The year has turned a leaf, and it’s time for our interiors to change too! Check out the top home design trends for 2022, and see which ones appeal to you!
It’s a New Year, and just as soon as we decided to get excited about it, COVID showed us that it had taken the whole ‘New Year New Me’ thing seriously – by releasing a new variant.
So the pandemic is back (not that it ever left) and we’re getting flashbacks of 2020 all over again. However, there are a few things that are certainly going to be different this year – and home décor is among them!
I’m not that big into following trends, whether in fashion or for the home, but this year, you’ll see that most of the home design trends for 2022 have originated from practicality. It’s also got a lot to do with how we’re feeling – especially as this is going to be our third year of the pandemic.
In fact, Pantone’s Color of the Year, ‘Very Peri’, is meant to bring joy back into our lives, while encouraging us to be creative and optimistic about life. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
From what we’ve seen so far, it looks like we’re still going to be spending a great deal of time indoors, so we might as well give our space a little refresh to make things better. To help you with that and any décor decisions you may be considering, we’ve got here a list of the top 15 home design trends for 2022 that I’m personally looking forward to. What about you? Read on and decide for yourself!
Top 15 Home Design Trends for 2022 that you’ll Love
1. Natural Browns
Remember how every interior design photo we saw on Instagram was bathed in white? Everyone was going for all white rooms with splashes of gray or beige, and that is one trend that is on its way out in 2022. One of the most significant home design trends for 2022 is going to be an increase in browns – chocolate, terracotta, caramel, camel – name a shade and it’s in!
Brown connects us with the earth, and it gives homes a warm feeling, which is what everyone seems to want these days. Browns will be seen in soft furnishings, décor accents, and even wood. Wood tones will be somewhere in between really dark shades and light ones. Wood floorings are also going to see an increase, at least in places with low humidity.
2. Greens Galore
While brown connects us with the earth, green connects us to nature, and this is one color that’s going to be big in 2022 – never mind what Pantone says! In fact, major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore have declared their colors of the year which are varying shades of sage green.
This color goes perfectly with brown to create a warming, welcoming atmosphere in your space. Other colors that work with this palette are mustard yellow and duck egg blue. Be prepared to see shades of sage green not just on walls, but in furnishing, art and décor accents.
3. Natural Imperfections
If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s that life is never going to be perfect, and it’s all about embracing uncertainty and imperfections. This concept translates into our interior spaces as well, as we open our hearts and homes to natural imperfect pieces.
When we speak of natural imperfections, we speak of the uneven surface of stone, the asymmetrical grain of wood or the raw nature of terracotta. These help bring an organic feel to our spaces, and ties in with wabi sabi, the Japanese concept of accepting change and imperfection.
4. Curved Furniture
The age of sharp, straight edge furniture is over, and 2022 will see a rise in curved and sculptural pieces. There is something inherently warming in a circle – it tends to bring things together, as a whole. As we retreat more within our homes and families, our furniture starts reflecting this change.
Get ready for furniture with sculpted frames or trims, as well as rounded edges. Chairs and sofas will have curved backs, while cabinets and cupboards will feature arches. Even shapes like squares and rectangles will have rounded edges to add to the overall ‘softened’ look.
5. Repurposed Vintage
Saying that vintage will be a hot trend in 2022 sounds strange – was vintage ever not a trend? Bringing a vintage piece into a room instantly takes the atmosphere up a notch, as it brings in a lot of history and heritage into the space. There is something inherently classic about vintage pieces and you won’t even have to stress too much about decorating the space.
As furniture supply chains get affected and inflation increases, people will lean towards old furniture their families probably owned, and repurpose them to suit modern life. By smoothening down jagged edges and giving it a coat of polish, old pieces will find new life, while maintaining their original charm.
6. Bolder Details
As mentioned earlier, we’re done with the all-white room, and it’s time to go bold! People have realized that they’re going to be spending a fair bit of time at home even in 2022, so it’s worth their while to make it a happy, lively space.
After the low-key, subdued décor themes of the past year, we’re ready to have some fun! Be prepared for whimsical, playful patterns in bold colors, spread across the home. Floral and botanical patterns are going to see a big comeback, in furnishings and décor. Wallpaper is going to be big this year too, and they’re going to be bold enough to be the show stopping feature in many homes.
7. Maximalist Tendencies
The earlier trend may have given you a tip into what’s coming next in this list of home design trends for 2022 – yes, we’re talking about maximalism! Minimalism was really huge in 2020, but towards the end of 2021, it started to wane. We’re talking of minimalism as a décor theme here, and not as a lifestyle choice. We’re talking more textures, layers and a certain richness to everything décor.
A lot of it is actually based on practicality. Since people are spending nearly all their time at home, they need to use their things frequently. As a result, it makes more sense to have them out and displayed, rather than buried in a basket somewhere. Maximalism also has to do with the feeling of joie de vivre that will be popular in 2022 – people are tired of waiting for the pandemic to end, and are prepared to enjoy life as it is, right here, right now.
