Interior Design Shifts from Minimalism to Sensory-Focused Purism

A movement away from minimalism toward what Michelle Ogundehin terms 'the new purism' is gaining momentum in interior design. This approach prioritizes how spaces affect wellbeing over visual aesthetics, focusing on natural materials like rough plaster, solid timber, clay, and stone. Designer Zoe Chan notes growing consumer awareness about toxic materials in homes, paralleling concerns about food. Market data forecasts significant growth for green building materials, with global spending projected to rise from $533.77 billion in 2025 to over $1.6 trillion by 2035. The low- or zero-VOC paint market is expected to increase from $11.17 billion in 2025 to $17.83 billion in 2032. Architectural practices like McLean Quinlan create residential projects in Devon and the North Downs using natural materials for their tactile qualities and lower embodied carbon. Studio ŪMA, founded by Michelle Song and Amber Pan, incorporates eastern philosophy into London renovations, transforming formal living rooms into ritual-focused spaces like tea rooms. Research from Johns Hopkins University's International Arts + Mind Lab demonstrates how intentional design can foster healing and improve wellbeing. Ogundehin emphasizes that this shift represents design with 'sensory intelligence,' creating environments that support life rather than merely controlling appearance.