Social media platform Pinterest has revealed the trends to look out for in 2020 in a new report.
The Pinterest 100 shows ideas across food, home, style, beauty, travel and family. It compares global search volumes from August 2017 to July 2018 with those of August 2018 to July 2019 and identifies100 topics with significant search volumes and consistent, upward growth.
The report has grouped these 100 trends into 10 groups:
Beyond binary
From flexible pronouns to unisex nurseries, a more accepting view of gender identity is on the rise. People are looking for more gender-neutral options for both everyday needs and milestone events. In response, more companies all over the world are launching inclusive products that steer clear of gendered labels and colours, such as Mattel’s new gender-neutral Creatable World dolls, customisable and inclusive without gender limitations.
Of all age groups, Gen Z tends to expect more gender-neutral options. For example, 59 per cent of Gen Zers expect to see gender-neutral options on forms, compared to 40 per cent of Boomers.
Conscious consumption
A push for more eco-friendly habits is changing how we live – from everyday choices to life’s biggest milestones. There’s a shift towards more conscious consumption as people re-evaluate their impact. For many, that means using fewer products, and more sustainable ones at that, as well as keeping an eye on waste.
People expect businesses to do their part too. In a Nielsen study, 81 per cent of people strongly agreed that companies should help to improve the environment. People around the world are demanding action on areas such as climate change, with individual steps that can lead to a massive impact.
Finding balance
When you hear the word ‘wellness’, you might think of luxurious spas or relaxing getaways. But next year, people will be thinking about wellness in a more everyday way, as they look for easy habits to counter anxiety, stress and burnout.
Everyone’s routine looks different. Maybe you turn to journaling, or maybe you’re more of a dance-around-the room kind of person. Whatever your style, there are lots of easy ways to get a daily dose of positive vibes.
Home hub
Sure, home is where the heart is. But now it’s also where your office is… and your gym… and maybe even your waterfall. Thanks to new technology and flexible office policies, it’s never been easier to never leave home, which means big growth for industries like home décor, athleisure and delivery services.
Take a conference call from the sofa, join a workout from your living room, then enjoy some home-brewed beer. Because these days, there’s truly no place like home.
Internationally inspired
The world feels smaller than ever as people trade influences and traditions every which way. These days, you don’t need a passport to get hands-on with other cultures. Artisans, chefs and everyday people alike are using digital media to share their stories. Their tales of heritage and tradition criss-cross the globe, inspiring others to go and try something new.
And if you do have a passport, there are more opportunities than ever to learn straight from the source. Today’s globetrotters are prioritising meaningful activities, like cooking classes and artisan visits. Once they return home, they’re trying to recreate those experiences on their plates and on their walls.
Pampered pets
People treat their pets just like their human family. Or in some cases… even better. Pet pampering is reaching all-time highs. We’re talking farm-to-table dog food, pet playgrounds and even feline fashion. Increasingly, millennials who might be delaying traditional milestones like marriage are turning to fur babies for companionship. It’s not just puppy love: In the UK, more than 50 per cent of pet parents aged 19–38 said that they’d prefer to cut expenses for themselves rather than cutting back on their pets.
Expect to see more human-like habits come over to the pet world. After all, only the best for our pets!
Responsible travel
It’s time for a travel tune-up. Like many industries, tourism is reaching an eco-conscious crossroad as people look to lessen their impact when exploring new places. For some travellers, that means monitoring their environmental impact. They’re embracing cleaner transport methods, or even taking staycations instead of long-distance getaways. For others, it’s more about their cultural impact including avoiding overcrowded hot spots and picking destinations with smaller tourist scenes. Look no further than Sweden, where they’ve coined new words for eco-friendly travel habits: Flyskam (‘flying shame’) and tagskryt (‘train bragging’).
Re-wilding
Hear that? That’s the call of the wild, urging you to go outside. Nature is the perfect antidote to digital fatigue, artificial lighting and sitting culture. Getting outside can lower stress and increase energy; whether you’re taking in the scenery, mastering survival skills or learning new outdoor hobbies. For others, even indoor plants feel like a breath of fresh air. So, if you’re a thrillseeker, or more of an ‘eating outside counts’ type, maybe it’s time to put down your screens and reconnect with the great outdoors.
Space everything
Get ready for lift-off! For 2020, there’s a new kind of space race. Half a century after the first moon walk, space tourism is finally feeling real. As companies prepare for potential 2020 launch dates, people are getting lost in their outer-space daydreams. An extra boost comes from the current focus on STEM educational topics (science, technology, engineering and maths). Part-science, part-imagination, it’s the perfect topic for curious children. Whether you’re more into the scientific or the sci-fi-riffic, you’re sure to find something to love about this year’s take on space.
90s re-run
Forget partying like it’s 1999. These days, we’re living like it’s 1999.
We’re seeing 90s references all over, from high-fashion runways to retro devices.
For many, it’s a nostalgic rewind back to a more lighthearted era. As millennials get older, they’re reliving fond memories and bonding over shared experiences. Meanwhile, Gen Z is discovering 90s culture for the first time and putting their own twist on the trends.
The obsession with all things 90s just keeps growing. So put on your bucket hat, grab a CD player and start living la vida 90s one more time.
