{"id":694771,"date":"2026-05-26T02:42:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T02:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/694771\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T02:42:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T02:42:19","slug":"interior-designers-say-playfulism-trend-is-replacing-perfection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/694771\/","title":{"rendered":"Interior Designers Say ‘Playfulism’ Trend Is Replacing Perfection"},"content":{"rendered":"

For years, picture-perfect interiors and white homes<\/a> were the leading interior style in Australia, and it\u2019s hardly difficult to see why. Crisp, tidy and universally appealing, a white home embodies effortless ease. But somewhere along the way, and likely coinciding with the rise of Instagram-interiors \u2013 the untouched, photo-ready aesthetic that\u2019s perpetually poised to be shared on social media \u2013 we became obsessed with perfection. But as it often does when we fixate on one dominating style, interior designers say the pendulum has swung dramatically the other way, giving rise to \u2018having-a-life\u2019 interiors<\/a>, dopamine decor<\/a> and the newly-coined playfulism. <\/p>\n

Not so much a specific style to be achieved, playfulism is more of a concept about embracing imperfection and becoming more comfortable with breaking design \u201crules\u201d. A direct shift from overt curation to a more lived-in aesthetic, the aesthetic is less self-conscious and more intuitive and personality-led, an aspect that designers couldn\u2019t be happier about. \u201cStyled homes are often crisp and can be a touch unforgiving \u2013 you can\u2019t deviate from the script and there isn\u2019t a lot of movement,\u201d says designers Alexis Reid and Sophie Gunnersen from Studio Stamp.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey might please the eye or fill up the page of a magazine but you need to ask yourself \u2013\u00a0 do you really want to live with that on a day-to-day basis?\u201d asks designer Romaine Alwill from Atelier Alwill. <\/p>\n

To discover what professional designers really think about playfulism in interiors, we spoke with designers from Atelier Alwill<\/a> and Studio Stamp<\/a> for their take on the easygoing aesthetic, plus their advice on how to achieve it yourself without too much fuss.<\/p>\n

You Might Also Like: Playful interiors are replacing perfection and the return of this whimsical range proves it<\/a><\/p>\n

\"PlayfulPhotography: Anson Smart | Interiors: Atelier Alwill<\/p>\n

Why homes are getting less perfect<\/p>\n

After the period of minimalist and Scandi interiors<\/a> and before that, \u2018millennial\u2019 grey,<\/a> it seems the bubble on perfection has burst. \u201cThe idea of perfect interiors might exist for the purpose of a photograph, publication or Instagram, but it really isn\u2019t how people live on a day-to-day basis,\u201d Romaine says. \u201cThe overwhelm of information is taking effect and people are seeing past the perfectionism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophie and Alexis agree, saying that we\u2019re feeling fatigue around perfect interiors<\/a>. \u201cPeople are over everyone having the same look, knowing where you got your chairs from, knowing that the colour of your vase matches the trim on your artfully placed karate chopped cushion. We are bombarded by images constantly, so we react to the one in a hundred that touches us and grabs our attention that little bit longer.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are pausing to ask themselves what they want from their spaces, what works for them, and what makes them happy. Playful interiors wrap their arms around you and give reason and excitement to your senses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PlayfulismPhotography: Anson Smart | Interiors: Atelier Alwill<\/p>\n

\u201cArtificial Intelligence also presents a \u2018perfect realm\u2019 which is hard to connect with, so [playfulism] may be a reaction to this,\u201d adds Romaine. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to see that people are happy to explore showing how they \u2018live\u2019 in their home rather than creating an Instagram moment all the time.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cPlayful design offers, not only a playfulness of spirit, but the idea that the design can evolve with you\u00a0as time goes by.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is playfulism?<\/p>\n

When Sophie and Alexis think about playfulism, their immediate response centres around \u201cnot taking things too seriously\u201d, referencing a space that invites you to come in and make yourself at home. \u201cA playful interior doesn\u2019t follow a style. It\u2019s in constant motion, it\u2019s softer around the edges, it shows you that lives are lived there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can get quite bogged down in being too serious about design,\u201d Romaine adds. \u201cI think it means zooming out, taking a more light-hearted approach, and being a bit naturally playful. It\u2019s about weaving together multiple layers and ideas and having an element of looseness and carefreeness about it \u2013 you should be open to an outcome that isn\u2019t controlled.\u201d That can materialise in a number of ways, from layered vintage and contemporary pieces and mismatched dining chairs, to displaying collected items, hand-drawn art and non-matching tableware.<\/p>\n

