Hint: Expect pattern-on-pattern across the house and further elevation of WFH spaces.
2021 has looked a bit more similar to 2020 than we hoped, but that has meant we’ve continued to lean into our homes for creative inspiration this year. While we are crossing our fingers for more cocktail parties and jet-setting come 2022, appreciation for our homes as sanctuaries is here to stay. Whether it’s upgrading your makeshift WFH space into a permanent structure for more flexible work arrangements or creating the ultimate entertaining space for parties of the future, we can’t wait to see how the home will continue to evolve and become a better reflection of our design personalities in the coming year.
“Clients are going to up their game in 2022—they’ve been improving their nests and the ways they entertain at home over the past two years, and we will see demand for finer, more compelling designs and finishes,” says Jeffry Weisman of Fisher Weisman. “Everyone has learned to love their home and they will want to make it more special and unique.”
We asked 18 industry experts from across the country about the design concepts they anticipate will make a splash in 2022, and they’ve shared a plethora of design inspiration for enthusiasts of all kinds. Happy decorating!
- Color and Pattern Everywhere!“Over the last few months, I’ve been noticing that our high-end clients are starting to embrace color,” says Tom Stringer of Tom Stringer Design Partners in Chicago. “Traditionally, we’ve seen home design trends shift based on the economy; when things are looking bad, homeowners are more conservative, using gray and brown tones because it has staying power; but when things are optimistic, people use color and pattern because it’s something that can easily be changed.”Dallas-based designer Jean Liu of Jean Liu Design also remarks that “saffron is the new black,” and moody-hued rooms across the house will have their day after dark and dramatic kitchens reigned supreme in 2021. Vibrant colors are also having a moment too.”Everyone’s going bold these days with strong yellows and burgundies, hunter greens, and bright blues combined as stripes, plaids, and checks all in a playful sort of folk art feel.” says Boston-based designer Chauncey Boothby of Chauncey Boothby Interiors.When it comes to pattern, Boothby says mini print florals akin to the Laura Ashley textiles many of us grew up with will continue to see a resurgence in popularity while mixing retro-inspired colors and prints will also be a top trend.”As a textile lover, I’ve really been enjoying the appreciation for pattern that we’re seeing now, both among our clients and throughout the design industry,” says Lilse McKenna of Lilse McKenna Inc. in New York. “I can remember a time when a floral print was a tough sell for some clients because it was too ‘old -fashioned’—and now we’re getting to layer different florals on the same piece of furniture. I’m hoping we will only see more appreciation for beautifully crafted textiles in 2022.”
- Formality Reimagined“We are using our houses more than we ever have, resulting in an increased sense of practicality across the design spectrum,” says Tammy Connor of Tammy Connor Interior Design in Birmingham and Charleston. “Clients are selecting fabrics and furniture based on durability, making sure items in their home can resist the wear and tear that comes with a more casual ‘lived in’ lifestyle. Rooms that may have previously been used two-three times a year are now being used two-three times a week, resulting in a reimagined and utilitarian approach to designing formal spaces.”Our editors noticed this emerging trend firsthand at this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas. Corey Damen Jenkins transformed a tired formal dining space into an inviting, vibrant place to dine, entertain, study, and play. Having two tables ensures intimate conversation can be had or the day’s studies can be left on one table when dinnertime comes while cozy table lamps create an ambient glow that can keep the party going all night long. And while this space is certainly formal, pops of modern art, a vibrant color palette, and plenty of texture prevents any notion of stuffiness.
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Inviting and Inspiring WFH SpacesThe makeshift “office” we created on the kitchen island or dining table no longer cuts it. In a new age of hybrid work schedules and, in some cases, permanent remote work, our experts anticipate the coming months to be focused on evolving our workspaces into more inspiring areas.
“With the advent of Zoom and more work being done at home, [clients] are asking for two fully functioning offices—one for each spouse or partner—where they can work and not be disrupted, or be disruptive to others in the family,” says Randy Correll of Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York. “These rooms are like small libraries with and abundance of cabinetry, paneling and if possible, a view or a porch on which to take a break or power nap.”
Whether your space is a cozy nook or a room of its own, as shown here from one of Correll’s projects in Los Angeles, a successful WFH area begins with the right seating and desk. Charlotte-based designer Gray Walker of Gray Walker Interiors says she loves hunting for beautiful writing desks that deserve a spot in any cozy corner of the home and offer just the right amount of space for all your needs while being able to fit practically anywhere. She especially loves finding a workspace in front of a window. From there, it’s important to surround your workspace with things you love, colors that energize, and textures that comfort.
“We are seeing creative uses of existing spaces in homes—closets for instance—that can be transformed into a functional office with new cabinetry,” says San Francisco-based designer Allison Caccoma of Allison Caccoma Interiors. “Other less used rooms in homes are also increasingly needed as a beautiful office. The trick is to make it pretty. Paint the cabinetry blue or green, decorate with special fabrics like it’s a proper room and enjoy your time working from home.”
