10 interior trends that will shape 2022

Having been in the design industry for the past 15 years, I have seen trends come and go.

Often, they are based on consumer behavior, lifestyle patterns or even fashion. But I have never seen such times like now in which a global situation has greatly impacted interior design, specifically residential interiors.

Amid this pandemic, we have all learned to appreciate our homes as our personal sanctuaries. In 2021, home interiors were shaped from our need of open spaces, our desire to be one with nature, as well as our need to hold celebrations at home and live in a more inspired setting.

In 2022, this will continue but will center around sustainable materials, the philosophy of blurring the lines of interior and outdoors, the versatility of home spaces to adapt to flexible living, brutalism or finding new appreciation for vintage furniture, among others.

Here are some of the interior design trends you should watch out for in 2022.

1 Sustainability and natural materials

The world of interior design is joining this global revolution to be more environmentally conscious by using eco-friendly materials.

The introduction of sustainable and natural materials started in last year’s trend of biophilic design, which has a core concept of bringing the outdoors in. This will continue this year but with more exploration of natural materials.

Upcycling and repurposing have gone beyond being economical, but have become more of an effort to help the environment by reducing waste and carbon footprint. Natural materials such as stone, reclaimed wood, bricks, wicker, terracotta, sisal or even cork will find their way into more homes in 2022. These materials not only help the environment, but also add warmth and a sense of calm. Did I mention they age beautifully through the years?

2 Versatility of spaces

Single-use rooms are now a thing of the past. Multifunctional spaces and inspiring work-from-home enclaves are something we will see more of in 2022.

Last year was about carving out work-from-home spaces. This year, we look at how we can reinvent spaces so we can spend more time at home even if we slowly inch our way into normalcy.

There will also be more changes in functionality of furniture and spaces. A good example would be how kitchens changed from being a cooking space to becoming a center for gatherings and meaningful conversations. The island counter has been redefined as a space not only for meal preparation but also for work-from-home needs.

There is a greater investment in outdoor living or dining areas where ratio of indoor and outdoor seem to have changed from 70-30 to 60-40 or more. We will see more outdoor rooms designed with the flexibility to function as interior space and act as a focal point for family relaxation.

We also see creative uses of quality multifunctional furniture that can provide versatility to adapt to many living situations. One example are closets that can be transformed into a functional office with new cabinetry.

3 Antiques and vintage furnishings

Shopping second hand will be the biggest trend in 2022 not only as an answer to the current global supply chain issue but simply because it looks chic.

I am happy that vintage pieces and antiquities made a comeback this year. I always say that each piece in your home should tell a good visual story and this trend is front and center to that philosophy.

Last year, the Grand millennial style or Cottage core paved the way for thrifting and vintage piece revival. Both looks are the antidote to the mid-century modern interiors, minimalist or that Japandi bare look that dominated our Instagram feeds for years.

In the earlier months of the pandemic, we discovered a lot of means to refresh homes without breaking the bank, even if that meant bringing out your grandmother’s old armoire and updating a few details, or that vintage Queen Anne chair reupholstered in soft velvet green fabric to make a space look entirely new.

Antique and vintage finds are the greener choice for design and an ode to upcycling, which had never been more on-trend than now.

4 Mid-century

Mid-century look will always be popular, but I am highlighting this Wes Anderson look this year because I see more people interested about the restoration of original Mid-century pieces.

Collectors alike are into the revival of this era not only for its aesthetic but for its value that has become more like art pieces, often either auctioned off or sold faster than one would think.

For the design enthusiast and Mid-century collector, investing in an original classic Arne Jacobsen Series 7 beech wood, a fully restored Paul McCObb planner group desk, or that Z chair No. 42 by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, is priceless.

5 Neutrality with black accents

Neutrals will always be a homeowner’s go-to.

