With each new year come new interior design trends and fads to consider and even reconsider so you can update your home with confidence and ease. Over the last two years, the pandemic and how it has changed the way we live our lives has hugely impacted the way we design our homes - this will likely continue but what else are we seeing?
With a new year come new decorating patterns and ideas along with stylish, timeless pieces for fresh takes on classic styles. And as our interior designers note, 2022 is going to bring with it some fantastic home design trends to take note of. Read on and watch out for these interior design trends that these incredible designers think will make their way into your home.
A New Way Of Living
Carey Mudford, CMID
With the changes in lifestyle due to the pandemic there are many ways in which people are changing they way their home is used
- Outdoor living – clients are creating outdoor living spaces that are interior like – lounge seating areas as well as outdoor kitchens. Indoor rooms with retracting walls to outdoor spaces
- more focus on home office or sometimes two home offices. Open concept living is becoming less desirable and flex spaces are more common
- home gyms
- large recreation rooms with a bar, wine room and even tequila rooms
- cozy textiles such as throw cushions, soft colour palettes, natural materials and plants
In general we are seeing more curves in both furniture, more rounded edges and also curved and rounded doors and archways in architecture .
Sheila Mayden, Sheila Mayden Interiors
I think people are craving comfort in their homes, now more than ever. They want spaces that feel calm and restful, but also beautiful and inspiring. There are touches of nature popping up everywhere, in the color palettes, textile patterns, building materials, and textures. There seems to be a shift away from clean, white, sterile interiors, to rooms that are more layered, cozy and enveloped in color. Generally speaking, colors are more earthy, warm and muted.
People are also becoming more eco-conscious and looking to incorporate gently used or rehabbed pieces into their homes. Vintage is chic again! (To us vintage was never out of style--we've always loved sourcing furniture or home accents that are a little funky and worn.) The character they add instantly makes a room feel more personal and sophisticated.
Wallpaper is still going strong, as is millwork painted a color vs white.
Susan Schwartzman, Metamorphosis Interior Design
I have been working from home most of my career and can attest to the challenges of separating work and living spaces. I think a big trend in 2022 will be looking for a good balance between creating functional living and work spaces, as their workplace has blended into their home. I think many will be looking for ways to carve out a separate space for work so that they can separate it from their living space. It’s really difficult to disconnect from your work if your work space is not distinctly separate from your living space. If there is no defined home office, consider adding a wardrobe closet to your space where you can use a shelf as a desk and keep it open while working and close when the work day is over. Out of sight out of mind!
Amy Janof, Janof Architecture
I think the biggest single trend we're seeing is a move toward including permanent home offices as people are realizing they may always have a hybrid work-at-home/go-to-the-office existence. These are dedicated rooms with doors -- not a part of some open-plan configuration -- for Zoom calls and computer work. We're also seeing a lot of moves to what clients have previously considered vacation/retirement locations (Sun Valley, Palm Springs, Hawaii) for their primary residences, as both early retirement due to Covid and remote work have made staying in or near urban centers unnecessary.
These aren't exactly design trends, but are energizing our work in unexpected ways. A stylish and serene home environment is also now considered essential, and we're seeing an increased desire for taking projects to a higher level of finish than prior to the pandemic. Pared-down nostalgia (modern farmhouse), warm modernism, and green solutions are still the top design desires we're hearing from clients, as are an increased interest in hand-crafted elements and location-specific design. I think we'll also see more interest in outdoor rooms that can be used three or more seasons a year for entertaining -- again, inspired by pandemic-related fears and the realization that these spaces are valuable additions to a home even when social distancing is not necessary.
Sustainability At The Core
Jenny Williams, Creative Style Interior Design
The biggest trend for 2022 is going to be sustainable design. Covid-19 has made us supremely aware of what we breathe in and so we are recognising the benefits of using sustainable materials and products with low carbon emissions in our homes. Cleaner air quality and a healthier environment generally are 2 of the benefits for the individual and the planet.
