Tactile texture
For years, texture was rather under-rated and yet touchable materials are the most sensory and engaging. Not glossy or synthetic finishes but real materials like nubbly boucle, washed linen, raw wood and stone, and textured plaster. When you add these to a room, they invite physical connection and add real depth. We especially like using texture in rooms where it’s often so lacking, like the bathroom. Here, natural materials like wood and stone provide a welcome break from hard, sterile ceramics and they help us to create a real spa-like sanctuary.
Warm neutrals
As part of this growing trend, stark white and the cool greys are giving way to softer neutrals – creams and oatmeal shades, soft taupes and earth tones like terracotta and sage. This shift was reflected in Pantone’s Colour of the Year choice – Cloud Dancer – described as a “billowy, balanced white”. Often, these colours can be quite dramatic – neon or jewel tones – but not this year. This year, it’s all about calm.
Sound, light and form
Acoustics and lighting play an important role in creating calm and small adjustments can make a real difference to a room’s ambience. Designers are increasingly using sound-softening elements, like acoustic panels disguised as art, heavy drapes and plush wool rugs to soften sound by reducing echoes and ambient noise. Lighting, too, can play a huge part in changing the feel of a space. Here, there’s a move away from harsh overhead fixtures and fluorescent bulbs towards natural daylight, careful diffusion to prevent glare and, in the evening, soft, indirect illumination to help us wind down.
Even shapes are being softened to reduce visual noise and promote calm. Curved furniture is a popular addition, giving the impression of “hugging’ a room. Here, textured natural materials take the edge off harsh angles too and add to the sense of calm.
Tech-shy spaces
Sensory minimalism can’t really be fully achieved unless mental noise is reduced. As a reaction to “notification fatigue” many designers are creating tech-shy spaces where devices are discreetly hidden behind tactile surfaces and analogue activities like reading are welcomed, with the addition of books and cosy reading nooks. These spaces can be especially restorative to those with sensory sensitivities, general overwhelm and overload. Tech-shy rooms offer a sanctuary for mental health – a quiet refuge we could all benefit from.
