Design Trends of 2022

Due to the COVID pandemic, everyone has spent more time indoors over the last two years. Whether working from home, home-schooling the kids, or simply isolating for safety, the home has taken on a whole new meaning. With a new appreciation for the comforts of home, design trends are changing our living spaces for 2022.

Show-Stopping Kitchens
While the kitchen has always served as the hub of the home, that concept will be exemplified in 2022. Kitchens that focus on cooking, family gatherings, spacious layouts, and luxurious finishes will be in the spotlight. Expect to see a variety of quality kitchen appliances that simplify cooking, food storage, and cleaning chores. Open kitchen layouts that emphasize family gatherings and provide plenty of elbow room for guests will replace kitchens with small, closed-in spaces.

Dedicated Spaces
Multi-functional spaces that serve many purposes will take a back seat to dedicated spaces that address specific needs. In 2022, there will be a surge in spaces dedicated to work and relaxation.

• Home Offices – With so many changes in the workplace, home offices are making a big comeback. Forget working on the kitchen table or the living room desk; homeowners want dedicated rooms with all the functional features of a home office.
  • Kaylor Russell, senior design of Kitchen & Bath Galleries, is quoted in Chapel Hill Magazine's What's New, What's Next and What's Timeless in Home Trends article stating that“ more and more clients are turning extra bedrooms, formal dining rooms and unfinished spaces into offices. I see this trend slowing down eventually but not anytime soon. It’s also a good place for homeowners to keep their general housekeeping records (bills, mail, appliance/tool manuals, etc.). Those things used to be kept in a drawer in the kitchen, so now there’s a more formal place for it to live.” 
    
• Home Gyms – Rooms dedicated to physical fitness are trending. Whether it's an extra bedroom, a space in the garage, or an outdoor shed, homeowners are setting up home gyms with serious fitness equipment to stay in shape.
• Wine Rooms – Interior design trends show a big demand for dedicated wine tasting and storage spaces. With more homeowners socializing at home, designers are designing elaborate wine rooms with cold storage and comfortable seating for tasting parties.​

Bold Colors and Patterns
Homeowners are stepping out of their comfort zones and taking risks with bold colors and patterns that boost their mood. Bold colors and patterns with intense hues and rich textures are topping the list. Bold paint colors in shades of teal blue, hunter green, and ochre, umber, and mustard are top sellers. Rich textures found in suede, velvet, mohair, and natural fibers are trending. Bold colors and patterns are showing up in rugs, upholstery, draperies, wallpapers, and accessories for the home.

Pearl Arnold., co-founder and principal designer of Triple Aught Design + Build, in the same Chapel Hill Magazine article talks about the Pantone Color of the Year, Very Peri. “Very Peri is nice and fresh! I think it would make a great accent color,  and feel bright and clean."

Curves and Soft Edges
Curves and soft edges are replacing hard, straight lines in home furnishings and accessories. Architectural details like rounded ceiling soffits and walls, curved edges on kitchen cabinetry, and arched windows and doorways are trending in new home construction across the country. In existing homes, homeowners are incorporating this trend by buying sofas and chairs with softer, rounded corners, drum tables, round chandeliers, and oval or round area rugs.

Vintage and Antique Furnishings
Designers are noticing a renewed interest in vintage, antique, and handcrafted furnishings that lend the unique charm and character of the past. Homeowners are turning to old antique rugs, velvet draperies, vintage wallpapers, pleated and ruffled upholstery, and tasseled and fringed throw pillows to create a warm, inviting home. To prevent a stuffy atmosphere of days past, vintage and antique furnishings are being combined with decorative elements in bolder colors that feel more playful and less traditional.

Relaxing Atmosphere
In 2022, emotional wellness continues to be a major factor in home design trends. Homeowners are focused on ways to bring more natural light, ventilation, and healthy elements into their spaces. Design trends emphasize organic materials like wood, stone, and ceramic, relaxing features like fireplaces and waterfalls, and healthy air quality with more indoor plants. Homeowners want interior elements that promote a relaxing home atmosphere and a balanced mindset in uncertain times.

Another trend of 2022 is personal Journaling! Click here to learn more about Journaling and its health benefits!