UK Home Design Trends that Expats Might Not Know
Home designs are always dipping in and out of trend, as there’s always something new that catches homeowners eyes and completely changes the game. UK homes seem to always get onto the same trend at the same time, making most houses look almost identical while having a little bit of their own charm. Expats moving to the UK might see a different interior to what they’re used to and it might help to embrace some of that British charm in their own homes.
In this guide, we will look at the UK home design trends that expats might not be aware about, so we can provide them with inspiration. Continue reading to learn more.
UK Home Design Trends
Colour Drenching
In the UK, home owners are currently obsessed with colour drenching. This helps them to get as many colours into their interiors as possible, so they can create a more interesting aesthetic. Painting walls, woodwork and doors in rich shades of green, navy or burgundy. This creates a unique blend of colours for improved visual intrigue. Many expats expect stark white or neutral walls to brighten a space, but British design embraces different tones to make rooms feel intentional and cosy.
Collected Looks
Rather than just using one type of furniture design across the home, British homeowners like to decorate with a mix of vintage, antique and modern pieces that look like they’ve accumulated over the decades. This makes the house look lived in with a selection of unique pieces of furniture. Moving into a new UK property can tempt expats to buy matching furniture sets. Britons prefer mixing wood tones and layering old items to avoid a generic feel, so doing the same in your new home would look the part.
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Chintz and Archive Patterns
Brits tend to use ornate botanical prints and nostalgic florals that have previously been seen in historic country-house archives. This brings them back into modern relevance, so they’ve once again become trendy. Modern minimalist trends have taught people in the UK to fear busy patterns and instead use statement wallpaper designs to inject their own personality into their interior. Expats who are making the move should avoid anything considered boring and take the chance to include impactful patterns around their new home.
Material Versatility
UK households tend to use highly durable and dense textiles across each room. For example, they might use heavy drapes with roman blinds to create a good blend of different styles within their home to keep the space looking busy. Another styling choice that expats might not know about is the use of woven materials that feature tightly repeating patterns to add depth. This adds visual intrigue to the home while giving homeowners a chance to embrace their own stylistic preferences.
Broken-plan Layouts
Broken-plan layouts are the modern evolution of the classic open-plan floor plan. While open-plan designs prioritise expansive rooms, broken-plan living has the feeling of light and spaciousness but uses boundaries to divide a home into functional zones. This trend is particularly popular in the UK due to historical housing stock. This gives homeowners the chance to have distinct spaces for remote work, relaxation and cooking without feeling isolated.
Victorian Ceilings
A staple of the UK home for centuries, Victorian ceilings have always stayed in style as they make the ceiling of a property look more interesting. While global design often treats a ceiling as a flat white surface to ignore, contemporary UK design views it as the fifth wall that makes the indoor space stay consistent. Instead of fighting the scale or trying to make these soaring rooms feel like standard modern spaces, Brits use historic properties to create dramatic focal points within each room for a good first impression.
Zonal Kitchen
A layout separating the kitchen into two zones has become very on-trend in the UK. It provides a chance to create a minimalist front kitchen that’s perfect for socialising and having big family meals with a hidden back kitchen where all the heavy lifting happens. Open plan kitchens sometimes feel impractical, as all the pots and pans can be heard and it might ruin the overall appearance of each section. Expats might be used to having their kitchen and dining area in the same part of the house, but this isn’t always the case in the UK.
Final Thoughts
Getting used to a new country means getting to grips with how people decorate their homes here. Colour drenching, mixing up your furniture and using nice patterns can make your place feel properly British. Layout ideas like broken-plan living or zonal kitchens are also really popular and make homes much more practical. Whether you are just renting for a bit or planning to settle down and eventually apply for British Citizenship, bringing these simple design touches into your home will make it feel comfortable and like a proper place to live.
