What's Hot for 2022: 6 Trends to Know if You Love all Things Home
Delve into the colours, materials, shapes and features that experts say will take off this year
Vanessa Walker
12 January 2022
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
Do you want to know what’s on the horizon for beautiful homes next year? Read on to find out what experts say will be the most popular styles of home renovations in 2022.
1. Preppy pastels
For on-trend palettes that the most fashion-forward homes will be showcasing next year, the phrase that counts is ‘1980s meets cottagecore’. The ’80s element introduces pastel brights – although not in the electric sense – and summery tones in the form of pinks, yellows, browns, and blues. These are displayed in organic patterns and free-form shapes that speak to a playful approach to decorating.
Cottagecore is decorating that references agricultural life, manual skills and handmade crafts. Aesthetically it’s a relaxed, un-curated look that embraces simplicity and mix-and-match, with elements of nostalgic countryside. This aligns with a rise in how Millennials – people born between 1980 and 1995 – are making their mark on decor, with touches of vintage style, flexible furniture for multi-functional spaces, timber, personalised neon, wallpaper, and natural fabrics.
For on-trend palettes that the most fashion-forward homes will be showcasing next year, the phrase that counts is ‘1980s meets cottagecore’. The ’80s element introduces pastel brights – although not in the electric sense – and summery tones in the form of pinks, yellows, browns, and blues. These are displayed in organic patterns and free-form shapes that speak to a playful approach to decorating.
Cottagecore is decorating that references agricultural life, manual skills and handmade crafts. Aesthetically it’s a relaxed, un-curated look that embraces simplicity and mix-and-match, with elements of nostalgic countryside. This aligns with a rise in how Millennials – people born between 1980 and 1995 – are making their mark on decor, with touches of vintage style, flexible furniture for multi-functional spaces, timber, personalised neon, wallpaper, and natural fabrics.
2. Navy blue in all the right places
Thankfully, this whimsical approach can comfortably be combined with Australians’ ongoing love of darker, sober colours such as charcoal, black and navy blue (which had a 735 percent rise in search terms on Houzz in 2021 compared to 2020).
Deep diving into Houzz search terms shows that ‘navy blue island bench’ had a 435 percent rise, with a 875 percent increase in searches for ‘navy blue bathrooms’. As such, we foresee living rooms and bedrooms embracing a preppy-pastel, lighthearted approach while powerhouse rooms remain in darker, classic palettes.
Thankfully, this whimsical approach can comfortably be combined with Australians’ ongoing love of darker, sober colours such as charcoal, black and navy blue (which had a 735 percent rise in search terms on Houzz in 2021 compared to 2020).
Deep diving into Houzz search terms shows that ‘navy blue island bench’ had a 435 percent rise, with a 875 percent increase in searches for ‘navy blue bathrooms’. As such, we foresee living rooms and bedrooms embracing a preppy-pastel, lighthearted approach while powerhouse rooms remain in darker, classic palettes.
This image shows how these trends can be combined in a way that has longevity (the navy-blue sofa) and fun references to a more relaxed aesthetic (floral artwork and a mix of cushions). Notice how it makes a lighthearted nod to ’80s style without being a slave to that very expressive era.
Keen to embrace design trends in a timeless way? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Keen to embrace design trends in a timeless way? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
3. Curved fittings and fixtures
We have been talking about the rise in curves for a few years now. In 2022 we expect the trend to continue and grow, migrating from fittings (items that are added into or attached to a property) to fixtures (materials that are part of the build).
Where possible, more organically shaped staircases will replace linear styles (Houzz had a 735 percent rise from 2020 to 2021 in searches for ‘curved staircases’).
We have been talking about the rise in curves for a few years now. In 2022 we expect the trend to continue and grow, migrating from fittings (items that are added into or attached to a property) to fixtures (materials that are part of the build).
Where possible, more organically shaped staircases will replace linear styles (Houzz had a 735 percent rise from 2020 to 2021 in searches for ‘curved staircases’).
Other areas where we expect to see this trend emerge include curved glazing, rounded walls (and kitchen island benches). as seen in this beachside home in Sydney, NSW.
