Here are some tips on trend watching that you can fit into your busy schedule.
– Watch the Runway: The fashion world of clothing and accessories is a reliable predictor of elements that will ultimately infiltrate the interior design and home decor realms. What you see modeled on the runways this season influences the colors, textures and shapes consumers will want for their interior spaces. Stay ahead of the curve by watching European runways. Many fashion trends for clothes and interior design begin across the ocean.
– Watch the Screens: In our “everything has a screen” society, more consumers are exposed to and interested in how things are designed. Customers will be using apps like Houzz, Decorator, Palette Cam, Planner 5D, and Design Home. Download and experience these apps so you can be familiar with how customers are doing their research.
– Watch Social Media: Social media is an excellent source for inspiration. Across any of the social platforms (Instagram and Pinterest are excellent for visually-based content), start following accounts that spark your imagination. Don’t focus solely on interior design-related accounts. Follow international hotels, travel bloggers (they go to some beautiful places!), fashion houses/designers, manufacturers from other industries that showcase great form and function, and even accounts that feature wildlife and nature (the natural world offers the most amazing color palettes). Find some inspiring #hashtags that you can follow to learn more about design trends and collect fresh inspiration.
– Watch YouTube: As the second largest search engine online (behind Google), YouTube has a wealth of information at your fingertips. More than half of millennials and Gen Zers rely on YouTube for inspiration and information; that means it can serve as a helpful bellwether of looks, styles, and fashion that are on the horizon.
– Watch the Pros: Keep tabs on trend reports from organizations like the Color Marketing Group and Pantone. These entities are purposed in not just predicting color trends but defining them, and each makes annual announcements about color trends to come.
– Watch the Green Movement: The sustainable products market continues to grow exponentially, and consumers are much more aware of environmental issues. Understanding circular economics is important in the sustainability design area.
– Watch Your Role: As you absorb ideas and information about upcoming trends, always bear in mind how tile will ultimately fit into the future fashion. Tile is often used as a base canvas—a background—for other interior design elements and features. However, we’re finding that trends are creating more opportunities for our products to become front-and-center features that drive overall design schemes. By understanding how the products you offer can enhance the latest looks and styles—or create them, you’ll be ready to aid customers in making tile selections they’ll be pleased with long term.
