New year means new ideas, especially from two years ago

It’s a new year again, and in a world that looks a lot different than it did two years ago, trends in home and design continue to change. More people continue to work from home and need spaces that can multi-task. With people spending more time at home now than ever, colors are trending toward warmer, more cozy hues, as well. Let’s look at some of the predicted design trends for 2022.

2022 Predicted Design Trends

’70s inspired colors

Design magazines, paint companies, and others in the design space are predicting that 1970s colors are making a comeback. That includes golds, rusts, and greens. These colors help bring an earthier feel to the home, in stark contrast to the cool whites and grays that have been popular for over a decade now. Now, that doesn’t mean whites and grays are completely out, but rather, cool tones have given way to warm tones, so think creamy whites and taupe grays.

If you’re not afraid of color and willing to make more of a commitment, try bringing in some of these colors in shower tile or on cabinets. Other ways to bring in these colors more subtly would be in rugs, throw pillows, or walls or backsplashes that could easily be changed later. And don’t worry, if you’re not quite loving the idea of bringing back avocado green yet, consider more muted variations of ’70s colors, like a yellowy cream or sage green.

Multi-use and defined spaces

A trend that carried over from 2021 is multi-functioning spaces.  Something like a den that also doubles as a study or home office.  Now that a lot of people have settled into working from home, there have also been a lot of home renovations that include creating a defined home office space, rather than a temporary one. Whether that means converting a rarely used guest room or space in the basement.

It’s important to have dedicated workspace that feels personalized and can keep you focused during the day. But also, it needs to be a space where work can stay separate from home life and family time. As we’ve seen throughout the past two years, the work/life balance is more important than ever, but also harder to separate now that those two things are both happening in the home.

Layered textures

There are so many ways to layer and use textures throughout the home. This builds a curated, cozy, and more thoughtful look. In the kitchen, it may mean a mix of smooth cabinets, smooth countertops, and a textured backsplash.  Or layering whites – cabinets, countertops, and backsplash – with rustic floors, or a hand-loomed or textural rug.

In the living room, you can build layers with throws and throw pillows of varying textures: linen, cotton, leather, boucle, faux fur, etc. A textured rug in the living room can also add to the layered look. A layered look can also mean mixing old and new, or bringing in antique elements into a modern space. Textures and layers in the home add a sense of coziness and warmth.

Form and function

In design and remodeling, a space should not only look good but should also be functional and easy to live in and use. As people have been in their homes and using them more than before, they have quickly been made aware of what is and isn’t working for them. Maybe that means a cramped kitchen or master bathroom that needs expanding. Or you find that you have too much wasted space that could be converted to usable storage or a home office.

Other people who may have a beautiful, magazine-worthy kitchen might have realized that it’s not easy to use or doesn’t have enough storage. The housing and remodeling markets are continuing to flourish because of these realizations.

Aging in place

Along the same lines as having functional spaces, aging in place design will continue to be a trend for years to come. Aging in place design involves making a space safe, functional, and comfortable to maximize the amount of time a person is able to live in their own home. The options range widely from adding ramps or grab bars to redesigning a kitchen and/or bathroom to be wheelchair accessible to redesigning an entire home to widen hallways and doorways or add an elevator.

For 2022, the trends all come back to making the home more functional and usable, but also include adding warmth. That could mean adding texture or colors inspired by nature. Either way, don’t forget to bring in your own unique personality. Happy New Year!

This article originally appeared in Lakeside News in January 2022.

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