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.
2 min
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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2 min
Held by the same family for 26 years, this Harbour Bridge-facing residence at Longueville is the type of property that rarely comes to market. Set on more than 1,100 sqm on one of Sydney’s most tightly held peninsulas, it combines complete privacy with uninterrupted views across the harbour to the city skyline.
It’s the sort of offering where the land is just as important as the home. Positioned directly opposite Aquatic Park with a prized northeast aspect, the residence captures sweeping harbour views from almost every main living space while remaining remarkably secluded from neighbouring properties.
Large picture windows frame the outlook throughout the home, flooding the interiors with natural light and making the harbour the centrepiece of everyday living.
Designed for family living
The home offers multiple living zones, including a formal lounge and dining rooms, a separate family room and an open-plan living and meals area. Blackbutt timber parquetry flooring, high ceilings and ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning feature throughout.
The kitchen sits at the heart of the home, with induction cooking, a generous island bench, and a walk-in pantry, connecting both the formal entertaining areas and the more casual family spaces.
A ground-floor master suite includes a walk-in robe, dressing area and ensuite, while upstairs are three additional bedrooms with built-in robes, together with a spacious home office or study.
The lower ground level adds another layer, with a temperature-controlled cellar and tasting room, plus a flexible gym, wellness or recreation space.
Resort-style setting overlooking Sydney Harbour
Outside, landscaped gardens wrap around a heated swimming pool, an expansive entertaining terrace, and a level lawn, creating a private resort-style setting against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
Additional features include a solar system with battery storage, remote lock-up garaging for three vehicles and generous storage throughout.
Beyond the home itself, the location remains one of Longueville’s biggest drawcards. Longueville Ferry Wharf sits around 150 metres away, providing direct access to the CBD while preserving the quiet character of one of Sydney’s most tightly held waterfront suburbs. The property is also within the catchments of Lane Cove Public School and Hunters Hill High School.
Simon Harrison and Kim Walters of Belle Property Lane Cove are marketing the property on a Contact Agent basis.
At a glance
Address: 3 Mary Street, Longueville NSW 2066
Configuration: 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 3-car garage
Land: Approximately 1,100 sqm
Highlights: Harbour Bridge and city skyline views, northeast aspect, heated pool, cellar, solar with battery storage
Held: First time offered in 26 years
Price: Contact Agent
Agents: Simon Harrison and Kim Walters, Belle Property Lane Cove
This article is produced by the Kanebridge Media editorial team. Property information has been supplied by the listing agent. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence before relying on any information contained in this article. Enquiries: propertyconcierge@kanebridge.com.au.
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