Last Updated on September 8, 2022
The winner of the HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 giveaway is getting more than a newly built, fully furnished New England cottage. They’re also getting a primer in how to incorporate the top design trends of the year into a functional home. Let’s dive in and find out how designer Brian Patrick Flynn fit ten on-trend design themes into less than 2,000 square feet.
Bold colors inside and out
Starting with the dramatic yet earthy exterior color, which echoes Sherwin-Williams’ 2021 color of the year, the house, located in Portland, Maine, tells a dynamic color story.
In trying times, people are using color to lift their spirits and daring to try hues that reflect their personal preferences. Gone are the days of restricting our palettes to cool grays. Pops of color are coming straight from the walls now. Accent walls are old news, too. We are entering an era of full commitment to bold colors
The dark gray board-and-batten exterior of the Urban Oasis house accented with a bright coral door lets visitors know right off the bat that this property is not going to shy away from color. The coral and white stripes adorning the entryway bring energy and joy into a space that felt like a basement previously, according to Flynn.
Completing the bold color story are forest green walls in the guest bedroom, a master bedroom covered head to toe in a shade reminiscent of Classic Blue, the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year, and a guest bathroom that has a lot of fun with pink.
Sustainability
Efficiency and respect for the environment are at the forefront of 2020 design trends. By taking advantage of natural light and strategically placing upcycled vintage pieces throughout, the HGTV Urban Oasis house is completely on-trend in the best way.
Flynn took advantage of energy-efficient options wherever possible, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Check out the guest bathroom for a beautiful example of using natural light to heat a small space. The side entry also features solar powered “fresh air” skylights. The laundry room boasts a front-load electric dryer with advanced moisture sensing to help prevent over drying and use energy efficiently.
Particularly in older homes like the Urban Oasis, repurposing vintage furniture and accents is both trendy and sustainable, as evidenced by the antique wood table and vintage chairs that invite visitors to gather in the kitchen and relax. Repurposed industrial-style pendant lights add a note of modernity to the otherwise rustic vibe. You can give new life to antique furnishings with a simple coat of paint, as shown in the white four-poster bed gracing the guest bedroom.
Biophilic design
It’s a fancy term for connecting people and nature within built environments, and it’s all over the Urban Oasis home. Skylights, large window frames, and minimal window dressing invite nature into nearly every room.
Natural wood elements like the Western Red Cedar posts and standard pine framing of the front porch pay homage to nature, while a menagerie of plants adorns the living area. The variety of greens in the plants play off of the earthy sage of the living room walls which are decorated with vintage fishing baskets. A seagrass pendant light ties together the breakfast nook and brings to mind the rugged coast of Maine.
European-inspired design
Silhouettes from across the pond are trending stateside, and you can see this reflected in the vintage Danish modern credenza that makes a stunning statement in the master bedroom.
The long, antique wood table in the kitchen coordinates with the peaceful green palette of the kitchen to evoke a distinctly European feel.
Fun bathroom design
People are embracing experimentation with texture, color, and wallpaper in “necessary rooms,” and you don’t have to look very hard to see this trend in the Urban Oasis home.
The powder room takes full advantage of the home’s nautical setting with wallpaper featuring architectural sailboat sketches. An antique Federal mirror above the toilet transports visitors to the sea.
The guest bathroom design plays with geometric tiles, contrasting pink and white hues, and abstract art, filling a small space with a ton of personality.
Comfortable kitchens
People are replacing the traditional kitchen island with more functional spaces for gathering and dining, and the Urban Oasis home is no exception. In place of an island, an antique butcher block table provides plenty of seating or prep space. Vintage chairs representing a variety of styles and finishes invite people to join together and enjoy their time in the center of the action.
Traditional kitchen nooks are also changing to suit our needs for comfort and relaxation. The Urban Oasis breakfast room centers around an intimate table, three chairs, and an upholstered window seat, providing plenty of space for coffee and conversation.
Wallpaper
Don’t call it a comeback — wallpaper has been coming around all year. Flynn used the 2020 design trend to conjure the natural beauty of Portland in the laundry and mudroom, covering the space with a serene textured wallpaper in coastal sunset shades.
The sailboat sketches on the powder room walls give a shout out to the nautical history infusing the Urban Oasis home. As the wallpaper trend continues, expect to see it in unique places, like the interiors of storage areas, and on cabinet fronts.
Bold monochromatics
All-neutral rooms are out. In 2020 we are going big when we go home. The master bedroom of the Urban Oasis house makes a statement with a bold blue that pays homage to the Pantone color of 2020, Classic Blue.
Pair bold colors like Kelly Green or Aubergine with natural materials like wicker and stone, and use cream-colored accents like throw blankets and pillows to even out the drama.
Grandmillennial style
Elle Decor defines Grandmillennial style as “traditional design with a twist.” Trendsetters are combining classic styles with modern elements as they give vintage pieces new life and add a modern edge.
The Urban Oasis guest bedroom is the perfect example of traditional design with a twist. Flynn went with a “revived country style” (think quilts, duvets, and gingham). He found a traditional four-poster bed and gave it new life with a coat of ultra-white paint. Industrial-style sconces and the dramatic white enamel floors add that contemporary edge that makes this room so very “now.”
Maximalism
This trend is your permission slip to add layers, play with textures, and go for over-the-top design elements. The color-blocked in-home studio in the Urban Oasis house embraces maximalism to create an irresistibly fun space. The white walls and floor create a blank palette where the hot-pink desk and ROYGBIV shelves take center stage, infusing the space with energy for creativity and inspiration. Flynn intentionally chose playful artwork that supported a diverse range of artists.
The official entry period for the HGTV Urban Oasis 2020 is 9 a.m. ET on Monday, October 5 through 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 25. Eligible fans can enter for a chance to win twice per day at HGTV.com, where they will also find full details and the official rules, as well as additional home features.
Keep reading:
Top kitchen remodel trends of 2020
5 blast from the past design trends that are making a comeback
