We found this year's trends stem from one root, hyper-individualisation. Sparked by a rapidly changing, unstable society paired with boundless social lives due to technology, we have never been so aware of ourselves and our individual needs. Negotiating what clients need, value and how they want to communicate this to the world will become a designer's greatest challenge over the coming year. The following trends may seem contradictory, however, it is up to designers to find ways of allowing them to coexist harmoniously.
Trends can be contentious, especially in an industry where projects can take years to come to fruition. This is why the movement behind the trend is what really matters to us; the social shifts, drifts and rifts that explain why change is occurring. As designers we are expected to be at the forefront of design thinking, and in an era where clients have a constant feed of inspiration and influence, trade professionals need to offer insight that goes above and beyond.
Clients come to us with a Pinterest board, like the mood board is already done. They've seen everything on Instagram already and want this and this. They are much more particular than ever before. - Sofia Hagen, Design Haus Liberty
The trends discussed in this report are born from a collaboration between us, eporta, and WGSN. We are the world's number one interior sourcing platform for trade professionals, our aim is to bring great design to life through unbridled access to brilliant FF&E solutions. With over 10,000 active members on the platform, we analyse the anonymous data to reveal current and upcoming industry trends. WGSN, the global leaders in trend forecasting, partner with us to give the data context. Their knowledge of the industry and the bigger picture, helps us understand the narrative behind the trends. Together we dig below the surface of the trends, exploring the societal changes which in turn help you relate to your clients true needs, rather than designing for fads.
We hope you enjoy reading through the trend report, if you get lost at any point or want to find a specific trend you can do so from here:
Maximalism- More, more, more. Saying yes to everything that gives us pleasure through design. Scheme by Oliver Thomas Interiors, for Grand Designs Live
Bold Colours- Pops of bright tones that nod to the trend without being overwhelming. Scheme by Project Orange, for The Swan Hotel.
Clashing Pairings- Continuing the extremes, with contradictory patterns and colours. Scheme by Project Orange, for Zone Hotel Raipur.
Theatrical Opulence- Get dramatic, the skies the limit like this scheme by Designed by Woulfe, for Wonderland Phuket.
Newstalgia- Adding references from any time period that captures your imagination, making an eclectic and immersive scheme like this by Dalziel + Pow, for The Shop at Bluebird.
"We don't see ourselves as a type of person, we are freeing ourselves from labels." - Gemma Riberti, WGSN. Encompassing all of the micro trends above, identity polarisation is an extreme expression of ourselves, one that can’t be confined or defined by anyone else. Now more than ever we have unfiltered exposure to influences from around the world, which has created a more, more, more attitude.
We've seen this translated into how eporta members use the platform, whilst the number of searches conducted has risen, we’ve seen a 42% reduction over the last year, in the usage of style filters when searching. This demonstrates that people are less concerned about fitting their design into a category and are more concerned with finding the right product.
It comes as no surprise that social media is a key driver in Identity Polarisation. Particularly sites like Pinterest and Instagram, created with the purpose of exploring and sharing stories through imagery. As Blake Barnes, Head of Product for Instagram said- "Before you can realise that you would like to become the world's best rock climber, you'd need to know that sometimes people scale sheer granite cliffs". This ability to expand horizons beyond the norm is what keeps 800 million Instagram users coming back day after day.
This has also given us confidence to experiment with new styles of self projection, as there is always an audience there to validate you. Peer-approval through likes and reposts provide instant gratification and a sense of pleasure.
Over the last 5 years, we have seen minimalism hit its peak, however, today on eporta neutrals and beige have become the least searched for tones. In fact, the most searched for colour of all time on the platform is now red. Orange has become the fastest growing colour search in the last three months, highlighting that bold colours are in favour. This movement is freeing designers to use bold colours and clashing patterns, pushing the boundaries of maximalism.
Featured in Oliver Thomas's maximalist scheme for Grand Designs Live (seen above), this wallpaper epitomises the sense of extreme colour and richness we can expect from Identity Polarisation. Over the top characteristics of the trend.
Shown here in Neon Rainforest Rabble by Linwood Fabric with piping in bright pink velvet, this chair is both newstalgic, with a 1950's design and dramatically bold in colour.
