DESIGN T RENDS
WHAT AESTHETIC TRENDS HAVE
YOU NOTICED BECOMING MORE
PREVALENT RECENTLY?
There’s been a general move towards more organic
shapes and styles, curves and minimalism. There is
also growing demand for renewable and biodegradable
bio-based materials and wood flooring. We are receiving
more requests to have wooden-style flooring in the
entrance and galley areas. This sleek look can add a
dramatic contrast to the cabin carpet.
In terms of colours, warm grey has been rising in
popularity over the last few years, and you often see it
alongside dark brown veneers. It is only a matter of time
before we also start seeing cooler greys being used.
With metallic finishes, brushed options are becoming
more popular. With weathered, distressed and worn
styles in demand, we should soon see more distressed/
tarnished metallic finishes incorporated.
With the growing demand for customisation, lighting
options will have to branch out from what is typically
offered. For example, when lighting is used instead
of window blinds, you eliminate the physical material,
saving weight and adding new technology.
Carpet design is changing, from being focussed on
only the centre aisle to an overall pattern throughout
the cabin. Some patterns now move from left to right
rather than forward to back, which makes the cabin
feel wider. Another design trend we’ve noticed is that
airducts are being matched with dado rail materials
to make the aircraft corners cleaner. These have
traditionally been covered with carpet.
Finally, seat designs have been changing from bulky
to sleeker forms. Complementing this is the growth in
popularity of two-tone seats, usually with
a lighter colour on the inside area and
a darker colour on the outside of
the seat. This makes the seat feel
more open and less confined.
The customisation of head and
foot rests is also making seats
more comfortable in line with
individual preferences. As
well as the addition of design
Summer Sun
Manager of interior design
and programme manager,
Flying Colours Corp
elements such as different stitching designs and insert
accents, we are seeing more insert accent stripes rather
than traditional piping these days.
WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE YOU
BEING ASKED TO INTEGRATE?
Certain aspects of automotive design – including interior
lighting, seat design and futuristic controls - have
transferred into aircraft design. The trend for two-tone
seat designs has been influenced by the automotive
sector, along with accent stitching. With automotive
accent lighting having advanced a lot in the last few
years, I expect the request for custom accent lighting for
aircraft is just around the corner. We’ve also been asked
to incorporate mood/accent lighting into seats.
Customers are also requesting more touch and rotary
dial controls to be integrated into the design rather
“With the rise of
environmental concern it
is only a matter of time
before recycled plastics
make their way into
more materials”
businessjetinteriorsinternational.com
060 OCTOBER 2019
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