Home is where the heart is and when it comes to matters of the heart, our interests are liable to change over time. More than mere fashions, trends are a sign of the times, with interior design trends often reflecting our desire to seek out clarity in our living spaces. Not a novel concept, interior design trends have been used for millennia to foster a sense of peace and tranquillity within our private domains, whether it’s Vastu Shastra, an ancient Hindu system of architecture that focuses on the ‘science of dwelling’ and attempts to find harmony by balancing out positive and negative energies; the ancient Chinese art of feng shui which seeks to enhance positive energy flow while removing obstacles to happiness; or the ancient Roman practice of balancing strength, function and utility using geometric principles.
While the past few years were a time of great change, things are starting to plateau, with the interior design trends for 2022 reflective of our longing to express ourselves within our private lives. With travel and going out in general off the cards for an extended period of time, the gaze has turned inwards, namely to the home. Both a sanctuary and a means of self-expression, this year’s key interior design trends focus on our need to be nurtured and soothed by our homes through nature-inspired hues and welcoming pieces while incorporating elements of our previously external lives into the mix through functional elements like bar carts and an increased emphasis on entertaining spaces. Another result of the lack of outdoor socialisation? Many sartorial-inspired trends are coming indoors, with maximal prints and botanical patterns reminiscent of dress fabric translating to wallpaper designs. Gone are the days of crisp white walls and solely neutral hues; the interior trends of today are designed to spark joy. Dopamine dressing for the home, if you will.
Without further ado, these are the key interior design trends for 2022.
1. Nature-inspired textures & objects
According to a survey of over 1000 Australians undertaken by furniture and home decor brand Lounge Lovers, over a quarter of us want our spaces to feel grounded in a time when our homes have become a respite from day-to-day life. “Many of us are keen to get back to nature, as shown by the growing movement towards 20-minute neighbourhoods, with everything we need for a good life within this distance,” says Jason Granziera, in-house stylist at Lounge Lovers. “This desire will be emulated with all-natural rugs, indoor plants around the home, cooling hues, and calming designs.”
Expect to see a rise in natural surfaces and textures like quartzite, marble, travertine, and stone used across benchtops, backsplashes, walls, and even in smaller functional and decorative objects like vases and cutlery.
2. Coastal vibes
Perhaps the result of being known as a sunburnt country, research by Lounge Lovers shows Australians are highly influenced by coastal living design styles. “We expect to see lots of beach-inspired items including Hamptons-style furnishings, woven baskets and muted blues and greens which bring calm beach feelings into living spaces,” Granziera tell us. “Our Haven sofa in Mornington Ivory is the perfect lounge room centrepiece for beachside homes or for those wanting to add a splash of summer colour, our Chloe Swivel Chair in Amber Velvet does the job.”
3. The new minimalist
Minimalism has enjoyed a lengthy time in the spotlight, however, the exclusively white aesthetic is on its way out. Those who still subscribe to a minimalist way of life can do so by subtly incorporating colours into their spaces through feature walls or statement furniture (think blue or green velvet sofas, or colourful ottomans). Minimalism no longer needs to be sterile, with the concept still able to be represented through the thoughtful and conscious curation of items, rather than a lack of colour.
4. Make way for wallpaper
For the maximalists among us, wallpaper is a clever way to add interest to a room. Formerly a ubiquitous staple in homes around the world, the shift towards practical and functional design aesthetics saw wallpaper viewed with disdain, derided as gaudy and something exclusively found in the home of an octogenarian. However, wallpaper is back in style, with archival and contemporary designs alike making for an easy way to upgrade your space. No longer restricted to the powder room, wallpaper can be used to create a feature wall or as an all-over pattern.
Chic chinoiserie prints courtesy of De Gournay or artistic botanical wallpaper courtesy of William Morris turn any room into a veritable style statement while acting as a surefire hit of dopamine. For something a little more classic, try a mural wallpaper; these work to give any room a European style fresco effect.
5. Very Peri
“Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2022 has been revealed as ‘Very Peri’; a bold, purple hue that you’ll be sure to see popping up across homewares via beautiful cushions, stunning sofas, and linens,” notes Granziera. “You can incorporate this on-trend tone into your home by adding splashes of colour with statement walls and furniture pieces in the new ‘it’ shade, or with throws or cushions for something less permanent.”
6. The new 5 o’clock
As a result of pandemic-related lockdowns, increased emphasis has been placed on entertaining at home over the past couple of years. Not content with a few liquor bottles haphazardly shoved onto the top shelf of the pantry, home bars and bar carts have become necessities. While a classic bar cabinet works to house your liquor and imbibing accoutrements in an innocuous way, blending into its surroundings, a bar cart turns your tipples into a decor statement. Plus, their mobile nature allows you to serve drinks to your guests without interrupting the flow of conversation. Look for vintage-inspired bar carts crafted from dark wood, brass, copper, or steel.
7. Bring on biophilia
Biophilic design hones in on the internet human desire to connect with nature, something that extended periods of lockdown has reinforced. With a focus on bringing the outdoors in, biophilic design principles you can expect to see this year are an increased emphasis on utilising natural light, ensuring rooms have ample ventilation, and incorporating visual cues from the natural world like indoor plants and natural materials such as textured wood, cane, and bamboo.
Words by AR Staff
Feature image courtesy of YSG Studio
