hey friend, 

get to know me

I'm Carrie Barker.

I'm here to simplify the home build planning and design process so that YOU feel equipped to confidently build your dream home without regrets and without blowing your budget!

home build planning

Browse home build tips

Floor plan creation

home build budget

design finishes

GRAB MY (FREE) SEAT!

home decor

Browse design tips

design finishes

Follow along:

free class!

Building a Home

Home Design Trend Predictions for 2020

Published on:

1/08/20

written by:

Carrie Barker

share:

Are you building a home or planning to update your decor this year and you’re curious what the home design trend predictions for 2020 are?!

I know I was curious, so I gathered all the goodies and now I’m sharing with you an overview of all the trending home designs in 2020!

Below are many predicted home design trends for 2020 and, honestly, they all make me really excited!

A couple of the trends might be hard to incorporate into an existing home unless you are ready for a remodel (e.g. dark kitchen cabinets and doors), but most of the trends predicted are things you can easily add with accents in your home (e.g. velvet and wallpaper).

Home Design Trend Predictions for 2020 PIN

 

Do keep in mind that trends are just that … TRENDS. If the design isn’t something you would still love if it weren’t a current trend, then stick with the classics (e.g. white kitchen vs. dark painted kitchen cabinets).

If you would love the trend whether it’s popular or not, then go for it!

Recommended Post: HOW TO CHOOSE TIMELESS DESIGN FINISHES VS TRENDY

Affiliate links are used for your shopping convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.

WHAT ARE THE HOME DESIGN TREND PREDICTIONS FOR 2020?

BLACK, BLACK, AND MORE BLACK

Black is predicted to be one of the top design trends in 2020. We’re talking BLACK EVERYTHING … cabinets, sinks, paint, counters, walls, cabinet hardware, door hardware, light fixtures, etc.

I started seeing more black toward the end of 2019 and I wasn’t too sure about it, but now it has really grown on me! Not sure I would be bold enough to paint my house black BUT adding black hardware and fixtures is an easy, low(er)-commitment way to incorporate this trend into your home!

SHOP THE BLACK DESIGN TREND

 

KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS 2020

I still love an all-white kitchen (and it will always remain a timeless classic), but the trend in 2020 points to painted cabinets in various shades of blue, grey and green … as well as darker colors (e.g. charcoal) and wood accents.

If you still prefer a white kitchen (which I think I do), add pops of wood (or color) to your all-white kitchen. Great places to add exposed wood are your kitchen island base, range hood, or open shelving. You can also paint your island to stand out from your white cabinets (like the photo below).

If I were building in 2020 (which I SO wish I was bc I loved designing my custom home), I would incorporate the painted cabinet trend in my laundry room and/or mudroom … just sayin’! Adding trendy design in a smaller room isn’t as scary as your whole kitchen!

DARK PAINTED DOORS

Like the painted kitchen cabinet trend, dark painted doors are predicted to be very popular in 2020. I’ve already started seeing dark interior doors all over Pinterest and I have to be honest … I LOVE this look!

VELVET IS BACK IN A BIG WAY

Velvet may not be the most practical furniture material, but it makes a great statement in accent pieces. Velvet in ALL colors (neutral OR deep rich hues) is trending in 2020.

If you are bold (and I would totally do this if my husband approved), add a rich green (or another color) velvet sofa in your home. If that’s a little too much, velvet throw pillows and velvet accent chairs are a great way to throw some velvet into the mix!

SHOP VELVET HOME DECOR

BOLD LAUNDRY ROOMS

Statement-making, bold laundry rooms have already been gaining traction, but this will be an even more popular trend in 2020. Like I mentioned above, this is a great place to add painted cabinets in any color. Also, a fun wallpaper print really spices things up.

BOLD POWDER ROOMS

Just like laundry rooms, powder rooms are another great place to add some fun to your home decor. The trend points to large print wallpaper and grasscloth in the powder room.

This ‘trend’ has been going strong for a while now, but it’s here to stay in 2020. I think your powder room is the best place to start with wallpaper if you’re a newbie. It was the first room in my home that I added wallpaper to … 11 years ago. I’ve been addicted ever since!

SHOP MY CURATED WALLPAPER BOUTIQUE!

GEOMETRIC PATTERNS (IN MODERATION)

I thought geometric patterns were on their way out, but apparently they aren’t! Geometric patterns (in moderation) are easily incorporated into floor tiles, backsplashes, accent pillows, and (my personal fav) wallpaper.

SHOP GEOMETRIC WALLPAPER

 

WHAT ARE THE DECORATING COLORS FOR 2020?