Inspired by the eccentric and unusual buildings of Gaudi, this drinks cabinet adds joy and excitement to any residential or hospitality scheme. Whilst it may look like it's made of mosaic tiles, this cabinet is in fact hand painted.
This original 1970's chair has been updated with gold leaf, faux fur and pops of bright colour. The 'Katy Perry' Dining chair is a playful statement piece.
With clashing pairings and bold colours this rug would add impact to any scheme.
There is something so synonymous between feathers and the theatre, adding a touch of glamour to the space adds to the extreme opulence we are seeing in Identity Polarisation.
Restoring a Victorian Hall chair with a vintage Army mess dress, Rhubarb London have created a wonderful piece of theatre. Brimming with life and full of stories to tell this chair will definitely be a talking piece.
Originally designed by the choreographer Bernd Roger Bienert in 1989 for Woka Vienna, this lamp brings retro drama to a space with it's large size and sumptuous combination of silk, wood and brass.
Crafted by digitally layering, mixing and merging colours sampled from a variety of inspirations; nature, art and fashion, this fabric is an explosion of vibrant colour.
You may well have heard of the term- cultural omnivore. In a society where social mobility is easier than ever, we are engaging in new cultural exchanges. From the highbrow to the lowbrow, our tastes are based on a spectrum without boundaries. For some this inspiration stops with their Instagram feed, for others it changes their lifestyle entirely. The growing number of career-changers is indicative of this. Many highly educated candidates are taking the leap to pursue artisanal careers that are flamboyant and skilful, shunning the traditional path to put their pleasure first.
Social media feeds also impact the way we experience nostalgia. Gliding between visual inspiration from different decades at the swipe of a finger blur the boundaries of design. As such we are seeing a growth in 'newstalgia', essentially a pic 'n' mix of random elements from history, as opposed to an entire scheme based on a snapshot of time.
It seems only natural that some are taking maximalism and colour play one stage further to the purely theatrical. Noticeable at this year’s design fair in Milan, experiential design overtook product exposure. The race was on to create Instagrammable moments with installations such as Serge Ferrari x GGSV x Palazzo Stamskin's, and memorable collaborations with top fashion houses, such as Louis Vuitton and Objets Nomades. Restaurants and eateries took on an air of flamboyance, with disco and cabaret themes, David Rockwell and 2×4 Design Studio's collaboration with Surface, The Great American Diner, is a great example of experiential theatre.
All the rules have been broken, people can feel braver to do the things they might not have done before. - Clare Gaskin, founder of Clare Gaskin Interiors
It isn't just the residential market affected by these extreme trends, we have seen reverberations in the commercial and hospitality sectors too, where red is also the most searched for colour by eporta’s contract buyers too. Many designers are translating clashing patterns, colour blocking and extravagant textures into their schemes, in order to wow customers and their followers on social media.
Celestial Style- Depicted by metallic hues and celestial shapes, lighting features heavily, like this pendant by Edizioni Design which eludes to an air of mysticality.
Dark Matter- Colour is critical to this trend, we are seeing navy, maroon, lilacs and matte blacks translating the sense of the otherworldly. Image by Studio198
Dark Woods- Pairing iridescent metallics with matte dark woods like this space-age scheme by Elicyon Interiors for a private client in London.
Crystal Healing- Natural crystal is taking centre stage due to its perceived healing qualities, Fabbian have bought this to the forefront with these crystal lights.
Geometry- Angular lines paired with the other elements of the mystical trend, elude to an out of this world aesthetic as seen in this scheme by Fiona Barratt Interiors, for a commercial space in London.
To counterbalance the chaos of identity polarisation, our next trend epitomises the search for orientation. Stemming from a need for perspective, the belief that there is something greater than ourselves is comforting. Traditionally we found reassurance in religion, but with religion having less sway on society, many are turning to spirituality and mysticality for solace.
A search on Instagram for crystals hits over 7.5 million images. Influential celebrities such as Lena Dunham, Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow attribute the use of crystals to maintaining a sense of calm and achieving their life goals. As said, we live in an era of large societal change, it is no surprise that some are using mystical spirituality to counteract the feeling of powerlessness. With a 40% rise in Google searches for "crystal healing" over the last 6 months this movement is growing momentum and shouldn't be considered a fad. But how does this translate into design?