This year I am seeing more shades and various tints of alabaster, cream, white, and taupe sand to surface to avoid monotony and flatness. One of my favorite ways to pull off a good neutral space is to create layers through texture. Fabrics and furnishings in different complimenting textures or walls in linen fabrics or ridged furniture help create more interest in a neutral space.

Warmer undertones will also take centerstage with accents of black trims, hardware and stones.

Speaking of black accents, we will see more of this trend in 2022. It’s a great way to add some edge and depth to minimalist spaces, and grounds the look to frame a perfectly neutral canvass. Cleverly incorporate this with accessories such as lamps and droplights, glass black frame trims, black framed wall art pieces or even the legs of your furniture.

6 Textured and Tactile fabrics

Textured and tactile fabrics, which have been a trend for the past couple of years, will continue.

If you have been following a lot of trendy furniture pieces last year, there was this emergence of Boucle use in curved furniture seating, creating a cloud or dreamlike texture. Boucle is a looped yarn, which can vary in sizes from tiny circles to large curls.

An iteration of this trend can be seen in the use of other tactile fabrics applied in furniture pieces, pillows, area rugs and in drapery. People are also into performance fabrics and materials that are easy to clean and low maintenance.

7 Resort-like interiors

This upcoming trend is influenced by the resurgence of travel in 2022.

Preference of this look depends on one’s style. Your home can reflect French provincial with rustic wood, ornate carvings, mouldings and decorative wrought iron if you frequent South of France, or perhaps the Mayan musts, earthy hues and lime washed walls of resorts in Tulum if that is your dream destination. Whatever it is, transforming your homes to give you a visual semblance of your favorite spots will definitely benefit your happiness and mental well-being.

8 Brutalism

This may be a bold trend forecast but I’ve seen renewed interest in Brutalism or Neo-brutalism last year which I think will continue.

Brutalism , mostly characterized by raw concrete slabs, graphic and structural silhouettes, is slowly being introduced in interiors because of its honesty and rawness. It takes in form of furniture pieces that may seem monolithic in structure.

The most practical application of Brutalist interior design is in large statement pieces and small decorative objects. If you want to go with this look but seem to be unsure, start with drop lights or lamps that follow the structural geometric forms then build from there. The key to this style is thoughtful selection and confidence in using stand out pieces that emphasize scale, form and texture combinations.

9 Wallpaper

Wallpaper use, seen by some as a quick solution to elevate their homes and statement walls, will still be relevant this coming year. Expected to emerge are the more eco-friendly wall-coverings such as jute, linen, or grasscloth, echoing the sustainability movement in interiors.

These materials also offer warmth, tranquility and an overall sense of calm if used in subtle colors or original neutral tones. For those with bolder tastes, statement walls using panoramic murals or custom made prints will continue to create impact in living spaces.

As seen in other trends, the concept of nature has greatly penetrated in 2022 and that is no different in the prints we will see from wallpaper makers. Themes such as forest mystery, bird design or the tropics in more muted tones will be the top choices in 2022.

10 Curved Furniture

Saving the best for last in my ID forecast is curved furniture—the latest trend taking over furniture design as we head into 2022.

A personal favorite for the past three years or so, curved furniture took off mostly last year reviving a timeless mid-century trend.

Safe to say that hard, strict lines and layouts will be left in 2021 as people look more into softer interiors and organic shapes to bring softness to a space. There is a sense of freedom and fluidity or how I often say it, flair, that curved furniture gives in a space.

People are looking more at furniture pieces that give a sense of warmth, more like a piece that embraces you. These are complemented with softer fabric textures which are likewise part of a continuing trend in 2022.

This trend of rounded edges will continue to be an important part of the design vocabulary next year and will be seen not only in furniture but in other details such as mirror frameworks, archways, door openings, and other cabinetry works.

The author is the co-founder and design director for Moss Design House, a multi-disciplinary design firm that focuses on interior and event design for commercial and residential interiors. She also has a design-focused YT channel called Mr. and Mrs. B of Moss Design House. Email [email protected]