The 2022 Interior design trends are proving to be Instagram-worthy looks you will certainly want to replicate in your home. This coming year, design is getting comfortable with current vogues that will go the distance, a few oldies making a comeback, and timeless classics holding strong. Given this variety, you will not only be able to create a home that is on-trend but will also remain in style for the time to come. Read on for our design experts’ curated picks of the top 2022 home decor and interior design trends we are sure that you will love!

The emphasis on natural and sustainability continues to grow from interior trends from previous years. It is no wonder that their aesthetics are becoming even more refined and covetable. Moreover, we’re seeing a subtle merge of retro, natural, and Zen elements in 2022 interior design trends. In addition, the importance of setting up home offices and keeping clean spaces play a substantial role in favored looks. This 2022 interior design trends article will also give you insider tips on how you can transform your home to be in style with the 2022 interior design trends.

2022 Interior Design trends

• Blast from the Past: 70s Retro

Interior design in the '70s certainly had its quirks. It was a decade defined by wall-to-wall shag carpeting, funky technicolor furniture, and knick-knacks galore, but 1970s interior design also encompassed many timeless elements that are once again resurfacing in homes today. Current decor trends like rattan furniture and earthy color schemes stem from the retro style and are now emerging from the past in modern ways.

• Invest in Wicker or Rattan Furniture

Rattan furniture incorporates a weaving technique that dates back to ancient times, but the style achieved widespread popularity in the 1960s and '70s. The lightweight, laidback look still appeals today, and rattan and wicker pieces are once again in high demand. They are the perfect materials to bring a little texture, depth, and fun into the crispness that has permeated new homes and construction for the past few years. You can easily incorporate these pieces into a variety of decorating styles for a vibe that feels "both current and nostalgic." Try bringing in rattan or wicker through statement-making accent furniture, such as this Devoko Patio Porch Furniture Sets 3 Pieces PE Rattan Wicker Chairs with Table Outdoor Garden Furniture Sets, which were both popular in the '70s.

• Layer on Texture

The texture is key to recreating a retro look. Layers of tactile materials such as macramé, shag carpeting, and bouclé fabric steep '70s style in casual comfort, and you can easily incorporate these textures amid more contemporary furnishings. The goal is to "add a bit of retro whimsy to a space while maintaining that much-needed air of sophistication. For example, lay down a shaggy area rug in front of a sleek mid-century sofa, or toss in a few throw pillows with fringe accents. A macramé wall hanging is another way to add texture without going overboard.

• Incorporate Warm textures

Colors like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and vivid citrine energized '70s homes. To give this palette a modern spin, err on the side of earth tones as opposed to the bright, campy colors of decades past. Think ripe avocado green instead of emerald, terra-cotta red over jewel-tone rub. You can mix muted shades with warm neutrals for a '70s-inspired color scheme that still feels fresh. You can take inspiration with this Decorative Mustard Yellow Throw Pillow Cover Soft Chenille Square Accent Cushion Covers Set of 2 Home Decor Throw Pillowcase for Sofa Couch Bed Chair.

• Swap in Retro Lighting

Replacing modern fixtures with '70s-inspired lighting is a simple swap that nods to the style without overwhelming a room. Look for fixtures with glossy finishes or bold geometric silhouettes, like the domed shades of mushroom lamps. It is even more impactful if the lighting contrasts with the existing style of the space. A great retro light you can invest in is this RUXUE Modern Ceiling Light 6 Heads Retro Metal Chandeliers Light Fixtures.

• Mix and Match Styles

You can blend '70s design trends into a mix of other styles to achieve a personalized look. Start small with accents that are easy to swap out. For example, incorporating rattan lampshades or a macramé wall hanging will make an otherwise contemporary space feel modern and bohemian, instead of feeling like a 1970s-time capsule.

• Incorporate Nature through a Biophilic Design

Biophilic Interior Design means incorporating nature into our indoor environment. It comes from the word Biophilia – meaning Love of Nature. Biophilic Design focuses on creating a calming space with a visual connection with nature while improving wellbeing, health, and productivity.  

• Potted Plants

The simplest way to bring nature into your home is to physically bring nature into your home. Whether that is a range of potted plants, a vase of fresh flowers, or even a few succulents, living greenery offers your indoor environment a breath of fresh air. Literally. 

