As we spend more and more time in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are realizing how interiors affect not just our physical comfort, but also our mood and productivity. And with deep concern of safety, we are put in a position where we have to reimagine design spaces. And these new perspectives are going to influence the future of interior design majorly.
Though these scenarios have posed challenges for interior designers, the change can be viewed as an opportunity to explore and experiment. Interior design in the future will be more about empathy and overall wellbeing. And design professionals will have to act accordingly to stay relevant and become the trendsetters.
Let’s have a look at the future of interior design that professionals can expect. If you are an interior designer, a student, or an aspirant, read on for some assistance in creating an action plan.
Design with Enhanced Physical and Mental Health Support
Mental and physical health will be more critical than ever. And, the realization that domestic situation can improve physical and psychological health will drive several changes. Interior spaces will be designed and decorated with the capacity to impact health positively – for example, a focus on creating calm and comfortable spaces.
Designers will have to carefully consider their material choices, lighting solutions, color schemes, etc. in accordance with the science of psychology.
The New Home Office Norm
Even when the entire world will start going back to work, the concept of working from home won’t leave us soon. Many companies and small businesses will continue this new remote working lifestyle to avoid grave situations. Therefore, a home office will become a critical element in the future of interior design.
Working from home may become the new and permanent style of working. So, interior designers will be challenged to design many functional home offices no matter the square foot area. They will have to come up with clever interior design solutions, especially in small spaces.
Social Barriers through Design
Interior design will include cues to maintain a bubble. Public spaces will incorporate social barriers to let people maintain a social barrier without compromising approachability. For example, products and stations will be placed far apart to maintain a safe distance. The floor plans will consist of comfortable, segregated zones. Moreover, innovation in designing and creating cubicles and separators will be seen.
Change in Color Trends
The pandemic has increased unrest and anxiety in dwellers. Therefore, physical and mental wellbeing will become more important, causing designers to choose color schemes that enhance internal peace. The focus will be more on colors that imbibe a sense of visual comfort and reassurance. Homes will be perceived as shelters, and people’s need to be around nature will increase. Hence, the designs will be influenced by this need and will incline toward nature-inspired sanctuaries.
Change in Workspace Design
Office interior design will transform dramatically soon. Offices will become a place to meet and collaborate. Most of the individual contributions will be made remotely, and office premises will be perceived as a place to connect and conduct social events, that too safely. There will be more room for amenities, conference rooms, event halls, etc. and this would cause the layouts of professional centers to change. Moreover, the choice of material will also change completely – for example, porous or difficult to clean substances will be eliminated. For remote communication, new elements will be incorporated to offer solutions to problems such as reverberating sound and poor lighting.
Use of Technology
The need for technology will highly influence the future of interior design. Over the past few months, people have seen great use of technology to communicate remotely without any barriers. Therefore, workspaces will be designed to naturally incorporate advanced solutions to conduct virtual press conferences, digital kiosks, digital desks, etc. so as to avoid unnecessary physical contact. Designers will get an opportunity to leverage technology so that crowds do not have to gather together to be a part of something.
Online Sourcing
Since physical contact will be required to be kept at a minimum, the popularity of online product sourcing platforms will increase multifold. One-stop sourcing platforms that already allow browsing through thousands of products from global brands will replace store visits to a great extent. Sourcing brands will incorporate the customization feature so that they can serve varied interior design requirements of designers and their clients. Moreover, contactless delivery will be the new standard.
If you can predict the change and align your design approach accordingly, you will certainly get an edge above others. The future is not far, so start today. All the best!
Credits to:
Vivek Agrawal is a global sourcing expert and has worked with and assisted clients with their sourcing requirements for 1000+ projects in his 15+ years in the industry. With the aim to fulfill the evolving needs and demands of architects, interior designers, project managers,and HNIs, he started Arcedior – the most loved, curated products platform with 50,000+ products from 500+ brands spanning 30 countries. Being a design enthusiast with an eye for details, he also started a group on LinkedIn called ‘Design Leaders Roundtable – A Collaborative Community for Architects & Interior Designers’ which now has over 4K members. In his free time, he loves to travel with his family.