5 Categories of 2022 Home Design Trends, From the Experts

Many of you are dreaming about making changes to your home and looking for new ideas and inspiration. At Meadowlark, we love this time of year because we can take a look back at what the experts have been saying over the past months about what's in for 2022 when it comes to home design and take an inventory. 

In doing our research we found new ideas, interesting contrasts, repeats from last year and global themes. To make it easy we've decided to break them down into categories:

1. Overarching 2022 Design themes

2. Repeats from last year

3. 2022 Design Trends We Love!

4. The Experts can't make up their minds

5. 2022 Design Trends we're not sure about

01. Overarching Themes in 2022 Design Trends

Biophilic Design - "Comfort and Well-being"

This is a theme that we are seeing across the board — not only from the experts, but also from our clients. The word "biophilic" may be new to most of us, but most experts (including us) believe that we, as biological creatures, all have an innate wiring in our DNA to connect with other forms of nature. Thus the more connected we are to the natural world — the more we experience a feeling of comfort and well-being. 

The pandemic certainly was a catalyst for bringing this concept front and center, but we have been touting natural daylight and having a connection to nature in our homes for years. Whether that's just adding a few plants, using natural finishes in our selections, and/or blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces...our clients are yearning for a better connection to the natural world in their homes. 

Biophilic Design elements include:

• Larger windows and doors for more natural daylight. Let the sun shine in — we all know it makes a big difference to how a space looks and feels, and more importantly...how we feel!

• Indoor/Outdoor spaces. Let the outdoors in by using technology that softens the transition between the two. Check out Marvin's folding patio doors with screens.

• Natural elements. Choosing finishes and selections that are natural or inspired by organic elements. And don't forget to add a few plants into the mix for some natural green. 

• Green is the new black. As we reported in our 2022 Color of The Year post, green is the major player in paint color this year. Of the 7 major paint companies, 6 included a shade of green in their 2022 lineup.

Sustainability

This trend always strikes a chord with us as sustainability has been a main driver in Meadowlark's mission since our inception. Sustainability is seen across the board as an underlying theme in many different iterations, but overall the zeitgeist is designing for the long-term health of us and our eco-system. 

For many of us this brings to mind making our homes more energy efficient, but it's much more than that, and the experts are finally taking note by acknowledging not-so-obvious design elements that are sustainable. Items like the use of vintage objects (reuse!), local sourcing of materials (less transportation costs), using reclaimed construction materials (less waste), and more sustainable landscaping using native plants (less water/chemicals) are all good for you and for the eco-system. 

02. Design Trends continuing in 2022

Curved furniture

Softer and more sculptural furniture (as opposed to the hard, straight lines we've seen in the past), became a strong design trend last year. It seems fitting that comfortable and approachable furniture that speaks to our need for comfort and well-being would make sense in a global pandemic. 

Mindful Spaces and Rooms that can Multi-task

Designing for how you use your home has always been our focus at Meadowlark, but as the pandemic hit in 2020, it became a necessity. As we worked and schooled from home, the need to accommodate both functions on top of our normal day-to-day living, compelled us to look for ways to make spaces multitask. Flexible spaces with "smarter furniture" are ways to achieve this and the design experts continue to embrace this concept in their 2022 trend list.

03. 2022 NEW Design Trends We Love

Eclectic Design and More Traditional Design Elements

Mixing vintage/antique furniture with new selections and furnishings is one we love. In addition, mixing design styles and materials is now completely en vogue. Many experts are touting this as a move towards using more traditional design elements, but packaged in a more modern setting. However, for us it's much more as it gives our clients the freedom to take the pieces they love and the aesthetics that speak to them and not have to worry about whether or not it fits into a certain design category or aligns with a particular design theme. 

Upcycling

We're all about sustainability here at Meadowlark, so it's pretty obvious why we love the idea of reusing objects and materials. As referenced above, it's okay to mix vintage with new — so tap into your crafty side and refinish your grandmother's desk and then put it where you'll see it everyday. 

Inverted Contrasts

This is a trend that we have been seeing for a while with our clients' projects. Everything from black or dark cladding on windows to black lacquer doors and trim. We are spec'ing these more and more and now we are finally seeing the experts come on board. When a whole-home remodel client approached us a number of years ago and wanted to have all of the doors and some of her trim all painted in a shiny black lacquer against white walls, our knee jerk was to agree wholeheartedly, but inwardly gasp. However, upon completion, we all reveled in the stunning contrast and immediately fully embraced the idea.

04. Designers Opposing Viewpoints 

Every year we see contrasts in what the experts are noting for the current trend. We enjoy reading these as it solidifies the underlying theme that design is entirely personal. Beauty is definitely in the idea of the beholder, so we'll let you be the judge.

Bold Color vs Warm Neutrals

There seems to be some differing opinions on this among the experts, but we particularly enjoyed this 2022 design trend article where both trends are suggested in the same article.  

Minimalism vs Maximalism

Over-the-top or simple and uncluttered? You decide, as the experts can't seem to make up their minds.

70s vs 90s Decor 

Whether it's "90s Urban" or  "70s Boho," you can see references to both depending upon what you happen to be reading. Which leads us into our next category:

05: design Trends We're Not Sure about

No judgement here...but we did question these from a longevity standpoint. If you love any of these, then we say "go for it," but suggest taking them in moderation. Remember...you'll be seeing your selections every day.

Brown

Believe it or not, brown is back. We have seen stronger/bolder colors become more trendy over the past few years (which include interesting shades of brown), but in this case the classic chocolate brown is mentioned in multiple places as being on trend for 2022. A Southern Living article suggests that "these warmer tones feel more welcoming and are a backlash to the oversaturation of gray," referring to the gray tones we have seen in home design over the past decade. 

Fringe 

Whether you realize it or not "fringe is poised to become the must-have décor detail none of us knew we needed in 2022," or at least that is what MyDomain.com's article 22 Design Trends to Try in 2022, According to Designers, suggests. Pair the fringe with a shag carpet and you have the perfect equation for that 70s Boho-chic style you've been dreaming about.

Equestrian Design?

"Revel in Modern Equestrian Designs." Perhaps the perfect aesthetic for your country estate in England?

The Bottom Line

While we love to look at what the rest of the world thinks is de rigueur for home design, in our hearts we know it's all about our clients. It's how they want to live in their homes and what brings them joy. The good news is the lines for design are becoming less rigid, giving us the latitude to create aesthetics that speak to us personally without having to worry about whether it's "in" or "out."

It's all about staying true to what you love.

Making your home work for how you live and creating spaces that bring you joy everyday is what we're all about at Meadowlark. Let us help you bring your own personal design trend to your home.