It’s official – the nation has voted for their favourite interior products as part of The Kiwi Favourites Awards, brought to you by Shark. Over four months, readers cast their votes and created four dream room designs. We learned a lot about what people like in their homes, as well as what trends are sticking around in the long term.
One thing’s for certain – green accents are not going anywhere. The trend has been around for a while now, and people are still gravitating towards a flourish of green in the home. We’re seeing forest-green feature walls in bedrooms, green sofas in living rooms and sage-green tiles in the bathroom. So, we were very pleased to see that readers selected a green tile splashback in the kitchen. In other rooms, earthy furnishings were the preference. Voters were drawn towards smaller bursts of colour that created an unintentional harmony between each room. They had their preferences and firmly stuck to them – a marker of personal style and confidence in decisions.
Scandi-style minimalism has been one of the most impactful design styles in recent years. Its emphasis on natural materials, functionality and simple spaces has appealed to Kiwis, many of whom have transferred elements into their new builds or renovations. Voters were focused on those products, too. Natural wood furnishings appeared in nearly every room design, with a focus on unfussy furniture that could be dressed up via soft furnishings or interchangeable décor. Simultaneously trendy and timeless.
Also appearing across the board were travertine tiles and countertops, as well as brushed metal tapware. Straying from harsher whites and shiny stainless steel, these features are generally warmer-toned neutrals that can dramatically soften a room design.
All in all, neutrals are championing the scene. Timeless basics are ruling the nation, with an exciting glimpse into what will look great in the years ahead.
Your favourite kitchen essentials
1. With its soft matte finish, the Raster grid tiles from Tile Space are a sophisticated space transformer.
2. Quintessence on Queen cabinetry from Kitchen Studio impressed readers with its modern and minimalist natural wood aesthetic.
3. Getting your seal of approval was Haier freestanding steam dishwasher, Haier 60cm 14-function self-cleaning oven with air fry, and Haier S + three-door side-by-side refrigerator freezer, 575L.
4. Sleek and minimal, the Namika brushed brass kitchen mixer from Abi Interiors makes a cool statement.
5. The Whitby counter stool from Nood adds a subtle mid-century note to any dining area.
6. Smooth and cool, Honed travertine from Artedomus won your hearts.
Your favourite bathroom essentials
1. A bit of golden glam takes a bathroom to the next level with the Hubert arched wall mirror from Freedom.
2. It looks like brushed bronze is the tapware shade of the moment. This Contura II basin mixer from Caroma is a timeless style.
3. Keeping it simple with a touch of interesting texture is a winning format for our readers, who voted for the Namika basin from Abi Interiors.
4. The Nami vanity from The Custom Creative, with its charming wavy detail, won your hearts.
5. Voters were after a calm white tile in their dream bathroom room design and chose Breccia white matte tiles from Tile Depot.
6. The Odelia freestanding bath from Abi Interiors is quite a centrepiece and will brighten any bathroom.
7. Add cool black joinery to a shower like this Nouveau frameless shower from Mitre 10 and it’s an industrial chic standout.
Your favourite bedroom essentials
1. The Capsule tallboy from Freedom, with its the sleek and stylish drawers, will work in any bedroom setup.
2. You love marble just as much as we do. The Opal lamp from Mr Ralph is a surefire winner.
3. The best bedside table is one with ample storage. The Design Republique Amelia bedside table from Bed Bath & Beyond is a great one.
4. A bed frame is an underrated gem in the bedroom. The Ashfield Float Frame from Harvey Norman won your hearts.
5. Earthy ginger and gingham make a perfect pair, as seen in this French flax linen duvet from Home Lab.
6. A bed needs to be dressed up. Voters knew that the Kate Reed wool blanket from Farmers would be a great fit.
7. No room design is complete without a gorgeous rug. The Dakota rug from Hunter Home was a winner with readers.
Your favourite living room essentials
1. For a touch of colour, our readers went with Resene Contented paint. The soft pink ties every element together.
2. What’s a living room without the perfect TV? The top choice was the 85” Q70D QLED 4K Smart TV from Samsung.
3. The Dome light from Monmouth Glass has a cool smoky effect that voters loved.
4. Mid-century-inspired furniture is so timeless, which is why we’re not surprised that the Dylan armchair from Nood took the top prize.
5. A fun detail goes a long way. The legs on the Hela coffee table from Early Settler add a new dimension to the room.
6. A good rug is the centrepiece to any living space, and the Shoreline floor rug from Greenslades is a great choice.
7. Modular sofas elevate a living room and makes it more guest-friendly. The Apartment 02 modular sofa from Freedom is a chic white cloud we’d love to sink into.
8. The geometric Civic cushion from Citta is a fun way to jazz up a neutral space.
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