family home
REWRITE
Shaping the Family Home…
Always On
Since 2006 the number of people working unpaid overtime has steadily increased – recently reaching its highest ever level according to The Trade Union. As a result of our busy, endlessly ‘switched on’ lives, stress and anxiety levels have also risen. These changes in our working lives have caused some considerable shifts in the family structure, impacting our values, behaviours and home environments.
Family Life
The traditional family unit has changed dramatically over recent years; no longer mum at home looking after the children but increasingly grandparents are stepping in as carers to accommodate two working parents. Despite this, people crave a more balanced approach. The recession caused people to reassess their values, reducing the importance placed on careers and as a result we are beginning to see an increase in the number of people searching for flexible hours and working from home.
Intrusive Technology
Smart devices have also played a considerable part in shaping family life. Removing our ability to detach ourselves from work, and a continuous stream of information, we see increasing levels of anxiety and decreased social interaction. Where a family might once have gathered together around one TV in the living room, they now watch multiple screens all at the same time in open-plan multipurpose rooms.
Finding Balance
Subsequently, our notion of ‘home’ becomes even more important, as people look to regain balance through their environments. Our hectic lifestyles amplify the value in our homes as a place for time spent with family and friends. It is a sanctuary to escape to and recuperate from the busy demands of life, and a place where we can truly be ourselves.
The popularity of entertaining at home has continued beyond the period of financial strain, as a way to share this expression of who we are with loved ones. Disjointed everyday meal times means the rare opportunity to gather together to share a meal becomes more cherished.
- Date
- 17/11/2014
What’s shaping home life?
Trend Bible, Interiors & Lifestyle Trend Forecasting Agency
Over the coming months Trend Bible will be revealing key trends and insights for the Pulse audience. Here, they introduce some of the most prominent shifts in consumer behaviour and lifestyles and the impact this has had on our home environments.
Always On
Since 2006 the number of people working unpaid overtime has steadily increased – recently reaching its highest ever level according to The Trade Union. As a result of our busy, endlessly ‘switched on’ lives, stress and anxiety levels have also risen. These changes in our working lives have caused some considerable shifts in the family structure, impacting our values, behaviours and home environments.
Family Life
The traditional family unit has changed dramatically over recent years; no longer mum at home looking after the children but increasingly grandparents are stepping in as carers to accommodate two working parents. Despite this, people crave a more balanced approach. The recession caused people to reassess their values, reducing the importance placed on careers and as a result we are beginning to see an increase in the number of people searching for flexible hours and working from home.
Intrusive Technology
Smart devices have also played a considerable part in shaping family life. Removing our ability to detach ourselves from work, and a continuous stream of information, we see increasing levels of anxiety and decreased social interaction. Where a family might once have gathered together around one TV in the living room, they now watch multiple screens all at the same time in open-plan multipurpose rooms.
Finding Balance
Subsequently, our notion of ‘home’ becomes even more important, as people look to regain balance through their environments. Our hectic lifestyles amplify the value in our homes as a place for time spent with family and friends. It is a sanctuary to escape to and recuperate from the busy demands of life, and a place where we can truly be ourselves.
The popularity of entertaining at home has continued beyond the period of financial strain, as a way to share this expression of who we are with loved ones. Disjointed everyday meal times means the rare opportunity to gather together to share a meal becomes more cherished.
Finding Balance -® Kate Usher
These changes in our lifestyle have driven 3 overarching trends in home design and décor, as we build homes that reflect our values.
1. Curation and Display
The home becomes a reflection of our personality. We carefully display meaningful objects as our own personal art; bought and found items that evoke happy memories or communicate the lifestyles we choose to live.
Open shelving and glass box frames become essential to proudly display something of ourselves to those who we invite into our home – rather than hiding them away behind closed doors.
2. Confidence with Colour
The slow down in the property market over the past decade, and the fact that fewer of us were thinking about selling our homes provoked a huge change in our attitude towards home décor. Rather than restricting our personal taste in fear of putting off a potential buyer, people grew more confident in expressing themselves creatively through colour and pattern.
We saw a focus on unique feature walls, wallpaper design and new ways to apply colour in the home.
If you’re looking for a simple solution to add captivating visuals to your space without any hassle, think about trying Peel and Stick Wall Murals. Order a removable wall mural of the Chicago skyline today.
Now that the housing market is improving, we see confidence with colour move into bolder furniture and accessory choices.
3. Craving Tactility
A screen-based existence has left us craving a more physical interaction with our environment. We seek out stimulating experiences that engage our senses, particularly touch, which provides a way to reconnect with the objects around us. Tactile surfaces, interfaces and materials that make a connection between the digital and physical word have become of high importance. This desire for tactility has also driven creativity within the gifting market, a theme that we will explore in more detail in the next feature.