Décor: What’s new for 2022

What’s new for 2022

The year of living cozily East Coast designers break down the trends that will shape homes in 2022

BY KATIE INGRAM

Due to COVID-19, 2021 was a year where homeowners started to rethink their spaces, leaving 2022 open to an array of new and old ideas.

It’s expected looks will take a cozier, softer approach, emphasizing warm colours and curves.

However, there are some pandemic-related trends that will carry over, given that many people will still have home offices, either on a full-time or part-time basis.

To help predict just how much will change or stay the same, East Coast Living spoke with four designers to get their take on the year of living cozy. JENNA DUNLOP, OWNER OF JENNA RAE INTERIORS (NOVA SCOTIA)

Jenna Dunlop didn’t see too many changes from 2020.

“I think that might have a lot to do with the pandemic, because there hasn’t been much for people to pull from in terms of inspiration,” she says.

Specifically, 2021 drew inspiration from the places people could go, like their backyards. Dunlop says items influenced by nature were popular, like oak cupboards, kitchen islands, and flooring.

“I think because people were stuck home, they were pulling from their surroundings,” she says. “I think a lot of people were using the outdoors as an escape, and it was a way to bring that back into their home to create that vibe inside.”

Textures were also common over the past year.

“Whether that be through wallpaper [which is] making a huge comeback, or through throw pillows or throw blankets, the addition of texture creates a nice, cozy vibe and that’s a big part of what clients were looking to achieve,” says Dunlop.

Drawing inspiration from outside the home will carry into 2022, she adds, but it will be more travel related.

“I think it’s just in terms of people travelling again, maybe bringing things home, those keepsakes and momentos, and getting inspired by places they go,” she says.

CHARLI JUNKER, OWNER OF YOUR SPACE OUR DESIGN (NEWFOUNDLAND)

Like Dunlop, Junker’s clients found inspiration in nature.

She’s been working with cooler tones and environmentally influenced materials like natural wood and dark green countertops. For 2022, this will change slightly.

“I think it is going to go a little more midcentury modern and retro, but it’s going to mix in those environmental elements,” she says.

Warmer colours will be used, along with pops of colour and warmer texture pieces, like stone fireplaces.

“As opposed to marble fireplaces, stone fireplaces don’t necessarily go out of style, but we’re just going to see more texture and more colour with them,” she says.

As for what will stay the same, home offices or home office spaces, such as using an island as a dual-purpose work and kitchen space, will remain.

“They were huge in 2021 and I don’t perceive that going out of style, because now people have gotten used to that as many are still working from home,” says Junker.

PHOTO: CHARLI JUNKER PHOTO: DAMIEN PACKWOOD

DAMIEN PACKWOOD, OWNER OF DAMIEN MORRIS DESIGNS (PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND)

Damien Packwood finds clients are looking to spend more on their properties.

Previously, his clients would keep the designs “pretty neutral,” but that has changed.

“I feel like a lot of people still like that really soft, calming, natural environment,” he says. “I was known for white kitchens, but many customers now like to add in like natural elements like a butcher block or framing the white cabinets in the natural wood, just softening things and making it homier and cozier.”

With people spending more time at home, trends have and will continue to lean toward more functional and softer spaces, says Packwood. One popular item has been transformer tables, which can be used as console tables or seat large groups.

“I’m using that a lot, because they’ll put it down into a console table and it will be against the wall as a desk. Then when they do entertain, they can pull it out,” he says.

He’s also predicted there will be more curved furniture in the coming months.

“I think it’s just more appealing to the eye,” he says. “It’s still pretty square, but they’ve taken off that sharp edge. It just gives it that soft roll, which I feel is a little more relaxed and a little less stiff.” MALLORY LENNON, OWNER OF REIMAGINE DESIGNS (NEW BRUNSWICK)

As 2021 becomes 2022, mixing metals will be a recurring trend, says Mallory Lennon.

“From your lighting to your door hardware to your cabinetry hardware, we’re not just sticking to one finish throughout the home, which is nice,” she says.

As for colour, Lennon is seeing brighter colours like blues and different textures and patterns, all of which will continue.

For those that do choose neutral though, it will be a modern take.

“It’s the new neutral; it’s not the old, boring beige,” she says. “It’s a soft, warm, neutral and more in a modern setting.” As for the home as a whole, Lennon has the same expectations as Packwood regarding curved furniture and other pieces.

“It’s to give a sense of warmth and a bit more tone,” she says. “We’ve been doing a lot of curved sofas and a lot of round (pieces),” she says. “Arches are back — arched doorways and that kind of thing — so I think it’s helping soften where there’s a lot of hard lines within a home.” o