7 Amazing Future Finishing Materials That Already Exist

Do you think walls that repair themselves or concrete through which you can see—this is fantasy? Not at all. Scientists and engineers are already working on materials that will revolutionize our understanding of renovation and interior design. We tell you what to expect in the near future.

Main points:

• Scientists are creating self-healing materials;

• Coatings that absorb heat during the day and release it at night;

• Concrete that allows light to pass through;

• Materials made from mushrooms, not just food;

• The thinnest material in the world could become the best insulator for apartments.

Healing Walls

Imagine: you accidentally scratched a wall, and the next day the scratch is gone as if it never happened. Fantasy? No, it's already reality. Scientists at the University of Southern California created a material that can repair itself. Inside it are microcapsules filled with 'healing' substances. When the surface is damaged, the capsules burst and fill in the crack.

This is only a prototype for now, but imagine how our lives will change when such walls appear in every home. Farewell to constant repairs!

Thermos Walls

Do you know how a thermos works? It keeps the temperature of a drink. Now imagine that your walls work the same way. Company Phase Change Energy Solutions has developed materials that absorb heat during the day and release it at night.

It sounds like something from a distant future, but these materials have already been showcased at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Soon they may appear in our homes, helping to save on heating and air conditioning.

Concrete Through Which You Can See

Concrete and transparency—these words seem incompatible. But Hungarian architect Aron Losonczy proved otherwise. He created translucent concrete that allows light to pass through.

This material is already used in some projects. Imagine a wall made of such concrete in your living room—it would look like a scene from a sci-fi movie.

Photo: pinterest.com

Mushrooms on Walls (And It's Good)

No, it's not about mold. Company Ecovative Design learned how to grow finishing materials from mushroom mycelium. Sounds strange, but it's eco-friendly and practical.

Currently, these materials are mainly used for packaging, but who knows—maybe soon we will be finishing walls with them. Eco-friendly and unique!

Photo: pinterest.com

Graphene: Thin, But Strong

Graphene is a material just one atom thick but stronger than steel. Scientists at the University of Manchester are working on using it to make wall and floor coatings.

Imagine wallpaper that is stronger than metal and can conduct electricity. Sounds like science fiction, but it's nearly reality.

Photo: pinterest.com

The Lightest Insulator in the World

Aerogel is called 'frozen smoke'—it's 99% air. Still, it retains heat very well. Company Aspen Aerogels wants to use it in construction.

If they succeed, we can insulate apartments with just a few millimeters thick layer. No more thick walls and lost square meters!

Photo: pinterest.com

Walls That Clean the Air

Scientists at the University of Manchester are working on coatings that can purify air from pollutants. Imagine: your walls not just stand there, but actively make the air in your apartment cleaner.

This technology was shown at the Materials Research Society conference in 2022. Perhaps soon such walls will become mandatory in cities with polluted air.

All these materials already exist, at least in prototype form. Of course, it will take some time before they appear in ordinary apartments. But you can already imagine how amazing the future of interior design will be. Are you ready for such changes?

Cover: pinterest.com