\"InteriorPhotography: Armelle Habib | Interiors: Studio Stamp | Styling: Heather Nette King<\/p>\n

Unlike maximalism<\/a>, a design philosophy with the \u201cmore is more\u201d mentality, playfulism necessitates restraint. \u201cThere have to be some moments of pause,\u201d says Romaine. \u201cThere is an underlying idea that needs to remain central here, and it\u2019s that being playful isn\u2019t at the expense of being functional.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not about needing to be loud,\u201d agree Sophie and Alexis. \u201cRather, it\u2019s in the subtle nods, like using colour, shape or objects in ways that mean something to you, that make the space feel loved. It\u2019s got to come from the heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

You Might Also Like: Is analog living here to stay? A designer\u2019s guide to friction-maxxing your home<\/a><\/p>\n

\"BlueInterior designers say, if considering playfulism, to experiment with colour drenching. (Photography: Armelle Habib | Interiors: Studio Stamp | Styling: Heather Nette King)<\/p>\n

Interior designers on how to channel playfulism in your home<\/p>\n

To achieve the playful look in your home, Romaine, Sophie and Alexis say there are a few key styling elements, but none more important than authenticity. \u201cA playful interior doesn\u2019t follow a style, it\u2019s a feeling that a space offers,\u201d Sophie and Alexis suggest. \u201cIf you try to create a playful interior by decorating with that complete purpose, the room will feel contrived and overdone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interior designers say channelling playfulism can mean incorporating pieces you love that add whimsy or are slightly unsuited for the task at hand, linens that get softer over time or timbers that patina, or it can be more about embracing the lived-in look. \u201cSigns of life, including fresh flowers, indoor plants, a loosely made bed, books that furnish the room and an overarching design that tells a story of those who live it,\u201d Romaine says.<\/p>\n

\"ByronPhotography: Andy Macpherson | Interiors: Studio Stamp<\/p>\n

She tells us it\u2019s even possible to design with lived-in energy without it feeling messy. You can do this by: \u201cusing vintage pieces that tell a story or materials that are imperfect and carry the passage of time, investing in pieces that have design pedigree but also come with the story of themselves, and patinated surfaces to help with lifting energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a real shift in the mentality that everything has to be new,\u201d add Sophie and Alexis. \u201cIt\u2019s far more exciting finding a vintage piece<\/a> that has been kept through the years than finding a piece off the rack, knowing that hundreds will have it this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"InteriorInterior designers say playfulism will be the next home trend. (Photography: Anson Smart | Interiors: Atelier Alwill)<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother method is to design kitchens, bathrooms and storage areas that aren\u2019t perfectly \u2018integrated\u2019 with all the character tucked away,\u201d continues Romaine, recommending that homeowners use open shelving<\/a> or baskets. \u201cMoments of whimsy are key.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are seeing clients want to push their own style and personality into their decorating and \u2018playfulism\u2019 has come from that as their confidence grows,\u201d Sophie and Alexis add.<\/p>\n

Does playfulism have longevity or is it a trend?<\/p>\n

If a style is authentically you, the designers tell us, the moment will last. \u201cI think every style has longevity if it responds to how the client wants to live,\u201d muses Romaine. \u201cI think there is a time and a place for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sophie and Alexis agree. \u201cThis is personality coming before stylised finishes, it\u2019s what we are all seeking: something that speaks to us and imprints itself on our souls. Playfulism is grounding yet inspiring and most importantly, it\u2019s a soul feeder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"InteriorPhotography: Anson Smart | Interiors: Atelier Alwill<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Danielle\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWriter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDanielle Grover\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSenior Content Producer\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Danielle is a Senior Writer for Homes To Love, writing for some of the country’s biggest homes titles including Australian House & Garden, Belle, Country Style, Inside Out and Real Living. With previous PR experience working with the likes of homes and travel brands including Airbnb and Winning Appliances, and with her experience in Brisbane\u2019s premium home renovation and interior design events, it\u2019s safe to say she lives and breathes all things homes. When she’s not busy researching the latest interior design trends, you\u2019ll most likely find her tasting wine in the NSW hinterland or obsessing over her next purchase for her home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For years, picture-perfect interiors and white homes were the leading interior style in Australia, and it\u2019s hardly difficult…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":694772,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[449,458,459,64,63,39414,338821,460,147779,338822,338823,134,338824,5711,338825],"class_list":["post-694771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-colour","tag-colour-trends","tag-design","tag-design-trends","tag-dopamine-decor","tag-eclectic","tag-entertainment","tag-playful","tag-trends","tag-whimsical"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=694771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/694771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/694772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=694771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=694771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=694771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}