Awaken the imagination to an adventure from outer space, lit by a crystal LED, a beautiful stargazing effect is created.
This table is the result of a collaboration between Lara Bohinc and stone expert Lapicida for the Wallpaper magazine handmade exhibition in Milano Salone del Mobile. These marble discs rotate around an axis, depicting orbiting moons.
This rich maroon is a perfect way to translate the Mystical trend into a scheme without overpowering the space, perfect for commercial projects.
The black marble used in this table by OIA, offers the sense of depth in colour that works in partnership with the Mystical trend.
Your very own piece of the night sky, the moon is printed onto the mirrored surface combining function and fantasy.
Inspired by the composition of a molecule this gridded geometric suspension light is both organic and otherworldly.
Ideal for an injection of the Mystical trend into a larger scheme. The globular shape and lilac tone offer a sympathetic take on the trend.
Illuminated solid crystal shards create a halo light effect that appears to be floating in space.
Globular in shape and formed of deep purple glass, this pendant light is hitting several notes of the mystical trend.
Firstly colour is key. Pantone's colour of the year was Ultra Violet, Leatrice Eiseman Executive of the Pantone Colour Institute said it represents "Originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking". Understandably Ultra Violet and purples, in general, can be tricky to negotiate in commercial spaces. Sympathetic alternatives such as lilac and mauve are being injected through accessories as a more digestible nod to the trend for a wider commercial audience.
We’ve also had a 93% increase in the number of searches for "black" over the last 3 months on eporta. Equally important is the finish; matte and powder coated are craved for their depth of colour. The growing popularity of dark woods, overtaking the Scandi blanched woods seen in last year's report, confirms this too. Charred, oil-rubbed and dark stain treatments are on the rise - particularly evident in smaller furniture elements and dining chairs.
There are other finishes that perfectly depict this growing trend. We have seen the search for glass and natural crystal increase by 44% over the past 12 months. When we look at specific products, many are hand blown into interesting and intricate shapes that diffuse light in unusual ways.
Beyond colours and materials, product design has found ways to translate the trend. Lighting design in particular reflects the mood, exploring literal translations of the celestial trend, with items depicting constellations and planets. Some take a more subtle approach with mystical geometrics, esoteric symbols, and prisms.
We are at a point in history and time where we are going to break through and understand what is going on in space and what's beyond this. - Karen Howes, Founder of Taylor Howes Design
Hospitality brands have also been tapping into a growing consumer interest in spiritual and astrological experiences. Creating new guest experiences such as the Ultimo Hotel in Sydney, who craft packages to guests' astrological signs, tailoring restaurant and activity suggestions accordingly. The Grand Portals Nous, operated by Iberostar is designed by Marcel Wanders, who has created the Stargazer Suite, with a Swarovski-starred ceiling and telescope to peruse the night sky. Not just reserved for the hotel room, wellness experiences are also embracing the mystical: The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo's Full Moon Delights Treatment uses stones that have been bathed in the light of the full moon to harness healing and positive energy.
Spa At Home- Taking inspiration from the spas we've visited and finding a way to capture their essence in a domestic environment. Design by Fiona Barratt Interiors for a Private Residence in London.
Calming Colours- Many spaces are adopting colour palettes that are darker and deeper than normally associated with a spa-like feeling, these encourage a sense of cocooning. Design by Matteo Bianchi for Ella Di Rocci Wellness Spa.
Tactility- Combining highly tactile fabrics; velvets, wools and soft linens, which provide comfort and encourage a relaxed feeling and sense of wellness. Scheme by Designed by Woulfe, for Private Residence in London.
Cocooning- Even outside of the home we are looking for an escape from the world, the glowing lighting, plump sumptuous furniture and darker colours provide a sense of calm. Scheme by Lambart & Browne, for Bagatelle in Monaco.
Bar Appreciation- Taking time out to make yourself or your guests a cocktail, is a popular aspect of self-care and pleasure seeking. Bar designed by Elicyon Interiors for a Private Residence.
"People want to feel cocooned and safe. They want to feel welcomed when they come home and when guests enter the space too." Brian Woulfe, Founder of Designed by Woulfe
Self-caring interiors are equally created as a coping strategy adopted to tune out the world around us. Long have we seen the impact of mindfulness in society, it has seeped into people's vocabulary with over 1,300 mindfulness apps available to download and some schools even including it in the curriculum. With the wellness industry now worth over $3.7 trillion, it is no surprise that we are demanding spaces which sync with us emotionally and physically.
