9 Things We Learnt About Our Homes From Designscape in the UK
Check out these fascinating ideas from psychology experts, neuroscientists and designers at the three-day virtual event
Amanda Pollard
29 August 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
What makes a healthy, happy home? How can we make an open-plan room more functional? And what factors influence our design choices? These questions and many more were discussed at this year’s UK-based Designscape, the virtual event from the creatives behind annual fairs such as designjunction and Decorex, which are traditionally held in London, UK.
Here’s an overview of some of the ideas explored in the lively panel discussions on residential design.
Here’s an overview of some of the ideas explored in the lively panel discussions on residential design.
1. Looks aren’t everything
The influence our homes have on how we feel and how we behave was the subject of the headline discussion, ‘The Art & Science of the Home’. Neuroscientist Dr Ash Ranpura explained how behaviour is affected by three factors – motivation, action and the environment. “The environment I’m in influences my behaviour, the choices that are presented to me, and how I execute an action,” he said.
With this in mind, it makes sense that the first thing to consider when designing a room is what you actually want to do in that space and how you want to feel while doing it. Once you’ve thought about this, the layout, furniture choices, colours and textures should all follow.
The influence our homes have on how we feel and how we behave was the subject of the headline discussion, ‘The Art & Science of the Home’. Neuroscientist Dr Ash Ranpura explained how behaviour is affected by three factors – motivation, action and the environment. “The environment I’m in influences my behaviour, the choices that are presented to me, and how I execute an action,” he said.
With this in mind, it makes sense that the first thing to consider when designing a room is what you actually want to do in that space and how you want to feel while doing it. Once you’ve thought about this, the layout, furniture choices, colours and textures should all follow.
Feeling safe and comfortable is key, suggested Dr Ranpura. He explained that, in an ideal environment, we would generally be comfortable in the same way that animals would be comfortable.
He gave the bedroom as an example – it’s somewhere that provides shelter, where we don’t have to be alert to potential dangers. “We can think, how would we live if we were living in nature and, instinctively, those are the types of places that will make us feel comfortable.”
He gave the bedroom as an example – it’s somewhere that provides shelter, where we don’t have to be alert to potential dangers. “We can think, how would we live if we were living in nature and, instinctively, those are the types of places that will make us feel comfortable.”
2. Nature nurtures
Designer Natalia Miyar was in agreement with Dr Ranpura’s focus on nature, pointing to how it can influence our choice of colour and materials.
“When I’m asked what inspires me, I always say I go back to nature,” she said. “The colour palettes and textures in nature are something that most of us feel are very grounding. Mother nature is where most of us feel happy.”
Keen to incorporate nature into your home for a healthy design? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Designer Natalia Miyar was in agreement with Dr Ranpura’s focus on nature, pointing to how it can influence our choice of colour and materials.
“When I’m asked what inspires me, I always say I go back to nature,” she said. “The colour palettes and textures in nature are something that most of us feel are very grounding. Mother nature is where most of us feel happy.”
Keen to incorporate nature into your home for a healthy design? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
During a discussion on trends, colour and design psychology specialist Karen Haller explained that, as we’ve moved away from nature, our need for a renewed connection with it has grown. When asked her thoughts on the trend for biophilic design (which focuses on our innate desire to be connected to nature), Haller says, “It might have taken a trend to get it back, but I don’t think it will be something that goes away”.
“I think it was a nice-to-have before, but it’s now something we realise is more important,” Susie Rumbold of Tessuto Interiors says. “I’d say it’s not a trend and is here to stay.”
“I think it was a nice-to-have before, but it’s now something we realise is more important,” Susie Rumbold of Tessuto Interiors says. “I’d say it’s not a trend and is here to stay.”
3. A happy home is a healthy home
The headline discussion also looked at how our homes can make us feel healthy. Natalia Miyar believes people are becoming more aware of their physical and mental health, and this is mirrored in their interior choices. “I see more materials that reflect this than products,” she says. “People are becoming more aware of the origins and the healthiness of paints, fabrics.”
