DESIGN TRENDS TO EMBRACE IN 2026 … AND THE ONES TO AVOID

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.