As Harris notes, next year’s trends highlight the beauty of the symmetrical, uneven, or unbalanced things. “This trend is all about seeing flaws as an asset or something that makes each piece unique,” she shares, “It appreciates the effects of time, and the humble beauty found in things that are impermanent old, worn, or incomplete.” And isn’t this a sigh of relief? After a particularly challenging year, this trend is a reminder for both our spaces and ourselves—we don’t have to have it all together all the time. So, without further ado, here are the perfectly imperfect 2022 home decor trends designers are most excited about. “[In] 2022, [we] will see more residential designs sticking to these classics,” shares Phillip Ash, the founder of Pro Paint Corner. “Think gray, beige, white, and brown with warm or rich undertones as wall paint colors. Natural earth colors are also trending as people desire for Zen-like feeling at home, so we’ll see more green shades.” After a year (and more) of living and working at home, we’re more inclined to create a peaceful environment. This naturally lends itself to neutral tones. “Whether it is furniture itself or decorative elements, nature-inspired colors and textures will become more prevalent; such as blues, greens, rich/deep reds, and grounded earth tones, as well as organic, natural shapes that add interest,” says Anna Franklin, interior designer and founder of Stone House Collective. “Especially as we have all spent more time inside the past couple of years, we have seen the pull for including more natural materials, plants, greenery, and trees indoors.” “After over a year of being shut inside, I think there has been and will continue to be a focus on regaining our connection to the natural world through the use of biophilic design principles,” shares Amanda Thompson of ALine Studio. “An emphasis on creating calming environments with natural lighting and ventilation, incorporating plants, and creating a visual connection with nature.” This connection with nature can be presented through plant-focused decor, nature-themed walls or aesthetics, or in physically bringing plants in. “Where we used to see lots of orchids or the ever-temperamental fiddle leaf fig, we will see more and more interesting plants used such as monsteras and sansevierias,” shares Kim Turner, Principal and Designer at Kim Turner Design, and Advancement Director at Dwell with Dignity. “Sansevierias have the added benefit of being able to remove major toxins from the air inside your home.” And, of course, these are just a few examples (of the many) plants we can choose to add to our spaces. “The curved furniture trend took off this past year, reviving a timeless mid-century trend that dates back to the ’60s and ’70s,” shares Franklin. “We don’t see it going away anytime soon, and in fact, we think more people will begin leaning into the idea of curvy pieces—whether it be with mirrors, kitchen islands, or statement furniture such as barrel back chairs.” Especially now, there is even more of a focus on sustainability—in furniture, in products, in lighting, and in how we design our spaces. “Materials that are reclaimed, recycled, and ethically sourced will gain more attention through the years,” continues Castro, “[And] especially as the younger generations who have been heavily involved in the sustainability movement begin to buy and renovate homes for themselves.” “In addition to warm colors, beautiful textiles will be a staple in adding in color, texture, and depth to a space,” says Franklin. “Although monochromatic white designs are not out of style, we are certainly seeing a draw for those warmer, rich colors that textiles bring into a space.” This can be done simply with layering different fabrics (on a bed, for example), or using different materials as accents. “One of our favorite ways to embrace this trend is with natural elements like linen in earth tones, or with fabric patterns that offer pops of rich color on a neutral background,” says Franklin. “Don’t be surprised to see some of your grandma’s favorites prints and fabrics coming back, such as velvet.” “Vintage pieces of furniture will make a comeback as the design world begins to look toward more sustainable options to decorate a home,” shares Castro. “Shopping from sustainable and ethical retailers that provide higher quality products will allow us to keep our furniture for longer and will stay in good shape, which is ultimately more financially responsible and mindful of the environment.” So, where can you find these unique, statement pieces? Try thrift stores, flea markets, repurposed furniture stores (online or in-store), or scour your local resale sites like Goodwill, Craigslist, or even Facebook Marketplace. “Multifunctional spaces are coming in hot in 2022 and are most likely here to stay,” says Castro. Being at home for months on end, she says “allowed many people (especially those design enthusiasts) to realize how they use each space in their home and the better functions they could be introducing in a single room.” In fact, many people—homeowners and designers alike—are reconsidering how spaces are designed and what it really means to be multifunctional. Briana Ellis Hoag, AIA, Founder of Ritual Architecture, shares her perspective: “I think what’s changing in home design is a more balanced approach to remodeling and expanding to meet your family’s needs,” she says. “Last year it was carving out home offices and home study areas. This year, I think while that is still important, it’s more of a bigger picture consideration of how we can make our homes more of an oasis where we WANT to spend more time there, even if we don’t NEED to as much these days.” In addition to the idea of multifunctional comes the focus on statement pieces and furniture that serves more than one purpose—especially if you rent or live in a smaller space. “For those living in smaller spaces, furniture that offers multiple functions is ideal,” shares Katie Simpson, Senior Interior Designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “Quality multifunctional furniture provides versatility as it can adapt to many living situations whether you are downsizing or already have a small floor plan.” “As people make outdoor spaces an extension of their home, a few elements come to mind that enhance continuity,” shares Joe Raboine, outdoor living expert and Director of Residential Hardscapes with Belgard. “We are observing entangled design becoming more popular, which combines the surrounding landscape with hardscape designs. Irregular edges blended with boulders, grass and aggregate create a more natural, organic look.” “This is a Scandinavian-Japanese mix for interior design,” says Harris. “It is very minimalist… It brings a lot of natural elements into a space with [a] muted palette, natural light, plants, and clean simple lines.” “I love the idea of styling with greenery from one’s own home, like finding oversized greenery in your yard and bringing a dramatic stylist element into the room rather than going out and buying plants,” she says. “At Michaels, we are inspired by our Makers and the incredible things they create,” shares Andrea Manning, Senior Director of Trend, Design & Packaging. “In 2022 we expect to see new and experienced Makers alike continue to practice mindful making, the idea of using arts and crafts to relax and find calm. We’ll see them applying what they learned last year and expanding creatively into new materials and aspirational themes, more sustainable ways of crafting, and to use making to connect with loved ones in new and meaningful ways.” After the disconnect of 2020 and 2021, it’s wonderful to see how our houses are truly becoming our homes.
