As an interior designer, I’m always looking for new ideas, creative concepts and sources of inspiration. At the same time, I’m also wary of fads, flashy trends and of labeling concepts as “over” or “dated”. I prefer to approach new directions in design by assessing whether they are a potential match to help achieve my client’s goals for their space.

Over the past few months I have been following projected trends for the coming year. I have even had the opportunity to implement a few of them in some of my projects. Below, I have listed my favorite concepts expected to become more prevalent in 2022. I believe there is inherent value in each of them and that they have staying power for more than just the next twelve months.

Spaces with more personality – 2022 is about giving yourself permission to let your space reflect your true personality. For years the prevailing mindset has been that homeowners should avoid decorating and styling their homes with “too much personality” because it might make a home more difficult to sell. In the end, however, this situation will be resolved naturally since most homes get new paint and staged furniture before hitting the market anyway. In the meantime, let your style shine. Allow your space to reflect your interests and your dream style. Do you have a collection or some memorabilia stored away collecting dust? Pull it out and let it be your starting point. Is there a particular look or style you admired but shied away from trying out? It’s time to go for it and allow your space to inspire you day in and day out.

Increased focus on harmony with nature - by now it’s well-known that time in nature is restorative and beneficial to one’s health. While we can’t be outside all the time, we can still reap many of the same benefits by bringing references to nature into our spaces. Some ideas to consider: soft, welcoming greens in paint or fabric; wallpaper, rugs or textiles with botanical prints or textures; natural materials such as brass, rattan, wicker and marble; and more live plants including indoor gardens.

Greater use of black accents – since contrast is one of the key elements of design, using black paint on interior doors and window casings can give a space much-needed gravity and depth. For rooms that already have light colored floors, walls and furniture, a rug with black elements can help center the space. To avoid too much starkness between black and white, incorporate warm caramel tones as well as plants and greenery into the space.

More curves – curved furniture started appearing in 2019 and picked up momentum through 2020 and 2021 for good reason. Curved furniture appears soft and welcoming and helps balance out all the boxy geometry and right angles of the average room. Look for items such as barrel chairs (like those featured in the photo), curved sofas, plush ottomans, and round or oval coffee and side tables.

Increased focus on sustainability – More and more, people want to be sure that improving their home’s style doesn’t decrease their health or the health of the planet. Greater conscientiousness about what things are made of is driving a shift in materiality, especially in furniture. Natural and easily renewable materials such as rattan, wicker, and grasses are increasing in products as well as organic and responsibly sourced fabrics. In terms of health, consumers want products that are free from the top six classes of chemicals such as flame retardants, PFAS and antimicrobials. For more information on material health, visit sixclasses.org.

Continued focus on versatile spaces – we spent 2021 figuring out how to do more activities at home. In 2022, expect to see greater investments in spaces in our homes in order to convert makeshift multi-use setups into permanent ones that are as welcoming as they are functional. For example, I recently helped a client convert a rarely-used, small guest bedroom into a combination home office, yoga/workout space, and flex space for sewing and craft project. To achieve this in your own home, start by naming your functional goals and then research creative storage and layout possibilities.

Continuing to develop and refine outdoor spaces – in 2021 we learned that gathering outside is a safe and easy way to stay connected with friends and family. Expect to see continued interest in creating structured outdoor areas that are sheltered from sun and rain, have dedicated lighting for nighttime gatherings, improvements to landscaping, and comfortable furniture for both dining and relaxing.

Our homes are where we now spend the majority of our time. The start of a new year is a great opportunity to take a moment and establish design goals for your home so that your spaces can serve you and your family well, both aesthetically and functionally.