Clerkenwell Design Week 2022 Trend Report

Clerkenwell Design Week returned for the first time since 2019 and we were there to see what’s new for 2022.

Curvilinear

Organic shapes, bring a sixties/​seventies vibe to the workplace with an aesthetic that’s more home-away-from- home than traditional office. Hard edges are replaced with soft flowing lines, oblong sofas, and informal, modular, upholstered seating.

Complementing the seventies-style seating, sideboards and tables exude sophistication and ​‘Mad Men’ nostalgia. Harking back to an era when furniture was built to last and passed on to the next generation, these are timeless, heritage pieces.

Knit and Purl

Beautiful, supportive knitted textiles are an attractive alternative to traditional upholstered seating. Using recycled materials and with less foam, this is an innovative and sustainable solution.

Textured fabrics, and boucle in particular, add to the residential feel of modern commercial settings. Comfortable, weighty fabrics work perfectly with the trending curvilinear shapes providing individual ​‘sanctuary’ spaces.

Earthy Tones

Calm, restorative, colour palettes, signal safety and serenity. Hues observed in nature such as stone, mushroom, sage, and terracotta reflect a need for cathartic environments, focused on mental well-being.

Popular in frequently used domestic space e.g., living rooms, earth tones are warm and inviting but also functional. Inspired by the natural environment they also mirror the increased use in furniture of eco-friendly materials and design.

Sensory Wellbeing

Human centred design was evident in the variety of private and semi-private ​‘retreats’ with added biophilic elements. Catering to the individual, a wide range of solutions offered a variety of ​‘sensory environments.’

Being in nature lowers blood pressure and heart rate. ​‘Refuge’ spaces were enhanced through planting, or by adding videos of nature and even audio recordings of rain or birdsong.

Mimicking natural, organic shapes, furniture is rounded and smooth and inspired by plants such as mushrooms. Fabrics such as felt, and wool add comfort but also acoustic properties for a calmer space.

Renewable Materials

Renewable, natural materials such as eucalyptus wood, bamboo, cork and rattan continue to be popular. In addition to seventies appeal, and an alternative to synthetics, they add to the feeling of wellness of a more natural environment.

Traditional joinery skills were also evident, eliminating the need for adhesives, and creating crafted, long-lasting, furniture which is more easily repairable.

More environmentally friendly and less toxic water-based lacquers are increasingly used instead of oil-based containing VOCs.

Moveable feast

With flexibility key to the success of the contemporary workspace, many new furniture solutions are mobile. Zones are more easily created, dismantled, and repositioned with room dividers, whiteboards, shelving, and booths all on castors.

Stackable chairs and flip-top tables are created for multi-purpose space and the evolving needs of contemporary office design.

Waste to Want

Creative solutions are being found for a diverse range of waste in the commercial furniture market.

Post-cosmetic industry waste, yoghurt pots, discarded textiles and fridge freezers have all been repurposed to form robust surface materials.

Reducing plastic and textile waste, these innovative materials provide striking and functional solutions.