Flexible Spaces

In the midst of a polycrisis, the ability to flex your empathy and versatility will be more important than ever. Products and systems will need to help people bend without breaking, giving them stability and options in a period of flux.

In this contexts Curtains act as Layered Realities not only layering fabric but also layering realms and spaces. Check out these moods:

MOOD #1 - Conceptual

Concept moldboard runs from the comforting memory of looking at the water shine and bringing it home through printed light-sheer curtains to Bisque’s creative "window-dressing” using the construction nylon material as a romantic curtain for a “coming soon” hint.

MOOD #2 - Practical

New wall and space designs are providing flexibility for commercial and residential dimensions, from dividers to broken-plan solutions that offer expansion, sound-absorption and privacy. Curtains are becoming the new doors- an option that comes from the past but is becoming an emerging trend for residential and office spatial design.

Curtains are giving residential and commercial interiors dramatically different appearances, from the starkly industrial to tactile and luxurious.

Think Print:

Printed texts, stickers, patch-working or simply projections on curtains can transform plain (aka boring) curtains into billboards with information that catch the eye.

For home:

• For patio and inside flexible solutions curtains for home are becoming a less-expensive solution for kitchen fronts and walls.

• Curtains becoming as soft walls for co-living experiences or simple home-office mindset dividers.

• Curtains can be soft (if made from fabric) or hard (if made from plastic or vinyl) absorbing light and sound, protecting from UV, summer heat or keeping the warm inside but curtains also create a sense of “capsule” and protection feeling. Curtains also have the quality of translating spaces into both shared and divided.

• Price-wise curtains are excellent solutions instead of building inner walls since for co-living and co-working spaces are transitional and curtains give the opportunity for quick and inexpensive change of colors and textures when needed or bored.

• Colored vinyl shower curtains are the touch of elevation for everyday activities as showering. Easy to clean as many come with anti-calc finishing.

For worksplace:

• For workplace curtains are great “cozyfiers” visually softening cold walls and concrete. In case of Toteme lounge area cord-curtains create an almost-sheer soft approach to the eating space.

• Curtains for office are recommended to have a lining for sound-absorbing.

• Flexibility of spaces, connecting while creating a soft sense of privacy for subdivision.

For public spaces:

• For public spaces curtains have always proven flexibility when the same space has to host different events simultaneously. Thick curtains (with special layers) can also help to cozily and keep warm reduced spaces becoming both cash-saving and sustainable.

• Plastic/vinyl curtains are a hygienic solution for high transit entrances as they are easy/quick cleaning surfaces while they allow natural light in.

• Play with colors to create focus oriented or stimulant spaces depending on the activities you perform for your community.

For retail:

• The partnership of Denmark-based Kvadrat and US-based Maharam in Australia is a great example of how curtains create connection and divide at the same time allowing visitors to explore spaces freely while clearly understanding two or more different concepts and product groups.

• For pop-up stores curtains an effective, quick and cost-saving solution facades.

• D&G Sky Lodge store serves of inspiration for how curtains can create a sense or perspective and expansion for small retail spaces in you plat it well with lighting.

• Hard transparent curtains look young and inviting while they are quite effective in keeping heat or AC temperature inside. Kinetic and refreshing aesthetic!

For hospitality:

• Play with sheer layers of color to create a mood-shaping effect.

• Create the sense of a “tent” while providing all the commodities of a solid hospitality experience. Trough curtains you can provide the “feeling” of sleeping in a tenet while having the protection and comfort of a room.

• Build temporary or seasonal ethereal spaces on places that are allowed only in summer or spring.

• Build spaces with curtains with UV protection for your guests.

• Utilize anti-bug nets or fabrics for extra patio, balcony or exterior design.

For set design:

• For set design thing of nostalgia bringing the heavy velvet curtains reminding the theatrical circus or the absurdity of extra-long clothes becoming curtains.

• Think of vinyl or nylon for cost-savvy backgrounds for a fun and sporty narrative.

• Also think of each curtain as a layer of a story where each hanging piece can become a chapter of an ever-evolving story.

Hope you faund this content inspiring in some way or the other. What’s next? Well, for my next Interior Affairs newsletter content I’m going to dig in one of cutest 2025’s interior design trend layers: Minerals. Here’s a sneak peak of next week’s content👇️ 

Thank you for being part of Interior Affairs, comment what you like (or what you don’t) because your feedback means heaven to me and pleeeese share it anyone you think could benefit from my content :-)

Love,

Victoria