Lighting:OLED (organic light emitting diode) panels such as those by Philips are the latest option in soft lighting fixtures that can be embedded into walls, ceilings or furniture, says Nilesh Sawant, Principal Architect, Nilesh Sawant Architect. “Being thin and flexible, they lend themselves well to different applications while delivering the energy-efficiency associated with LED technology.”And Sapna Aggarwal, Founder, ANSA Architecture & Interiors, says “Embedded light-emitting diodes can create a dreamy illumination, while dimmable LEDs are useful for allowing changes in brightness and colour tones depending on mood or day time. Used in a bedroom, these lights accentuate the form they are embedded in, and can give a space a magical feel. Starlit ceiling lighting helps create a serene, magical setting while serving as a nightlight. We worked with Enlightening Spaces for these lights. In another setting, ambient lighting is subtle yet gives a castle-themed room a fairytale look, thus serving both functionally as well as aesthetically.”Another innovation in lighting is interactive smart lighting systems like Nanoleaf panels that can change colours, patterns and brightness based on touch, voice commands or music synchronisation, adds Sawant.“Like Philips’ NatureConnect, human-centric lighting enhances productivity by mimicking natural light cycles,” says Sammeer Pakvasa, Managing Director and CEO, Eleganz Interiors. “These systems dynamically adjust colour temperature and brightness, promoting employee wellbeing, reducing fatigue and improving focus and productivity, especially in dark areas such as meeting rooms. IoT integration allows customisation across work zones, optimising energy usage.”AutomationAutomation especially for dimmable and tuneable lighting has advanced to the next level with Lutron,  says Milind Pai, Founder, Milind Pai Architects & Interior Designers.“This system integrates with smart home systems and IoT devices, and allows users to adjust not only the intensity of the light but also the colour temperature throughout the day, so you could have warm tones during the morning and cooler tones in the afternoon,” he explains. As lighting is known to affect mood, productivity and wellbeing, Lutron has appeal across residential, commercial and hospitality applications. Pai sees the solution as more than just a lighting solution; it enhances living and working environments and being based on LED technology, helps achieve greater energy-efficiency.“We’ve used Lutron automation in a luxury residential project to create an atmosphere that adapts to different activities throughout the day,” says Pai. “Tuneable LED fixtures in the living room allowed for a warm, inviting glow during the evening and a cooler daylight hue during the day, enhancing natural light. The lighting system was integrated with a smart home setup, allowing the residents to adjust the ambiance through a mobile app.”WindowsSeamline windows and doors are distinguished by their slim, sleek frames that maximise the glass area, creating a minimalist aesthetic with seamless architectural integration, shares Rupesh Baid, Principal Interior Architect, AND DESIGN CO. “Crafted from premium materials like aluminium or steel, they combine durability with modern elegance. Their concealed hinges and tracks ensure a clean, high-end look.”He considers Seamline a perfect product for patios or terraces, where they establish a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing spatial flow. In office settings, they provide acoustic privacy while maintaining a sophisticated appearance, he adds. Seamline systems offer versatile configurations, including sliding, folding or pivot mechanisms; frameless corners that create striking panoramic effects; double or triple glazing; and a range of finishes, from anodized aluminium to powder coatings.Another minimalist frame is Alumil India’s new architectural watertight aluminium window system launched as a monsoon offering across the brands’ Smartia and Supreme series. Special attention to the seals and weather stripping around the frames ensure tight closure, minimal air leakage and efficient drainage of rainwater away from the window frame and the building structure. Engineered to withstand the impact of debris carried by strong winds, the system lends itself to double and triple-glazing options for superior thermal performance. Its customisable designs offer multiple locking points, handle types and opening configurations. SkylightsAs an architectural feature, skylights have a strong impact on interiors by brightening up spaces. In this realm, Sunrooof comes in as an option to take skylights to a new level, says Ekta Verma, Founder, Etos Designs. Sunrooof is an intelligent skylight solution, based on LED panels, which adjust their brightness and colour based on the day’s light. “As our daily routines are predominately spent indoors and with none or little exposure to sunlight, Sunrooof evokes a feeling of outdoors leading to a better mood, less stress levels and increased productivity,” she says. Sunrooof comes in atrium or fluted variants.FlooringIn the realm of tiles, Pakvasa mentions acoustic luxury vinyl tiles, such as Tarkett’s iD Inspiration, which minimise noise while offering sleek aesthetics. “Their scratch-resistant surface ensures longevity in high-traffic corporate spaces and the biophilic designs enhance employee connection to nature. Being eco-friendly, the tiles align with sustainability goals.”Regency Ceramics has brought out anti-microbial tiles featuring unique nature-inspired designs, suitable for food outlets such as restaurants and cafeterias; healthcare environments where harsh cleaning regimens are the norm; retail outlets where performance and aesthetics are prioritised; and bathrooms.Sawant says self-healing tiles, essentially ceramic tiles that repair minor scratches and cracks over time, maintaining a fresh look, are well suited to high-traffic public areas but these are yet to be launched in India. He also points out that rubber flooring made of recycled tires is eco-friendly, durable and highly slip-resistant, suitable for high-traffic areas. And, liquid metal flooring is actually resin-based with metallic pigments that lend the floor a futuristic, glossy finish, a great option for seamless finishes.CladdingNew wall cladding materials for the interiors of residences and offices include imported interlocking panels in different varieties, designs and styles, with fire-retardant properties that are very easy to install, says Nagesh Singh, Founder, Studio Svelte. “So, whereas earlier we used to do wall panelling, which was time and labour-consuming, it has now become easy to panel an entire wall with clip-on material.”For the external cladding of buildings, we have a lot of new materials in the industry, he continues. “The earlier aluminium composite panel (ACP) façade was boring, monotonous and not fire-retardant, but the industry now has ACP panels that look like stone, copper and many more. For instance, Viva Composite Panels (Mumbai) has a pretty good range that is long lasting, does not age and is easy to maintain. In the same range, we also have the possibility of using panels that can weather and copper-turned patina by weathering, which is a desired look for a lot of architects and designers.”