Four trends in interior fit-out

A lot is written about interior trends. Often it is about colours, materials and new styles. Interesting, but as an interior fit-out company we mainly look at what it takes to actually build a design. Because a beautiful design is one thing. It also has to be technically sound, fit within the budget and last for years.

With 130 years of experience, we see four developments that are becoming increasingly important in our work.

1. Circular construction calls for different choices

More and more often, we are asked how an interior can later be adapted, dismantled or reused. This plays an increasingly important role, particularly for government bodies and in healthcare.

That calls for different choices in the technical engineering. Can you take a piece of furniture apart without damaging it? Can components be replaced individually? And can materials be reused in the next renovation? Wherever possible, we therefore choose demountable connections and components that are easy to replace. That sometimes takes more thought at the start, but makes later changes a lot simpler. Whether an interior is truly demountable is largely decided on the drawing board of our engineers.

2. Sustainable materials

More and more biobased and recycled materials are coming onto the market. That opens up new possibilities, but we also take a critical look at how they are applied. A material can be very sustainable on paper, but how does it hold up in a busy restaurant, a hospital corridor or a shop with hundreds of visitors a day?

Can it handle moisture? Is it easy to clean? And what happens after years of intensive use? These are questions we discuss with architects and clients. We look at the properties of a material, but also at how it is processed, how it is maintained and how long it is expected to last. Because an interior that needs replacing after a few years is ultimately not as sustainable as we had hoped.

3. More preparation in the factory, less work on site

We aim to carry out more and more work in the factory. Not because everything has to be prefabricated, but because we can work there under better and more controllable conditions. In the factory, our machines, materials and craftsmen are all in one place. We can pre-fit, finish and inspect components in advance.

As a result, less needs to happen on site. That saves installation time, reduces the risk of errors and causes less disruption. Especially when renovating hotels, shops, offices and care facilities that stay open during the works. We take logistics into account as well. Sometimes it is smarter to transport a piece of furniture fully assembled, sometimes in parts. We decide that during engineering, so that transport and installation are well aligned. With our own factory and installation teams, we can align preparation and execution.

4. Value engineering is becoming increasingly important

We regularly see designs that are technically well developed, but whose costs come out higher than the available budget. It is then tempting to simply choose cheaper materials or leave out components. But that is not necessarily the best solution.

In value engineering, we work with the architect and client to find a smarter way to achieve the same result. For example, by using a different sheet layout so that less material is wasted. Or by proposing an alternative material with the same look that is more favourable in price or maintenance. Sometimes the gain lies in a small technical detail that makes production or installation much simpler.

The design remains the starting point. We look for ways to realise it within the technical and financial constraints, without unnecessary compromises on quality.

What does this mean in practice?

What these developments have in common is that they need attention early in a project. A material choice affects the lifespan. A demountable connection has to be properly engineered. And a smart production approach can save days of installation work on site.

That is why we involve our engineers, work planners and production staff in a project as early as possible. They know what works, where the risks lie and which choices can save time and money later on. In the end, it is about making sure a good design is also well executed.

That is what we work on every day at Keijsers Interiors.

Keijsers Interiors | Identity.Built