As we say goodbye to 2021 and move into the new year, it’s time to make sure our spaces evolve with the times. If a décor overhaul is on your resolution list, take inspiration from some of the hottest trends of today.

1. Down to Earth

In 2021, we’ve seen home design take a decided turn towards nature-inspired interiors. After two years of being intermittently unable to frequent restaurants, visit museums, and attend indoor events, people turned to nature for recreation. This time spent appreciating the beauty of the world around us has begun to show in our lived spaces.

Get the look:
Replace plastic plants with the real thing
Select more natural, unstained wood tones
Incorporate forest green and tones of brown for walls and feature furniture

2. Soft Edges

While angular furniture isn’t passe quite yet, there’s been an increased interest in soft, round forms that invite relaxation and evoke feelings of calm and safety. This trend goes beyond rounded sofas and circular mirrors; architects have also begun to take note. Arched doorways, rounded windows, and sculptural corners have begun to pop up in new builds around the world.

Get the look:
Consider a sofa or coffee table with cylindrical legs and rounded corners
Look out for artwork that makes use of soft, flowing shapes rather than hard lines
Instead of the standard rectangular rugs, choose an oval or circular one

3. Inviting Textures

The trend towards softer, more inviting spaces extends from form to texture, with an increased emphasis on velvet, plush, and quilted textures. Most people have had to learn the hard way just how important it is to curate a home you want to spend a lot of time in. By making soft textures a priority when shopping, you can create a living space that is warm and comfortable. This doesn’t have to come at the expense of aesthetics either! There are more options than ever that look and feel great.

Get the look:
If you’re springing for new upholstery, choose a softer, high-quality fabric instead of the classic leather choice
Purchase some throw cushions with velvet, crochet, and plush covers

4. Multifunctional Spaces

In the same way your favourite coat can be worn on chilly September nights and sunny February afternoons, your house now has to be a lot of things at once. Whether it’s a breakfast nook that can transform into a home office, a kitchen island that can become a dining table, or a seating area that can become a guest bedroom, looking at your space in a creative way can make your home feel much bigger.
Some turn to a more high-tech method of achieving the ultimate in home functionality. TVs that seamlessly fold into the wall, nightstands with built in chargers, and speakers that double as décor allow you to get innovative when designing your home.

Get the look:
Integrate a desk into the existing living room bookshelf for a work space that doesn’t necessitate an entire room
Invest in smart furniture that can double as a phone charger or speaker to cut down on clutter
Consider rooms that aren’t used as often, such as guest rooms or dining rooms, for how they can double as a study or quiet space

5. Let There Be Light

While dark walls and dramatic colour can certainly add an air of sophistication to a room, consider how you can brighten your space and your mood with brighter lights, bigger windows, and lighter flooring. Making the most of your natural light is key. Choosing wall colours that will effectively reflect sunlight and making landscaping choices that result in unobscured windows will brighten up your entire living space.

Get the look:
Install oak or pine wood flooring for a lighter, more natural look
Avoid obstructing natural light from windows with furniture, trees, or heavy curtains
Purchase and install plenty of light fixtures such as ceiling lights, table lamps, and floor lamps

6. Blast From The Past

The 70s are back, so it’s time to turn your basement into the Studio 54 revival! …Okay, maybe not quite. But you can borrow interior design trends from the colours, patterns, and artwork of the groovy decade. The nostalgic aesthetic is a clear departure from the more minimal, modern look that has dominated millennial design trends the past few years.

Get the look:
Blend bold, saturated colours such as moss green, deep red brown, and burnt orange
Make use of geometric patterns on walls, rugs and accent pieces
Glassware in rich jewel tones immediately evokes memories of 70s chic, even better if they come in rounded, bulbous shapes
An easy way to reference the time period is with vintage artwork, or prints of some of the art of the time (the better option if you don’t have a couple of mil lying around for an original Warhol)

7. Around The Globe

The same logic that has made fusion cuisine so dominantly popular in the culinary world bleeds over to our décor choices. With travel returning to the top of many to do lists next year, it’s expected that we will draw inspiration from cultures and communities around the world to influence our own interior design.

Get the look:
If you’ve ever purchased something on a trip that you couldn’t quite find a use for, now is the time to break it out and put it on display, be it a magnet, vase, painting or sculpture
Tiles are a great way to bring global style into your home. It’s easy to find beautiful Mexican, Moroccan, or American Western inspired tile designs for your bathroom or kitchen backsplash
Stack any photography, lifestyle, or travel books you may have on a convenient coffee table or shelf to emphasize the trend

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Sometimes, the best way to learn what to do is to learn what not to do. For that reason, here are some trends that are on their way out in 2022. Note that if you love any of these, then keep doing them! It’s much more important for a home to reflect your personal style than for it to look like an Architect Digest spread.

1. Complete Open Concept Homes

A good flow from the kitchen to the dining room and living room is important, but don’t go knocking down walls just yet. While many people have returned to the office, working from home has become the new normal for millions. Sometimes, a bit of privacy is needed, especially if multiple members of a household find themselves home all day.

Ditch the look:
If your main floor is already fairly open, then putting up temporary room dividers can create the kind of work/life division that’s become so important to so many
Break up an open concept layout by giving each area its own distinct personality. This can be achieved by wall colour, flooring, and décor themes
Instead of tearing down whole walls, consider half walls and partitions that gives the layout an open concept feel while allowing some division between different spaces

2. Uber Minimalism

In the 2010s, Scandinavian design took over the interior design world, with its ultra sleek, white-on-white style. However, as people spend more time at home and spend more time shopping on Amazon, these austere spaces have become harder and harder to maintain. Well, for those who can’t seem to live without a little clutter, the good news is that this trend is giving way to more eclectic, maximalist designs.

Ditch the look:
If you’re looking to repaint, avoid stark white shades. Instead, opt for bold colours or warm cream tones to bring some life into your home
Break out the toss cushions and throw blankets that don’t necessarily match; layers of patterns and colours are no longer taboo

3. Farmhouse

For ages, rustic and distressed wood, indoor wicker, and shiplap walls were the go to for many suburban homes. This type of décor now makes a home look decidedly dated. If this style is still something you gravitate towards, blending it with modern elements can go a long way towards updating the look.

Ditch the look:
Replace graphic signs of cliché word art with more unique pieces of artwork
Avoid rustic, distressed wood in favour of simpler, cleaner looking wooden accents
One or two wicker pieces can create a nice relaxed feel for a living space, but don’t overdo it. If your living room starts looking like a front porch, it’s time to move on!

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Did any of these trends inspire you? If you want help finding a home that will support some of these great designs, reach out to Bryan at 204.891.3083.