Home and interior design trends are always changing, and with so many styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming for homeowners and renters alike.
Whether you’re thinking of moving soon or just want to spruce up the home you’ll be in for the next few years, here are 2022’s trending styles.
- Grandmillennial decor
A throwback to days of old, grandmillennial style gives a nod to tradition, mixes modern and vintage, and incorporates the trend of buying local.
Better Homes & Gardens explains that every generation pushes back against the trends they grew up with, and the current generation grew up with minimalistic all-white spaces. Now, they’re ditching that in favor of bold patterns and earthy colors.
“But these aren’t exactly the stuffy, formal rooms you might remember from childhood. This updated take on traditional style adopts old-school design trends (think: skirted tables, patterned upholstery, floral wallpaper, and richly stained wood furniture) with a fresh spin for the 21st century. By mixing in a few modern elements, the style is nostalgic and comfortable without looking kitschy.”
– Better Homes & Gardens
- Pet-centric spaces
A 2021 survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that one in five families who responded to their survey had gotten a new pet during the first year of the global pandemic. Many were concerned that when the pandemic was over and things got back to normal, the new pet would have a lot of adjusting to do.
Enter pet-friendly additions to home design. Realtor.com® says pet accommodations can be incorporated from the start — with washing stations, food and water bowls, custom bedding, and more built into the design of a new home.
If you’re a longtime homeowner or renter, you can still find ways to give your pets their own space, with all the blankets, toys, and treats they like.
- Set aside a corner of the mudroom for their washing and feeding stations.
- Put bedding in your home office if they like sitting next to you while you work.
- Add a special spot in the family room so they can join you for movie and game night.
Furry friends are family members, too, and new home design is starting to incorporate them more.
- Throwback to tradition
The introduction of grandmillennial decor hinted at the place of tradition in modern design. But Good Housekeeping suggests it digs even deeper than simply pushing back on our parents’ traditions… it’s about honoring our roots.
When the pandemic disrupted life in 2020, people of all ages craved comfort and safety. We’ve seen that desire impact home decor in the years since as we’ve spent more time in our homes and worked hard to make them feel as warm and welcoming as ever.
We’ve also wanted a feeling of nostalgia, so antiques have made a strong comeback. Mix that up with bold patterns, new and improved wallpaper, and more… and you’ve got a throwback to traditions of old that keep us grounded whether our home is a brand new one or a restored historic landmark.
- Multifunctional rooms
When pandemic-induced remote work became a reality for many employees, remote school became the norm for students. Most of our homes weren’t designed with home offices and school rooms in mind.
Instead, corners of bedrooms became offices, dining room tables became classrooms, and we all learned to transform spaces on a whim to make them Zoom friendly or project-focused as needed…for school, work, or both!
Designers of new homes were taking notes, and now multipurpose rooms are trending. “Three bedrooms plus a bonus that you can use for an office, homework nook, or workout room” — this or similar descriptions are the new norm in home listings.
Renters may have a more difficult time turning designated space into a multi-use room, but here are some ideas from The DIY Mommy:
- Use a partition to create two rooms from one.
- Make the most of wall space with vertical storage.
- Turn a mostly unused closet into an office.
- Add a Murphy bed to the guest room, so you can tuck it away when you’re not using it.
- Curves!
With the trend toward functional spaces that are also warm and welcoming, curves have also made a comeback, and experts say they’ll keep their place well into the next season.
“The furniture forecast calls for softer looks with a dose of nostalgia and an eye for craftsmanship…Fading are the rigid modern lines that defined the past decade. Today’s furniture is all about a softer landing and a warmer environment to curl up in at the end of the day.”
– Better Homes & Gardens
Curvy sofas and chairs, archways, and rounded tables — all serve to soften a space, creating the fun, playful, and inviting feel that draws us into a home.
- All-natural design
Many people will say when they spend some time outdoors — on a morning walk, at an outdoor show, or on a vacation at the beach — that they feel refreshed and ready for whatever’s next. As home design is trending toward warm and welcoming, it’s no surprise that we’re also taking a lot of our cues from nature these days.
- Natural colors – Natural hues and soft, earthy tones add to the warmth we’re looking to create in our homes in 2022.
- Biophilic design – Biophilic design is making its mark on home design and decor with trends toward more natural lighting (and lots of it… with plenty of windows to let the sun shine in!), more of the outside on the inside (think lots of plants!), and more natural ventilation to bring fresh air into our homes.
- Sustainability – Also on the radar for many homeowners and renters, sustainability has come to the forefront and isn’t going away. Home and furnishing designers are looking for ways to use more natural materials in their designs as well as reuse, recycle, and upcycle for a lower carbon footprint.
Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or a faithful renter, you can find ways to update your home by making some simple changes. Switch out hard-edged coffee and end tables for furniture with curved edges and softer lines. If you’re in a rental space and can’t paint your white walls, opt for colorful accents in bold patterns to change the look.
And when you’re in the market for buying, selling, or renting, reach out to the Gaskill Realty team, and we can guide you through the ups and downs of changing trends and a dynamic market.