Biophilic design, which rose to fame in 2021 as customers longed for a connection with nature, is here to stay this year. The design concept uses techniques that revive contact with the natural world through the built environment.
Biophilia and sustainability go hand in hand, meaning spaces should be designed with eco-friendly materials like cork flooring, natural textures and lots of greenery.
A thought leader in interiors and trends Michelle Ogundehin commented: “Even at the luxury end of the market, notions of repair, recycling, and re-use will predominate with the emphasis on the uniqueness of the remade product. There will be no loss of style or quality. It will be the same artisans crafting the products.”
Home is where the heart is
She continued to say that at this year’s Surface Design Show in London, visitors were drawn to natural, uncut materials such as wood emulations, which are simple yet “perfectly match” the biophilic vibe.
Creating a homely aesthetic will also remain key to 2022 hospitality interior designs. A warm colour palette can go a long way in creating this ambiance.
This extends to bathroom design, where customers will be looking for notions of ‘wellness’. Tile designs like green crackled tiles can help achieve this, and décor such as plants, paintings, lights and vases can help achieve this.
What’s more, a fusion of business and leisure time will influence interior design, as the ‘new normal’ plays out with the lifting of Covid restrictions, echoing the work-from-home model.
Work-from-pub
This means hospitality venues should cater to customers’ work and leisure needs. These are requirements that can be met with long tables for business meetings and ergonomic furniture, to transform spaces into co-working environments.
Hilton vice president Elyza Falzon said: “Locally inspired design elements such as artwork, millwork, and pops of colour are key.” Add an artistic streak to your space by implementing an accent custom wall art or masterful paintings along the walls that facilitate a trendy yet cosy environment.
Natural lighting can help visitors focus on tasks, as can tall ceilings with accessible controls. Furthermore, partitions and dividers can help transform a space into different ‘zones’ for various purposes, such as meetings, media space and coffee breaks.