Georgia Elliott-Smith of Element 4, which provides sustainability advice and support, also focused on this topic during the symposium, ‘A Sustainable Future’. “Coming out of the pandemic, there’s so much more awareness of the air we’re breathing in nowadays,” she says. “We’re doing a lot of work around how to influence behaviour and reduce toxins. It’s a massive area for people to think about – not just the paints, but things such as the solvents and coatings.”
In a discussion on ‘The New Luxury’, architect and interior designer Shalini Misra pointed out that health at home is a big focus for the younger generation in particular. “Their idea of luxury is different from the past. It’s not ostentatious – it’s more to create a place that’s healthy, being in natural surroundings and bringing nature inside with plants,” she says.
The headline discussion also looked at how our homes can make us feel healthy. Natalia Miyar believes people are becoming more aware of their physical and mental health, and this is mirrored in their interior choices. “I see more materials that reflect this than products,” she says. “People are becoming more aware of the origins and the healthiness of paints, fabrics.”
Georgia Elliott-Smith of Element 4, which provides sustainability advice and support, also focused on this topic during the symposium, ‘A Sustainable Future’. “Coming out of the pandemic, there’s so much more awareness of the air we’re breathing in nowadays,” she says. “We’re doing a lot of work around how to influence behaviour and reduce toxins. It’s a massive area for people to think about – not just the paints, but things such as the solvents and coatings.”
In a discussion on ‘The New Luxury’, architect and interior designer Shalini Misra pointed out that health at home is a big focus for the younger generation in particular. “Their idea of luxury is different from the past. It’s not ostentatious – it’s more to create a place that’s healthy, being in natural surroundings and bringing nature inside with plants,” she says.
4. We’re open to closed-off spaces
“Open-plan isn’t suiting everybody,” says Miyar, referring to how households have had to live, work and play all together in one space during lockdown.
“We’re looking at more seismic shifts in the way people are living,” says Rumbold. “Acoustic separation and things like that are going to be massive shifts.”
Rumbold foresees us using our spaces in a multi-functional way for a while. “I don’t think we’re going to go back to the way we were before, so our personal spaces are going to have to work really hard,” she says.
Designers, she adds, will need to come up with clever solutions to help zone a space at different times of the day. “It could be a physical zoning, such as an internal door, or perhaps a storage solution that means that when function A is finished, everything goes away so function B can commence,” she says. “I think we’re going to have to be even cleverer at listening to our clients’ requirements.”
“Open-plan isn’t suiting everybody,” says Miyar, referring to how households have had to live, work and play all together in one space during lockdown.
“We’re looking at more seismic shifts in the way people are living,” says Rumbold. “Acoustic separation and things like that are going to be massive shifts.”
Rumbold foresees us using our spaces in a multi-functional way for a while. “I don’t think we’re going to go back to the way we were before, so our personal spaces are going to have to work really hard,” she says.
Designers, she adds, will need to come up with clever solutions to help zone a space at different times of the day. “It could be a physical zoning, such as an internal door, or perhaps a storage solution that means that when function A is finished, everything goes away so function B can commence,” she says. “I think we’re going to have to be even cleverer at listening to our clients’ requirements.”
5. Alone time is key
“I think people have started to realise that home is their special place,” said Karen Howes of Taylor Howes Designs during the symposium on ‘The New Luxury’. “Clients have been phoning me up to ask for different requirements to what they would have wanted six months ago,” she says, citing examples such as choosing pieces with longevity and finding a calm spot to be alone.
“Luxury is being able to work and be at home in a nice environment – something that makes you feel good more than having a branded piece,” says Staffan Tollgard of Tollgard Design Group. Tollgard first noticed this shift from ostentatious luxury after the recession in 2011, and this has become an even greater focus in recent times.
“Space is a luxury really, isn’t it?” says Howes. “Everybody in every walk of life should have a space in which to be alone. My absolute luxury is looking out to the countryside and having the time to look at it.”
Moderator Helen Brocklebank sums it up with the phrase, “The perfect chair in the perfect space with the perfect view”.
“I think people have started to realise that home is their special place,” said Karen Howes of Taylor Howes Designs during the symposium on ‘The New Luxury’. “Clients have been phoning me up to ask for different requirements to what they would have wanted six months ago,” she says, citing examples such as choosing pieces with longevity and finding a calm spot to be alone.
