Promoted by Spanish company APE Grupo, investigative study “The New Habitat 24/25: This is how the spaces where we live and work are changing”, analyses the future of design in homes, hotels, offices and retail.  

Study details 

Specialised consultancy firm, Futurea, collaborated with professional bodies, ten international interior design experts and 403 interior designers:  

• 79% work on residential projects. 
• 48,5% specialise in retail projects. 
• 42,9% are involved in office projects. 
• 26,8% are focussed on hotel projects. 

Main conclusions 

• 66,6% of interior design professionals agree that good design improves people’s health and is a fundamental pillar when creating spaces. 
• 98% of interior designers take well-being into account when designing their projects. 
• In the wake of the pandemic, environmental impact is gaining significant weight. 
• Professionals who apply sustainability criteria to their designs rose from 66% in 2021 to 80,9% in 2023. 

Homes: Smaller and healthier 

• The most important trend is sustainable and energy-efficient homes. 
• Inclusivity is gaining importance; spaces are designed for older people with different needs. 
• Reinventing shared spaces to accommodate the growing communal living trend. 
• Homes have taken on a more emotional meaning, going beyond their mere physical function, especially for young people. 

Offices: Adapted to new needs 

• IT company Owl Labs reveals that 84% of workers prefer hybrid work, thus the office must be an attractive space. 
• Good interior design improves performance by 75%. Natural light and flexibility are the main priorities, while ergonomics is increasingly more important for improving productivity. 
• 81,2% of designers are applying sustainable criteria when designing offices. 

Hotels: New ways to build brands  

• A guest-focussed approach fosters more emotional relationships. 
• Customised experiences focus on well-being and personal growth. 
• According to 34% of professionals, investment in interior design in the hotel sector will double in the next year, and interior design contributes up to 63% of a hotel’s revenue. 

Retail: Shops and e-commerce 

• E-commerce is forcing brands and shops to focus on giving their customers a unique experience, innovating in retail environments and taking advantage of screen fatigue. 
• It’s not just about selling products but creating a symbolic space and offering a range of experiences. About 40% of professionals consider this very important when designing a retail space. 
• Shops become a focal point for creating community and prioritising the role of the company over the business. According to Deloitte data, this type of customer is willing to pay 20% more for a customised and exclusive product. 

Study shows 67% of interior designers believe that good space design improves people’s health in homes, hotels, offices and retail. 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to https://www.apegrupo.com/en/ for the information in this editorial. 

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