Never has the desire to switch off from it all been so strong. A big part of this is literally switching off social media for a time, epitomised by Instagram's launch last week of the mute facility, to raucous applause by users, who can now control when and how much they see from certain people, minus the social anxiety caused by blocking them. Google too has acknowledged their part in the constant chatter of social media launching an app to encourage JOMO (the joy of missing out). Shush, automatically turns on "do not disturb" when you put your phone face down.
How does design respond to this need for respite and escapism? Allowing the client to feel relaxed and protected from the outside world doesn't mean paired down minimalism, instead it alludes to hyper-sensorial schemes. Focusing on cocooning and tactility; high-backed, oversized, plump furniture which exaggerates its comfort factor, works well in self-care interiors.
Sumptuous comfort from folds of velvet that cocoon around the body, emulating the feeling of being protected and safe.
This spa like chaise has a gentle rocking motion that will lull a worried mind into submission.
Debuting at Clerkenwell Design Week on our eporta stand, this stunning chandelier creates an ethereal glow that will relax mind, body and soul.
Upholstered in a luxurious wool-blend fabric this plush chair exudes comfort and the dark aubergine shade is perfectly on trend.
This chandelier is built with translucent cocoon shapes, designed to look like mother of pearl, diffuse the light in a soft calming way.
Not everyone finds dark or light colours relaxing, some find bold colours give comfort. The folds and velvet fabric offer tactility in any colour.
Offers versatility within the space, one growing use of such poufs has been as a meditation stool. This one from Roger Lewis is the perfect size to take a moment for reflection on.
Not ready to dedicate a whole room to wellness, this would be a brilliant injection to a residential design, with its use of luscious faux fur and cocooning shape.
The sensoriality is drawn out with plush sumptuous fabrics such as velvets, which are continuing to see huge growth on eporta, with a 400% increase in searches within the last year. Often combined with quilting, generous folds and plump forms, for the ultimate tactility. In Milan, we saw an increased use of suede, which we expect to see more of over the next 6-12 months.
As Karen Howes stated- “We have clients who come back from amazing spa resorts and hotels and want their homes to be like that... it's that merging of everything”. What the client really wants is the feeling of wellness to be replicated. The feeling of zen gleaned from time spent at a spa can be hard to replicate, especially within a domestic environment, playing with light and air quality can help with the illusion. We are seeing dark colours balancing out the light within a space, enhanced by lighting fixtures that glow, not glare. We also heard from our expert panel at Clerkenwell Design Week that:
We are seeing massive adoption of the Well Building Standards. What we are going to see is more sympathy with natural daylight in line with circadian rhythms. - Ray Molony, Publisher of Lux Review.
Hospitality has long understood the importance of the experiential, by focusing on the sensorial benefits it provides its guests., bottling bespoke scents that rekindle the positive feelings and memories of their stay when sprayed at home. However we are now seeing hotels moving away from a monotonous uniformity to a relaxed homely style, as Fiona Thompson, Founder of Richmond Hospitality pointed out: "The formality of hospitality has broken down... people want individual experiences, so it isn't a regimented use of space, they can play music whenever they want and the space accommodates for that." Even at the top end of the hotel market we are designing spaces that cater to what makes individuals feel happy and relaxed.
Storytelling Materials- Rattan, weaving and wood add an artisanal narrative to products, whilst their natural fibres ground a design in nature. Scheme by Run For The Hills.
Terracotta- We are seeing a resurgence in this organic material being used for lighting and accessories. The colour is even being translated into upholstery and wall paint. Image by Hand & Eye Studio.
Naked Truth- Products that don't hide any secrets. We saw lots of untreated plywood at Neocon eluding to a blank canvas for design. Birch plywood pegboard by Kriesdesign.
Tactile Tech- Google Software exhibition at Milan 2018 investigated how electronic devices of the future could become more tactile. One room featured this embroidered wall hanging made from real Google hardware. Image supplied by WGSN.
