Hi There!
We are PorchLight Home Staging popping on to welcome you back to our blog. The way this blog thing works is that on the first Friday of every month, we will celebrate the much needed weekend by releasing our monthly blog. In these short but sweet articles, we will mesh the world of home staging (our forte) with current events and fashion trends. For this month’s edition, we dive into the company, Fashion Snoops. FS is a global trend agency that services brands, retailers, and manufacturers. Every year, they conduct webinars that share trends they predict to see and display how some brands are ahead of the curve by implementing these elements into their brand. We are going to focus on home and lifestyle trends this month, as the home is now called “the center of human care.” Big deal, right? We think so! We will break this blog down into 6 different categories/trends.
Neuroaesthetics
This is the study of how colors, textures, and shapes in a room can have an effect on a person’s sense of well-being. In some ways, this is simple – curved contents are more calming than sharp rectangle shapes. But, this impacts design so much more. Decorators are looking for elements now that trigger all the 5 senses. This changes throughout your rooms in your home. For example, your bedroom should feel calm, while your office should feel creative or productive. Currently, Bala, an athleisure brand, stores incorporate decor that is fun and active. Their store is like a “colorful playground of physical and visual stimulation.” Next, industry leaders are looking to create more inclusive architecture for neurodivergent (ADD, OCD, ADHD, etc) customers. Spaces like offices, hospitals, and schools are being designed with more thought and care. Once they check the boxes off of the logistical designs (acoustic control, lighting), they can get creative with cool seating and technology.
Hospitality
Wellness travel has become one of the industry’s fastest growing sectors, as there is an uptick in travelers looking for restorative retreats. They are looking to take back new inspirations and learning elements to take back with them when they return to their normal life. Hospitality environments have adapted new elements and amenities to cater to this demand. If you haven’t noticed already, hotels and airbnbs are putting more effort into decor due to this trend. Next, unethical tourism is at an all time high focus. Responsible guest activities are a reality that travelers are taking into account. For example, people visiting the archipelago of Palau are required to sign the “Palau Pledge.”
Serene Solitude
Because of an increase in tech, the human brain has evolved to seek out the company of others thus resulting in a rising heart rate, high blood pressure, and stress levels when we sense feelings of loneliness. At first, this was scary. Now, consumers are debunking this, and are choosing time alone. Now, a projected 1 in 4 millennials are predicted to not “tie the knot.” We are seeing a lot of spaces that are designed for an individual and their work rather than a seating area for a group of people. Consumers look for ways to “solo escape.” Honjok, a Korean idea that translates to, “alone tribe,” really encompasses this idea. Taking time to be alone enhances mindful and spiritual practices. So how does this affect your personal space? This is leading to “scaled-down” designs. Products that focus on group activities such as cooking, are pivoting to offer options for a smaller more personal consumer (ex: dining sets for 2, smaller pots, etc.) Other corners of the industry such as bathing or skincare are doing the opposite.
Connected to Comfort
The rise of the connected home is happening at a time where consumers are saying they crave less tech in their lives. Sounds contradicting, but we humans are complicated. These home tech tools are created to blend in the background of our lives by creating more efficient solutions. This is for the ultimate convenience while remaining discrete. “Calm tech” is the new way of thinking about it rather than clunky, light-up robots in your home. Smart sensors, speakers, security cameras, or thermostats are being created to blend into your space. With that, consumers will demand connected convenience or a “smart ecosystem.” In this idea, the smart devices would communicate and work together under one network. Ideally, this will be regardless of brand or age of tech. So what you buy can work with what you’ve had. How? The Matter Protocol. This is the standard set or requirements that will pioneer these advances. Currently, The Matter Protocol works with home security, lighting products, blinds, TVs, and more. Lastly, data-powered tools are a priority. This means that any gadget will work with you as it gets to know you. For example, mattresses will track your sleep cycle and how your body moves to provide you with a more comfortable and well-rounded rest.
Circular Home
This is the idea that low-waste lifestyles will decrease our footprints. One method of reducing our footprint is by going “zero waste.” Gen Z are more attuned with this. Secondly, design communities will join the biomaterial revolution. Using other elements such as hemp, cork, algae are pioneering these sustainable materials. Lastly, supporting self-reliance will empower consumers. Consumers are looking at composting, gardening, rain harvesting, and other skills that allow home ownership to become autonomous. This means all you need to live can be found on the home’s site. Architects are getting super creative around these ideas.
Modern Craft Care
A strong focus has been placed on the intangible uniqueness of hand-made goods. When else in history could you order specialized tools and receive them a few days later with instructions on how to make it yourself? These traditional techniques are being updated with technology. This opens the door to revive traditional techniques and add onto them with 3D printing, AI, and more. On top of this, consumers prioritize longevity in design. Buy-back and repair services are gaining a lot of momentum now. This will give consumers the most out of every purchase. Finally, creating mindful crafts allows for mindful healing. Hobbies can be super healing and help with stress and depression just by completing the act, but it also helps when you give someone a gift.
Final Thoughts
That was a lot, we know. Trend predicting is one of the more fun things we research here at PorchLight, and it allows us to stay up-to-date with an every-changing industry. We hope this was interesting and got your brain thinking about where you may see these micro-trends in your daily life. The world is changing and we have to keep up!