03/12/2024 • 5 min read
Sensory-driven design trends shaping the future
What we experience in the world significantly impacts our thoughts and emotions. Design trends don’t emerge in a vacuum; they are shaped by a variety of life influences, reflecting shifts in our culture, values, and behaviors.
Join us as we explore 6 sensory-driven design trend themes that could transform how we feel about the future, inspiring new ideas and experiences.
Minimizing the maximalist, this design theme celebrates individuality and personality. Candy Culture embraces whimsy and nostalgia. Expect to see pastel-colors and playful, sweet influences that evoke childhood memories and a sense of innocence.
This theme is a balance of beauty, fun, and comfort. Look for surreal, fluffy, melty elements—reminiscent of marshmallows and cotton candy—in reflective, iridescent patterns and designs.
Luxury is evolving, shifting toward a more mindful, progressive way of thinking that values who we are over what we have. Gen Z pragmatists and Millennial spenders are leading the way in this trend. The New Luxurian theme prioritizes sustainability, preserving raw materials and craftsmanship, exploring disruptive innovation, and celebrating heritage—while moving away from materialism and overconsumption.
Watch for artisanal, handcrafted items and iconic statement pieces that add character and warmth. Décor choices include pops of green in tones of matcha and deep emerald, paired with rich, natural colors that make reverence to the earth, such as terracotta and Italian clay. Otherwise monochromatic spaces feature soft, decadent, and luxurious materials—all with a commitment to sustainability.
Inspired by the 1960s race to the moon and space travel, this trend taps into the mix of excitement and anxiety we feel as AI and futuristic technologies reshape our world. We’re once again experiencing the tension between past and future, as we explore new possibilities that have turned science fiction into reality.
Retro Futuristic design often reflects a utopian vision, featuring digitized graphics, geometric shapes, and AI-generated themes. Colors like Future Dusk and Cyber Lime pop from retro-style palettes, pairing with chrome elements or rounded shapes to create fantastical, technological, futuristic environments.
The Cleanical trend focuses on well-being and the pursuit of a healthier, longer life. It encourages changes that help us become better people and support longevity. This includes seeking out cleaning supplies, food, skincare, and materials that minimize the use of toxic ingredients, while also promoting ethical manufacturing, marketing, social media, and clean energy practices. As new generations demand safety and transparency, Cleanical design helps build trust through mindful choices.
Simplicity and cleanliness define this trend, influencing every aspect of the spaces where we work, live, and play—from colors to décor, furnishings, materials, and technology. Environments will benefit aesthetically from being untethered and unwired (through friendly technology), having a sense of harmony and balance, and including amenities that focus on comfort, ergonomics, and wellness. Look for a continued “greening” of outdoor and indoor spaces and whole cities and communities.
In a world where the relentless pace of life often leaves little room for mental tranquility, the Neuro Comfort trend is emerging as a beacon of hope. This theme focuses on reducing stress and enhancing the overall quality of life, while promoting thoughtful design that caters to physical needs and the intricate workings of the human mind.
Look for this trend in hospitality spaces that relieve anxiety and stress using dark colors, adjustable lighting features that create a soothing ambiance, and features that reduce sound and visual distractions. Including soft, plush textures that engage the tactile senses, focus music, nature-inspirations, smart devices, apps, and aromatherapy will all help to encourage overall comfort and productivity.
Eleanor Roosevelt
The Aquatic trend is making a splash in both design and lifestyle. Rooted in the serene, rejuvenating qualities of water, this trend highlights harmony and tranquility through teal-blue hues that reflect the beauty of oceans and lakes. At the same time, climate change concerns—such as droughts and flooding—are making the Aquatic trend top of mind for designers interested in solving complex water issues.
The spotlight on Future Dusk—a deep shade of blue and purple that captures the mystery of twilight over water—invites us to create immersive and calming environments that contain design elements with patterns of waves, ripples, swirls, and droplets. Aqua colors, furnishings, and materiality can also evoke an aquamarine mood with shapes, characteristics, and textures reminiscent of ocean life, such as iridescence, marine plants, neon glows, and reefs.
These emerging design trends offer a glimpse into how creativity and cultural shifts will shape our environments. By embracing sensory-driven themes, designers can craft spaces that reflect the future and inspire a deeper emotional connection to the world around us.