Fill your kitchen with fragrant herbs, place a pot of aloe vera in your bedroom to purify the air as you sleep, or decorate your shelves with hardy cacti. Not only do plants absorb airborne pollutants, but they are also proven to reduce stress and anxiety.

• Nature’s Color Palette

Draw inspiration from Mother Nature herself when it comes to color… and no, that does not just mean green!  The game aims to go for colors that inspire the sense of grounding, space, and peace that you get in the great outdoors. And nature’s color palette is beautifully broad. 

You can think about rich shades of burnt orange, terracotta ochres that are earthy and grounding mocha, and beige tinged with sage or minty green, reminiscent of trees and soil. But using color effectively absolutely does not mean that you need to repaint all the walls in your house. 

Think outside the box when it comes to incorporating a nature-themed color scheme into your home. You could add splashes of color with paint certainly but even introducing natural tones in fabrics, artwork or furniture will do the trick too.

• Botanical Print

Let your interiors reflect the view from your windows. Prints that mimic the colors, patterns, and energy of the natural world are a fabulous way to achieve this and create a wonderful integration between indoors and out. So why not represent leaves, trees, plants, or flowers with botanical prints on walls or fabric? 

If you are feeling adventurous, paper an entire wall in your living room or bedroom with bold prints. Upholster your curtains or favorite sofa with fun botanical fabrics. Or if you do not want to go all out just yet, start small.  You might play with the fabrics for scatter cushions with a bright floral pattern, or you could simply make a feature wall with framed prints of nature or patterns from the outside world. You can take inspiration with this Emvency Throw Pillow Covers Decorative Green Leaf Watercolor Multipack Eucalyptus Branches Hand Floral with Plant Objects on White Natural Greenery Twig pillowcase.

• Materials and Textures

Move physically closer to nature by integrating natural textures and materials into your indoor space. This might include wood, stone, bamboo, marble, cork, seagrass, sisal, and cotton or linen. 

Wood, of course, is beautifully versatile and can be used in anything from flooring to furniture. Think smooth oak tables, knotted wood shelves, or even reclaimed pieces used experimentally (a slice of grainy wood makes an awesome cheese board!). 

While wooden flooring seems to be the most obvious choice, you do not have to pull up all your carpets to bring natural materials into your interiors.  How about draping your bed with cotton or linens, using wicker baskets for storage, or letting a rattan chair be the feature piece of a cozy reading corner. If you are looking for a good compromise between carpet and hard flooring though, seagrass or sisal rugs are a brilliant option! 

Another free idea? Next time you are on a walk through the countryside or at the beach, collect an exterior element and feature it in your home. Think shapely stones, pearly seashells, pinecones, or driftwood. Anything that captures the essence of the natural world and you are winning!

• Maximize Natural Light

Even if you are not blessed with the luxury of large windows, skylights, or a south-facing garden that attracts oodles of light, it does not mean you have to give up hope of light-drenched rooms.

Hanging mirrors near even the smallest or most light-starved of windows will reflect outdoor light and create the illusion of brightness. Dressing your space with glass accessories has a similar effect. Wooden shutters or shades make the perfect addition to any window if you are going for a natural look.

• A Breath of Fresh Air with Scent 

Bring the scent of meadows or forests or the ocean into your home with aromatherapy.  That might be through good-quality scented candles or a natural oil diffuser that emits a subtle but steady scent throughout the day. 

It is like a scratch and sniff for nature. There are so many divine plant-based aromas to choose from.  Essential oils extracted from botanicals also have the added benefit of supporting and uplifting your mood and general wellbeing.

• Zen Interiors

The Asian inspired Zen interior design style focuses on creating peaceful energy and positive vibes for a happy home. This style has evolved from its original culture specific Japanese form to a more relaxed modern interpretation that has found a universal appeal. Fluidity is the hallmark of the contemporary Zen style — there are no hard line rules, just broad guidelines for interior design that you can add your flavor to.

