Interior Design Trends for 2022
Which Interior Design Trends Will Stay for 2022?
As each new year arrives, interior designers buzz with excitement for what the new year will bring. 2021’s main theme was blended styling and practicality – driven by a necessity to remain at home and to make as comfortable an existence as possible. But what about 2022? Some top designers have been sharing their thoughts on what they think this year will bring.
Curved and Gentle Lines
The biggest change to furnishings and design of the last few years is the shift from geometry and angular borders to softer lines and waves. Pinterest first called this trend for 2022 when it noticed searches for softer and more elegant design had skyrocketed in the latter part of 2021. Interior designers believe this is a desire for comfort and gentleness in tough times. Curves feel naturally softer, and calming, in a time when people want to feel embraced by their living space. Furniture is increasingly moving to curved corners – cabinets and sofas alike, even dining chairs and tables show a softening trend.
Touches of Luxury
Also driven by the move to homeworking, even those who were never able to do so are realising the importance of an attractive living space. Not only that, but we’re bringing more luxury into our lives – both in the aesthetic and the functional. Self-cleaning bidets have made bathrooms a cosier place to be. Luxurious decoration, pops of colour, geometric accents and focal points make a room stand out – giving something to draw the eye each day and make our home working environment interesting. These will stay as, according to a study in 2021, around 80% of people now prefer the choice to work from home at least part of their working week.
Pantone Colour – Very Peri
Very Peri is the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2022. It is a bold blue with a violet tone that stops short of being a purple. It is vibrant, energetic, and positive. We expect to see it show up across the board – soft furnishings, décor, and everywhere else. According to Pantone, they chose Very Peri as it is a “spritely and joyous” tone encouraging imagination and creativity. This makes it the ideal home colour for those who now work from home either permanently or occasionally and want an ideal environment for both home and work life.
Mixing New with Vintage
Replacing everything with the latest trend is out. What’s in? Family heirlooms, upcycled/restored pieces, and quirky older pieces found in antiques shops. Such older items add character to your home but are also more eco-friendly and easier on the pocket when carefully sourced: car boot and yard sales can also be great places to find vintage pieces. With supply-chain disruption and orders sometimes taking months, there is something to be said for revisiting yesteryear. Surprisingly, the seventies seem to be back in vogue. That means the return of mustard, sage, and terracotta splashes of colour and the ornamental pieces to accompany them.
Sustainability Matters
On a similar note, we all continue to develop our sense of awareness about the environment. Sustainability is more than simply buying older pieces. Consumers now look for ethical pieces, those made from sustainable materials – in their furniture, ornamentation and even paints. People understand there is more to being environmentally conscious than recycling. They want to know where items come from – the carbon footprint, what it is made from, right down to the woods used, what is in the glue and the fibre. Materials are important, of course, but so is distance to source – and that’s why people are shopping local.
Texture Layers Are Still In
Finally, of all interior design trends for the year, texture was the trend that more designers discussed the most. Related to some issues already discussed, along with the gentle curves, furry, soft & cosy, and nubby (meaning coarse or knobbly) are in too. We also expect to see the return of fringe – a 1970s tradition. This is not limited to furnishings though. We are seeing this in walls. Trending paint techniques for this year include paint products to mimic other effects such as plaster, and lime-washing. Also, stone, wood, leather, and other surfaces mimicking natural surfaces are in too.
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