Beyond Trend Colours: Designing with Identity and Intention

As each year comes to a close, the design world fills with predictions: colours and trends that will dominate, palettes to avoid and the next “Colour of the Year.” The idea that a space must follow the latest trend to feel modern overlooks a fundamental truth: timeless design is rooted in identity, not in forecasting.

Trend colours shift quickly, celebrated this year, phased out by the next. Designing a practice around these fleeting cues risks creating a space that feels dated long before its intended lifespan. What endures is a cohesive identity, built from choices that reflect the practice owner’s personality, values, and approach to care. When a design is grounded in authenticity, it remains relevant, regardless of changes in industry trends.

Two Practices, One Year, Two Completely Different Identities

A Bold, Expressive Statement

Identity-driven design: The practice embraced a vibrant palette of red and purple, an interior confident, dynamic, and unafraid of making a statement. Today, the space still feels current. Its impact comes from the atmosphere it creates, not from whether its colours were fashionable at the time. The result is unmistakably their own, instantly recognisable and deeply memorable.

A Warm, Grounded Identity

A space that feels grounded, welcoming, and relaxed. The palette is quiet, but the identity is strong.

This practice did not aim to mirror the boldness of the first example. Instead, it reflects the preference for natural materials, subtle contrasts, and a comfortable environment. Despite its contrast with the first design, it also remains timeless because it is authentic.

Design That Belongs to You

A practice becomes a destination when its environment reflects who the owner is and the experience they want to offer. Independent optometry practices thrive when they embrace what makes them different. By focusing on identity rather than trend forecasting, design moves beyond aesthetics and becomes a powerful expression of the practice itself: distinctive, cohesive, and unmistakably unique.