• Low Height Furniture

Nothing says Zen quite like floor-level furniture. Low-height seating tends to draw your eyes upwards helping you sense the volume of the space. Platform beds, floor mats, low sofas, poufs, and ottomans are the way to go. Pair a low-height table with floor-level cushions or bring in a futon for a more authentic Japanese look. Maintaining a consistent height across different furniture pieces will help create visual harmony.

• Go All Natural

A focus on authentic, natural elements is an intrinsic part of Zen-style interior design. Using natural light, natural ventilation, and natural materials will help introduce a tranquil vibe into your home. Opt for exposed surfaces and textures for your walls and floors. When it comes to furniture, go with solid wood, bamboo, or metal with natural fabrics like cotton and jute for upholstery. For color schemes, think contemporary neutrals or even the early 90s beige themed palette

• Embrace Simplicity

Simple forms and soft lighting are staples of Zen-style interior design. Avoid garish decor, harsh lighting, or overdone ornamentation, and stick to the essentials. Basic geometric shapes or fluid organic forms are ideal for furniture. Focused task lighting using table lamps or chandeliers combined with soft accent lighting — around the edges of your room with concealed LEDs or halogen lights — will create a relaxed mood.

• Bring in the Elements

Zen-inspired interior design is best articulated with natural elements. Inviting nature into your home creates soothing vibrations. Wherever possible, integrate interior spaces with the outdoors through open courtyards or shallow pools. For apartments, have a small indoor garden with potted plants or display your seashell collection for a touch of the ocean. Indoor water features are another great way to bring balanced energy to your home.

• Aim for Lightness

Zen style interior design is all about lightness, both in terms of physical weight and visual complexity. Light, minimal, and floating forms tend to have a calming effect on the mind. From individual decor pieces to the overall spatial design of the room, ditch all the extra weight and follow the less is more maxim. You can achieve lightness through simple variations in traditional decor such as opting for light bamboo furniture over heavier solid pieces or translucent separator screens instead of heavy opaque doors. Even when it comes to plants, thin, long-stemmed varieties like bamboos tend to be lighter on the eyes.

• Minimalism Remains

The Minimalist Interior Design Style concentrates on the principle of ‘less is more.’ It is ultimately defined by a sense of functionality and ultra-clean lines. This decorating style is said to be inspired by Japanese design. Having uncomplicated forms, clean lines and simple finishes are the core characteristics of this style.

• Functional Furniture

The minimal design is very well attracted to empty spaces. The furnishings are simple and streamlined. Here, functional furniture is the most essential design element where having enough storage is very important. For this very reason, furniture is designed in such a way that it doubles up as hidden storage. If we look at an example, a coffee table is designed in a way that when it is lifted, one can reveal storage space, making this one of the very creative solutions.

• Neutral Color Palette 

There is often a warmer take on minimalist designs. Looking at the color scheme, the minimal design style focuses on the color palettes which are neutral and airy. Sometimes, even primary colors can be used as an accent color to elevate the space. The spaces come out of monochromatic imagination when the thought of a neutral space. This is the design, which is full of ‘no-fuss and clean elegance.

• Patternless Decor

The key to the design is to keep the spaces spare and well-edited with print-less fabrications. There is no room for patterns to take place. But, it is necessary to incorporate textures as those will be the only complimentary factor in creating a space. Décor on the other hand is not excessive at all. There are no flamboyant accessories found. It is derived so that it serves a dual purpose.

• The Choice of Elements

Accent elements play a major role in defining the minimal space design. Multifarious materials, dominating artwork, quality fixtures, functional and simple furniture, and pieces of light as a décor element are the things that create minimal interior design and a stand-out design style in 2021.

• Open Interiors

The arena of simplicity, refinement and a deft hand at functionality and elegance is what makes an interior design style minimal. Altogether, the allowance of open space and natural light greets the room with minimal elegance. It involves the use of bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. 

• Consider Using a Hero Piece

Do not assume that minimalist interior design is all about keeping it uneventful; on the contrary, a standout work of art like a painting or an oversized piece of furniture in a bold color may work as a fantastic anchor for your room’s muted design.

Takeaway

With so many of us still stuck at home with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, these 2022 Interior Design trends will help you make your home stylish, comfortable, and on-trend. Fortunately, these 2022 Interior design trends are cozy so you can feel right at home!