2022 Trends to Watch

PHOTOS IN THIS SPREAD COURTESY OF INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

After being confined in our homes for the past two years, people have had the extra time, patience and new driven desire to turn their Pinterest dreams into a reality and allow it to be an ever evolving palette. Homeowners, who have never changed the pillows on their sofa since the home was purchased are now channeling their inner Interior Designer and have started playing with color, style, and the layout of their homes, and have become open to the idea of making those items everchanging.

Just as the seasons change, the look and feel of our homes and what is currently hot and what is not, change just as quickly! For 2022, not all designers agree on what the latest and greatest trends are and will be. What they all do agree on, is that minimalism is out and maximalism is in. The bolder the better, it seems. Diane Gassman of Interior Dimensions reveals, “Interiors are fitting more with the Architecture of the home, from midcentury and farmhouse to classic traditional, mixing the old with the new, to give the room a well-loved feeling. Re-upholstering our family heirlooms, adding draperies and valances to soften the blind window treatments. We are seeing kitchens and bathrooms with softness in colors, and more tactile connection with nature materials and finishes.”

IN: Rustic Touches OUT: Modern Farmhouse IN: Dramatic Colors OUT: Grey Kitchen IN: Vertical Patterns OUT: Shiplap IN: Wood Beams OUT: Sliding Barn Door IN: Tile Patterns OUT: Linoleum Floors IN: Sisal & Jute OUT: Nautical Decor4 IN: Earthy Stripes OUT: Chintz IN: Accent Walls OUT: Exposed Brick IN: Bookshelves OUT: Floating Shelves

Diane adds, “Tiles are looking more handmade, curves are showing up in wall panels, cabinetry, and furniture. Plumbing fixtures are still strong with champagne bronze finish. Wallpaper is back, with texture, patterns, and lots of movement. Fabrics are soft, with geometric and curves, and following the Sherwin Williams suggested paint colors for 2022.”

From the contractor side, Forrest Wilson of Tops Solid Surface says, “One of the coolest trends we have been seeing is the use of porcelain as counter top all cladding solution. It’s just as beautiful as quartz, as well as fast to install and cheaper. Tile installation can take up to 3 days whereas porcelain can be done in a day. This is especially important as we continue to face labor shortages.

Another hot “remodeling” trend to emerge from the pandemic is the transformation of multifunction spaces within the walls of existing homes.

Homeowners are looking for creative ways to utilize every inch of real estate inside their homes. Long gone are the days of a formal dining room or separate living room; these are now being converted into more usable spaces like Hobby Rooms, Art Studios, Home Gyms or Entertainment and Multimedia Rooms.

Hidden attic spaces and bay windows are now growing into much desired “Quiet Places” including cozy reading nooks, home offices, homework spaces, and mediation areas.

“We’re seeing a lot of changes to homes that previously would be seen as a faux pas but today are functional for a family that wants to make the home work and cannot purchase a different home due to the current market. A garage conversion is a great way to make bonus space. We recently converted half of a garage into an art studio. These days, it seems like it’s about making the home fit you and not trying to make your family fit the home.” Maddy Cantrell from Lifespan Construction.

CM PHOTO COURTESY OF FIRST FINISHERS, LLC.