Future of Interior Design
Making big decisions about your home – whether it be the kind of flooring, window furnishings or even the paint colour – can be a little terrifying. We all want to make the best selections that will suit our lifestyle, tastes and budget – but we would also love to have some kind of reassurance that what we select won’t be seriously out of date in a few years. Or, that new technologies won’t quickly supersede what we buy. Luckily for us all, we don’t have to rely on crystal balls or tea leaves as interiors magazines and online journals regularly update us on technological advancements and there are some very clever people out there who can - quite uncannily - predict the next big things in the future of home design and building. So, with zero input from fortune tellers, here is what those in the know are predicting:
Can you share with us your thoughts on the direction that interior design trends are heading towards in the next few years?
If there is one big umbrella theme that covers the majority of upcoming trends, it would be sustainability. From new manufacturing techniques to the use of waste products and bi-products (both industrial and agricultural), a laser-focus is being applied to circular design, and we’re seeing a big overall global shift in our mind-set which may see a rejection of over-consumption. Concern over the environmental impact will impact this next decade in unprecedented ways.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers, how can interior designers integrate eco-friendly materials and designs into their projects?
It starts with the architecture – from simple design decisions like considering a home’s orientation to make the most of passive solar power, to materiality - the kind of glass you use, the flooring type, the window treatments, etc. Designers can look for eco-certification standards on each product that they specify for your home, and you should always remember to make that part of your brief to your designer.
What new materials and finishes do you see emerging in the interior design industry, and how do you see them being used?
New materials and finishes will emerge in all areas of the industry – from construction materials to internal finishes, fabrics and flooring. We will continue to see the development of wonderful products such as the ECONYL® fibre carpet range, and the use of eco-friendly timbers for our floors and responsibly made fabrics for our window furnishings.
How do you approach designing for different generations and lifestyles, and what do you think are the key considerations when doing so?
I think the best way to think about designing across different generations comes down to being super practical. That steep circular staircase may be a sensation in your twenties, but it could perhaps be a little terrifying if babies come into the picture, or if elderly relatives ever join your household. It probably pays to be a little more conservative with your design ideas if you’re thinking about a forever home.
How can we create timeless interiors that won’t go out of style?
I don’t really believe that any interior can be completely timeless, but I think that you can safeguard yourself from creating a wildly on-trend interior that will date very quickly by sticking to classic materials in tonal colour combinations. Think of natural timber or timber-look floors, plantation shutters or simple s-fold curtains, and neutral carpet in the best quality that you can afford.
What trends are you seeing in carpet and flooring options, and how do you see these evolving in the next few years?/Are there any emerging technologies or trends in carpet and flooring that you are particularly excited about, and how do you see them being used in future designs?
The flooring industry – encompassing floorboards, carpets and rugs – is already undergoing a seismic change in terms of how new technologies are changing manufacturing processes and materials.
New manufacturing technologies are set to make carpet an even more important flooring decision for your home. Carpets will become easier to clean, which we will all agree that in a post-pandemic world, is crucially important. Carpet will have better thermal insulation, which will help reduce our energy bills. And, when it comes to future-proofing your big investment, the new carpets will have enhanced durability.
In terms of aesthetics, at the recent international design fair in Milan, rugs were a star attraction, and they were predominantly colourful, with varied textures and in irregular and geometric shapes. Rugs that can be laid either inside or out were also trending.
How do you approach creating a cohesive look and feel throughout a home while incorporating new carpet and flooring trends?
My advice is to always avoid ‘fast-fashion’ interior trends, and luckily, flooring doesn’t often fall into that category! Neutral colours will never lead you astray, whether it be a new home, a renovation or just a room face-lift. Rooms can have different moods and feels to suit their purpose, but a cohesive colour palette throughout will certainly help with unity and visual consistency. Make sure that your new carpet or floorboards suit the style of your home, i.e., coastal, traditional, or contemporary always bring home swatches and samples to match them with paint and other finishes.
How do you balance the desire for style with practical considerations, such as durability and maintenance, when selecting window furnishings, carpet or flooring options for future design projects?
Well, that is a pretty easy one to answer, thanks to the very switched-on product teams at Carpet Court. With both hands firmly grasping the pulse of cutting-edge technologies and refined aesthetics, you can be assured that only the best products are being offered to you, and the experts at your local Carpet Court can help with ensuring the pieces all work together.