“In the cement fibre board category, Everest and Visakha have been the brand leaders but Shera from Thailand is setting up a new production unit in India with a capacity larger than the other two brands put together,” says Singh. “That shows the demand for these boards due to the growing PEB, hybrid and LGSF building industry. The same company offers beautiful external cladding in planks that don’t need maintenance for a few decades at least.”FurnitureInnovative furniture for space-constrained apartments includes modular furniture systems that can be reconfigured into different forms, like a sofa turning into a bed or a workstation, according to Sawant. “Space-saving, easily accessible storage systems include automated storage systems that are either motorised pull-down or vertical units and modular wall-niche storage panel-based systems that fit within wall cavities, providing hidden or decorative storage.”Speaking of hidden storage, Aggarwal says it can be aesthetically worked into design, such as drawers underneath a castle headboard in a child’s bedroom. “Side tables with hidden compartments exemplify style with functionality. Shelving can also be integrated with wall panelling to ensure that storage doesn’t disrupt the overall aesthetic minimalism. Furniture & Beyond helped translate our client’s vision into reality, hand-stitching the butterfly wing and castle turrets on the wall for a different look.”Tall furniture helps store more in homes with limited space. However, accessing high shelves is always a challenge. Here, too, an innovation from furniture fittings company Blum can help. Space Step is a plinth solution that integrates into the toe kick of the base unit of a cabinet that is 400-1,200mm wide, to help users reach the upper reaches of tall furniture. It also maximises storage potential by converting under-utilised toe kick areas into valuable hidden storage. Space Step integrates seamlessly with Blum runners and box systems. Some other innovations in furniture include smart coffee tables such as those from Wooden Street, which come equipped with charging ports, mini-fridges, Bluetooth speakers and LED lighting for multifunctionality, says Sawant. Pakvasa mentions sit-stand flexible desks with modularity, like those by Steelcase, for supporting agile workspaces. “Integrated power docks and cable management enhance functionality, while adjustable heights promote ergonomic comfort, driving employee productivity.”For those looking for eco-friendly options, “packing wood and waste wood are being recycled and refurbished to make furniture and cabinets and  are well suited to interiors where the user wants  a green touch,” says Suneetta Singh, Architect, Studio Svelte. “Wooden cable reels also make excellent garden furniture.”PartitionsSawant cites 3D-printed partitions made locally of sustainable materials like biodegradable polymers as a customisable option for interiors where a unique aesthetic and functionality are needed. “Electrochromic glass partitions made of smart glass that can switch between transparent and opaque states with a button or app for privacy and light control are also catching on. Asahi and Saint-Gobain offer these.”Singh (Suneetta) sees rice paper or fabric as an innovative material for screens, panels and partitions that are sought to have a heritage look.PaintsPaints like Graphenstone absorb CO2 and improve indoor air quality while thermochromic paints change colour based on temperature, adding dynamic aesthetics to interiors, and elastomeric paints that stretch as the surface expands or contract are catching up in areas where surfaces are likely to develop or have hairline cracks, shares Sawant. “While the former hasn’t yet been launched in India, the latter two are available from Asian Paints.”Wallpaper, the alternative to paint, can be made more durable and easier to maintain by opting for eco-friendly, washable material, adds Agarwal, who has used such options in her projects.KitchensTraditional materials like marble often fall short in Indian kitchens due to their porosity and softness, making them impractical for the demands of daily cooking, believes Natasha Suri, Principal Architect, Studio Ivory. “For years, black granite became the go-to choice for its unmatched durability, even though it wasn't the most visually appealing option.”But with the growing emphasis on Vastu-compliant homes, black granite has faced a decline in preference, she observes. “Alternatives like quartz gained popularity but they were still prone to staining. Enter full-body tiles – a game-changer in the market.”Suri says full-body tiles from companies such as Simpolo and Emser combine the aesthetic appeal of marble with the practical benefits Indian kitchens require. “They are non-porous, stain-resistant and robust enough to handle the rigours of everyday cooking. It’s a solution the market has long needed, offering both beauty and functionality that perfectly suits modern Indian homes.”Singh (Suneetta) proposes another alternate to granite for kitchen counter tops. “15-mm Sintered Stone by Motto is suited to high-traffic areas as well as rough use in Indian kitchens using ingredients that easily stain, especially for clients who want a lighter kitchen decor as granite is usually darker, she says.In residential kitchens, integrated countertop induction systems eliminate the need for visible cooktops, says Sawant. “Mia Cucina offers such work counters that convert into induction systems.”HVACWorsening AQI in cities is paving the way for the greater adoption of HVAC systems with integrated UV-C lights and HEPA filters for enhanced indoor air quality, says Sawant. “Further, dual-climate smart HVAC systems offering temperature personalisation across different rooms via mobile apps are an essential option for high-end homes.”Aggarwal says concealed air-conditioning ducts are a functional innovation. “We’ve designed ceilings that hide HVAC units, thus ensuring the room remains aesthetically undisturbed and delivers optimum climate control.”