Invisible Tech- Companies are producing tech which mimics the appearance of wood, stone and fabric only displaying information when interacted with. This example is by like Nissha, the product is called Mui.
Natural Connection is the longing for deeper grounding with the world around us. We are looking for an authentic connection with the products we fill spaces with. As with the last two trends, our desire for a natural connection is in direct response to the perceived sense of chaos surrounding us, and arguably a pessimism about the world moving too quickly.
As Gemma Riberti, Director of WGSN Lifestyle and Interiors points out: “Our tech-permeated lives mean we appreciate the trace of the human hand, the perfect imperfection of the hand-made”. There is a growing appreciation for the aesthetic of artisanal craftsmanship, along with the use of organic materials such as wood, clay and terracotta. The human touch is loud, and we feel better for knowing that there is a narrative being each item. These stories are ironically Insta-worthy, helping us build relationships in a growing emotional economy online.
Literally providing connection to nature. Handmade in Amsterdam these tiles can scale small and large spaces, adding pops of greenery and intrigue as they go.
George Dining Chair is hand-made in solid walnut wood, enriched with rattan, this is a sophisticated take on the trend.
Handmade in England, this set is cast in fine basalt from plaster models carved by Max Lamb. The imperfect surfaces tell the story of how they are made.
A table doesn’t have to be an antique to be an impressive testimony of craftsmanship. Made from reclaimed oak this table contains 381 rhombi cut from old Italian wine barrels. Quite a dinner party story.
A sideboard in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, a luxury boutique hotel in Copenhagen. This item is handcrafted in Denmark.
Designed by Menstesn for Hand & Eye. These terracotta lamps are perfectly on trend, offering the warming colour and organic material.
This smart piece of furniture naturally forms two low modern tables that when combined together form a storage unit. Made from birch plywood, each item is signed by John himself.
The paper screen diffuses the light offering a softer impact of the technology within our home. The screen is handmade with paper from Taiwan Suho Paper Museum.
Handmade from local earthenware clay, the Splatter Collection is thrown and glazed in a small and traditional set up by skilled artisan Antonio Fasano in Puglia, Southern Italy.
We have been seeing materials that are traditionally discarded taking centre stage. For instance at Neocon last year we saw a growing number of well-established brands, from Steelcase to Knoll, to Vitra and Inscape, featuring naked plywood in their designs. The quality comes from the products vulnerability.
Our material to watch is rattan, with a sharp rise in the number of searches over the last 3 months on eporta, this outdoor staple is having a revival. Importantly we are seeing its use within interiors too. Intricate detailing combined with a simplistic material, allows us to imagine how the items were made provides the grounding in nature we desire.
In Milan, we saw a growing number of raw and unpolished materials being used. Decorative items were unglazed and porous, the rough edges contrasting against the smooth tactile surfaces of the self-care trend. These finishes are organically made from earth's resources, gaining a relaxed non-precious aesthetic that encourages us to relax. Terracotta, in particular, has received 10 times as many searches within the last year than the year before. Naturally warm in colour terracotta works in sympathy with many design styles and helps to ground the look in an approachable way.
"It's about having tech in your home but in a really hidden way... we're using tech all the time, and it's about finding ways that it doesn't impose on your home." Kai Price, Contributor to The Evening Standard
Companies are trying to find ways of camouflaging tech. We want the perks technology provides but in a less invasive manner. Google, Sony and many other technology brands showcased their ranges at Milan. What they had in common was a sympathetic approach to including AI technology within domestic, office and hospitality environments, so as not to disrupt the connection with our surroundings.
Responsibility Not Just Sustainability- “We’re trying to make all of our materials from sustainable materials. This industry is in bad shape and we want to take responsibility for our part in it.” Eileen Fischer on her eco-preferred 2020 vision shown at Salone del Mobile 2018.
Circular Design- Clerkenwell Design Week looked at the product life cycle and perceived myths of materials. Circular Design looks at no beginning, middle and end to a products life but its life after too.
Plastic Not Fantastic- Finding ways to recycle and reuse plastic was a big focus at Salone del Mobile this year. Pentatonic, are a great example of how beautiful products can come from waste materials.
Lasts a Lifetime- Creating the heirlooms of tomorrow is one way that designers are combating the throw away culture. Focusing on skilled craftsmanship and quality, responsibly sourced materials. Image by Eikund.
