What Interior Design Trends are Over in 2022

Let’s face it, trends in interior design come and go like seasons. It’s hard to keep up with modernity; and post COVID, what’s in is quickly moving out. As you plan out your new home, or simply re-decorate your old one, it’s pertinent to know what’s in style. What follows is a list of trends to kiss goodbye in 2022.

Dying Trends in Interior Design

Minimalism

Minimalism had its moment, starting in 2019. The idea of a pristine, plain open space was appealing to many. During the pandemic it made the home one inhabited 24/7 feel cleaner with more room to breathe. Recently it’s fading–with designers moving more towards homes with character. TinyLife described the fad as simply “living with intention.” It’s safe to say our intentions have changed in the past few years. Now, our spaces are becoming reflections of their inhabitants. Color, art, and even some clutter indicate a happy home. As professional organizer Andrew Mellen writes on his blog, “your stuff isn’t the problem, you are.” In 2022, finding a balance between keeping neat and giving your space personality is more popular than ever. While certain elements of minimalism can be kept in the home, there’s no need for your bedroom to look like an IKEA showroom. It’s time to add life to your home this Summer.

“Fast” Furniture

Another pandemic-born trend that’s dying out is furniture built for convenience rather than for posterity. In the age of COVID–shelves and tables quickly built at home were the obvious choice. These pieces tend to be cheap and of poorer quality. Today, forever homes need forever furniture. (Or at least, furniture that can outlast your lease and move with you.) HaikuDesigns emphasizes the wasteful effect of such purchases. “Fast Furniture is built to have a short lifespan, precisely to encourage continued purchasing. Low quality particle boards and simplistic construction quickly result in damaged pieces that need to be replaced thus ending up in landfill, thus driving up demand for “affordable” pieces, thus ending up in landfills, thus driving up… you get it.” While I understand the financial need for such a trend, those with the money to invest in proper furniture will thank themselves in the years to come.

The “All White” Color Scheme

To most, this trend was giving the ‘celebrity home’ effect–with a monochromatic appearance and a nearly blinding result. What once was its appeal, is now its downfall. A white couch with white walls and white pillows with a white table….well it’s more than most can stand. Color is back in 2022, and your home shouldn’t feel like a hospital. Even more so, the maintenance of this aesthetic is difficult to keep up with. During COVID, when many worked from home, the upkeep of all white surfaces posed much less of a challenge. Nowadays, who has time to dust and clean every surface that instantly dons stains like a badge of honor? This trend goes hand in hand with the minimalism discussed above. The idea of a home without character is dying out; to be replaced with bright colors, art, and personality.

Gray on Gray

If a color alone could be out of style, it’s this one. Gray has been popular for over a decade, seen as a neutral shade that could match almost anything. It’s safe to say gray is no longer trending. As opposed to using it as the main choice in your color scheme, opt to have it as an accent piece instead.

Stainless Steel Kitchens

Stainless steel kitchens were growing in popularity back in 2020. It’s been two years now, and the trend is finally dying out. What once made a kitchen look spotless and modern, now makes it look industrial and sterilized. The only downfall to this? Stainless steel kitchens are much easier to clean than some of their alternatives. The steel does not easily absorb dirt, smudges, or fingerprints. Still, perhaps the extra effort is worth the new look. It’s time to keep up with what’s trending, and abandon that stainless steel aesthetic.

The “Industrial Design”

Following the banishment of stainless steel, industrial design in general is fading from favor. The trend, which gained traction a few years ago, is known now for its lack of warmth and aggressively harsh appearance. Comfort is back in style–and homes with a personal touch have never been more popular. There are many ways to make your home look chic and sleek, without sacrificing comfort and familiarity.

The “Modern Farmhouse” Look

The modern farmhouse was increasingly popular in the past years, and yet already is appearing dated. Chip and Johanna Gaines, the duo that coined the phrase, first popularized the design on their show Fixer Upper. Just like the show went off the air in 2018, the modern farmhouse’s time is also expiring. ‘Farmhouse; doesn’t blend well with new home purchases—and upholding the aesthetic is like signing a contract for life. FamilyHandyman focuses most on the overdone element of the farmhouse decor. “Distressed pieces of artwork have become a bit of a cliche. Pieces with sayings such as “Blessed” and “Relax” have been so popular over the last few years they are even sold at big-box stores. Skip the distressed artwork and go for something a bit more original.”

Break up with the confines of the modern farmhouse. Explore new aesthetics and move on.

Accent Walls

Accent walls were a way to add a pop of color or design to your relatively neutral room. Now, it’s seen as a cop-out. Instead of making one wall a fun color, commit to the aesthetic in full. Plus, the effect of one wall being loud while the others are considerably subdued is both jarring and headache-worthy. It’s time to give up or give in to that fun pop of bright color.

Open Kitchens

Open kitchens are done this year. It’s time to parcel out your space properly, especially for those still working from home. Plus, an open kitchen ensures you must match the design of your cooking space to your living space, seamlessly. Home Stratosphere writes, “When you have an open kitchen, you have to make sure that the colors and style choices that you have made will flow through your home. There’s no way to have a bold kitchen hidden behind a door when the rest of your home is decorated in neutral colors.”

Not only this, but an open kitchen rids the homeowner of valuable counter and storage space. While the appeal is increased family time, with both the living space and the kitchen being connected, some want to cook and clean in peace. Who wants loud television blasting every time they plan a meal?

Overall, open kitchens are out this season. It’s time to prop up that wall and section out your home.

Veneer

Wood veneer finishes are totally out this season. What once was a statement piece, is now a total home decor turn off. Veneer finishes are now seen as tacky and overdone. While it’s more affordable than wood, and admittedly easier to maintain–it’s become the norm in way too many homes. Now, there’s not a unique element to the once popular trend–leaving it dated and disinteresting.

Tile Countertops

It’s time to return the tile to where it belongs. (And no, that’s not on your counter.) Stick with the typical marble or even granite finish–your eyes, your wallet, (and your cleaning supplies) will thank you. As noted by the Forbes Advisor, “Tile countertops use grout to put the tile in place and grout is a porous material, meaning it will absorb liquids and can lead to bacteria growth. Just like with other countertops, tile needs annual sealing, if not more frequent sealing.”

Plus, tile countertops are prone to chips and cracks. Not only are they expensive and outdated, their longevity is in serious question.

The “Millennial” Pink Trend

Pink will always be in style, but maybe it’s not necessary to decorate your entire bedroom with it. The “Millennial Pink,” a term coined a few years back, is the light pink known to go well with those “live, laugh, love” signs and framed pictures from Etsy. However, unfortunately, it’s fading from interest. The preppy pink shade has fallen from grace.

So, What IS Trending in Interior Decor?

A Nature-Inspired Living Room

Plants, shades of green, and natural comforts are totally in this season.

Vintage + Sustainable Furniture

Sustainability has been the move this year, and hopefully for years to come. Using vintage pieces or sustainably sourced items will keep your home chic and classic.

Brighter and Bolder Color Choices

With the recent death of monochromatic all-white or all-gray aesthetics, comes the birth of color and new life for your apartment. Dare to choose some bolder hues.

Statement Lighting Fixtures

Choose fun lamps, chandeliers, or wall lights for your bedroom, bathroom, and every room in between.

Three-Dimensional Art

This is a great way to breathe new life into your apartment, as well as inciting conversations with your house guests. Pieces such as these quite literally speak for themselves.

High Tech Spaces

In 2022, the options for home technology are endless. Keeping your home up to date with new tech is totally trending.