“Luxury is being able to work and be at home in a nice environment – something that makes you feel good more than having a branded piece,” says Staffan Tollgard of Tollgard Design Group. Tollgard first noticed this shift from ostentatious luxury after the recession in 2011, and this has become an even greater focus in recent times.
“Space is a luxury really, isn’t it?” says Howes. “Everybody in every walk of life should have a space in which to be alone. My absolute luxury is looking out to the countryside and having the time to look at it.”
Moderator Helen Brocklebank sums it up with the phrase, “The perfect chair in the perfect space with the perfect view”.
6. Desks are on our radar
Working from home is certainly a key topic at the moment, so ‘The Art & Science of the Home’ moderator, Pip McCormac, asked guests to explain what they thought made a good home office.
Dr Ranpura explained the importance of designing your home office to suit your own needs and the requirements of the work you’re doing. For example, he likes his own desk to be in the middle of the home, where he can see what’s going on. His wife, on the other hand, has two offices – one inside the house to do admin and another in a hut at the end of the garden. She’s a writer, so the garden office is more of a contemplative space.
Working from home is certainly a key topic at the moment, so ‘The Art & Science of the Home’ moderator, Pip McCormac, asked guests to explain what they thought made a good home office.
Dr Ranpura explained the importance of designing your home office to suit your own needs and the requirements of the work you’re doing. For example, he likes his own desk to be in the middle of the home, where he can see what’s going on. His wife, on the other hand, has two offices – one inside the house to do admin and another in a hut at the end of the garden. She’s a writer, so the garden office is more of a contemplative space.
Miyar highlighted the benefits of making your office space aesthetically appealing – something that often comes second place to function. “Whatever your home office space is, make it beautiful. Face something beautiful,” she says. “I like to face into the room, or you could look out of a window. Have a comfortable desk chair – spend money on that, it’s where you sit every day.”
Browse more beautiful home offices
Browse more beautiful home offices
7. Colour is subjective
There was some interesting discussion on colour choices during the event, particularly when it comes to what influences those palette choices.
“I start the conversation with ‘how do you want to feel in the space, and what do you want to do in the space?’ The behaviour in that space determines the choice of colour. If it happens to be a trend colour, so be it, but it’s all about using colour to influence behaviour,” says Haller.
Dr Ranpura points out how our colour preferences are influenced by external factors. “The relationship between colour and mood is probably learnt; a cultural association,” he says, using red as an example of a shade that has different meanings in various parts of the world.
There was some interesting discussion on colour choices during the event, particularly when it comes to what influences those palette choices.
“I start the conversation with ‘how do you want to feel in the space, and what do you want to do in the space?’ The behaviour in that space determines the choice of colour. If it happens to be a trend colour, so be it, but it’s all about using colour to influence behaviour,” says Haller.
Dr Ranpura points out how our colour preferences are influenced by external factors. “The relationship between colour and mood is probably learnt; a cultural association,” he says, using red as an example of a shade that has different meanings in various parts of the world.
Our language about mood and colour is another factor he highlights. “We talk about feeling dark and feeling blue. We use these downward moving words and darker images,” he says, suggesting this could impact how we feel about darker tones.
When asked whether dark rooms can make people feel depressed, Dr Ranpura says, “I would make an argument that it very much depends on the person, because some people in a bright, open space will feel exposed and therefore anxious, and maybe that feels like a depression for them. Some people will feel comforted by a room that encloses them.”
How about colour trends – do these influence our choices? “People will use a colour simply because it’s on trend as a way to belong,” says Howes.
Dr Ranpura agrees with this, but says it’s all part of being human. “We’re very much a herd species, so our thoughts are contagious to each other,” he says. “It’s not just my learnt experiences, it’s my knowledge of what my tribe also thinks about colours and spaces.”
When asked whether dark rooms can make people feel depressed, Dr Ranpura says, “I would make an argument that it very much depends on the person, because some people in a bright, open space will feel exposed and therefore anxious, and maybe that feels like a depression for them. Some people will feel comforted by a room that encloses them.”
How about colour trends – do these influence our choices? “People will use a colour simply because it’s on trend as a way to belong,” says Howes.