Material Innovation- Looking at alternative ways of making materials that are responsible and 100% eco-friendly is going up a gear, as seen with Ruben Strahl exploring Biofacturing at Milan 2018.
We have seen a growing consensus throughout society that sustainability is no longer enough, replacing it instead with the term responsibility, which accounts for the personal involvement needed to improve the world we live in. Inspired by programmes such as Blue Planet, which touched the hearts of over 14 million viewers who watched animals die from the effects of plastic dumped in the ocean. These conversations are accelerating amongst suppliers. There is still some way to go before we have a large enough selection of beautifully designed, responsibly made products to suit every client's brief. Brian Woulfe, Founder of Designed by Woulfe pointed this out in our Trend Panel Discussion at Clerkenwell Design Week, "We have to find a way of making sustainable sound luxury or sexy because at the minute it's a really ugly word in the residential market."
We have seen a growing number of manufacturers adopting the circular design economy. Essentially, a circular economy means products no longer have a life cycle with a beginning, middle, and end. When materials stop being used, for their initial purpose, they go back into a useful cycle as something else. This is an evolution of upcycling and recycling, which we continue to see a lot of. We have seen a growing number of suppliers on eporta proudly including their ecological approach within their product and company descriptions.
As touched on earlier, plastic waste is definitely one of the biggest material challenges of our age - we have seen the demise of the plastic bag over the last couple of years, and now we are finding ways to rid the world of plastic straws that take over 200 years to break down. The UK alone uses 8.5 billion straws a year, and in the USA cities such as Seattle have pledged a ban on single-use plastic straws from July this year. Brands and designers are also stepping up to tackle this, for example, Pentatonic turn plastic waste into functional beautiful products for domestic and contract environments. Vepa, a Dutch brand is collaborating with Plastic Whale to recycle plastic fished out of Amsterdam’s canals and into stunning office furniture.
This light offers great task lighting, whilst being made from 100% natural cellulose, grown and sun dried in Greece, then handcrafted in London.
With the doors made from 100% recycled plastic this cabinet doesn't just look good, it's doing good for the world too.
Whilst this light looks as though it's made from concrete it's actually made from paper. Indi are the first circular design brand in Lithuania- this light can be used then recycled and reused as something else when the time calls for it.
Moka Felt is a unique tub chair which gives waste a second life. The self-supporting seat shell is made from recycled PET bottles. Any extra perk, as if you need it, is the material's sound absorbing quality.
It's not just the materials we use or how we use them that makes a supplier responsible, the context of production is critical. The Rug Trade keep traditions and communities alive with their collection of rugs.
CREA-RE make colourful lamps out of paper making them entirely recyclable and eco-friendly. Taking responsibility, by using this material, means that there is no end to the life cycle of this light.
Pentatonic invent new materials using the world’s most abundant resource – human trash – without compromising an inch on design, performance or function.
Tala are a responsible supplier. Championing materials and techniques with minimal impact on the environment, striving for a transparent, carbon-neutral supply chain. They are also part of a tree planting initiative to give back more than they take.
The winners of several sustainability awards, the Tom Raffield team feel a strong sense of responsibility to care about every aspect of production from selecting the timber to making each item by hand.
Fastidious in their selection of sustainable wood, they want to emphasise and encourage sustainability and permanency, creating a counterbalance to the throwaway culture of modern society.
Biofacturing, the convergence of technology and biology is leading other innovations, Dutch designers Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros have developed a bioplastic made from algae which, when combined with 3-D printing, could establish affordable and practical alternatives to traditional exhaustive materials.
Architecture will also be greatly affected by this transition into responsibility, long have projects endeavoured to be as environmentally friendly as possible, now the aim has changed. Norwegian Architects Snøhetta have unveiled plans for an Arctic Circle hotel that is energy positive, meaning it uses less energy than it produces. This will be the first hotel of its type in the world. Such spaces will need furniture representative of the same beliefs to fill them, so demand will grow.
Much of this is still in testing phase with a long way to go before it is considered mainstream. A way to incorporate responsibility into design today is through the quality of the products we are selecting for clients. Companies such as Eikund and Nikari are reinventing forgotten designs, building them to last by focusing on quality materials and traditional craftsmanship. They are producing the heirlooms of tomorrow, shunning the throwaway culture and with it the wasted materials that will have an impact on the world for years to come.
