How COVID will change the interior design industry
We will design our homes and our commercial and public spaces with new awareness
of personal safety concerns
As we isolate ourselves in our homes, we become increasingly aware of how our interior spaces affect our moods, our ability to work and our physical comfort. The future of interior design will reflect the reality of a world that has been forever changed by the coronavirus, by incorporating cleanliness and materials to help to mitigate the spread of disease, floor plans that provide separate spaces for home-bound activities, and a focus on personal well-being. Interior designers (and homeowners) will begin to embrace a new way of living that means spending more time at home and thus creating a calming refuge from the outside world.
The importance of interior design, and mental and physical health, will become more prevalent than ever. Designers will need to consider how we can assist in mental health through interior environments, using lighting, materials, sound and acoustics. In homes, spaces will become more flexible. We will have to consider what elements of design we can use to protect the public’s health, including materials, distancing, physical separation or proximity, and interaction with objects. With that being said, let’s consider two areas in which we can pay attention to the design of our public spaces.
Paying attention to materials
We are now more aware than ever of the things we touch. Because of this, we are spending more time cleaning and sanitising our homes with detergents and cleaning products. Although this practice is good in theory, practically, it doesn’t consider our health. It’s time to start investing in ‘smart’ products. Products that do all of the hard work for you, and give you the peace of mind that you need as a homeowner and designer. One of our favourite ‘smart’ products, that also serve a functional purpose in your home is FibreGuard.
The fabrics used in FibreGuard helps prevent the spread of germs due to the antimicrobial materials that are woven into it. As a homeowner, nothing is more important than having a choice of fabric that is stain-free but also prevents the spread of germs. This means that you can feel at ease when guests come over or when your children are playing on the living room sofa. This goes hand in hand with interior designers who make buying decisions for both homes and commercial properties. As a designer, working with products that are easy to clean, environmentally friendly and durable, makes the job so much easier.
Uplifting the spirit
As homeowners and interior designers, we need to consider our mental and physical well-being. How can we do this with the space that we live in? For us, it’s about creating a sense of calmness and relaxation, even when space is used for work. There are a number of ways that homeowners and interior designers can incorporate mental and physical wellness into their spaces. One of these ways is working with wallpaper and fabrics that mimic natural elements and outdoor features. Osborne & Littles’ latest Spring 2020 range does this very well. A key feature in this rage has been their ability to incorporate natural elements and ‘earthy’ tones in their wall coverings. This, combined with rustic, outdoor elements, is sure to bring a sense of calmness and much-needed escapism to ones working and living spaces.
A sense of security and calm will definitely be present in interiors. When the world is full of uncertainty, having a space that feels like an escape from the outside world, with soft and cosy materials, light colours and relaxing vibes, will be a prerequisite of design.
