2022 Consumer Trends in Interior Design that are Here to Stay

We’ve experienced tidal waves of change over the past two years. And though there were – and still are – many hurdles we’ve had to overcome, there’s always a silver lining. With greater reason, people are learning to re-engage with the natural world around them, appreciate every inch of their home, and prioritize their personal freedom. This is apparent in many of the emerging 2022 consumer trends in interior design that reflect our shift to the at-home work lifestyle and our desire to be surrounded by nature. Unsurprisingly, consumers aren’t as keen to create picture-perfect interiors either. During these turbulent times, people are recognizing that rustic flaws and imperfections can be just as beautiful.

From home-based recreation to sustainable materials to smart furniture and even bigger plant obsessions – here are the 2022 trends in interior design that are forecasted to strengthen or emerge this coming year.

Working from Home Setup

With the at-home work lifestyle becoming more of a permanent trend, people are seeking out ways to maximize their space to remain focused, while also creating some segregation between work and life. As a basic necessity, modern home office setups largely revolve around the “Zoom Room” concept. This means bright lighting and a clean backdrop are essential. But to move away from the stuffy corporate ambience, other features are being favored too – warm wood, creamy and earthy tones, cozy rugs, and lots of greenery. Simple additions like these are helping to refresh home workspaces for enhanced, long-term comfort and productivity.

But what about those who don’t have much room to work with? For smaller interiors, creative solutions for designated work zones will be crucial – whether it’s partitioned alcoves with a built-in desk, converting spare bedrooms, or even utilizing large closets. Even when working with limited space, maximizing light, sticking with warm neutrals and adding a few lush plants can work wonders to convert any dull area into a cozy and creative workstation.

Sustainability

This year, the environment is taking center stage – and for good reason. Spending more time outdoors has intensified our connection and awareness with nature and just how important it is to us. For this reason, sustainability is at the forefront of emerging home décor trends for 2022, and we expect it to be a permanent trend. This is inspiring a stronger demand – especially among younger generations – for natural and organic materials in every aspect of design, from furniture to accessories to kitchenware. Beyond sustainability, consumers are prioritizing ethically and locally sourced items that have a lower carbon footprint. FSC-certified wood is also becoming a new standard for ensuring products are sourced from sustainable forestry practices. Similarly, upcycled, reclaimed or vintage materials are in greater demand as people shift their focus from immediate utility and convenience to timeless longevity. Plus, reclaimed and vintage furnishings can invite effortless charm and warmth into any space.

Biophilia

Before the pandemic, our obsession with plants was already well underway. But today, we’re diving deeper into biophilia designs. This concept expands beyond greenery-filled spaces. It’s based on the principles of using plants and other nature-inspired elements in interior design as a means to help restore, heal and nurture our wellbeing. In 2022, we’ll be seeing plenty of green hues, floral patterns, leaf-inspired motifs, and earthy textures like plaster, bronze and clay. Since you won’t find any straight lines in nature, furnishings will be softer, curvaceous and even oddly shaped to harness the rustic complexity and humble beauty of Mother Nature.

Multi Functional Spaces

Another interior design trend that’s coming in hot in 2022 is multifunctional spaces. It’s not surprising considering how much our homes have become the hub for just about everything these days – from work to play. Being cooped up at home has enabled many people to reassess their interior, determine how each nook is being used, and how they can improve the overall functionality and ergonomics. We’ve seen this mostly with the sudden need for home office integrations. But there’s a noticeable desire for more balanced setups that can serve multiple and distinctive purposes. These distinct zones are being created by using furniture to outline the flow and layout. Feature items, rugs and area-specific lighting are then added to establish and anchor each separate space while using a cohesive color scheme to tie it together. Raised ceilings and partition walls are other effective ways that are being implemented to create distinction and depth within different areas too.

Recreational Spaces at Home

With multi functional spaces in mind, consumers are broadening their scope to select areas in their home dedicated to recreation and leisure. Of course the definition of this will differ from person to person. So the first step is to distinguish what recreation means individually and then use creative solutions to adapt the design. This could mean refinishing the basement to set up a home theatre or remodelling a guest room into a games room. For interiors that are tight on square footage, we’re expecting transitional spaces, which tend to get overlooked, to be reimagined and repurposed. This includes hallways, awkward corners or any unused nooks that can accommodate a built-in crafts table or a cozy reading nook.

Smart Furniture

User-friendly design and tech is being integrated into the home at a rapid pace. We’ve seen it introduced in the past through smart appliances and apps that help to improve our energy efficiency. However, this year it’s all about smart furniture. While appearing sleek and elegant, smart furniture offers attractive designs that have additional perks integrated, like charging ports and lights. Certain designs can be converted and expanded into other functional pieces too when needed, which is ideal for modern homes that have smaller floor plans. Needless to say, we’re excited to see more ingenuity roll out with smart furniture innovations in 2022 and beyond.

As we embrace a new year and fresh slate, 2022 consumer trends in interior design are becoming more reflective of our desire for comfort and balance. With people prioritizing their needs and wants at home, we’re expecting to see more personalized designs that are bolder, braver and inspired by nature. And instead of aiming for picture-perfect interiors, this year we’re encouraged to celebrate the beauty found in raw, real and lived-in spaces – and we’re all for it! To infuse these emerging trends into your designs, check out our Home By Me 3D design software. It gives you the ability to uncover new ideas that you can digitally view and alter with a simple, user-friendly platform.