Home Design Trends to Watch Out For in 2022

As always in the world of home design, trends are changing depending on the tastes and sensibilities of clients. Whether it be new color schemes, architectural choices, or different shapes, it's important to keep your finger on the pulse.

With people now spending more time at home, they want to improve their spaces and make them worth being in, which is not a bad thing. With that in mind, these are the home design trends to watch out for in 2022.

1. Green is the Color of Choice

Rather than thinking of green in terms of sustainability, although it does play a part, green is the colour of choice for many client homes. Sure, Pantone might have declared its colours of the year to be the blue/violet Very Peri but in reality, it's green. Sherwin-Williams, for example, named its grey-like Evergreen Fog as its color of the year for 2022, while Benjamin Moore followed suit with October Mist.

This move towards green is largely due to the move towards a greener future and it is now thriving as the new neutral. People are looking to add a hint of vibrancy to their kitchens, offices, and bathrooms with this natural tone. 

2. Glass and Metallics are Design Winners

Perhaps symbolic of how the general population is more sceptical of the world around them, clients are seeking greater transparency in their homes. The use of glass blocks and transparent materials grew considerably in 2021, seeing the use of smart glass enter the design sphere.

Smart glass is an innovative material that changes its heating properties based on how heat and air conditioning are applied in the house. Lucite and acrylic were big recent trends so the natural evolution is to move towards glass blocks. Whether it be structural or home furnishings, what's important to note is the desire to introduce more glass into design.

Shimmery metallics are also expected to grow in popularity in 2022. Customers are seeking more modern and stylish solutions to complete their home’s aesthetic appeal from top to bottom by upgrading their exteriors, replacing broken roof tiles and renovating the entire roof. As well as being an especially durable material, metal roofing comes in various colours and typically makes a home appear more elegant and sophisticated.

3. Curves are Staying in Vogue

Curved lines have been an architectural trend for a few years and that is set to continue with the addition of arches to the home. Hotels and restaurants are leading the trend and Poppy Pearce, creative director of Milc Interiors, suggests "Alcove shelving and bold, coloured headboards are proving the perfect way to encourage the trend".

Curves add an immediate touch of elegance to a property and are being put to good use in many house extensions. Be that windows, doors, or barrelled vaulted roofs, arches are going to feature heavily in home design for the foreseeable future.

4. Bringing the Outside In

Another result from so many people spending extra hours at home working is the increasing need for a feeling of peace. Clients are seeking to live in harmony with nature much more than before, which has seen a surge in the use of cosy materials such as linen, brick and ceramics.

Homes need to be a place of solace and tranquillity like never before as those living within them seek a slower pace of life. That includes using furniture and decorative items that stick around for the long haul, rather than following specific trends.

Bringing the outside in means introducing more plants and greenery into the home - possibly even an indoor tree - while reducing the disconnect from the home and garden. Ways to improve the connection between outside and in include garden awnings, larger patio doors and consistent flooring. Extending the color theme from the kitchen to the garden through a shared wall is another approach that continues to grow in popularity.

5. Maximalism: More is More

Some clients wish for their architects and designers to throw caution to the wind and go big. Minimalism was a huge trend but its days are numbered and in its place stands maximalism. There is a feeling among many clients that more is more and they want their interiors to reflect all aspects of their personality.

While the rules for maximalism can be blurry at best, there are three pivotal features; pattern, color and texture. It is a fine balance between throwing as much into a room as possible while making it seem deliberate and pleasing to the eye.

Important things to consider are a contrast of textures, carefully-curated colors and patterns that stand out. Maximalism also embraces colored ceilings as it's important not to neglect 'the fifth wall'.

6. Floor Patterns Return

Some believe trends to be cyclical in nature and if that's the case then we should welcome back the flooring of the past - patterns! Patterned wood floors are important to many homeowners, with the shapes doing the talking. Old floors can be a great way to get contrast into the design of a room by merging them with new lines on walls and furnishings.

Just like patterned flooring, rugs are also making a big comeback in the soft furnishings department. Fun rugs are a great way to quickly spice up the home, especially in areas like offices, while also creating a contrast of textures. Textiles are as important as ever, and rugs shouldn't be ignored as a way to bring a little style from the past into contemporary design.