It is the beginning of another year, which means there are plenty of new trends on the horizon to sink your teeth into to help you progress in 2023. Many will be thinking about buying or building their home, getting some much sought-after renovations in place, and will be looking to make sure it is the next best thing since sliced bread.
There is a big push for sustainability and eco-friendly living, along with a desire for more natural and rustic roots, including the materials used and the aesthetic. There is also no forgetting about the focus on minimalistic living, the ‘tiny home’ trend, and more portable options for living accommodation. So if you have been seeking inspiration on your next build and are curious about what trends are set to grace the skylines this year, keep reading.
Eco-Friendly Builds and Mod Cons
With how much emphasis has been put on climate change and the eco-friendly structures that need to be put in place before natural disasters are irreversible, it will most likely not come as a complete shock that the trends for architecture this year are centered around sustainable options and innovative design with an eco-friendly focus.
With designs that are comprised of local materials – some being Earth alone – there will be a distinct trend moving forward to ensure that more buildings are created with natural elements that can be sourced easily. Some of these materials will include hemp and cork, but what are the benefits?
Hemp – Hemp is one of the strongest natural materials that exist and can be used for a myriad of different applications. Anything from toothbrush handles and plants to home furnishings and structures, hemp is a promising component in the architectural world that is set to be utilized much more heavily this year. Hemp itself can be turned into materials such as hempcrete, which can give the alternatives that are not so good for the planet a run for their money.
Cork – Cork is another natural material that is set to be a big star in the building industry this year. It is prized as an exceptional biodegradable and renewable material that is ready to branch from interior design out into exterior development. Cork boasts benefits such as being weather resistant and having impressive thermal benefits, which is worth bearing in mind when it comes to colder states.
It’s not just about creating sustainable builds from scratch. There are opportunities to make changes to current housing and other buildings to be more eco-friendly. Making changes to existing properties helps support positive ecological changes. Rainwater diverters and solar panels from customsolarandleisure.com, which enable people to generate their own energy from the sun, are two excellent suggestions for changes people can make to their current properties. It benefits the homeowner and the planet, so what could be better?
Make it Minimal
There has recently been a big push to downsize stuff and only take up space that is needed, and while Marie Kondo practically singly led the minimalist movement over the pandemic, it has continued to flourish as a trend in many other areas of life, too – such as builds.
The bigger the house, the bigger the expense, which is why micro homes or a focus on making the most of a small space has been suggested as a way to tackle unaffordable housing. While many of the tiny homes themselves are created with sustainable materials, there is still a lot of room for customization, thanks to the size and opportunities.
Another benefit of this movement is that if you do not want to live in something so small, you can use them for additional private spaces you might need away from home. This can be a high-interest point for those caring for family members or needing extra office space.
Many of these designs can also be built by hand, which cuts out middlemen if you are able to do it yourself and can give you a much more fuss-free way of owning a living space.
Home on the Go
The nomadic lifestyle is looking better than ever as the months go on. Wanting to escape the exposed rat race is one thing, but you can expect to see people who want to explore more of the world taking up this route of living over the traditional campervan.
Portable homes are not exactly a new concept, but access to them and their popularity are both starting to reach great heights. Not only can this help tackle homelessness and provide a more affordable living option, but they are cheaper to buy, easier to build than a traditional home, and can be moved on demand if needs be. This is quite a nice perk for those who might not plan to stay in one place, but still want to take the home they have built and created with them on their next adventure.
That being said, you can also expect to see these kinds of properties being used as novel experiences for businesses offering stays, as they are much easier and more cost-effective to create and bed and breakfast around than traditional buildings, leases, and bills.
Conclusion
Buildings and the design behind them will be forever changing, and with a set focus on eco-friendly creations from every sector, it makes sense that the change is seeing biodegradable materials and eco-friendly swaps. The western world might have started coming to the conclusion that it has more than it needs, along with people in need, which is where micro-homes can really come in handy and shake things up in the architectural sector.
Being able to afford somewhere to call home is essential for everyone in society, and that option desperately needs to be made available, along with making sure the shared home, Earth, is prioritized. This is why these architectural trends make complete sense this year. Any of these will change how you live, hopefully, for the better, so see which of these speaks to you the most and implement this change this year.