Dr Ranpura agrees with this, but says it’s all part of being human. “We’re very much a herd species, so our thoughts are contagious to each other,” he says. “It’s not just my learnt experiences, it’s my knowledge of what my tribe also thinks about colours and spaces.”
8. Waste is out
Sustainability was also on the agenda, featuring extensively in a talk on ‘A Sustainable Future’ and in the aforementioned ‘The New Luxury’ symposium.
Howes points out that high-end clients are looking at ways to make design choices that last. She explains how people are choosing well-crafted items that have been designed with longevity in mind and are no longer throwing everything out and starting again. “Thank goodness that’s come to a swift end,” she says.
The panellists also spoke about how good-quality vintage items were being chosen by clients and also how they present ways for their clients to preserve the bones of their properties and work with what they already have.
Sustainability was also on the agenda, featuring extensively in a talk on ‘A Sustainable Future’ and in the aforementioned ‘The New Luxury’ symposium.
Howes points out that high-end clients are looking at ways to make design choices that last. She explains how people are choosing well-crafted items that have been designed with longevity in mind and are no longer throwing everything out and starting again. “Thank goodness that’s come to a swift end,” she says.
The panellists also spoke about how good-quality vintage items were being chosen by clients and also how they present ways for their clients to preserve the bones of their properties and work with what they already have.
9. It’s okay to fail and try again
An interesting talk on sustainability brought up the subject of transparency when it comes to finding ethical products for your home.
Elliott-Smith encourages designers to share their journey. “One of the most toxic things is greenwash [a superficial concern for the environment],” she says. “I want to hear about the story and love it when people say ‘we’re not perfect’. We’re all learning as we’re going along. Often, science changes and if that happens, be honest about it and say how you’re changing.”
Nicola Lindsell of Boxx Creative agrees. “When we realised we wanted to work with suppliers who are in line with our values, we met all our suppliers to ask them questions. You realise you open a can of worms, but it was a really good process and often suppliers were keen to know more,” she says.
Your turn
Which of these ideas resonates with you and your design choices? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Thinking of renovating? Read this first – Pro Panel: How to Tackle a Future Reno Now With an Architect
An interesting talk on sustainability brought up the subject of transparency when it comes to finding ethical products for your home.
Elliott-Smith encourages designers to share their journey. “One of the most toxic things is greenwash [a superficial concern for the environment],” she says. “I want to hear about the story and love it when people say ‘we’re not perfect’. We’re all learning as we’re going along. Often, science changes and if that happens, be honest about it and say how you’re changing.”
Nicola Lindsell of Boxx Creative agrees. “When we realised we wanted to work with suppliers who are in line with our values, we met all our suppliers to ask them questions. You realise you open a can of worms, but it was a really good process and often suppliers were keen to know more,” she says.
Your turn
Which of these ideas resonates with you and your design choices? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Thinking of renovating? Read this first – Pro Panel: How to Tackle a Future Reno Now With an Architect
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J L look for lines with “petite” furniture— there are a few especially recliners.
Such lovely rooms with lovely art.
I've just retired so I've had time to think about my house and garden for the first time in years. I've watched how the sun moves across the back yard and have added a flower bed for sun loving perennials. I did not think that I needed any interior modifications or improvements except for serious decluttering ( yet to happen but planned ). However my oven died and I was inspired to buy a sunny yellow one. Reading Houzz over the years has made me envy all of those high end stoves in marvelous colors. Thank goodness Kitchenaid makes an affordable one. I loved the pretty blue kitchen in the photo. Repainting mine is really out of the question -and they are an acceptable teal wash. But if I were going to repaint it I'd paint it that wonderful blue. Delightful photo.
I concur with those who like their their more closed off arrangements of rooms. I live in a 1930s house. My little central hall ( little ! ) is actually is sort of oval shaped and has 7 doors lining it-2 bedrooms, a bath, a living room, a closet, a door to a stairway upstairs and one to the kitchen. I love it. At night my bedroom and bath can be completely closed off from the front and back doors and windows. It feels so private and quiet. When my 3 children, their 3 spouses and even some in laws and cousins visit there are plenty of sleeping spaces. It is small but well laid out for family life and privacy.
I always saw myself as a bright/ white person. But I love and can embrace dark colours to retreat into. Maybe it's the feeling safe & cosy in these dark times