Marie Khawajah

The year 2022 in INTERIOR DESIGN will be dominated by a close

CONNECTION TO NATURE

Text: Marie Khawajah; Photo: Archive

The past few years have been rather turbulent in many fi elds, and interior design was no exception. Our needs and demands regarding our homes have changed completely. We have identifi ed various spots that we have not paid attention to before. In simple terms, our homes have suddenly, literally overnight, become ever more important. From a place meant for just living and sleeping, we briskly transformed them into offi ces, schools, gyms, and restaurants. We had never expected so much from our homes. Consequently, interior trends started to refl ect this transformation, giving priority to quality and practical functionality.

Connecting with Nature and Thoughtful Production

The strict health measures limiting our mobility and outdoor activities have propelled our need to surround ourselves with nature within our homes. Connection with nature received an entirely new dimension, and got imprinted in the new trends that are here to stay. This has been demonstrated through colours; which this year are dominated by tones of green; as well as through materials that are also sourced from nature such as wood, ceramics, and stone, and textures that radiate a natural and pure look. In line with the changes of our essential needs and priorities, respect for the environment has become a key focus for many producers and consumers. For

many, environmentalism has become much more than just an attractive trend, but a philosophy for entire companies and, generally, for life. In a reaction to this, many manufacturers have signifi cantly reviewed their methods and processes, searching for improvements. As a result, aesthetics is now fi nally starting to go hand in hand with environmentalism and sustainability, thus becoming an indisputable competitive advantage.

Team7 from Austria, for whom sustainability is paramount, has a lot to say about the topic since they have modifi ed all of their production to respect the environment. The sustainable forests where they source wood for their furniture production are their own or leased. They use only environmentally friendly products to treat their wood and do all they can to eliminate any negative environmental impacts. The Danish BoConcept applies a very similar philosophy - just like Team7, they are featured under the portfolio of the Decoland interior and kitchen studio. BoConcept also respects the so-called ‘Earth’s materials’. A glimpse at their current collection reveals a strong presence of nature: good old natural veneers, stone, ceramics, but also glass elements and a variety of fabrics and leathers that make furniture fully customizable and refl ect a strong bond with nature.

Colour Shades and Organic Shapes

The power of nature and its impact on us has grown more than ever before. Colours and shapes do open the doors and thus connect our inner spaces with the outer ones. We strive to feel good, to be healthier and more energetic. A simple task, yet not always an easy one to achieve. 2022 is defi nitely a year of green and all-natural tones brought into our interiors through plants, wood, and terracotta, as solid pieces of genuine nature. This year we should really not be afraid of olive green, velvet, bold wall paints, and rugs made of burlap and other rustic materials.

Organic forms, such as curved lines and rounded shapes, off er a perfect vocabulary for nature-inspired interiors. You can see them applied onto many of the BoConcept sofas and chairs, but also in the works of Edra, a leading design brand from Tuscany, whose On The Rocks sofa resembles a giant sea cucumber. The trend of organic shapes is nothing new in the interior; it just seems to be experiencing its big comeback right

now, as a lavish celebration of life and love. Due to this, it often demonstrates obvious inspiration from living organisms and other natural elements.

The Sofa - a Best Friend, or even a Family Member

It is there for you when you come home. It never asks any questions. It is always ready to give you the best of itself: the perfect sofa. Your favourite place to relax with family or friends. The humble sofa is now becoming more important than ever. This year, the main criteria for selecting new seating furniture will be comfort and the ability of the sofa to match the existing interior. Timeless design will play a key role this year, as a sofa should be a time-bridging piece that should not follow fl eeting trends. When choosing a sofa, look for quality and traditional craftsmanship. Well-thought lines, furniture made with love, materials sourced from nature - these are the elementary criteria of this year.

Kitchens: Hungry for Colour

Neutral colour tones are timeless, but after some time they may become dull. Colour variety is also slowly returning to the central part of most homes: the kitchen. Besides colourful appliances or bold tiling, other colour details may make a kitchen really stand out. For instance, a diff erent colour of the base and top cabinets: one part may gravitate towards neutrality, while the other may add a brighter tone, perhaps of the same colour. A kitchen should be a creative and inspiring space, therefore it deserves more than just white and grey. The kitchen, as the heart of your home, also loves wooden decors accentuated with stone worktops in bolder shades.

Marie Khawajah