The industry has potential to adapt to new circumstances…
The Interior Design sector is one of those that has been most affected by the pandemic. Given its impact on the viability of many companies, specialists make their predictions regarding the future and wonder what guidelines will set the next years.
Where is the Interior Design sector going?
In general, we can say that the most prominent opinions converge on this hypothesis: the industry has potential to be adapted to new circumstances. Therefore, it will continue its development when the crisis is over. Let’s see what else the experts say.
1. It will be a period marked by innovative solutions
Scott Hudson, CEO of Henrybuilt, shares the idea that tough times are when people expand their creative potential. On the other hand, although product development can take place slowly for some companies; designers typically thrive in adverse situations.
Without a doubt, in other crises that have occurred in the past, great ideas have arisen. That’s why the idea that some of the best work is being developed at this time is not rejected.
On the other hand, it is recommended that businesses which depend on retail must continue making efforts and market their higher value product. For Catherine Bailey, co-owner and creative director of Heath Ceramics, her company is waiting for both demand and products to have a change after this emergency.
Likewise, it is expected that the number of members of the work teams will be reduced, as well as production units will be faster and offers will be much easier. Other specialists have expressed concern about younger companies, which may be seriously damaged or disappear because of COVID-19.
2. When the danger has passed, customer spending will tend to increase
For the industry expert, Jared Miller, financial advisor in several companies during the 2008 financial crisis, when the emergency passes and the vaccines are supplied, sales in the Interior Design sector will experience an increase. Many of the pending operations will be completed and people who need certain items will purchase them anyway once everything is back to “normal”.
The founder of the firm Pop and Gray argues that, after the crisis, the sector will be favoured: people, after being so long without leaving their homes, were able to perceive with greater detail the aspects of their homes which are uncomfortable; they do not suit their tastes or do not meet their needs.
This motivates an increase in the number of consumers interested in investing in their houses in order to achieve more comfort or more attractive interiors.
3. Price stability will be maintained
According to Holly Howard, founder of consultancy Ask Holly How, creative people who have considered lowering the price of their creations should be careful. That’s because a large part of the clients of these professionals maintain their level of wealth. She also states that people who have available capital and liquidity will continue to spend accordingly.
Many of today’s designers, once the crisis is over, will have multiple opportunities. This is because several of the younger companies or brands will not be able to stay operational. Therefore, a clearer scenario is becoming, since there will be fewer specialists who will compete in the future in the Interior Design sector.
Designers need to be able to determine, as accurately as possible, the value of the services they offer. In these cases, the price of the services depends not only on the behaviour of the market and the industry standard, but on the perceived value.
4. A change in the size of workspaces is foreseen
Regarding the post-pandemic offices, they are expected to be places adapted to current hygiene standards. Furthermore, furniture made of materials that are non-porous and that are easy to disinfect will predominate.
The director of the architectural firm NBBJ, Kelly Griffin, says that after the pandemic, offices can become intentional places. Since a greater workload will be derived remotely, the physical premises will be used for certain activities that require a physical exchange in a closer social space.
5. Exhibitions will not disappear
Design fairs and exhibitions, according to the founder of Wanted Design, Claire Poujoulat, will continue in the future: these are activities that constitute an essential part of this industry. Although virtual solutions are already basic, if this sector wants to continue developing, it’ll require mass meetings to group trends.
After the pandemic, the industry will be forced to develop new solutions, models and platforms that allow exposure programs to continue without putting the health of participants at risk.
6. New communication strategies in the Interior Design sector
The crisis has motivated brands to take advantage of technology and the facilities provided by their digital spaces to get closer to their customers and potential customers. During this period, the communication and exchange channels preferred by the audience or those through which they can interact have been exploited to the maximum.
Etosha Moh, Senior Vice President at PR Consultancy thinks that attractive images which have high quality and show the style of the firms will be of great value to companies in their digital expansion.
Likewise, for corporations that belong to the design sector, it will be vitally important to invest in increasing their digital presence and developing high-value multimedia formats, such as demonstration or explanatory videos, 3D images or virtual tours.
7. Colours that convey peace and tranquillity will become fashionable
According to many designers, a colour must be synchronized with the pulse of the moment to become part of the list of trends in the interior design sector and be accepted by the general public.
After the anxiety caused by the crisis, it is typical for people to feel more attracted to everything that transmits calm. This desired state of tranquility and stillness can be enhanced with the use of appropriate colors.
The opinion of Dee Schlotter, senior manager of color marketing at PPG Paints, is that people, once this period of isolation is over, will choose to paint their homes in colors that contribute to relaxation and give them the feeling of being in direct contact with nature.
In short, we will see which of these predictions hold up over the next decade in the Interior Design sector. One thing is for sure, the coronavirus has changed everything and there’s nothing left to do but to adapt and be in the thick of it.