Homeowners are looking forward to using 'greener' building products such as green concrete, green steel, low VOC paint & flooring as well as other low emissions building materials when they renovate.
When decorating their homes they are also incorporating furniture and furnishings made from natural or recycled & recyclable materials. Timber, cane and wicker finished in water based urethanes, fabrics for upholstery and window coverings that have a low carbon footprint and emit low levels of VOCs, such as those made from cotton, linen, bamboo and wool.
It's a wonderful time to be in the design and decorating industry with so many exciting innovations in sustainability coming onto the market everyday!
Rick Shaver, Shaver/Melahn Studios
Whatever trends you start contemplating for 2022 you have to take into consideration the effects of the past eighteen months and the pandemic. What we’ve all observed during the pandemic is an increased isolation in our homes and a burgeoning need for personal space. We’ve all seen the resurgence of the home office with more and more people first having to work from home and later choosing to work from home.
A trend we’re now seeing is the rise in a need for one’s own leisure space. We are now looking for spaces to pursue our personal growth or to just have fun. Our down time became restricted to what we could do indoors at home. In order to preserve our sanity many of us have used this isolation to renew old hobbies like painting, organizing photo albums or putting together puzzles or to develop new ones.
Many of these activities require a space to implement them or storage space to put all of the equipment and tools out of sight when we aren’t using them. These new crafting/painting/writing areas are a new trend for 2022 we think we will be seeing more and more of in 2022.
Curves, Curves, Curves
Gina Sims, Gina Sims Design
The trend is definitely bending toward the curves. Chairs and sofas with fluid, curved lines are all the rage as a modern throwback to the late 60s and 70s. We love it because it takes on a sculptural feel as well as being beautiful and comfortable. Try it in a sofa or test it out with a fabulous swivel armchair! And don't forget casegoods like dining tables and coffee tables!
More Color, And More Focus on Color
Susan Mintz, Malibu Color Consultants
As paint color experts, we are unique because we have clients that are refreshing/updating their space with ONLY paint color, while others are redecorating their space with only SOME new furnishings and fresh paint. We can offer two perspectives: on the East Coast (where Florence and several other franchisees are located), the request for gray is being replaced with a variety of warmer and more colorful (although still light) shades. Our West Coast clients (SoCal located) continue to ask for white walls (and we know there are dozens of shades of white), and will put more vibrant color in their furnishings (rugs, pillows, artwork) or an accent wall.
Sophie Kost, My Beautiful Abode
In Australia for the last decade we have had a love affair with white or grey walls. I think we are reaching a time where it's time to add more colour in our homes. Whether it's through furniture and furnishings or wallpapering a whole room, the next year is going to see us embracing colour like we haven't for a long time.
Marilyne Estephan, Splendour Interiors
Colours can have a powerful impact on our mood and emotions and when used correctly, it can set the perfect mood for any space in your home. As an Interior Designer, I don’t normally like to follow ‘colour trends’, but the colours forecasted for 2022 are ones that are timeless and elegant in nature.
Now before we dive deep into the ‘up-and-coming’ colour trends for 2022, I wanted to emphasise that despite the trends that may be forecasted each year, it’s essential you have the colour you love incorporated into your home interiors, whether that be in large or small ways. Remember this is your home, your personal space, it has to reflect your personality.
With the last couple of years having been, for lack of a better word, doom and gloom, 2022 is seen as a year of hope and fresh starts. With this said, it’s most likely hues that reflect this sense of restoration and rejuvenation will be commonly sourced in the new year. These include those earthy natural tones that embody our outside world. Earthy tones have become very popular over the years and still continue to grow. These hues incorporated into interiors create a more casual and relaxed feel which, let's be honest, we totally need more of in our crazy busy lifestyles.
Comfy-Cozy
Deanna Goguen, Designology
One of the biggest trends we're seeing right now, especially COVID with a lot of people working from home is... a more-is-more aesthetic after seeing trends in minimalism for so long. They are looking for "comfy-cozy." Pattern on pattern furnishings, fussier home accessories and loads of houseplants. We just completed a home where the client's directive was, "Imagine that I inherited Grandma's house, but I'm adding my spin to her finishes and belongings."