BLACK

We covered this above, but it bears repeating … BLACK will be one of the most popular ‘colors’ in 2020!

WARM NEUTRALS

For you color-phobes, don’t worry! Neutrals and whites are still a design staple in 2020. However, the trend is pointing toward warmer neutrals (e.g. beige rather than cool greys) and warmer whites (i.e. softer white as opposed to stark white).

FEMININE TONES

Variations of pink (blush, pink, taupe, millennial, and other lighter pink shades) will remain popular in 2020. This excites me because pink is my favorite color!

SHOP PINK DECOR

 

SPLASHES OF GREEN

Despite warmer colors being in for 2020, splashes of green are one of the 2020 predictions.

Remember how I mentioned that green velvet sofa above … well, you would be doubly on-trend! Other lower-commitment ways to add pops of green are in throw pillows, accent chairs, wallpaper, bedding, and of course PLANTS (real or faux)!

SHOP GREEN HOME DECOR

 

EARTH TONES

Earth tones are predicted to be popular in 2020. Earth tones include colors and textures that you would find in nature … rich forest greens (that mimic foliage), muted browns (that mimic wood), taupe, and clay.

SHOP EARTH TONE HOME DECOR

 

MOODY BLUE

Moody dull blues are going to be a big hit in 2020. Two top contenders are Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) and Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy (HC-154). These colors would look GREAT on kitchen cabinets or in your laundry room.

SHOP MOODY BLUE DECOR

 

MORE DECORATING TRENDS FOR 2020

WALLPAPER IS STILL IN FOR 2020 (YAY!)

Wallpaper is still totally in and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon! I’ve had it in my house for over a decade now (that’s hard to believe). It was just growing in popularity when I first installed wallpaper in 2009 and now it’s stronger than ever!

There is wallpaper for everyone … whether you prefer neutral wallpaper, patterned wallpaper, or (a huge trend in 2020) floral wallpaper.

SHOP MY CURATED WALLPAPER BOUTIQUE!

Recommended Post: WALLPAPER 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED

MIXED METALS

Mixing metals is predicted to be big in 2020. This can be in your cabinet hardware, door hardware, mirrors, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, and home decor accents.

I have to be honest … I have a hard time mixing metals with my fixtures (I like to stick to one metal), but I love mixing it up with my decor accents (e.g. lamps, decorative pieces, etc.). I stick to nickel with my fixtures and add gold all over the place with my accents.

RATTAN FURNITURE

Rattan furniture has been growing in popularity and it’ll still be around in 2020. This natural look compliments just about any design style. It’s best added into your decor via accent pieces (e.g. accent chairs or lighting fixtures).

SHOP RATTAN FURNITURE + LIGHT FIXTURES

 

Now you’re armed with the latest home design trend predictions for 2020. Keep these in mind as you design your custom home or update your current home decor this year.

Also, remember that trends are just that … TRENDS! Only incorporate design trends into your home if it’s a style that you would love whether it was a current fad or not.

So … what 2020 design trends are you most excited about?! I wish I was building this year because I LOVE absolutely everything on this list. This is going to be one heck of a year with GORGEOUS houses all over Instagram and Pinterest! I’ll be sharing many trending designs on my Pinterest feed this year, so follow along!

  1. Vicki says:

    Thanks for sharing! We are in the middle of a build, and while I am generally slow to warm up to trends don’t really care whether my house is “on trend”, it was fun to see that some of the things I plan to do in our new house are on the list! We toured lots of new open houses and all the gray and stark white never did really appeal to me, as I gravitate towards warmer colors, but I certainly didn’t want the overly warm look (like the Tuscan vibe from the early 2000’s). I am going with a light warm beige on walls (SW Wool Skein) and Greek Villa for white painted trim and kitchen cabinets. However, I am doing a light neutral stain on the maple range hood and bathroom cabinetry, and a warm green (SW Cucuzza Verde) on my island (green is my all time favorite color). I’m also mixing metals somewhat. We are doing matte black for door handles and hinges. Most light fixtures and cabinet hardware will be oil rubbed bronze, as well as kitchen faucets, but I prefer brushed nickel for bathroom faucets, shower heads, etc. The granite we chose for countertops is a light neutral with mostly cream, beige, gray and brown, so it works well with all of those colors of metal. I do love the brushed brass fixtures/faucets I’ve been seeing, but I think I would rather incorporate that with decorative accessories that are easier to change rather than (crazy) expensive faucets, hardware, and lighting. We are four months in and the stress is coming down hard, but feel like we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel and that this house will actually be done at some point, lol! So ready to move in and decorate!

