So far, the start of 2022 has given us a heavy dose of deja vu. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on. Mask mandates have returned. “Joe Millionaire” is back on TV. (We did a double take, too.)
With everything seeming bleakly the same, it makes sense that you might want to make something in your life look different—even if the world outside continues to feel rote. That’s why we consulted with our stable of designers and tastemakers to get the scoop on the home trends they anticipate will be huge in 2022.
And trust us—this is the makeover you deserve. Here’s what to watch for:
1. Vintage and craft furniture
Photo by Sean Litchfield Photography
Perhaps the only phrase we’ve heard more the past few months than “omicron” is “supply chain.” The shortage of ordinary household goods and building supplies has affected us all in one way or another. And if you’ve been looking to furnish your home or give your living room a makeover with a new sofa, you know what we’re talking about.
With supply chain issues and shipping waits stretching to months, many homeowners (and designers) are turning toward vintage items they can find locally.
“Unique pieces that can only be found in thrift stores and secondhand are sure to be a hit,” says Stephanie Hearn Purcell, owner and designer at Redesigned Classics.
Keep your finds as is for that trendy “grandmillennial” look, or refinish the pieces with a 2022 twist.
“We are seeing some remarkable items using leftover scraps of materials to create something completely new,” Purcell says.
“Did you inherit Granny’s old dresser or armoire? Then coat it with a glossy new paint color, fill the interior with a funky wall covering, add new hardware, and voila—c’est tres chic,” says Ana Cummings, owner of ANA Interiors Ltd.
The vintage trend is also having a moment as consumers want to shy away from big-box stores and shop handmade—or even go the DIY route.
“From handmaking furniture to creating artwork, everybody knows somebody that is turning their passion for DIY into a real income,” says Justin Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency. “Supporting your fellow artisan may be a great way to get an original piece with a great story behind it.”
2. Houseplants galore
Photo by Kit Republic
Speaking of vintage, in 2022 Riordan says we’ll be time-traveling to the days of disco with our houseplant obsession.
“I have not seen a drive for houseplants like this since the late 1970s and early 1980s,” he says. “Along with those plants will come crafty homemade pots, macramé plant hangers, and DIY reclaimed wooden plant stands.”
Why the gusto for greenery? You can thank the pandemic for that.
“With more and more people working from home, we as a society are looking for any way to connect with nature in our living and working spaces,” Riordan says.
3. No curtains (and extra windows where possible)
Photo by Crisp Architects
In order to keep all those plants alive and healthy (and us, TBH), our homes will need an influx of light. So in 2022, break free from the curtains and embrace the naked window.
“Heavy draperies, color roller shades, and blinds have been popular for a long time, but we are going to see a push toward removing all window coverings and allowing the light to come in,” Riordan says. “We are seeing a sacrifice of privacy in order to have more and more light in our homes. New construction will see a push toward larger windows and lots of extra light sources in the home.”
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4. Pet-centric design
Photo by Home Design & Decor Magazine
Quick straw poll: Who didn’t get a new pet during the pandemic? Whether you added a furry new family member or you’re just worried about leaving the little guy (or gal) behind as you return to the office, our homes in 2022 will be centrally focused on our pets.
“We are catering to our beloved furry friends in over-the-top ways, incorporating food dishes and water taps into the millwork and at floor level, full-on washing stations with ramps in mudrooms, and custom pet beds,” Cummings says. “It’s a lot of fun—and guess what? Those kinds of clients will never complain!”
5. Eclectic fixtures
Photo by Fiddlehead Design Group, LLC
One of the easiest ways to give any room a face-lift is with a new light fixture. And these days, the bolder the better.
“The light fixture has become a focal point and no longer a side thought,” says Sunjay Williams. Williams and her husband, Darryl, were contestants on HGTV’s “Battle on the Beach.”
The couple, who are real estate investors and house flippers in the Atlanta area, look at design with an eye toward what adds value.
“Mixed and interesting fixtures can bring character to a home,” Williams says.
6. Curves
Photo by CLB Architects
Curvilinear furniture began taking the design world by storm a couple of years ago. Think circular couches, shell-shaped armchairs, and round mirrors.
