How will the next decade look and sound? Trends and innovation in interior design revealed

From geometric patterns and intrinsic ornamentation to sleek and minimalistic design, each decade has had a distinct influence on interior design and visual aesthetics. Recycling, upcycling, big data – every new trend makes its foray into the world of architectural acoustics and construction techniques. What do you think will be the next evolution or revolution in interior design?

At Rockfon, we found out by interviewing Christian Klinge, Innovation Director. He has a design background and has been working with product development for many years. He looks after Rockfon’s product portfolio and is the go-to person to understand new trends and market needs.

Which design trends have been the most influential in the last decade?

The last decade represents a paradox. In the post-recession period, we see that people are inclined towards budget-friendly, efficient and easy-to-install products. On the other hand, design, functionality and user experience have received a lot of attention too, especially for ceilings & wall panels design. There has also been a lot of noise about digitalisation and smart solutions, but it’s only now that we see real transformation. Based on a more conscious approach, Scandi-cool with minimalistic design has been a prominent trend for beautiful spaces in the last few years.

Which innovations have shaped our industry and solutions in the last decade? 

Honestly, ours is a conservative industry. We have seen fewer innovations but many incremental developments on existing products. However, some emerging trends have been upcycling, recycling and cradle-to-cradle solutions. But a dominant trend would be products that are environmentally friendly and help reduce the carbon footprint. Sometimes, we do come across new materials, but generally speaking there are only a few innovations in our industry.         

How do you see the coming decade? Which design trends and drivers should we look out for?

Undoubtedly, environment and sustainability will be the focus. The biophilic aspects of products and solutions will be imperative. It won’t be surprising if some trends from the 1950s and ‘60s come back: authentic products, simple living and even micro homes. Given today’s times, if work and homes merge, we will see a liquid society. Both workspaces and homes will flow towards an activity-based approach. This could lead to solutions that embrace multifunctionality rather than linearity.

How do you think the current situation will affect our spaces, schools and overall building design?

We will definitely see a new phase in design thinking. We will have to create products keeping social or rather physical distance in mind, and improve solutions to avoid potential infections. Design thinking will evolve, which will help solve real problems with feasible solutions and in turn help society.

How do you see these trends influencing innovations?

The word is sustainability and the colour is green. Everything will revolve around environmental issues. This will influence the entire lifecycle of the product – from sourcing and production to aesthetics and architectural expressions. The green trend will set the tone for the coming decades. 

How much will integration between different materials and solutions affect innovation in the coming decade?

There will definitely be an effect on innovation, but it will be slow. For example, smart solutions were a hyped trend but their progress has been stalling. We will definitely see a logical integration of materials and technology. We will see digital technology integrating with acoustic design and interior design, but it will take its own course.

How do you see the ultimate future ceiling?

Good question. From the perspective of today, technological solutions that are flexible and can be configured based on the needs of the market are important. Also, an opportunity where people can rent interiors is definitely worth thinking of.

At Rockfon, how do you work with design and innovation? And what are the approach and most important parameters when developing new solutions?

First and foremost, we use design thinking to develop our solutions. We work towards making our products as sustainable as possible. It’s important that we follow the green wave in terms of look and feel and production. We strive towards creating products that play an active role in building the environment. Collaboration is key to our success. We reach out to various manufacturers, designers and experts to build our solutions.