This image, showing one of the most-popular photos (by room type) saved by Houzz users from January to November 2021, shows how it’s possible to integrate a curved arch and a rounded island bench into a space that otherwise embraces the straight, defined lines that have been prevalent in our kitchens for so long.
4. Mindfulness and pause zones
Once upon a time a home was designed to have a kitchen, a laundry, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and perhaps a garage. Fast-forward to today’s design thinking and we are likely to see many more professionals work to utilise every available space, including in-between spaces, for a purpose… and increasingly that purpose is contemplation and relaxation.
Madeline Sewall, director of houses at Breathe Architecture, says this approach fits in with her company’s ethos of “always endeavouring to build less and give more.
“For Breathe, this means making the most of small spaces by bringing function and joy to every corner. This might be a small standing desk or a workstation tucked into a bookcase, or a window-seat reading nook that makes the most of a window reveal and a beautiful view,” she says.
Once upon a time a home was designed to have a kitchen, a laundry, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and perhaps a garage. Fast-forward to today’s design thinking and we are likely to see many more professionals work to utilise every available space, including in-between spaces, for a purpose… and increasingly that purpose is contemplation and relaxation.
Madeline Sewall, director of houses at Breathe Architecture, says this approach fits in with her company’s ethos of “always endeavouring to build less and give more.
“For Breathe, this means making the most of small spaces by bringing function and joy to every corner. This might be a small standing desk or a workstation tucked into a bookcase, or a window-seat reading nook that makes the most of a window reveal and a beautiful view,” she says.
For homeowners and renovators, these pause zones bring an extra layer of nuance to homes, creating appealing spots for small moments throughout the day.
“[This is] especially [important] at a time when our homes are functioning as offices, classrooms and more,” says Sewall. “Variety in the way we use space helps our homes work best and provide relief when multiple activities are going on.”
5. Alternative and adaptable doors…
Goodbye, three-hinged doors that hog space with their swinging panels. Hello, space-saving barn doors that have had an aesthetic makeover in recent years. As proof of how thirsty users are for better-designed doors, the search for ‘modern barn doors’ on Houzz recorded a huge leap from 2020 to 2021, up 529 percent.
Goodbye, three-hinged doors that hog space with their swinging panels. Hello, space-saving barn doors that have had an aesthetic makeover in recent years. As proof of how thirsty users are for better-designed doors, the search for ‘modern barn doors’ on Houzz recorded a huge leap from 2020 to 2021, up 529 percent.
…including front doors that set a style
Doors that signal ‘this home is beautiful on the inside’ also experienced an upswing that is certain to continue into 2022, with a 666 percent search-term rise on Houzz year-on-year.
For 2022, this trend is all about claiming the style of your house from the street or entrance.
Browse more entrances on Houzz
Doors that signal ‘this home is beautiful on the inside’ also experienced an upswing that is certain to continue into 2022, with a 666 percent search-term rise on Houzz year-on-year.
For 2022, this trend is all about claiming the style of your house from the street or entrance.
Browse more entrances on Houzz
6. Entangled design
The concept of entangled design is likely to grow exponentially over the coming years. Essentially it is spaces that cross over. An obvious example is reworking living spaces to accommodate working from home. Other ideas, as noted by Sydney architect Amrish Maharaj – and which he has included in his practice – include:
The concept of entangled design is likely to grow exponentially over the coming years. Essentially it is spaces that cross over. An obvious example is reworking living spaces to accommodate working from home. Other ideas, as noted by Sydney architect Amrish Maharaj – and which he has included in his practice – include:
- Converted garages accommodating studio-sized bedrooms and bathrooms (for visiting overseas guests), which double as entertainment zones or pool houses.
- Functional garages or carports that open to the backyard. “This allows for the opportunity for the car to be temporarily parked on the street and the space can be utilised for entertaining,” he says.
- Projects that use attic roof space as a kids’ playroom (directly accessed from the children’s first-floor bedroom). “These can then be converted into a study or simply storage at a later date,” he says.
- Areas where it’s possible to integrate a suspended study desk over a void space off a first-floor hallway.
“We have noticed a clear shift in the past two years with an owner’s ability (or need) to work from home becoming the catalyst for renovations and new builds,” says Maharaj.
