While some aspects of interior design have not changed for tens or hundreds of years, the interior design industry and interior design practice are currently undergoing substantial changes. How designers design, the types of spaces they design for, and what clients expect from them are impacted by technological developments and global systems. In addition, these developments will alter how and what type of products and materials will be made in the future.
Environments for a climate-stressed planet
Up to now, sustainable interior design has largely focused on three areas:
- Utilizing eco-friendly products and materials
- Conserving resources such as energy and water
- Reducing the presence of toxins and other harmful substances
As extreme changes in climate and weather continue to become more frequent, designers will also need to consider other factors, such as minimizing the impact of extreme heat and cold, providing backup systems to cope with loss of energy and water, and improving resilience to high winds and floods. This will require uses of new types of products and materials. It will also require closer coordination with engineers, architects and builders. This will become especially important in locations more susceptible to extreme weather events.
More human-centric design
Increasingly, we are coming to understand that spaces are not just places where people do things. They are also ecosystems that impact the people in them. As both natural and artificial environments are found to be potentially harmful to occupants, clients will place more emphasis on wanting spaces that promote health, wellness and well-being. Greater sensitivity to the needs of individuals with cognitive and physical differences will also expand the definition of accessibility and requirements for health and safety.
Doing more with less
An aging population and a severe shortage of affordable housing will create a shift toward smaller living spaces. Designers will need to create environments that make the most of less space and fewer items in a space. Multi-generational homes may become more common as well, requiring designers to consider vast age ranges and multiple lifestyles. A similar trend appears to be developing in retail, hospitality and office spaces as real estate prices and leases continue to escalate. Spaces and furnishings will need to be more modular, flexible and adaptable to serve multiple purposes.
Smart technology getting smarter
The digital revolution gave birth to the proliferation of smart technology in interior environments. From remote-controlled heating and lighting systems to smart appliances to voice-activated entertainment and shopping applications, technology is ingrained in homes. Now with the growing commercial use of artificial intelligence (AI), more of these systems and devices will become automated. They will also become acutely responsive to the sounds and movements of occupants. Designers will need to understand how these systems work and consider effective and creative ways of integrating them into their designs.
Working with virtual clients
In the near future, more interior design will be done online. As a result of the recent pandemic, many interior designers and their clients have become accustomed to conducting meetings and discussions virtually. Enhancements in audiovisual communications, visualization programs and project management software will make it even more convenient and impactful to conduct projects virtually from start to finish. More sophisticated applications for smart devices and computers will allow for more timely and responsive interactions with clients and suppliers.
Bringing design concepts to life
Although still somewhat in their infancy, advances in visualization devices, such as those for augmented reality (AR) and 3D experiences, are on their way. In time they will not only achieve higher quality, but they will become more affordable as well. Here again, innovations occurring as a result of AI-enhanced programs both in the creation and display of design concepts will revolutionize how projects are presented to clients and lead to greater collaboration between designers and their clients. In the not-too-distant future, clients may be able to see in real-time how proposed design choices may look once they are implemented.
These trends and others will place new demands on interior designers in the years ahead. They will affect their designs, their relationships with clients, and how they operate their businesses. In some cases, they will require learning new skills. At a minimum, they will require staying up to date on the latest knowledge. Designers who adapt and embrace change will have a competitive advantage over those who continue to practice the way they always have been.