Apres Planet Christmas 2025 Edition - Flipbook - Page 19
YESTERDAY’S NEWS TOMORROW
A
s we inch toward 2026, it’s becoming
clear that interiors are shifting away
from hard, echoing minimalism and leaning
heavily into fabrics that bring comfort,
tactility and a sense of lived-in luxury. And
frankly, it’s about time…
After the pandemic, and folk working in PJs from the
couch, they recalibrated how they relate to shared
spaces. Offices in particular have been trying to
reclaim something softer — shall we say, something
human. Which is where this new wave of office-ready
fabrics steps neatly into frame.
Velvet [yes, velvet!] is leading the charge, and not the
fussy, old-school kind. Contemporary velvets — matte,
dense, beautifully saturated — offer a warmth that
modern workspaces have been missing. When used on
lounge seating or focus nooks, they bring a quiet sense
of luxury without stepping on hotel-lobby toes. They’re
rich, inviting, and visually grounding in a way few
other materials manage.
Running alongside it is faux suede: soft under the
hand, beautifully tactile, and ideal for offices that want
comfort without the maintenance headache of the real
thing. It has that gentle, brushed finish that instantly
makes furniture feel more approachable — a subtle
cue that a space is designed for humans, not just for
meetings.
these textures solve an issue
many neutral, modern offices
face: flatness.
Together, these textures solve an issue many neutral,
modern offices face: flatness. Too often, minimal
palettes leave spaces feeling visually polite but
emotionally empty. Add a touch of velvet or suede, and
suddenly the room has depth; shadows fall differently,
colours read richer, and surfaces become something
you want to interact with, not just look at.
If 2026 has a design message, it’s this: texture isn’t
decoration; it’s atmosphere. And right now, offices are
craving all the warmth they can get.
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