Design Trends 2022

2022 Real Estate Design Trends

We read dozens of articles, blogs, and write-ups on what 2021 will bring by way of real estate design trends. Here we’ve included the trends that appeared multiple times from various designers and experts. While these views may not necessarily reflect the views of RLAH, we feel it’s imperative for us to have heightened knowledge in this subject as lifestyle advisors and marketing experts.

Sources: Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, Forbes, National Association of Realtors, Southern Living, Tracy Morris Design, Veranda, Wall Street Journal.

Image Credits on each page, no copyright infringement is intended.

In 2021, people learned how to be home and how to live in their houses.

Pantone Color of the Year 2022: Veri Peri

Image credits from clockwise: Hutomo Abrianto, Katja Rooke, and Elena Kloppenburg

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022: October Mist

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2022: Evergreen Fog

Image credits from clockwise: Serhii Kadulin, Lemieux Et Cie, Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Polished Brass Outdoor Sconces, Mitzi

Lighting HOT: • Titanic Fixtures: That become a major art piece and define the personality of the space.

• Metal Shades: Which can offer a pop of polish to a minimalist and pattern-loaded interiors.

• White & Brass Lighting: Brass has long been trending but the glam combo is rising in popularity.

• Clean, modern look of just recessed lights.

NOT: • Teensy pendant lights and little dangling lights, even multiples of them in large rooms.

Illustration credit: Caterina Zacutti for Veranda

Front Yards, Walks, Entries HOT: • Front yard as the new social zone.

Block party resurrection.

• More emphasis on street-facing landscapes.

• French doors opening to a front terrace so parties can spill out to the lawn.

NOT: • Cold pad of concrete.

Image credits from clockwise: Caterina Zacutti for Veranda, i.pinimg.com, Michelle Drewes

Multitalented Mudrooms HOT: • Scrub in stations to leave your shoes and germs.

• Extra laundry and showers moving close to the door.

• Mini mail room to keep shipped goods from cluttering entry halls and kitchen.

• Digital drop zone; designated charging stations to untether our devices from us when enjoying home.

Image credits from left to right: Adobe Stock, The Plan Collection

Flooring HOT: • Wood laid patterns, especially herringbone.

• Lighter hardwood flooring, matte finish.

NOT: • Fancy tile, too busy to pair well with the natural world.

• The art is in the wood and natural stone, don’t mess with nature.

Image credits from clockwise: Adobe, Akshay Velvet Sofa by Willa Arlo Interiors, Michael Lee Photography

Nooks, Niches, Odd-Ball Spaces HOT: • Opening up previously framed spaces that were once wasted space.

• Window seats.

• Seating area in an enveloping bay window.

• We are craving places to hide from each other and to cocoon and feel cozy.

NOT: • Open floor plan concept.

Image credits from clockwise: Caterina Zacutti for Veranda, Scott Frances for Architectural Digest

Functional Interior Door Styles HOT: • Pocket Doors: That build in privacy and invite sense of wonder.

• Harmon-Hinged Doors: That can save space and create a sense of openness between rooms.

• Create privacy with doors without losing space to door swing.

NOT: • Barn doors become a focal point, not in a good way.

Illustration credit: Caterina Zacutti for Veranda

Conversation-Worthy Dining Rooms HOT: • Cordial and comfortable atmosphere that make you want to stay.

• Easygoing seating, ambient lighting and lively walls.

• Layered rugs, pops of color and a mixture of texture.

NOT: • Floating dining tables with bad lighting in the middle of the room.

• Unforgiving dining chairs.

Image credits from left clockwise: to right:Adobe, Anne Schlechter, Akshay Velvet Caterina Sofa by Zacutti Willa Arlo for Veranda, Interiors, Anne Michael Schlechter Lee Photography

Night Room HOT: • A place for adults to feel elegant and have a drink, should be off-limits to tech, kids and clutter.

• Enveloping walls in darker colors that create a destination.

• Coined by interior designer Billy Baldwin.

NOT: • A one size fits all room.

Image credits from left to right: McWhorter Construction, Serena & Lilly Salt Creek Lounge Chair, Design Builders Inc

Screened In Porches HOT: • An outdoor room for all seasons.

• Outdoor heaters affixed to ceilings.

• Weather proof outdoor televisions.

• Polished porch seating: Posh performance fabrics and refined wicker.

Image credits from left to right: Julie Soefer Photography, Greener Inspections

Kitchens HOT: • Mixing up different counter tops, a perimeter countertop in one stone and an island countertop in another.

• Backsplashes with no visible outlets, instead installing plugs below the upper cabinets.

NOT: • The all-white kitchens.

• Counter Clutter.

Image credits from clockwise: Christy Kosnic Photography, Behr, Devol Kitchens, Signature Hardware 944579 Mini Barcheski 27-1/2 Inch Tall Iron Cremone Bolt Cabinet Latch

Cabinets HOT: • Mesh cabinet doors as a modern alternative to traditional glass doors; they can either hide or highlight the cabinet interiors.

• Additional English influences such as cupboard latches, exposed hinges, and cremone bolts.

• Little to no cabinet hardware, consider leather wrapped metal or leather loop pulls for added texture.

• Mixed up cabinet set colors.

Image credits from left to right: Dyptique, Laure Joliet

Walls HOT: • Walls you want to touch like plaster, plaster-paint, or chalky wash with subtle texture.

• Beton Cire: A skim coat concrete finish that is easy to apply and creates a natural texture superior to faux finishes.

• Earth tone paints.

• Green: Warmer greens, emerald, eucalyptus, jade, and teal all bring the outdoors inside.

NOT: • Routine, mass produced wallpaper with geometric patterns.

• Blue-based grays and whites.

Image credits from clockwise: Amy Bartlem for Amy Sklar, @Popsalvage, @Popsalvage

Restored Vintage Pieces HOT: • Vintage furniture due to supply-chain headaches, the desire to be sustainably responsible, and timeless appeal.

• Attic-finds provide connections to history.

• Using antique furniture in unique ways such as a kitchen island, don’t be afraid to add modern hardware and marble tops.

NOT: • Made-to-order furniture, scripted show-room furniture, and cheap replicas of vintage pieces.

Image credits from clockwise: Future, Matki

Bathrooms HOT: • Wet Rooms: A room that’s designed to get wet with a lack of separation between the shower and the rest of the bathroom floor.

• Ideal for smaller bathrooms that don’t have ample space for both a bath tub and separate shower.

• Using matching tiles on both floors and walls will accentuate the sense of space.

• Take extra steps with regards to heat, ventilation and drying in wet rooms.

Image credits from clockwise: Lemieux Et Cie, Bobby Berk

Nature HOT: • Dark colors, greens, natural elements.

• Natural materials; environmental friendliness and sustainability will continue to be high priority.

• Lighter woods such as maple, oak, birch and ash.

• More indoor plants, larger windows and plant-inspired prints.

NOT: • Making natural looking materials glossy or shellacked.

Image credits from clockwise: Basq by Larq, Annie Schlechter

Interior Design HOT: • Japandi: A cross between Japanese and Scandanavian design that includes soft, nature-inspired colors that exude welcoming, peaceful feelings.

• Maximalism: A contrasting combination of colors, materials, textures, and modernity with traditional elements, typically accompanied by a large amount of accessories and decorations.

NOT: • Boho Chic with tribal.