2022 Design Trends
Home decor trends are always changing, but when it comes to 2022—a new year on the tails of some pretty challenging times—one phrase rings true for everything from home design to our daily lives, embrace the perfectly imperfect. A bit of truth….I’m sitting in my partially decorated home office, in stretchy pants researching trends on my computer with my kids on a virtual teen hangout over zoom in their rooms, and my dog and bunny at my feet staring at me waiting for me to feed them dinner. Let’s just say that I’ve long accepted the perfectly imperfect in my own home.
Design Trends for 2021-Comfort is Key
I think we can all agree gone are the days of stuffy, unliveable spaces. With all our time at home these past couple of years we’re looking for comfy, relaxed styles. In simplified terms…furniture’s equivalent of stretch pants:) Next year's trends will highlight the beauty of the symmetrical, uneven, or unbalanced things. This trend is all about seeing flaws as an asset; as something that makes each piece unique. We will embrace the effects time has had on a piece and the humble beauty found in things that are impermanent old, worn, or incomplete so for those of us who enjoy mixing the old with new, it looks like we will be “on trend” in 2022.
All joking aside— isn’t this a sigh of relief? We are finally embracing the idea that our homes should be comfortable and cozy and have a story to tell. After a particularly challenging couple of years, this trend is a reminder for both our spaces and ourselves—we don’t have to have it all together all the time.
This quest for comfy brings in a lot of dense textures and weaves that feel relaxed and feel good to the touch. It’s all about maximizing comfort during all that Netflix binging sofa time, right? The design trend this year is embracing larger, relaxed furniture, while minimalist, mid-century designs are taking a backseat. Families want a place to gather all together to play games, puzzles, and snuggle in front of the TV. Casual, oversized sofas (not those behemoth microsuede marshmallow pillow-like sofas) and sectionals are more practical for these activities.
Design Trend-Bringing Nature Inside
The focus on green hues in 2022 home decor trends can also be attributed to the increase in nature-based design (and our growing love for plants, of course!). Whether the goal is to bring nature inside or to simply freshen the home with natural hues, live plants are becoming even more popular as we head into 2022. Organic and natural materials are IN. And in a major way. This trend is going strong after last year and even more people are embracing it. Wood, rattan, wovens, cane, grasses are were all popular in 2021 and you will continue seeing them in 2022. With the stress of the pandemic, we’re craving a connection to nature and the earth.
What can this look like in your home? You could include natural wood tones in your furniture or chandeliers . Other ideas are rattan and cane furniture, grass cloth wallpaper, or even adding plants to your home adds those natural elements that calm and soothe us.
Design Trend-Popular Colors for 2021
Colors trends come and go but in 2022 there is a shift towards warm, nature inspired earth tones. Lots of design vendors are offering products that embrace natural colors like warm browns, greens, and terracotta. Sherwin Williams released their color of the year, Evergreen Fog, which combines nature and sophistication in this soothing subtle green gray. This color will bring tranquil vibes to your space.
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Design Trend- Luxurious Textiles
To balance the neutral and warm tones in rooms, the trend of adding textiles will help to add that elegant feel.
In addition to warm colors, beautiful textiles will be a staple in adding in color, texture, and depth to a space. Although monochromatic white designs are not out of style, we are certainly seeing a draw for those warmer, rich colors that textiles bring into a space.”
This can be done simply with layering different fabrics (on a bed, for example), or using different materials as accents.
One of our favorite ways to embrace this trend is with natural elements like linen in earth tones, or with fabric patterns that offer pops of rich color on a neutral background. Don’t be surprised to see some of your grandma’s favorites prints and fabrics coming back, such as velvet.
Design Trend-Vintage Is Making a Comeback
Did it ever really leave? I’ve always used thrifted, antique vintage finds to decorate my home. Your grandparents' fabrics aren’t the only item coming back in 2022. According to “experts” vintage furniture is shifting to fully ‘in’ this new year.
Vintage pieces of furniture will make a comeback as the design world begins to look toward more sustainable options to decorate a home. Shopping from sustainable and ethical retailers that provide higher quality products will allow us to keep our furniture for longer and will stay in good shape, which is ultimately more financially responsible and mindful of the environment. I think it is easy to say we will be looking more locally for those larger pieces in light of the long delays of waiting for items to arrive from overseas.
So, where can you find these unique, statement pieces? Try thrift stores, flea markets, repurposed furniture stores (online or in-store), or scour your local resale sites like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.
Besides the sustainable eco-friendly approach to decorating our homes, there’s been a mindset shift as well from choosing fast and cheap furniture to investing in sustainable, furniture that’s built to last. You may think you’re scoring a great deal with something inexpensive…UNTIL you have to replace it in a less than a year. Since we’re spending so much time in our homes these past two years, it’s more important than ever that our furniture can handle the heavy use.
I personally, would rather spend a little more knowing I’m getting high quality that will last rather than something I’ll have to toss in a few months (that is why I like to purchase antique solid wood pieces as it’s friendlier on the pocketbook). When it comes to interior design and decorating, there’s no such thing as something that’s good, fast and cheap. You can get two of the, but not all three.
Design Trend- Multifunctional Spaces & Furniture
One of the 2022 home decor trends designers, like myself, are most excited about is the focus on multifunctional—spaces, furniture, rooms, and items.
Multifunctional spaces are coming in hot in 2022 and are most likely here to stay. Being at home for months on end and many of us working full time from home allowed us (especially those design enthusiasts) to realize how we use each space in our home and the better functions we could be introducing in a single room.
In fact, many people—homeowners and designers alike—are reconsidering how spaces are designed and what it really means to be multifunctional. Can I get a hallelujah?!!! Finally people realize designing a space is so much more than focusing on style, aesthetic but function will come in to play a major role as well. Designers have always focused on function when it comes to designing spaces but fingers crossed, the masses will now realize how important it truly is.
I think what's changing in home design is a more balanced approach to remodelling and expanding to meet your family’s needs. In 2020-21 it was carving out home offices and home study areas. This year, I think while that is still important, it's more of a bigger picture consideration of how we can make our homes more of an oasis where we WANT to spend more time there, even if we don't NEED to as much these days.
Design Trend-DIY Creations as Accents
This is another “trend” that excites me. I often tell my clients, our homes are not only the spaces in which we live, but they should also speak about who we are and what we love. As such, one of the bigger design trends expected for 2022 is creating those accents for our home that has meaning and adds that personal touch.
In 2022 we can expect to see new and experienced Makers alike continue to practice mindful making, the idea of using arts and crafts to relax and find calm. We’ll see Makers expanding creatively into new materials and aspirational themes, more sustainable ways of crafting, and to use making to connect with loved ones in new and meaningful ways. You’re not a Maker you ask? No problem, there are so many makers on sites such as Etsy running small businesses. Be sure to support them, follow them on social, like, comment and share their creations.
After the disconnect of 2020 and 2021, it’s wonderful to see how our houses are truly becoming our homes.
Conclusion-Final thoughts...
As we head into 2022, we’ve forgone polished for functional, quality vintage pieces over cheap mass produced, and homemade for store-bought. The message? Homes that are real rather than resembling an untouched magazine.
We used to spend only a few hours at home, but these past two years we’ve spent more time at home than ever. We want rooms that are functional, look good, and aren’t wasted spaces.
Another important thing to remember about design trends is that trends come and go. It’s important to me as a designer to know about trends, but I don’t let them dictate what I design for my clients or myself. It’s much more important that you go with your own personal style and what you love. Doing that will help you make sure you love your design for years to come.
