5 major design trends transforming the future of architecture and homes

According to the inaugural global trend report by Cosentino, the Origin trend emphasises the growing importance of local culture, architecture, food, and fashion in shaping design decisions.

In an era of rapid globalisation and constant change, designers are increasingly turning to heritage and cultural roots to create stronger emotional connections with spaces, effectively addressing a growing hunger for authenticity in our increasingly connected yet rootless world.

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“I see Origin as something that is tied to things that are not heavily influenced by human presence,” explains Mexican designer Fernando Laposse. “I also like this other word called terroir, a French term used when speaking about wines. I believe that can also be applied to design.”

Through materials that reflect local craftsmanship and traditional techniques, the Origin trend reflects our desire to reconnect with what makes us unique. In this approach, homes become anchors–places where personal stories are told through every carefully chosen element.

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Designers and architects have recognised the profound power our environment has over our mood, stress levels, and overall mental health. As such, the Solace trend acknowledges what many of us learned during lockdown: “How does this space make me feel?”

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This design approach extends beyond aesthetics, to designing entire homes that actively support and respond to our psychological needs: lighting that makes you feel energised in the morning but calm in the evening; colours that can affect our cortisol levels, such as gentle greens, aquas, pale violets, soft peaches, and warm neutrals; as well as textures that influence our sense of security, and even scents can transport us to calming, restorative states.

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“The future home is a sanctuary, a space where the sensory and the emotional are prioritised,” observes Spanish interior designer Patricia Bustos. “As people seek more meaningful connections in their lives, sensory design has become a vital demand.”

While sustainability continues to gain importance in architecture and interior design, the Nature trend, as outlined in Cosentino’s Shaping Tomorrow: Future Design & Architecture, has evolved from surface-level eco-swaps, to embrace a more modest and mindful approach to design. 

This trend positions designers and homeowners as creative curators, encouraging them to reassess their relationship with material possessions and reuse them to breathe new life into spaces. It also emphasises making thoughtful, long-term investments that will age beautifully rather than quickly become obsolete.

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“Each creation must have a positive impact on the world, reflecting both human and environmental values,” emphasises Brazilian architect João Armentano regarding the holistic nature of this approach. “A successful project should enhance people’s lives, bringing joy and meeting their needs in meaningful ways.”

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As urban living continues to expand globally, the Urban trend addresses the complex challenges of modern city design, acknowledging a new reality where, in the face of climate change, architects and designers face multifaceted challenges: balancing heritage with innovation, carving out tranquil spaces within stimulating environments, and accommodating diverse household compositions that demand versatility and multifunctionality for seamless living, working and recreation for residents.

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This approach encompasses not only multigenerational and diverse homes that accommodate aging parents, and work-from-home teenagers, but also mixed-use developments that house convenient amenities and green spaces for occupants of residential or office buildings–creating walkable neighbourhoods that are as dynamic and resilient as the people who reside in them, evolving with their changing circumstances rather than constraining them.

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“Adaptability is the biggest challenge when designing for climate change, and modularity of space and how it’s used really helps with social equity,” notes Kathryn Gustafson, founding partner of Gustafson Porter + Bowman.

Finally, the Wonder trend celebrates the power of the unexpected–a human-centred approach to design that leads to moments of surprise, amazement, and compassion. 

This philosophy focuses on buildings, interiors and objects that cut through the monotony and predictability of everyday life with colours, textures, and materials that continue to gain popularity.

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Examples include the unexpected pop of colour that makes you smile every time you enter the kitchen, the texture of a plush pillow that begs to be touched, or artwork that brightens a sparse-looking hallway and sparks conversation–all elements that enliven spaces with dynamism, creating moments that break through the autopilot of daily life and remind us to pause and pay attention to our surroundings.

“It’s so important that something can stand up to the elements and continue to look beautiful,” concludes luxury furniture designer Tom Faulkner.

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