Staying up to date with the latest design trends can be a tough task in a continuously changing landscape. Katelyn Klewitz, an Interior Designer at 828id, assesses what she sees as the latest industry trends and what types of designs can greatly benefit communities.
What are the biggest design trends you’re seeing for 2024?
There are a lot of different trends that are out there. Some of the big ones that we see and what we use in our day-to-day, the biggest ones being strong contrast. We have a lot of natural and simplistic design, but then a lot of bold and rich pops, whether it be in the furniture or an accent wall. We love that contrast of walking into the space and having that “wow” feature. Another one would be a multicolored millwork, whether it be a stain-on-paint or even a dark-on-light paint, giving that multi-depth in the same sense of contrast, giving that variety. And then textures are coming back. A lot of people do wall coverings. They think of their grandma’s house, but we’re changing the way people see it. We even put a wall covering where we would normally have an accent tile because you could be bolder with it. Wall covering has come a long way and it’s changing design. Then there’s textured wall coverings that you can feel and it’s 3D. Those are the biggest ones that we’re seeing right now.
Are there any senior living-specific or multifamily-specific design trends you’re seeing?
Some specific senior design trends are more on how campuses work. The biggest one that we’re seeing is wellness and how the community views wellness, whether it be a new project coming out of where they have an existing building and they have an existing fitness room, but they want to add a new wellness building. That adds more fitness, more doctor’s offices, and more places for them. And it’s not just fitness. It’s a cafe where they can bring juices or food. The whole wellness component is a big trend that we’re seeing in seniors. Transitioning between studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments to larger apartments. A lot of seniors are coming from their homes. They don’t want to move into a small studio apartment. They want to move into a two-bedroom so that they still can have all their things and have more space.
As far as multifamily, it’s the community and trying to get people to be more involved and come outside of their rooms. So similar to seniors and having that wellness aspect. Multifamily, we’re trying to get people to come outside of their doors and go and enjoy each other in a community room or an outside courtyard, giving them that sense of community within their building.
What is 828id doing to freshen up communities in 2024?
One of the biggest things that we can do on almost all of our projects is artwork. Artwork can transform the space. Adding more funds into that and creating it where you can add more of a textured matte around a picture in a corridor, or do a signature art piece behind a reception desk, or shop local and have a local artist come in and do a nice commission piece. It brings a sense of home to that community and brings also the community inside.
What’s different about designs for independent living and active adult?
They’re all different and they all fit in their own categories. So active adult is just your average young adult, but who wants to be around people who are just like them. Their spaces are going to be a little different. They are going to live in more of that multi-family vibe, where they are independent. But they have that sense of a bigger community room that is not manned by anyone, but that they can come and do large parties. If they want to do a wine night or a book club, they gather in that one space. It’s in the word “active”- they have the ability to go out and do everything that they want to do, but then they want that sense of community, so that’s why they’re staying in those places. Whereas in independent living and even assisted living, they still have that sense of independence, but they wanted a little bit more of the structure and for everything to be where they are so that they don’t have to travel far to go get their hair done, go get their nails done, go play cards or pool table, or go grab a drink. They have it all in their community. For independent living and assisted living, we include bars, salons, and club rooms, everything that they would want and desire in that one community of skilled nursing and memory care. We’re creating that whole space in their home so that they don’t have to go far and they don’t have to stress about having to travel. It’s all in one, all in their home.
What’s a unique project you’re working on right now that we should watch for in the new year?
Our most unique project is Serenbe. We have a lot of great projects that are coming in the pipeline, but Serenbe is an active adult community, it’s innovative and creative, and we’re excited to see how it’s come to life and how the community around it will react to it. That’s going to be a really fun project.
Hiring a design expert to assist with the latest interior design trends can greatly simplify the process and lead to more successful outcomes. From gathering feedback and collaborating with team members to partnering with trusted vendors, it is extremely important to have the designer to ensure a seamless and successful procurement journey. Have a project in mind? Contact 828id today for an evaluation.
