The future of home will be less focused on physical things and more focused on how those things make us feel, according to a new report from Fashion Snoops.
This movement will be guided by the emerging science of neuroaesthetics; a movement toward solitude among consumers; a greater interest in modern crafts; and an increased demand for circular homes, the consumer trend forecasting agency said in a webinar this morning.
Neuroaesthetics tracks how the brain responds to color, light, texture and sound, and how art, music and color affect our mental, physical and spiritual well-being, said Jaye Anna Mize, vice president, home + lifestyle, for Fashion Snoops, and a trend advisor for Home Accents Today.
Sensorial design will redefine interiors, Mize said, while more inclusive architecture will provide sensory-friendly environments — spaces with more texture, more natural light, and the removal of auto-flushing toilets, for example — that take into consideration the needs of neurodiverse people, such as those on the autism spectrum. As aesthetic design receives more scientific backing and clout, expect this practice to become more prevalent in home design, Mize said.
We are enduring a well-documented loneliness epidemic, but despite that (or perhaps because of that), more and more people are looking for “solo escapes,” or time to be alone in public spaces, Fashion Snoops said. The growing Korean movement called Honjok, which loosely translated means a deeper connection to oneself, is taking hold.
What does this mean for home design? While the hospitality industry is starting to carve out more individual spaces that allow people to be by themselves, home products that are smaller or geared toward one person’s use are gaining steam.
Tech-connected homes, meanwhile, will become more discreet as the technology that powers it gets smaller and hidden. “We don’t want to see the tech but we want the convenience of it,” said Aurora Hinz, home + lifestyle strategist at Fashion Snoops.
A “craft renaissance,” driven by greater interest in heritage craft-making techniques, is also on the rise and promises to bring more diversity to the artisan economy. Interestingly, traditional techniques are being updated with technology, such as 3-D printing, which will ultimately help preserve heritage craft-making, Fashion Snoops said. Consumers are also beginning to prioritize longevity in design and rejecting disposable furniture. The rise of repair kits, buy-back options and detailed care instructions is part of this movement.
Low-waste lifestyles, which are being embraced by younger generations; a biomaterial revolution; and greater interest in self-reliance when it comes to water and energy, support growing interest in circular homes. Many people are becoming distrustful of the food, water and energy industries (fueled by incidents like the recent train derailment in Ohio that spewed toxic chemicals into the environment) and have taken matters into their own hands by harvesting their own rainwater and other practices. Gen Z will be on the forefront of circular homes, Mize said.
See also:
