallies, track days and high-end lifestyle events.
Beyond its luxury experiences, the organisation has raised more than $250,000 for charities supporting sick children, mental health initiatives and medical research across Australia.
Through the new partnership, Citizen Kanebridge Car Club members will gain priority access to Bullrush’s flagship events, including multi-day rallies, Formula 1 hospitality suites, exclusive track days and private member-only gatherings.
The collaboration represents a significant evolution of Citizen Kanebridge’s automotive offering, positioning the club at the centre of Australia’s most exclusive driving and motorsport experiences, while continuing to deliver the access and opportunities that define the private members’ platform.
From the shacks of yesterday to the sculptural sanctuaries of today, Australia’s coastal architecture has matured into a global benchmark for design.
From warmer neutrals to tactile finishes, Australian homes are moving away from stark minimalism and towards spaces that feel more human.
