Hottest Decorating Trends for 2022

Curious about what will be big in design for the coming year? Today we’re sharing the 8 hottest decorating trends for 2022!

Though I’ve never been one to decorate only according to trends or to change my decorating style to fit those, I do love to find out what the experts are predicting will be the big design trends coming our way. And, it’s fun to see which of those trends will end up having staying power and become something we see everywhere! 

It’s also a chance to add a few items or a color I might not have chosen on my own. Because I love design, run a decorating blog and shop a lot, I am influenced by what’s out there to some degree. We all are.

For instance, sometimes I’ll dislike something when it first comes out (ie; brass hardware), only to end up falling in love with it a year or two later! The best trends do that. They open our eyes to ideas and styles we might not have explored. This is true in fashion as well as in design. 

So after researching and reading a lot on this topic, I’m sharing 8 of the hottest decorating trends for 2022. These are the trends I think are here to stay (at least for awhile 😉 ) and that resonated with me the most. 

1. Browns and Earth Tones

Design by Amber Interiors.

We’ve had over a decade of lots of grey, and the pendulum is starting to swing the other way. Now earth-toned colors are making a big comeback. Warmer color palettes, pops of brown, and warm wood furniture are popular. Even neutrals are getting warmer with creamier beiges replacing crisp, stark whites. And I must say, I’m ready for it!

I haven’t used much brown in my decor for quite some time, but just recently I added some wood antique vessels as well as brown velvet pillows this past fall. The warmth it adds is so lovely! 

2. Traditional Touches and Antique Accents

Design by Bria Hammel via Decorpad.

People are incorporating more traditional design elements, but in a modern way. Pattern mixing, skirted furniture, and more vintage and antique pieces all speak to a more traditional way of decorating. Think English roll arm sofas, wingbacks and pieces with more detail and history. 

Another part of this trend? A return to details like fringe and floral patterns (which seem to have gone by the wayside for awhile now). Personally, I love beautiful floral linens and antique furniture, so this is one trend I can get behind!

3. Curved Furniture 

Design by Studio McGee.

Curved furniture has been gaining popularity for a couple of years, and now it’s a full-blown trend. From curved sofas and tables, to arches being incorporated in architecture, expect to see much more of this trend. 

One item I absolutely adore? This curved glass door cabinet! And lest you think “curved furniture” means mod u-shaped couches, take a peek at all of the ‘curved’ items at Ballard Designs – lots of gorgeous options that are traditional/transitional in style and very versatile.

4. Nature Inspired

Design by Brooke Giannetti.

This trend is another one that’s been growing for a couple of years and is now fully entrenched. ‘Nature Inspired’ is everything from the increase in the popularity of house plants to earthier materials being used in building.

After two years spent mostly indoors, we’re all seeking to strengthen our connection with nature. This has inspired a resurgence in natural surfaces and materials – think stoneware, terracotta, travertine, and raw wood being used for everything from backsplashes to furniture and decorative objects.

As a person who’s always loved natural materials and shied away from synthetics, this makes my heart happy! 

5. Wallpaper

Via Schumacher. 

I’m sure you’ve already seen the increasing popularity of wallpaper, and it seems here to stay. The use of wallpaper is soaring, with grasscloth being the most popular it’s been since it’s heydey in the 1970s.

One thing that’s new? Wallpaper is getting bolder and more playful. 

6. Outdoor Rooms

Via Luxe Interiors & Design.

An extension of the ‘Nature’ trend is the tendency to place an increasing importance on our outdoor living spaces. Whether big or small, people want to make their patios, balconies and porches an extension of their home.

More comfortable furniture (some of it looks like indoor furniture now, have you noticed?) and outdoor lamps and rugs are growing in popularity. 

I actually added an outdoor rug last spring and to be honest, I couldn’t believe the difference it made! I always felt they weren’t necessary but once I had one, it made such a difference. Our patio immediately felt more cozy and cohesive, and I love that it also feels at least a little bit cleaner under your feet!

7. Texture Everywhere!

Design by Lauren Leiss.

Another trend I love is the increasing presence of texture. If you’ve been a reader for awhile then you know how important I think texture is to a space (you can read my post all about texture here).

Now it’s being incorporated through accessories like pillows and linens in velvet and mohair (with fringe!) and natural rugs like jute and seagrass. And as I mentioned above, there’s been a return to the use of more natural materials like rough stone, raw wood and brick. 

One of my favorite texture trends? The increased use of Venetian plaster, limewash and other wall treatments that add amazing texture to walls. It makes them so much more interesting than my builder’s grade sheetrock walls!

8. The Color Green 

I saved the best trend for last, haha! I’ve always loved green, even when it wasn’t ‘on trend.’  And believe me, if a color isn’t on trend it’s pretty hard to find. However, all of the predictions of the return of green have finally come true this year. 

I’m sure some of this is due to the fact that it is the Color of the Year for several paint companies. But I also think it’s part of both the ‘Earth Tones’ trend as well as the ‘Return to Nature’ trend, as green incorporates both of those elements. 

Sherwin-Williams settled on a soft sage, their Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog.

Benjamin Moore picked a soft gray-green called October Mist.

Behr went with a soft blue-green called Breezeway.

And Valspar chose a bright olive green, Blanched Thyme.

As I always say, the more collected your house feels the more timeless it will be. Using different styles and even different color woods helps to keep your house from feeling dated because it won’t feel of a specific decade. And when you mix styles and colors you give yourself the flexibility to try new trends without throwing off the whole room. 

For me, I’m most interested in adding more organic elements (like the rustic vases and bowls I’ve talked about lately), more texture (like baskets and Turkish rugs), and more of my favorite color, green.

And wallpaper! I’ve been toying with the idea of adding it to our powder room for over a year, maybe this will be the year that I do it?

Shop Decorating Trends for 2022

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What do you think? Would you add any of the decorating trends for 2022 to your home?

Sheila
xo

For more decorating tips and info, check out the posts below:

How to Decorate Using the Odd Numbers Rule

Decorating with House Plants: 5 Easy Tips to Get You Started

How to Style a Coffee Table: 5 Easy Tips

How to Make the Perfect Bed: My Favorite Bedding Formula