Our homes aren’t just where we sleep anymore. Spending more time at home has changed the way many of us are thinking about our living spaces – we also have a stronger sense of just how much our daily surroundings inform our emotional wellbeing.

“We all want to feel relaxed in our homes,” says Jess Galtry, interior and photoshoot stylist for RJ Living. “People are seeking comfort in their homes more than ever.”

Current interior design styles are also gravitating towards the cosy and welcoming. “All of these trends are about feeling comfortable,” Galtry says, “and making that space unique.”

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Here are her tips for refreshing your space.

Organic shapes
Soft curves are hallmarks of organic shapes, which favour smooth flow over hard lines and corners. “Organic shapes have been on trend for a couple of years now, and it definitely doesn’t seem to be slowing down,” says Galtry. She cites the curved arms and fluid presence of the Jam 4.5-seater sofa, designed in Melbourne by RJ Living’s female-led house design team. “Furniture is a great way to incorporate organic shapes into your home,” she says. “Or for something more permanent, arches or a kitchen island can look incredible.”

Nature-inspired interiors
Taking another page from the living world, nature-inspired interiors (including plants and earthy colour palettes)bring a sense of the outdoors into our homes for a subtly calming vibe. “It’s no surprise that as we enter our third year in a global pandemic, we’re all seeking a sense of tranquillity in our homes,” Galtry says. “Think natural materials, earthy tones, fresh greenery and lots of plants and florals. It could even be something as simple as pairing a stone benchtop with some wooden stools. Or you could take inspiration from trees and pair a beautiful green sofa with a timber coffee table.”

Embracing colour
White and neutral interiors have been on trend for the past few years, but they’re well on their way out. “People are wanting to feel inspired and experiment with colour,” says Galtry. “This could be through something like paint choices or artwork or more adventurous choices for upholstery. You can look at the colour wheel and decide if you like cooler colours like blues and greens or warmer colours like oranges, yellows and reds. From there you can decide if you like brighter hues, soft pastels or earthier tones.”

You could opt for a warming red tone like the Block three-seater sofa in rust, which also comes in forest, ash and charcoal. “Colour has a lot of impact on how we feel,” she says. “You can create these different feelings in your home.”

Texture and tactility
Also giving that sense of depth and presence are textures that encourage touch, like bouclé, linen, velvet, marble and timber. “If you’re not a colour lover, texture is such a beautiful way to bring some of those more subtle ‘wow’ moments into your home,” Galtry says. As an example, she points to the Doze queen bed, which has the tactile warmth of a sofa. “It’s beautiful fabric, with a textured look,” she says of the increasingly popular bouclé option. “It’s been around for a little while and people are just loving it.”

Flexibility and adaptability
If you started finding multiple purposes for a household items during lockdown – books doubling as a laptop stand, say – you’re well aware of the importance of adaptability. “It’s not so much a trend as a new way of life,” says Galtry. “Covid has made us realise how important it is for our homes to adapt to our needs. So things like dining tables doubling as desks, using benches as hallway pieces or modular sofas with ottomans as additional seating. Good design takes our needs into consideration.”

With that in mind, she suggests starting with a mood board of colours, shapes and textures that you respond to. And in the end, customisation is key. “It’s about making your home uniquely yours,” she says, “with lots of options that you can tailor to your specific needs.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with RJ Living.