"Well-being 4.0" will be the key trend at the next Heimtextil trade show (January 12-15, 2016). Design themes will be defined by an integrated approach that restores a people-centered design focus with a stronger appeal to the senses. "Well-being 4.0" focuses on textile furnishing that exudes an aura of relaxation and calm. Everything will be geared towards offering a better life and greater well-being.
At the same time, technology and science play a key role. The number 4.0 echoes smart, digital, and customized solutions. The idea is to trigger positive feelings and responses to stimuli at the touch of a button.
”We need to find ways of connecting what’s natural with what’s artificial,” said Lisa Douetof the WGSN Group, underlining one of the core challenges. “In addition to respecting technology, we have to ensure that natural materials and handcrafted products have a place on the design shelf of the future too.”
Other trends include the following:
Protect: good for us
This trend predicts a clean aesthetic, or crisp, understated design. It goes hand in hand with a versatile range of wellness products and detox programs. As a valuable and rare commodity, silence takes center stage. It becomes an antidote to a world where we’re constantly connected and increasingly feel the desire to switch off and do ourselves some good. The trend is all about protecting our physical, but above all our psychological needs.
Energize: digital dreams
People use technology to boost their feelings of well-being. The borders between being online and offline are becoming blurred. And the digital world is encroaching on our physical world. In this process, light is becoming a new way of creating intangible shapes and highlighting dynamic contours. The color spectrum pulsates between strong and weak contrasts. At the same time, bright and virtually fluorescent colors vibrate in comparison with darker electric-blue shades. This high-energy trend livens up the aesthetic with intensive brilliance and gloss, kaleidoscopic patterns and humorous, athletic designs.
Nourish: sensory design
Urban and natural landscapes converge and spawn a new, sustainable world. The focus is on making areas green. The color palette celebrates the beauty of greens, as well as dark browns and greys, in harmony with elements such as the soil and stone. Natural materials are coupled with pioneering design. Handcrafted products play a special part in the process by accentuating the beauty of the source.
Enrich: appealing to all the senses
The focus is placed on opulent and highly decorative elements which blend cultural references with the past and future. Ornamental ensembles and shimmering, classy materials are eye-catching. Superb, rich colors like plum and crimson abound with metallic gold, brass and bronze elements. A hint of the Orient is blended with iconic patterns which reinterpret classicism with splendor to perfection.