Tucked away in New Zealand’s Capital, Wellington offers a mix of seaside charm lively culture, and modern design. The city stands out for its diverse architecture and picturesque environment.
It’s now seeing a big uptick in home renovation that combine new ideas eco-friendliness, and local preferences. This year, people owning homes in Wellington and nearby areas—Porirua, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and the Kapiti Coast—are jumping on new bandwagons that show off the area’s special character.
Let’s take a look at the top home renovation fads changing Wellington’s houses in 2023.
1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Designs
Wellington, with its beautiful natural surroundings, has taken on green projects, as you can see in home upgrades. Green roofs are catching on helping houses mix with nature while keeping them insulated. These roofs also do a great job saving water, which matters a lot in places like Kapiti Coast where rain is valuable. People often use old materials, like salvaged wood and reused bricks, which look good and help the environment too.
2. Biophilic Design Elements
People in Wellington are bringing the outdoors inside by using nature-inspired design. Homes throughout Wellington City and the Hutt Valley often have big glass doors and windows that open up to gardens, decks, and patios. To create peaceful spaces that show how much the area loves nature, people add indoor fountains, walls covered in plants, and rooms filled with greenery. On the Kapiti Coast, beach houses often make it hard to tell where the inside ends and the outside begins. These homes are built to take in the beautiful views and let in lots of sunlight.
3. Smart Homes and Tech Integration
Homeowners in Wellington who knows their way around technology are adding smart gadgets to make their homes run smoother, safer, and more connected. Systems you can control with your voice, fridges that think for themselves, and top-notch security setups you can check from anywhere are becoming the norm.
4. Open-Plan Living Spaces
Homes in Wellington’s city center and nearby spots like Lower Hutt are more and more going for open-plan designs. These layouts create spaces that can change based on what you need bringing families closer together and making it easy to switch between work, fun, and hanging out. This trend helps people connect while also making the most of light and space in Wellington’s smaller homes, giving both usefulness and coziness.
5. Natural Stones with Bold Accents
The color scheme for Wellington houses in 2023 tends to use natural shades—earthy browns soft greens, and light greys—that match the nearby scenery. Houses in Porirua, for example, take ideas from the beaches and woods close by. These understated colors often stand out against eye-catching elements, like unique furniture or colorful art, which results in a lively yet down-to-earth look.
6. Kitchen Renovation: The Multi-Functional Hub
In Wellington homes, kitchens are no longer just for cooking. With more residents working from home, kitchens are evolving into multi-functional spaces. Whether it’s a home office’s or a study area for kids, the kitchen now serves various purposes. Smart storage solutions and integrated appliances make the most of available space while ensuring that kitchens remain the heart of the home.
7. Bathroom Sanctuaries
Homeowners Wellington are turning bathrooms into personal retreats. Freestanding bathtubs, rain showers, and even saunas are added in creating a spa-like environments. Natural stones and materials, such as stone and wood, enhance the calm, luxurious atmosphere. This space has transcended its traditional definition for homeowners, becoming a cornerstone of relaxation and holistic well-being.
A Fusion of Functionality and Aesthetics
The home renovation trends sweeping across Wellington in 2024 are a testament to the nation’s evolving trend. While capturing a collective aspiration to meld functionality with refined styles, harmonisation of age-old traditions with cutting-edge innovation, and weave personal preferences into a fabric of environmental stewardship. As homeowners persistently chase designs that voice out their values and nuanced lifestyles, we can anticipate an even richer tapestry of home interiors, reflecting a palette as diverse and vibrant as the Wellington spirit itself.