And that trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Designers say 2022 will have us embracing curves in not only our furniture and accessories but also in our built-in features such as kitchen islands, bath and shower walls, windows, doors, and entryways.
“If you can build it with a rounded edge—even a kitchen island—it will be unique and different from your neighbor,” Cummings says. “These undulating designs will have you swooning. There is something very playful yet comforting about them.”
7. Smarter kitchen storage solutions
We can’t all be blessed with a full chef’s kitchen with storage galore. If you’re sick of digging to the back of your cabinets to find the colander, consider adding deep pull-out drawers for pots, pans, and large bowls.
“Instead of playing pot-Tetris in a cabinet, deep pull-out drawers make finding the right pot a cinch,” Williams says.
8. Woven furniture and accessories
Photo by Jody Brettkelly
What was once considered only for outdoor use, woven and wicker furniture has made its way into kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and more. Cummings has seen everything from sideboards to headboards “incorporating unique and unexpected woven elements on them.
“From artisan baskets to light fixtures, the woven element has taken the design world by storm. … It’s not just for the porch rocker anymore,” Cummings says. “The nautical and beach aesthetics boosted this look, along with the boho, vintage, and “jungalow” looks—it all vibes so well together. We love the natural colors and organic feeling of it all.”
9. Sensual moody bedrooms
Photo by In Detail Interiors
With everything still seeming meh outside, we definitely need a sanctuary inside. In 2022, we’ll bring the magic back to the bedroom with moody decor schemes reminiscent of luxury boutique hotels.
“I am seeing more and more bedroom designs using asymmetrical proportions, unique mirrors, statement and strip lighting, and bed frames worthy of conversation,” Cummings says. “Feature walls are showcasing a number of different cladding materials for layering effects, dimension, and drama. Closets have glass doors and are meticulously compartmentalized and designed.”
10. Luxe laundry rooms and pantries
Photo by Cambria
We spend so much time doing laundry and organizing our pantries—or at least some of us do. But in 2022, we’re realizing these don’t have to be joyless, soul-sucking activities. Wouldn’t these mundane chores seem lighter if you’re in a space that is light, bright, and fun?
“We are realizing that we should take joyful inspiring moments wherever we are and whatever it is we are doing,” Cummings says.
That’s why designers say that 2022 will see us giving the same consideration to the laundry room and pantry as we do to the kitchen and other rooms in the house. Today’s luxurious laundry rooms include built in-storage, slide-out drying racks, washing machines and dryers built into colorful millwork, wallpaper, high-end faucets and sinks, and ambient lighting, Cummings says.
For pantries, Cummings predicts we’ll see beautifully organized food and cookware storage, and possibly even a small pocket office to manage the household.
11. Laminate vinyl plank flooring
Redoing your floors can be exorbitantly expensive. But in 2022, folks have caught on to a much cheaper option that looks just as rich as tile or real hardwood: laminate vinyl plank flooring.
“It’s even cheaper than carpet sometimes,” Williams says. “It’s a great way to update a room without blowing the budget. Plus, it’s durable, water-resistant, affordable, easy to install, and there are tons of options.”
12. Dedicated home theater space
Photo by Alex Barredo | Photographer
Even though we’re bingeing our favorite shows on all kinds of devices (I’m not the only one watching “Succession” on my phone in bed, right?), most of us still prefer to consume the never-ending deluge of content on a big-screen TV.
But not everyone wants to see an 80-inch screen in their everyday living and entertaining areas.
“We live in a market that loves their TV time,” Cummings says. “It only makes sense to have a room for it.”
So in 2022, make the theater come to you. Turn the basement or an unused room into your own stylish cinematic lounge, complete with plush, deep-seated sofas.
“If you can have a power nap on them, even better—you may even spend the night if you can’t make it to your bedroom,” Cummings says. “Ambient lighting is nice, along with a rich, dark color on the wall [to] give you that luxurious feeling. Throws to curl up in or a place to put your feet up and maybe a small table for your snacks is all you really need.”
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