Design trends versus timeless appeal

Trend forecasters will visit Milan Design Week and report on what they see. Though the trends and ideas that surface following the event are what each designer and furniture brand chooses to make of them.  

A trend is often thought about in a purely visual sense – whether that is a seasonal colour or a form that denotes a specific period in time. However, trends can also encompass lifestyle.  

“Trends can be divided into macro and micro, where macro is about lifestyle associations in terms of how people are living and the layout of their homes may be different to how it used to be.” Alinta explains. “And micro trends are more about colours, and patterns and soft finishes.”   

For KING, careful consideration is placed on how people are living today, and how they might live in the future, rather than focusing on micro-trends like seasonal colour choices. These aspects then form part of the broader design choices when creating new pieces to ensure a timeless appeal.  

“We tend to focus on timeless design more than trends. But if you do timeless design well it will speak to how people are living now and in the future.” — Mina Bassilious  

For KING designs, removable covers are one aspect that speaks to both trends and timeless appeal. The ability to replace covers means fabric and leather colours can be updated, and the whole look of the design can be refreshed, giving lasting quality.  

“This is how trends can play into the modularity of King, with aspects like our removable covers. And when it comes to informing the actual design, form and structure of a piece, we pay more focus to macro trends.” — Alinta Lim 

Design innovations are often a direct response to current events and lifestyles. 

Envisaging the future of the home

Many furniture designs are a response to the times we find ourselves in. And the effects of the global pandemic have led to various shifts.  

“We're not just there to look at furniture. We're there to look at ideas as well. Pre-pandemic, many ideas were focused on technology, whereas post-pandemic, interesting ideas have emerged around hygiene and safety in the home. Anti-microbial lighting is one example.” Alinta explains.   

“There is also a focus on creating smaller break-out zones, through the use of partitioning screens or sofas with integrated (wrap around/soft/upholstered) panels that creates a room within a larger space.”   

“Even coffee table heights used to be very resort, low-lying proportions and there is a growing trend towards higher levels. You want to be able to sit down and open your laptop and work with that.” 

KING Designer Alinta Lim (above) tests the comfort and tactile nature of designs in Milan. 

Building a library of inspiration

For the KING design team, finding inspiration is a continual process involving active engagement.  

“We're always gathering information and input. It's like we are building up a library of experience and inspiration that we can draw on when the time comes.” Mina shares.  

“This often sits in the background and may not directly translate into a project, but when the right moment comes along, you can draw on a detail from somewhere, or a few aspects will combine to become relevant.”  

“It's like waiting for the opportune moment to use something we've been inspired by in the past.”  

To truly find inspiration, in-person experiences are the best way to absorb the entire experience, especially when it comes to furniture design.   

“The nature of furniture is very tactile. And comfort is something that can't be fully communicated online. Being able to sit in a design and experience it helps sets the standard for what we will aim to achieve in products we create later down the line.” — Alinta Lim 

Designed for flexible living, modular components allow you to build the Vertio Wall System that works for your lifestyle.

Translating inspiration into real world designs

Vertio is one KING product that was conceptualised following a previous trip to Milan Design Week.   

While there wasn’t one particular product referenced when designing Vertio, it was a direct response to the trend around shelving systems that can be installed both against a wall and in the middle of the room.  

The KING design team share the key lifestyle and home trends that inspired this much-loved design.   

“At the time, many houses and apartment layouts were becoming more open plan, which made way for a shelving system you can install both against a wall and in the middle of the room.” Alinta explains.  

“There was also a shift in decorating styles, where people went from a curated version to more mix and match where you have collections that tell the story of who you are, your travels, your interests and your tastes.”  

Many brands that traditionally have never made outdoor furniture introduced their first outdoor collection this design week, which has been a growing trend over the past few years. For KING, this trend led to incorporating more purposely defined outdoor pieces.   

“Previously, our outdoor collection only featured sun lounge brackets that are a modification of a sofa, rather than a fully dedicated design. The King Cove Sunlounge was a response to lifestyle trends, where people have shifted into placing more focus on outdoor spaces and the time they spend outdoors.” — Alinta Lim 

Captured during Milan Design Week. Inspiration comes from all around us. 

Finding more inspiration

Inspiration is all around us. We just need to go out and explore it.   

“After being mostly confined to our homes the past couple of years, going to Milan was a reminder that you need to go out into the world to seek inspiration. The energy is just completely different. And the energy is inspiring.” Alinta shares.  

“You can't be a designer on an island. You are designing products for people. And you have to be out in the world to be in touch with your end-user.”  

As KING continues to expand into global markets, finding new inspiration and exploring lifestyle trends ensure the team can continue forming design ideas that translate on an international level.