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As 2019 wound down, few could have possibly anticipated what the world would look like now, at the end of 2022. The shock of the pandemic induced a seismic shift in how we live our lives while providing ample time to reevaluate both where and how we live. That’s led to significant changes in what consumers want from both the form and function of the home.
But what design trends do the next few years have in store? In a time of economic uncertainty and existential woe, WGSN’s newly-released Home Lifestyles 2025 white paper predicts a period of necessary innovation as we continue to “do more—and expect more—from the spaces we live in.”
Organized around consumers’ growing desire to live intentionally, work dynamically, rest restoratively, and play immersively, the all-encompassing report has plenty of takeaways for forward-thinking designers looking to stay ahead of the curve. Here’s a closer look at some of the emerging design trends that could well become commonplace by 2025.
The rise of discreet tech
Technology was a crucial lifeline during the pandemic. But as homes have gotten smarter, they’ve also become more cluttered. A novel solution that WGSN’s consumer technology team sees taking hold is the move towards discreet design, which sees gadgets forgoing sleek shininess in favor of an aesthetic that can blend in with decor.
“A domesticated design approach ‘softens’ tech products to make them feel less obtrusive and more blended into the home environment,” says Lisa Yong, WGSN’s director of consumer technology. “User interfaces for home tech products are also moving away from screen-based interactions to more intuitive controls that follow the principles of calm technology.”
In addition to ditching tech’s traditional aesthetic, the best of these discreetly designed items will also take on additional functions that further disguise their true purpose. WGSN’s report points to examples like Savannah, a security device that mimics minimalist toys, and picture frames by Twelve South, which provide wireless charging. On the furniture side, WGSN predicts that consumers may pine for desks with integrated OLED screens that go invisible when turned off.
Casually comfortable furniture comes to the fore
After two-plus years that saw many trade their workwear for a much cozier wardrobe, signs point to our furniture choices also taking on a casual and comfortable feel. WGSN’s head of interiors Gemma Riberti mentions chic slipcovers as a trending way to add a bit of simple softness. (One shocking bit of news? La-Z-Boys have seen a surprising surge in popularity among millennials since 2020, according to WGSN.)
Aesthetically speaking, “round and plump is still relevant, but it’s starting to take on more relaxed, casual, and lived-in look rather than being so smooth that it looks digitally rendered,” Riberti says. “Armchairs, lounge chairs, the return of daybeds and upholstered poufs are key items to call out for this, and will remain central as we look ahead to the next few years—furniture that provides more of a hug and a welcome haven spot.”
Sensorial design will become the norm
Perhaps related on some level to the craving for comfortable furniture, the concept of the sensorial home will be pleasing to more than just our eyes in the years ahead. Consumers are beginning to consider the connection between fragrance and a given space, thanks to everything from well-placed scent tablets in cupboards and drawers to Piro, Ideo’s scent-diffusing robot that debuted at Milan Design Week earlier this year.
Smell isn’t the only sense to be designed around, either: An emphasis on touch could shift how our homes feel from the ground up.
“There is a wonderful opportunity to address sensorial design from the very beginning with walls, floors, and large surfaces that touch multiple senses. This means visually vibrant materials that both show texture and thrill the fingertips,” says Lisa White, WGSN’s creative director. “Wood definitely ticks this box, like the sandblasted wood that has both visual and tactile rings and can bring subtle fragrance into a room, or reeded glass that provides visual plays of transparency and texture.”
Outdoor spaces will become even more amenity-filled
Outdoor space took on new value in the era of social distancing and travel restrictions, and one need look no further than the 2022 colors of the year to see how that reconnection with the outdoors has seeped into our design preferences as well.
Even though cooking and dining are the obvious continued use case for outdoor spaces, they’re far from the only one that will be on consumers’ minds. Outdoor bathtubs and showers are bringing self care into the open air, and the rising popularity of pergolas further suggests that outdoor entertaining is here to stay. And as it turns out, our craving for comfort isn’t confined to the four walls of our home.
“In general, outdoor textiles are growing, with rugs and performance fabrics that bring a sense of coziness to the outside performing well,” White notes. “Consumers are wanting to bring more comfort outdoors, as well as a fuller sense of their lifestyles.”
The return of repair
It’s no secret that sustainability is a big buzzword, and consumers are looking for ways to get more out of the elements of their home without sacrificing on style. WGSN’s report posits an increased value on “initiatives that encourage DIY, resale, and repair of apparel, interiors, and tech,” in the years ahead. The design world is already seeing some of that with the increased availability of and emphasis on using secondhand furniture, but the notion of sustainable design could soon extend to products and services meant to extend the lifespans of various home goods as well.
Empathetic design takes off
With a UN estimate predicting that one in six people globally will be aged 65-plus by 2050, expect more design that accommodates the physical and cognitive changes associated with getting older—from easier-to-open furniture packaging to more accessible kitchen appliances.
In addition to aging, future years will see increased effort by brands and designers to directly address the needs of those with sensory, cognitive, physical, or developmental disabilities. Notable examples of what this might look like could be seen at this year’s Milan Design Week, where Dutch textile studio Kukka showed Chromarama, a series of tapestries whose palette appeals to the color-blind and color-sighted alike. Also on view was Alexia Audrain’s OTO, a cocooning chair with inflatable and remote-adjustable walls that can help people with autism better handle moments of sensory overload. Both examples serve as proof that design can empathize with people’s needs while maintaining a visual appeal that anyone can appreciate.
Flexible workspaces and the return of the broken plan
Although many companies are nudging their employees back to the office, there’s little doubt that some level of remote work is here to stay. Makeshift desks may have cut it in 2020, but today’s remote employees want a more stable and comfortable workspace, which in turn requires their homes to handle more functions per square foot than they once did.
Products that can make spaces multifunctional and more conducive to productivity will continue to gain prominence over the years, ranging from shelving that can pull double duty as desks to textiles and woven wall hangings that can divide one room into multiple uses while also absorbing sound for improved concentration.
And speaking of rooms, WGSN foresees the open floor plan fading out as the home takes on more duties. Broken-plan spaces are poised for a comeback, helping to more clearly delineate what purpose each part of the home is meant to serve.
And the 2025 color of the year is…
And because no trend report is complete without a look at the colors that capture the zeitgeist, WGSN’s report includes a selection of handpicked Coloro shades that fit the report’s four themes. “Live Intentionally” emphasizes natural greens ranging from Sea Kelp to Deep Emerald, alongside earthy hues like Terracotta and Italian Clay. “Work Dynamically” hones in on the warming neutrals of Chalk, Oat Milk, and Sustained Gray. Pastels define “Rest Restoratively,” with Mellow Peach, Fresh Mint, Gentle Lavender, and Glacial Blue mixing in soothing moods of self-care. Representing the melding of physical and digital spaces, the “Play Immersively” palette is bright and bold, with Cyber Lime and Pink Flash especially cranking up the saturation.
There are plenty of other notable insights and interesting case studies to see in the full report, which you can download here. Read up, and start keeping an eye out for one of those coveted La-Z-Boys.