8. Multipurpose Rooms
When the pandemic began, we were thrust into it head first, and had to scramble to adjust our lives being homebound. However, as we enter our third year of living with COVID-19, we are more aware of what needs to be changed, and how our homes need to be.
For most of us with limited space, each room performs multiple functions. The bedroom may double up as a meditation space. The dining room may do double duty as a home office and the living room moonlights as a gym. 2022 will see people making more conscious decisions to plan their rooms with these multipurpose functions in mind, like adding wall units or investing in movable furniture with wheels.
9. Private Spaces
As families spend more and more time indoors and with each other, it becomes essential for everyone to have their own private space away from others. This year will see homes being designed with dividers or delineations for more privacy – no more open floor plans!
Even homes that are currently open concept will start including movable dividers, or rearrange their furniture to act as demarcations between spaces. Even while rooms are being used for multiple purposes, this kind of segregation still gives each family member a chance to retreat into himself and recharge with some me-time.
10. Traditional Touches
If there’s one thing all of us craved in these past few years, it’s comfort. Many of us were unable to meet our families for extended periods of time, and it took a toll on us. That’s why 2022 will see most of us looking for ways to reconnect with our roots in some way or the other. And what better way than through our homes!
One of the chief home design trends for 2022 is going to be the inclusion of traditional elements throughout our spaces. It can be something large, like a huge four poster bed from your grandmother, or it can be something small, like an antique brass lamp. We’re going to seen an increase in ornate pieces and fabrics like velvet, which bring in a sense of comfort and nostalgia into our spaces.
11. Custom Pieces
As supply chain issues continue and we find it hard to get things instantly, we have realized the value of good, quality pieces in our home, that stand the test of time (and pandemics). I love IKEA with all my heart, but it looks like 2022 will see more demand for handmade, custom pieces that can turn into family heirlooms.
Those who can find vintage pieces will repurpose them to suit their homes, but others will be commissioning bespoke pieces for themselves. Hopefully, this should give local artisans and wood workers a boost, while also supporting sustainability and green living.
12. Cozy Elements
It’s been a whirlwind these past couple of years, and it’s not surprising that coziness is going to be one of the top home design trends for 2022. This is another reason maximalism is in – we’re going to be seeing more elements that add to the cozy feeling, like throws, cushions and rugs.
Get ready to see a mix of textures in homes, like macramé, velvet, jacquard and others. Canopy beds are going to make a comeback, as are large, stuffed sofas and couches. There will also be a lot of layering, in terms of décor and furnishings, to add to a ‘sink in’ feeling as soon as you enter a space.
13. Dark Kitchens
We’re past the Dalgona coffee and banana bread stage of the pandemic, but many of us are still cooking at home more than before. The sheer practical requirements of this task have led to the latest among home design trends for 2022 – darker kitchens – not in terms of lighting, but in terms of finishes and colors.
Yes, a white or marble countertop looks great, but it requires a great deal of maintenance, which is why people are going back to reliable ol’ granite. All-white kitchens are definitely on their way out, as darker cabinetry is much more forgiving and easier to keep clean. There is also an increasing trend of the backsplash matching the counter top, which will also add to the overall moodier appearance.
14. Spa Bathrooms
Don’t you love the feeling of stepping into a hotel bathroom? There is a sense of relaxation, with the lovely lighting, the pleasing fragrance and the spa-like atmosphere. Well, this is exactly what people are going for in 2022 – spa-like bathrooms!
Apparently, people searched for the term ‘hotel’ bathroom’ 435% more in 2021 than ever before, which shows a clear indication for where 2022 bathrooms are headed. This year will see a lot of modern additions to bathrooms, like saunas, tubs and special jet sprays along with impressive lighting features for that relaxing ambience.
15. Statement Décor
Décor accents are also going to change in 2022, as we move towards bolder, statement pieces of art. If gold and rose gold ruled the roost the past year, 2022 will see more of metals like pewter, stainless steel and aluminum. People will opt for large, grand pieces of décor, whether it’s lighting or art.
2022 will also see an increased demand for local artists, especially those who focus on diverse and ethnic themes. Even though we can’t travel, travel-themed décor will be on the rise, from small accent pieces to large canvases.
Okay, so looks like we’re heading towards a year of bolder, larger themes in décor, while holding on to our roots and staying true to nature. Biophilic design will continue to be big in 2022, and there will be an increased focus on sustainable living. As we start welcoming guests, our spaces will become warmer and more accommodating. When it comes to design styles, we’ll move away from bohemian, farmhouse and mid-century modern styles, moving more towards art deco and traditional. All in all, these home design trends for 2022 have got me all excited for the New Year, and I hope you’re ready for a change too!
4 Comments
This is so interesting! I’m glad I chose a chocolate brown sectional when I ordered it in September (still awaiting delivery). Thanks for sharing.
Those are some really cool decor trends you have mentioned. Nicely curated
It was interesting reading about the top 15 design trends! I do love the idea of repurposed vintage pieces & I’m all for making rooms cozy! I would also love a bathtub & turning my bathroom into a spa!