The true game-changer for the industry is that whilst we are only starting to design responsibly, jaw-dropping products are being brought to the market already, that you wouldn't know are made from recycled plastics or other up-cycled materials. This in time will combat aesthetic concerns, meaning that great design will not come at great cost to the planet.
Activity Based Design- Creating scenes that make specific tasks and interactions easier, in turn improving the well being and productivity of the team. Image by Skandiform.
Domesticated Office- Last year we noticed that offices were taking inspiration from a domestic environment, this is growing, as is the influence from hospitality environments too. Image by Muuto.
Bold Colour- As employees get bolder within their home environment they expect the same from their workplace too. Image of Tacchini. Credit Brendan Cox.
Creative Fluidity- We have seen a rise in modular solutions that offer flexibility within office environments, functionality add ons, such as whiteboards, enable the continuous flow of creativity. Image of Sixteen3. Credit Brendan Cox.
When people go to work they bring every aspect of themselves with them, as we have seen this can mean a multi dimensional personality, encompassing everything they want to be and more. Brands are looking to gain and retain great staff that fit their cultural values by creating an ecosystem that fosters employee experience. Design plays a critical role within this, providing a branded backdrop that is congruent with the way the company wants its employees to perceive them.
Companies such as Perkbox are making a successful business out of understanding the individual within the workforce. Creating bespoke rewards based on what really makes teams tick, whether that's cinema tickets or restaurant vouchers, the more specific the reward is to an individuals likes the better their experience is of the company.
Many offices have adopted an open plan aesthetic, as it brings their ethos of transparency and collaboration to life. However studies by Harvard Business School have taught us that not everyone likes open plan all the time, there are times people need quiet for concentration, or a space to make confidential phone calls. Office designers have acknowledged this and are actually submerging themselves within the day to day patterns of their clients, spotting where micro-moments occur and finding space for a variety of tasks within their designs. By adopting an activity-based working solution we are creating scenes that make specific tasks and interactions easier, in turn improving the well being and productivity of the team.
Comfortable and inviting, this chair would be a great solution for a break-out area, where an employee can take a few minutes to unwind and relax.
This sofa is formally informal, a brilliant solution for the office that nods to a residential impression whilst retaining an air of professionalism.
The blurring between hospitality and restaurant design with the workplace is epitomised by this bar style table. Ideal for mind-mapping sessions, or team meetings in a communal space.
Poufs are great at providing flexibility; extra seating, coffee table, laptop perch, the list is long, so it's no surprise that more office designs are including them.
This swivel chair designed by Nick Lewis earlier this year, is ergonomic and beautifully crafted. It is also available in this vivid red, which we have seen growing in popularity within the commercial market.
Elements from the above trends have to be incorporated into corporate design. Last year's trends noted blurred lines between work and home-life, nothing has changed. We expect our offices to have a residential edge. Now, perhaps more than ever, a hospitality edge is also expected. Inspired by the hotels and restaurants they have frequented and the amenities they enjoyed in them, they expect the same level of comfort, and in some cases luxury too.
There is a blurring of commercial space with residential space, bringing a lot more softness into places. Flexibility has new definitions now; it's not about big empty spaces, but how you can get modular furniture pieces to act in very many different ways. - Dara Huang Design Haus Liberty
Immersive planning uses comfortable furnishings and fluid boundaries to create a range of social and creative experiences. We have seen commercial suppliers introducing more colour and domesticated shapes into their office furniture collections, Tacchini is a great example of this. These immersive spaces should also allow for spontaneous problem solving through flexible solutions that negate the need to move the conversation elsewhere, which may potentially cause the energy and momentum to drop. Sixteen3 have developed a modular gridding system with whiteboard and screen fixtures that can be added on to keep the conversation flowing.
Whilst function still remains of the utmost importance, the form is beginning to be recognised for its emotional importance. Millennials account for a greater proportion of the workforce today, bringing with them a tidal wave of new expectations. Having grown up with images of the Insta-worthy office the old antiquated one size fits all desk and chair of yesteryear will not suffice. Instead human centred design that caters for the individual and the tasks they have to complete is coming to the forefront.
