2022 Home Trends
Designed by: Michael Carron Design
Builder: CAC Custom Homes
DISCLAIMER: I have SO many thoughts on trends and promise to have a full rant on my views on them and why we should and shouldn’t pay attention to them in a future post.
I’m a firm believer that there are trends worth spending your time, attention, and money on. And then there are those that will do nothing but exhaust your energy, enthusiasm and finances. Here’s a not so comprehensive list of trends that I’ve seen so far in 2022 that I think are worth paying attention to.
Warmer, cozier wall color
I’m sure I’ll make enemies when I say this (I’ve never been too fascinated with being popular):
For those who can maintain a light, bright, mostly white house, they still have permission to feel at home in the light, bright mostly white home. It will STILL be beautiful in 2022 and going forward. There are many of us, however, that aren’t able to maintain that kind of home OR that kind of home feels too stark for them.
The best thing about adding warmth and a “cozy” feeling is it can be as simple and inexpensive as paint. If you’re afraid of drifting into too much color opt for one of the 13 trillion shades of white out there instead of just any old whitest of all whites. This is worth spending your time to get it right and the pay off is big.
Color Atelier Lime wash in Wabi
Design by: Katie Monkhouse Interiors
You can also incorporate a Lime Plaster treatment with ALL the visible texture and no physical texture. I’m not talking about 1998 Fazoli’s Venetian Plaster. Far from trendy, this treatment has always come and gone and is a great way to blend new drywall/old plaster OR add immediate character and texture to new spaces without all the physical texture you’ll likely regret years down the road.
White Oak
White Oak floors, beams and built ins
Designed by Oak Stone Homes
This wood species (or look) continues to win out for the best way to incorporate warmth in flooring, wall molding/paneling, ceiling treatments, furniture, and decor. My preference will almost always be a natural oak finish, but warm, deep tones are always a warm welcome. Don’t forget you can always mix woods as long as you keep the same undertone.
Some of my favorite treatments are cabinets/vanities, built ins, ceiling beams and panel ceilings & walls. Taking shiplap on the vertical (as opposed to the horizontal), or that wood flooring you put in the rest of the house and throwing it on the ceiling in one of your bathrooms or a hallway.
Collected, even eclectic, decor
For many a cozy home is one that feels collected, less contrived, and precious. You want to look around and be reminded of the people, places, and memories that hold a special place for you. Sometimes this means finding something at the Goodwill, in your attic or yes… even in the Homegoods Clearance section.
Vintage & antique rugs
by Jordan @ Weft & Wool
Some of my favorite collected elements I like to incorporate in nearly every design are rugs. Rugs, rugs, rugs: vintage rugs are simply the most timeless addition to trends I’ve seen the last few years. In my opinions, no one does vintage rugs better than my friends at Kristyn at Violet Vintage Rugs and Jordan at Weft & Wool. Yes, you can find convincing knock offs, but nothing beats the durability, character and story of an authentic vintage rug. They’re worth the extra investment and are more likely to be heirlooms rather than thrown away after a few short years.
Vintage rug in an Eclectic Modern Farmhouse
Kitchen Design & Vintage Rug by Kristyn @ Violet Vintage Rugs
English-style Kitchens
The pandemic afforded MANY of us more time in our favorite (and perhaps most overused and possibly neglected) part of the house: the kitchen. Thanks to Designers like Jean Stoffer and Devol Kitchens, English Style kitchens are less polished and stand up to more wear and tear that kitchens often take.
For many homeowners/tenants, these have immediate appeal. It will often pull the nostalgia heart string and doesn’t have to hit the English-style square on the nose. Here are couple quick classic features you’ll find throughout many English-style kitchens that I’m just REALLY into right now:
Flush-inset cabinetry: in my view the most timeless of all cabinet styles. This is where the drawer fronts are flush and the vertical styles and horizontal rails of the cabinet frame are visible. Speaking of cabinets, it’s ALL about function. Working sinks (like this one). Thoughtful chopping board storage. Cabinets & space that have one specific use (i.e. linens, curiosity cupboards for display, sculleries, etc.)
Stone/wood flooring: owning (or at least simulating) the historic nature of centuries old English homes. These add IMMEDIATE character, history and charm to kitchens.
Mood & character: it’s important exaggerate some of the extremes to leverage the character of English-style kitchens in new homes/renovations. Old & new, shiny & matte, textured & smooth, dark & light.
Grown Up Spaces
I’ve had more discussions about creating a “grown-up” space (notice I didn’t say “adult” space) with new and existing clients than I can count in the last two years. I’m not one of those people that thinks open concept homes are waning. Quite the opposite, actually. I think we will always have lifestyles that are more conducive to and demanding of both open concept and traditional homes. So, I think we’ll continue to see a mix of open concept and private spaces going forward.
BUT, with more professionals working full time from home, The Great Resignation, the rise of communal living and dozens of other factors grown ups are dying to have a space they can call their own. Even if that means absorbing a spare bedroom or reclaiming an old nursery for a designated office/parlor, reading rooms or a library. Or keeping their eat in kitchen concept and turning their once formal dining room into a sacred spot.
Reading room
by Julia Marcum of Chris Loves Julia
Some of the nonnegotiable requests I’ve seen out there for homes (and homes with little ones in particular) is a space where the adult(s) can have some time and space to themselves OR time/space for grown up conversation. As a parent to two young boys, I love this idea and am constantly trying to figure out ways to squeeze this in with my clients that have families. The key here is making decisions that help future proof things. If you’re going to turn this dining room into a grown up space (with bookshelves, seating, etc.) make sure you it can easily be converted back if you sell or when life inevitably moves and the needs of your constantly evolving family changes. Your home should be able to adapt and evolve with you.