  2. Paige says:

    Hello,

    I found your website yesterday and love all things about it!

    My husband and I are planning to build a custom home in 2020. I am having trouble getting started. I would love to get to see your “Before You Build” book before I start the design. Is there anyway I can get access to that before February?

    If not, can you help direct me to any resources to help me design our floor plan and set our budget?

    Thanks much!

    Paige

  3. Kristin Clippert says:

    Hello Carrie! I recently stumbled onto your blog and i LOVE your style and your home. I have not had the privilege of building, although Ive guided my mom through that process and enjoyed the fun of helping her pick out everything (in Florida) but i HAVE had the privilege and blessing of buying my dream home on a lake in Michigan. It was built in ’92 and we are slowly renovating and redecorating. (I have some questions for you… I’ll get there…) Most of my first floor is medium to dark greys. Hardware throughout is brushed brass or black, and we’ve added a TON of french apartment style panel-look moulding. Its a monochromatic look in that the moulding is all the same color as the walls. I love how it elevates the house from being a standard Pulte model home to a unique statement home. I even did an entire powder room off my foyer in 100% Tricorn Black with black moulding, brushed brass handles on the vanity and brass faucet and its GORGEOUS. Anyway, we are preparing to do all the floors and reno the kitchen, and I would like to pick your brain on a few things if you have the time… 1) do you think having no upper cabinets on the main long wall of the kitchen is impractical and more of a “fad”? I believe I will more than make up for this storage space by elongating / widening my island and replacing the other long wall’s 90s cabinets yknow the kind that are higher in the middle and have a desk and a place for a flat screen TV… replace all that with a wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and integrated column fridge and freezer. Plus there’s a coffee bar in the adjacent hallway that only has lowers (and a useless arched niche ceiling) that can also be replaced w floor to ceiling cabinetry. 2) what do you think about the trend of solid surface backsplash (like marble-look) with a small shelf to display glass dishes, artwork, etc. That would be on the wall where there’s no uppers. My plan is also to replace all the wood floors (standard 2.5″ hardwood) with chevron pattern hardwood, even in the kitchen which is currently white 12″ square tile. Is wood floor OK in a kitchen in your opinion? Finally the big question: 3) I LOVE your inset cabinets, and that was my initial plan until I went to a couple cabinetry showrooms and was appalled by the shoddy installation and how the doors and drawers had huge gaps in some areas and rubbed against eachother in others. In your experience now after living with yours awhile, have they adjusted / warped / distorted based on humidity or settling? How did you ensure good installation? Im afraid I will notice every gap or problem in 1-2-3 years and it will make me crazy… what is your opinion? Would you do inset in your kitchen again?

    • Hi Kristin! I am happy to schedule a phone chat with you so you can bounce ideas off of me. This will be subject to my e-design consultation fee ($50/hour) because of the amount of time it takes to answer questions. Please email me if you are interested in this service. Thanks! Carrie

  4. I love that earth tones such as forest green and variations of pink will be trending this year. My friend and her husband are wanting to find custom home builders to hire in Houston, TX sometime this fall. I think they’d love to be able to incorporate nice colors like these in their home.

  5. Kacey says:

    Our custom home is almost done and before seeing this article, I chose some of these trends for our house… SW Hunt club on the bottom cabinets, white on top and a stained wood island to match the stained beams and casing in our open kitchen/living room.. I also chose SW iron ore for our interior doors. My husband hates how they turned out but honestly I think the house is just really dark right now without all of our light fixtures installed yet and he will end up loving it. I sent him this article to help try to calm his nerves about it… I think he will be surprised to see that dark doors are a trend, but will be glad since that’s what we’re having. We also did matte black fixtures and hardware. I hope it all turns out good. Thanks for posting this!

    • I’m sure it will be beautiful, Kacey! I’m surprised he doesn’t like all the dark, moody colors. That’s my husband’s jam. I let him choose the color scheme for our basement and he wanted lots of black (of course, I added a feminine touch to all the black). Send me some pics when you’re house is done :).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I designed my own custom home from the ground up, inside and out. A home that is cozy, comfy, laid out perfectly for the way my family lives, and makes us happy every single day. Oh, and did I mention I did this all without blowing the budget?! 

Yep, it’s true. I’ve been there, done that, and actually lived through it … and you will too. Pinkie promise!

a.k.a. Caroline on Design

I’m Carrie Barker.

hey there,

DREAMING OF BUILDING A                   HOME BUT AREN’T SURE WHERE TO START?

Get My free  
Home Build Prep Guide

yes! I need this!

custom