When author Kyle Chayka explored 2010s minimalism in Longing for Less, a very different world existed. Today, a polycrisis-ridden and digitally saturated society finds people yearning for more. Whether you chalk it up to post-pandemic release or a general sense of impending doom, people are now looking for a...

People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

For many Gen Zers, owning or even renting a property feels out of reach – but that doesn’t mean home is less important for this cohort. How are they expressing their style through their living spaces? And how can brands help them create homes that provide a feeling of security and belonging?

Anissa Kermiche’s ‘love-handles’ vase was a viral social media phenomenon during the pandemic, sparking a new wave of interior interest as people became more home conscious and looked to revamp their personal spaces. Are fun and quirky homeware creations putting the joy back into our homes?

After a year of unprecedented domesticity and adhering to a restricted style of living, people are looking for ways to invite maximalism and fun back into the home. From giant cracker cushions to retro keyboard playmats, the hunt for one-of-a-kind pointless oversized items is taking off online.

As young people increasingly opt for products with personality and punch to showcase their values, they're driving a shift in design from ‘soft and restrained’ to ‘bold and playful’. It's a change that reflects Gen Z's search for joy and relief in a somewhat bleak social climate.