Interior Design Trends for 2022

Yes, here we are 2022 and with Covid-19 still floating about, there has never been more push or encouragement to spend more time re-designing or improving your home. With the property market escalating you jump in feet first and push to re-vamp your home to sell or just to enjoy. In the previous year the focus was primarily on feng shui, where spatial positioning works with energy flow. Many people Marie Kondo’ed their homes loosing the “clutter” ending the need to hoard ample unnecessary items. Here are the trends that we are starting the fresh year with.

50 Shades of Brown (well… really any shade of Brown)

In 2022 there is going to be a huge trend in different shades of brown. We are talking chocolates, camel, and caramels. Just recently ample colours were used therefore brown is coming in as a palette cleanser. If you are a 70’s baby, you might just me able to close your eyes and relive the brown living area from your childhood memories. It will not be reuniting with the old shag pile rug (typically orange) rather, combined with other colours such as a deep neutrals. In 2021 there were so many neutrals around, the boho look with so many shades of beige or off-white however this year it is time to reintroduce and be daring with bold colours. In addition, we will see paint rollers dipped in a rosy, terracotta tones from wall to ceiling with complete monochromatic moments.

Nature-Inspired Surfaces and Objects

With more time spent indoors than before we are all seeking to connect with nature. This has inspired a resurgence in natural surfaces for example terracotta, stoneware, marble and travertine being used as forms of backsplashes, furniture and decorative or decor pieces. The raw, porous imperfections of nature of organics adds depth and visual intrigue. This in turn creates a calming, restorative ambiance of the outdoors inside. In addition to adding textures there has been a large influx in large plants and trees in homes. Handmade pottery from vases to bowls creating interesting pieces and now you can even self-construct these pieces in your home. There are even online tutorials and group sessions you can join.

Sculptural and Curved Furniture

Let’s be honest, curved furniture is not a standard in your regular furniture shop. However, it is such a nice way to promote a feature piece of furniture. Sculptural furniture turns the everyday lounger or chair into a more luxuriant piece of. It will not be a combination of ALL curved furniture rather than a piece that compliments textures and colours in that particular space. Then combine this with the other elements above and that is a room or space people will want to be in or use.

Venetian Plaster and Limewash

What is it? Venetian Plaster goes by many names such as Italian Plaster, Polished Plaster, Polished Render, and the list goes on. The increase in interest on this particular product boomed when it was featured on the popular tv show The Block. Venetian plaster is a thin veneer of slaked lime putty. Typically, it was used in Italy where stone could not be used (ceilings or pylons) giving the same look as the stone, they were able to mix pigment of the stone and mix it in allowing it to coincide with the other look.

Limewash is made from limestone that has been crushed, burned, and mixed with water to make a lime putty. The putty is aged and then thinned with water and coloured with natural pigments. Most popular at the moment are earthy tones and neutrals.

Elevated Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor entertaining or outdoor feng shui areas that allow us to entertain or even escape to the outside. With that enters elevated or multiuse outdoor spaces. People are often now opting to watch films outdoors and setting up seated lounges or day beds. They want to use the space as efficiently and as grandly as possible.

Tactile Textiles and Textures

Adding more texture adds more depth to a space as explained before. We will see a refined version of these textiles in 2022. For example, the classic Jute rug opting to be developed in numerous patterned ways making it functional and a play on pattern. The core of design is often something that is functional and pleasing to the eye making jute rugs a desired option. In addition these types of textiles will emerge in throws or cushions.

Vintage and sustainable Accents

Upcycle or vintage accents are a very nice wat to complete the new with the old. It is clear in the last year or so to see that in general people love adding character and in most cases a story to any room by adding an accent piece. The nice thing is it is sustainable because we are re-purposing the old rather than using resources to produce new. We hope to see more and more designers offering recycled or upcycled furniture.

Travel-Inspired Interiors

With the lack of travel we are now integrating “travel” in our interiors. They are like inspired or memory pods throughout our homes. This can be a simple as art work imported or prints inspired by a particular memory. Something else people are sourcing old maps and using them as artworks. Another aspect of the travel interiors is textiles or rugs that are imported from places such as Morocco or Persia and making a big come back offering a vintage textile feel whilst also offering a memory bank. Although most of us love the idea of travel, at the moment it is not always plausible however with website such as Etsy and Ebay we are able to buy direct from out of Australia and import goods.

It looks like 2022 is going to be an exciting year for interior designers and architecture. The culture behind our homes is constantly changing and is offering a unique perspective on what is important to us. Being able to spend more time in a home and use the spaces in multiple ways offers us a unique opportunity to branch out and try something bold.