Interior trends have always reflected the society that we live in and how we incorporate that within our homes. Since the onset of the pandemic almost 2 years ago, we have all re-evaluated how we use the space we live in. 2021 reported a record number of house moves and this trend does not show signs of slowing down as we go into 2022. Interest rates in the UK remain low, while working from home and homeschooling look set to continue for the foreseeable future.
A new house presents the purchaser with an ideal opportunity to personalise their home and put their individual stamp on it. Here are some design trends we expect to see flourish in 2022;
Working from home
Many of us are fortunate enough to avoid the morning commute these days whilst relishing in our home working environments; for those people we are seeing major design trends that incorporate functionality and style. Many people will have transformed their guest rooms or second reception rooms into multi-functional study areas, with an emphasis on flexibility. Fashionable smart storage and minimalist design have been influential trends, with this set to continue into 2022. A key feature of any home office is an ergonomic chair. The importance of having a comfortable place to sit while working is paramount to your well-being - therefore, the aesthetics of the room can be compromised somewhat when it comes to selecting the right desk and chair.
Sustainability
One of the biggest trends of 2022, not just within interior design, is sustainability. There is a certain beauty behind collecting one-off, pre-loved pieces with a story; there can be life behind each vase, sculpture, and artwork in your home and a sense of intrigue with every piece, no matter how much of a statement it makes. There are some pieces that you cannot avoid buying off-the-shelf. Some furniture, for example, would need to be more durable than second-hand could offer you – in these instances we would recommend doing some research into the sustainability of the brands before committing to purchasing.
Colour of the year
Each year, Pantone selects a colour as its colour of the year. This colour becomes influential for graphic designers, interior designers and other visual creatives. This year the company has chosen ‘PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri’, a beautiful shade that crosses between violet and lilac. They say that Very Peri ‘Displays a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives.’ Look out for 50 shades of purple in this year’s interior trends!
Biophilia
Biophilia is defined as ‘the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings’. With this in mind, nature-inspired colours are making a huge comeback as we move away from the greys, which have been popular for the past few years. We will also start to see the introduction of organic shapes and textures that bring decorative interest in terms of using ceramic pieces with soft lines. In addition to implied natural tones through colour and shapes, there is also the literal and very tangible use of indoor plants increasing in popularity across 2021 and into this year.
With people spending more time at home, there is more opportunity to invest in the upkeep of indoor plants; they have been a way of bringing the outdoors in when we have been restricted to our homes. This is going to continue as indoor plants become a main feature of our interior décor. They not only freshen the air, but they bring clarity and a sense of calm and nature to our everyday. Acting like sculptures on a shelf or tabletop, building a collection of interior plants wins on all levels: Aesthetically, functionally and with a positive effect on your mental health.
Contact us
If you would like to speak to our Property Staging & Styling team to help you design your home, ready for 2022, or get your home at its best before going to market, please contact Fine & Country Property Staging today. When you are ready to buy or sell, find your nearest Fine & Country agent here.