It was an eventful time in the world of interiors. From easy pre-pandemic color schemes for when we wanted to chill out, to decadent decors and glamorous touches for socializing at home…
And then the sudden need to so many of us work from home and home office space is the center of our desire, who can say what a new dawn will bring?
By 2022, the home renovation and design platform Houzz has a unique insight into how people design their homes with a community of over 65 million home owners and design enthusiasts, and over 2.7 million home improvement and design professionals.
Here, they reveal six key home design trends along with their furnishing predictions to help you expand your space …
1. Bathrooms worthy of a hotel
Houzz’s research revealed that bathrooms were one of the most updated pieces of the past year, and a hotel-worthy look seems to be what owners are going for. The keyword “hotel bathroom” increased 435% in searches on the platform between January and September 2021, compared to the previous year.(Black & Milk / PA)
Bathrooms are moving away from the classic, functional space with more and more homeowners creating spa-like spaces where they can linger. The designers on Houzz opt for natural tactile materials, with wood and natural stone more prominent. “In general, relaxation is the key,” explains Olga Alexeeva of Dark & Milk. “People are more aware of their mental health and the importance of relaxation. So I think the color scheme has changed, with customers opting for a more spa feel, with natural materials and soft or light colors.
Luxurious touches seem to be popular right now, with searches for “sauna showers” increasing more than tenfold from last year (up 1065% from 2020) and we expect to see that again. more next year. Bathtubs are also taking center stage, with “freestanding tubs” and “slipper tubs” up 154% and 152% respectively in searches.
2. Comfort and multifunctionality in the bedroom
(Black & Milk / PA)
The bedroom is becoming more and more multifunctional, with space for a workspace, an exercise corner and a dressing table, as well as that primordial feeling of relaxation. In 2022, professionals at Houzz predict we’ll see rooms in heartwarming neutrals, and textured wall coverings or paneling will be used to add a luxurious feel to sleeping spaces. And we’re seeing more photos uploaded to Houzz with bedding and curtains with natural layered textures like linen and cotton in soft neutral tone palettes.
We also predict that statement headboards will be prominent next year, a search term that has climbed 87% this year. The professionals on Houzz go for full-size designs or even build custom panel units that house nifty storage solutions. “I’m a fan of headboards,” says Omar Bhatti of Space hut. “We’ve done so many statement or custom designs. It’s not just a simple headboard anymore, it’s part of the overall design of the room.
3. The friendly garden
(Burbeck Interiors / Chris Snook / PA)
Searches for the term “garden designer” have grown more than eight-fold this year as homeowners turn their attention to their outdoor spaces. More and more, gardens are seen as a relaxing extension of indoor living spaces and designed as such, with tables, furniture and rugs that would not be out of place inside.
Our gardens have provided sanctuary throughout the pandemic and now that we are able to socialize they are a premier place of entertainment. In 2022, we expect to see more outdoor kitchens and dining areas, and garden designers on Houzz say customers are asking more frequently for countertops, sinks, and even refrigerators to outfit their outdoor kitchens.
4. Worktops get to work
(Anna Standish Interiors / PA)
In the kitchen, designers use the countertop to make a statement. From flowing waterfall designs, where the countertop wraps around the edge of the island down to the ground (a search term that has increased 250% in popularity this year) to bulkier quartz slabs (which has increased by 417 % in searches in 2021) in thicknesses of 5cm or more, as well as eye-catching terrazzo used in bold colourways, the countertop is the star of the show.
Continuing the countertop material over the splashback as a slab is popular with renovators and adds a luxurious feel, designers on Houzz advise. “People are looking at slab-on-tile backsplashes,” Bhatti explains. “I would always recommend this, purely because of the cuisine. With the grout lines, it can get messy. It’s nice to have a more homogeneous look and to match it to the countertop.
5. Biophilia meets sustainability
(Design Floor Architects / PA)
The design world’s focus on bringing in the outdoors shows no signs of slowing down, with natural materials and nature-inspired tones continuing to be popular as 2022 approaches.
Biophilia, the innate human instinct to connect with nature, has been a key design principle throughout this year and will continue to be seen in interior choices, such as color palettes and materials. . “We live in an overworked and overstimulated society, and this has a huge effect on our well-being,” Itai Palti of Hume said. “Our homes are usually the only place we have a choice of how much stimulation we are exposed to. “
As awareness of our impact on the environment and climate change increases, we expect to see a more conscious approach to design next year, with homeowners choosing materials based on longevity and timelessness, and natural materials with biophilic properties, such as popular wood, cork and stone. “My clients are less focused on trends, but instead want something that will stand the test of time. They want longevity, ”says Natasha Burton of NB interiors.
6. Cheerful interiors
(Space Shack / Chris Snook / PA)
With many people spending so much time at home over the past couple of years, homeowners have focused more on bringing their own personality to their home. This came with increased confidence in the colors, which was evident at the 2021 design fairs and visible in many new projects uploaded to Houzz. User searches for “sage green,” “duck egg blue,” and “mustard yellow” have all grown in popularity, and we expect to see more of these shades in interiors next year.
“My clients are definitely braver with color,” says Burton. “People are a little more comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone, so I’ve seen a lot more colors. Not just bold either, my clients choose warmer neutrals like dusty pinks and earthy tones. They want to feel embraced by their home.