With that, look for these kinds of things:
- Houseplants
- Natural light
- Pattern on pattern
- Fussy details
- More traditional lines
- Lots of art, artifacts, and objets
- Embroidery
- Texture, including rattan/wicker, needlepoint and ruffles
- Vintage and antique pieces
Some call this trend "Cottagecore" or "Grandmillenial." The whole world needs a hug right now, and everyone is looking for stay-at-home coziness.
Photographer: NGOC MINH NGO
Scandinavian Design Continues To Thrive
Adene Lucas, Freyia Dekor
The essence of Scandinavian design has become a global phenomenon. The simplicity, functionality and connection to natural elements resonates with people, especially in this unprecedented time. We have all spent an unusual amount of time indoors this last year and have come to appreciate what a space is, and how it adds to your mental well-being.
The signature element that defines Scandinavian design is minimalism. Creating a practical space that also happens to look good is key. Minimalism in the Nordic region comes from necessity. For years many of the locals had limited space to work with, this means every item in a home must serve a purpose, be well made and functional.
Aside from a calming colour palate and a minimalist approach to furnishing a room, the next step in Scandi design is to incorporate texture. Typically, texture is predominantly found in wood in the design of the space through walls, wood slats, flooring, and furniture. Light woods such as beach, ash and pine are typically used because of their abundance, but it also compliments the aesthetic of keeping things light and airy. Light wood trestle tables are on trend currently and adding an authentic sheepskin adds the texture we all crave.
‘Over The Top’ Design
Bea Doucet, DWD Interiors Inc.
“Over the top” may become the new mantra.
Color, pattern on pattern - florals no longer considered old fashion, checks and stripes.
Layered rooms, formality with a new relaxed twist.
Traditional designs are making a resurgence - beautiful antiques embraced and featured in the mix.
Quality is back on our plates. Clean Cookie cutter looks are passé - we are injecting personality….surrounding ourselves with style, and comfort.
Never has there been such interest in our interiors and what design and decoration can do for our psyche.
Artistic Themes
Jerrica Zaric, Jerrica Zaric Interior Design
Artistic themes in fabrics, lighting, and accessories. We will be creating artful moments in our interiors by mixing textural geometrics, complex hues, figurative sculptures, and artful wallpapers.
Tied to the first trend, will be creating immersive, fantasy-inducing designs that turn our four walls into a destination. Our most desirable escape in my market is to take off on the open seas. A twist on the expected coastal vibes will be in demand, especially in the later months where cozier colors are more desirable.
Glamor is back with stylized patterns, bold metallics, sumptuous fabrics, and opulent layering. Overall, the pandemic has turned us into more of maximalists, so surrounding ourselves in luxury materials like marble, velvets, and mother of pearl will become more desirable than the all-white approach of the past.
Lighting Making A Big Impact
Tracey McLeod, Showhomes
Thinking of updating your design style but don't know where to begin? If you can't do a complete home makeover then start where you're at. Updating the lighting in your home can instantly transform the look and feel of every area without having to immediately redesign or refurbish.
As well as illuminating your space; wall, ceiling, floor, and table lights, will introduce a new design feature that subtly enhances and complements your existing home decor. The latest lighting boasts energy efficiency, reduced running costs, and sustainable sourcing, along with instant impact to refresh and rejuvenate your home's decor.
White Paint, Black Accents
Eddie Brumbaugh, Jackson Charles
A trend I see on the rise is the use of white paint accented with black!! We are finally doing something other than grays for neutrals!! YAY!!!
A perfect example of this was executed at Kerri Washington's NY apartment home on display in Architectural Digest from March 2019!! Go figure!! I serve an African American clientele base in Atlanta; they love glamour and color!! Talking someone into white walls just never happened!! Today, my clients are requesting them!!