“Occasionally, this can simply mean an oversized kitchen island that doubles as a workspace during the day, kids’ homework zone in the afternoon, and casual dining in the evening. More often, we are seeing the need for dedicated home offices (with a considered orientation, natural light and backdrop for zoom meetings).”
The challenge, says Maharaj, is to accommodate this relatively new-use space within existing constraints. The combination of office/guest bedroom or office/sitting room are logical solutions. However, with work often taking up half [a person’s] waking hours each weekday, people have found it increasingly important to create inspiring places to work (even at home), he says, by utilising otherwise unused areas such as off hallways and projected into void spaces.
“Occasionally, this can simply mean an oversized kitchen island that doubles as a workspace during the day, kids’ homework zone in the afternoon, and casual dining in the evening. More often, we are seeing the need for dedicated home offices (with a considered orientation, natural light and backdrop for zoom meetings).”
The challenge, says Maharaj, is to accommodate this relatively new-use space within existing constraints. The combination of office/guest bedroom or office/sitting room are logical solutions. However, with work often taking up half [a person’s] waking hours each weekday, people have found it increasingly important to create inspiring places to work (even at home), he says, by utilising otherwise unused areas such as off hallways and projected into void spaces.
This image, showing one of the most-popular photos (by room type) saved by Houzz users from January to November 2021, shows how Australians are embracing the practice of placing workspaces into rooms that otherwise had a single dedicated purpose.
On average, Australians have some of the biggest houses in the world. With the increased cost of housing, and greater energy consciousness within the community, it has become ever more important to focus on quality spaces as opposed to quantity.
“This results in smaller footprints that need to work harder to achieve contemporary living. The challenge will be to create smaller, more efficient spaces that work harder to allow for contemporary comforts and amenity. Countries with much denser populations have developed techniques for entangling spaces – ideas that have been seen in some newer apartment designs and the tiny-house movement, such as movable partition walls, and clever joinery solutions (fold-away beds, for example),” says Maharaj.
“[In coming years] smart use of space will become ever more important. The future lies in creating multi-function, entangled spaces that are adaptable to changing dynamics within the household,” he says.
Your turn
Which of these design directions are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more international design trends? Read more indepth coverage at The Main Trends Emerging From This Autumn’s Design Shows
“This results in smaller footprints that need to work harder to achieve contemporary living. The challenge will be to create smaller, more efficient spaces that work harder to allow for contemporary comforts and amenity. Countries with much denser populations have developed techniques for entangling spaces – ideas that have been seen in some newer apartment designs and the tiny-house movement, such as movable partition walls, and clever joinery solutions (fold-away beds, for example),” says Maharaj.
“[In coming years] smart use of space will become ever more important. The future lies in creating multi-function, entangled spaces that are adaptable to changing dynamics within the household,” he says.
Your turn
Which of these design directions are you most excited about? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more international design trends? Read more indepth coverage at The Main Trends Emerging From This Autumn’s Design Shows
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Very interesting arcticle especially since it was based in fact (number of searches for specific terms), rather than one person’s perception of trends.
I do hope that we continue to pursue a ‘quality over quantity’ mentality and that the gross ’mcmansion’ approach is relegated to an (embarrassing) time in our history.
12 years ago we converted our double garage to a studio apartment with king bed and Lounge room combined with double stacker doors looking onto a secluded timber framed fernery gazebo with a wisteria. It also contains an ensuite with wc vanity and shower. The kitchen has a single drawer dishwasher, oven 2 x electric cooktop with pullout range hood, microwave, separate freezer and single standing refrigerator. A cupboard laundry also accommodates a front loader and dryer with space for washing powder iron etc. there is ample cupboard space with a double door pantry and single door broom cupboard. A small fold down Ikea table is positioned under the window overlooking the nearby hills. March 2020 our daughter and family arrived from overseas for a holiday, but Covid 19 had other plans. Two years later we are still living under the one roof. My husband and I moved into the apartment and my daughter and her 2 children and partner live in our house. The children now attend the local school at the end of our street. We have a one acre garden which has been so important during our extensive lockdowns. How glad are we that we did this conversion 12 years ago.