It’s been an eventful year on the home decor front: The wave of pastels has quietly died down, and eccentric couches have exploded to the point that they’re as commonplace as Ikea. Yet more big trends have asserted their influence on the decor. Much like fashion, the trend phase of the interior design world can be swift and diverse. And several of the main ideas within the space are a mirror to what’s happening on other fronts such as fashion, and culture. For instance, the whimsical rustic design aesthetic feels on par with the current coastal grandma trend currently filtering through Tik Tok—albeit with a more global touch—but the similarities are there. Below, I’m parsing through each of the big trends entering (and leaving) the scene in 2022. From quirky shag rugs to curvy furniture, keep scrolling for a list of the pieces everyone can’t stop talking about.
It’s no coincidence: shag rugs and plush velvet seem to be coming out in droves, and it’s in big part to the wave of groovy 70s references. That translates to lots of warm earth tones, extreme textures, and low-profile furniture (ie the platform bed). More evidence of the decade’s definitive comeback is evident in the surging popularity of 70’s design icons like the Mario Bellini “Camaleonda” couch and Michel Ducaroy’s “Togo”.
A vase of fresh flowers will never go out of style, but the typical “beautiful” blossoms have given way to quirky and abstract arrangments that are seemingly more than meets the eye. An ode to the art form of Japanese Ikebana, groupings of twigs, branches, and eye-catching flowers with interesting textures are arranged in equally whimsical vessels. They’re a statement piece all on their own.
A few years ago it was hard to ignore the rise of pastels. Pretty and soft shades of pink, purple and blue were everywhere—the Scandinavian references strong. This year, things are a bit different: while pastels haven’t completely vanished, there’s a new general consensus is to embrace more off-beat and neutral-leaning colors. While still an emphasis on soft hues, the idea is to go for unexpected shades like pear green or caramel brown.
In a similar vein to the explosion of 70’s inspired decor, eccentric seating has been a huge trend taking over this year. A few designs in particular, have led the wave, like Hem’s donut-inspired Boa Pouf designed by Sabine Marcelis and the company’s Faye Toogood’s designed Puffy Chair. It’s all about being as unconventional as possible.
It’s time to give your boxy furniture a rest—curvy and organic-shaped pieces are soaring in a big way this year. Curvy side tables and rounded, abstract furniture are just a few of the ways insiders have taken up the aesthetic, and if you’re looking to add some personality to your domain, this is just the way to do it.
After almost a decade of everything marble, the stone died a quiet death into relative uncoolness a few years ago. Shiny metals and more understated-looking materials like cement and plaster rose in its place, however, marble is ready to reclaim its throne in 2022. But the twist? Precious types like Calcutta marble with dramatic dark veining and dimensional French pink marble. The good part is this trend is relatively easy to inject into your own space with the inclusion of decorative objects like bowls, candle holders, or a plinth. If you’re working with a bigger budget, a marble table is a timeless investment.