I love the freshness and endless possibilities those pearly walls give me as a designer to create from bright + clean pallet! Adding texture from rugs and fabrics, warmth in materials like wood from a coffee table and the touches of black knock it out of the park every time!
Vintage & Antique Resurgence
Georgia Ezra, Tiles of Ezra, At home with Georgia Ezra, Studio Ezra
As an interior designer who passionately doesn’t like the ideology of a trend, I am loving the resurgence of antique and limited edition one off vintage sellers. There is just so much beauty in the idea behind each person having their own bespoke unique space.
I really think with these sellers who are bringing in one off pieces from global destinations it's starting this beautiful movement in what people want for their own homes and spaces which are exclusive, bespoke and one of a kind, as opposed to a temporary solution based on a trend that will come and go.
Remodel Priorities Change
Sarah McGovern, Milieu
- Kitchens with enlarged butler's pantries that serve as a clean up area. In effect, creating a front kitchen and a back kitchen. Front for prep and guest interaction, and back to hide the mess until clean up time.
- Super modern furniture in historic homes.
- Home offices that have discreet entrances, are separated from the living space by walls and doors (for acoustic privacy), and are flexible enough to return to use as something else in the future.
- Dark themed bathrooms, especially those that are wholly interior rooms without natural light. (You can either fight the dark side or join it!) It’s dramatic and safe at the same time.
Image Credit: Designology. designology101.com
Slow-sumption
Tennille Burnup, Tennille Joy Interiors
We’ll likely see a lot of wallpaper and soft furnishings; lots of cushions, rugs, all the things that make a home comfortable and unique. I think ‘Grandmillennials’ have a sense of belonging. It’s about honouring the craft process – old skills like embroidery or sewing. It’s slow-sumption (slower consumption) and old furniture passed down from a Grandma can be easily revamped in a new timber stain and fabric, giving it a new sense of life and also an intrinsic value.
The Return of Luxury
Rick Shaver, Shaver/Melahn Studios
In 2022 we’re expecting a return to luxury. We don’t see this as a return to the opulence of the 80’s but a trend toward quality and timelessness. With clients feeling more comfortable with in person shopping we are expecting a rise in showroom visits. We see our clients regaining an interest in purchasing more custom high-end pieces that they might not have been willing to buy with only an online viewing. What we’re looking at is a desire for both bench made and antique statement pieces to either complete an existing design or to anchor a new one. These luxury items span the entire set of design categories, from furniture to lighting to carpets to fabrics. The trend will be not be toward showiness but to what we call “comfortable elegance”.
70s & 80s Reimagined
Tawna Allred, Interior Designer
I'm seeing a movement toward warm tones and a late 70s or early 80s vibe re-imagined. Think wallpaper (which my southern friends say never left), arched doorways, gold accents, and rounded edges on furniture and kitchen islands. As predicted, there is a movement to push back at white and bright, which has been dominating for a very long time (and will always have a place for certain homes).
Here's my advice on how to use trends: As the saying goes, trendy is the last stage before tacky, so be careful what you adopt. Make sure it's in line with the architecture of the home, and don't do it unless you love it. Keep trends to soft finishes if you aren't all in but want to try something new, like pillows. It's fun to be daring, so go ahead and try it in a small space. Your powder bathroom is the perfect place to go bold.
Less Is More
Eilyn Jimenez, Founder and Creative Director, Sire Design
Although bold colors are in at the moment, neutral and minimalistic-inspired spaces are always a go-to in any era. The use of alternating textures in monochromatic color palettes always delivers a timeless, inspirational approach that feels pure and welcoming. This tends to be the most requested aesthetic from clients who want their spaces to breathe simplicity in an organic, yet refined way.
We'd like to thank all the incredible designers that contributed to this post! This was a team effort and we appreciate you sharing your tips with us.
A final tip for our readers: rearranging your home doesn’t have to be very expensive. You can always repurpose the furniture that you have, add a few new accessories and change the colors. This way your home will get a new look at a low cost.
What is your favorite trend that you want to try next?