The past few years have been a strange time, with many people confined to their homes for long periods of time – working, entertaining, and relaxing in the same spaces. Unsurprisingly, this has had an impact on interior design and has moved current trends in previously unexpected directions.
CALMING ATMOSPHERE
With the upheaval in the world, it’s not surprising that people are moving towards home designs that create a comforting and calming atmosphere. People are wanting spaces that are easy to be in, and aesthetically pleasing.
COLOUR AND MAXIMALISM
There has been a movement away from the colder stark-white minimalism of the past years and towards uses of warm whites and softer colours, with introductions of unique comforting furniture, displays of personal knickknacks, and softer lighting choices.
Maximalism provides visual comfort and personalisation within homes. In a constantly-changing world, people are embracing (and living among) the things that make them smile – whether handcrafted patterned tiles, a velvet tapestry, or something else entirely.
Even those who prefer the minimalist look are turning towards a softer, dreamy version characterised by pale cream, softer colours, and drama in smaller touches – such as installing open shelving in kitchens for displaying kitchenware rather than hiding it in cabinetry.
NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGNS
With so many people spending so much time indoors, there is a huge focus on strengthening our connections to nature even while remaining indoors. These homes demonstrate their inspiration from nature in many different ways:
COLOURS
Earthy colours are becoming more common. Deep browns, olive and eucalyptus greens, splashes of rosy terracotta and grey-reds mimic nature, creating comfort throughout the home.
TEXTURES AND MATERIALS
Natural organic materials are experiencing a rise in popularity, from wood grain and natural stone to rattan and jute fibres. These natural textures add dimension to a design, making the space feel more organic and inviting.
This trend encompasses furniture like chairs, shelves, cabinets, and kitchen benchtops, and decor such as photo frames and knickknacks.
PLANTS
Greenery and plants – whether real, fake, or simply plant-patterned objects – are a fabulous way of connecting the interior of your house with the natural outdoors.
Real plants help to purify the air indoors and freshen up a space naturally. Certain plants also work very well in bathrooms as they tend to be humid spaces.
On the other hand, fake plants are a fabulous alternative if you find yourself worried about keeping real plants alive. Plant-patterns in wallpaper, wall art, cushions, blankets, and quilts help create that connection to nature without added plant care.
INDOOR – OUTDOOR LIVING
More and more people are embracing their porch, balcony, or deck areas as an extra living space, and outdoor furniture is becoming more refined and sophisticated as a way to make outdoor spaces feel more luxurious.
Beyond the plant aesthetic, a way of merging the line between indoors and outdoors is large bifold glass doors in the living area or a servery window off the kitchen, creating a larger area for entertaining family and friends, as well as allowing more natural light and airflow into the interior of the home.
Another way of amplifying natural light within your home is to incorporate kitchen tiles that reflect the natural light, such as glazed tiles. Any glazed colour will accomplish this, though lighter colours will have a greater effect. This is also a great tip for selecting bathroom tiles as extra natural light never goes astray in smaller areas.
Other popular elements include outdoor kitchens, feature pendant lighting, and timber decking.
SOFT, CURVED SHAPES
Gaining popularity in 2022 are softer, organic shapes that mimic those found in nature (rounded trunks, winding rivers, soft clouds, to name a few).
But it’s more than that, too. These shapes are more calming and tranquil, more comfortable on a day-to-day basis.
An interesting emerging element is curved kitchen islands and breakfast bars. This creates a more social atmosphere, as curves are more socially oriented than straight lines and hard edges.
Architectural details are also following this trend, with curved feature walls, window frames, and archways. Furniture and cabinetry demonstrate this, with curved edges and door handles.
Bathrooms are also showing these details with greater curvature in vanities, bathtubs, mirrors, and tapware.
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACES
For the past few years, we have been working, sleeping, and socialising in every corner of our homes. Because of this, we’ve created functional and purposeful spaces within our homes that are used often and for different parts of our day – rooms filled with what we love and what we want to live with.
DUAL PURPOSE ROOMS
The main way that this has been implemented is in living spaces that double as work rooms, with kitchens used as conference rooms and dining tables becoming boardroom tables.
Even other rooms in our houses are pulling double duty: bedrooms with desk spaces, guest rooms with workout equipment.
To make these rooms functional, storage systems are becoming more creative, using vertical space with hidden furniture like fold-down beds and desks. This optimisation of available space lessens the need to move to bigger properties (particularly during a period of high property demand in Australia).
STYLISH STUDY NOOKS
Working from home is not going to fade out of our lives anytime soon. For some it is a lifestyle choice, for others it is a necessity, but either way it’s here to stay.
Including a study nook in your home is more than just a trend. It creates a permanently set up desk space without the necessity of an entire home office.
Study nooks can be slipped into a corner of the living area or under the staircase (if you have one). Home offices are generally becoming lighter and airier in design, moving away from the heavy, packed bookshelves that are generally seen in dark, moody libraries.
A functional study nook is less like an office, yet still practical for daily use, and it can also be stylish and add to the aesthetic design of the home as a whole.
BROKEN PLAN LAYOUT
While it is not yet becoming the norm, the broken plan layout is becoming more popular in recent times.
With many people confined to their homes, they are desiring their own space and privacy within the home. Some households may even include a designated room to recharge from work life and transition back to home living.
There are ways to achieve more segmented, traditional spaces without fully cutting off the increased airflow and natural light that made the open plan living so popular, such as using glass partitions or bifold doors between areas. Another (more temporary) option is fold-out space partitions that can be taken down at a later time.
SUSTAINABILITY
The rise in sustainability efforts has affected interior design, with more focus on including vintage or repurposed furniture in homes.
These pieces add sentimentality to a space, while providing unique design and historical elements.
Another ecologically conscious choice is supporting local artists or craftsmen to avoid fast consumerism and fill your home with unique, custom-made pieces that will last a lifetime.
Which of these trends will you be incorporating into your home? Comment below to let us know! Don’t forget to share this article.
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