2022 is here, and with it comes an exciting list of emerging interior design concepts and ideas we're eager to see put into play over the next 12 months (and extremely curious to find out what will last — or in some cases, continue to last — into 2023 and beyond).

The word "trend" has developed a certain stigma associated with fads that don't last – our goal here is to redefine the word "trends" and reflect back to its true definition: "a general direction in which something is developing or changing."

The emerging ideas and trends of 2021 gave us so much to explore as well as a few concepts that have stood the test of time, but whether it’s fleeting or forever, each of these trends center around one important thing: creating a comfortable space you love.

As we move forward into 2022, let’s explore the up-and-coming ideas and maybe take some time to ponder their long-term influence on the interior design world!

Interior Design Trends for 2022 - Characteristics & Materials on the Rise

Plaster

There is an undeniable warmth the look of plaster brings into a home. Many people building new homes don't want it to look and feel like a new home, they want a home that is fresh yet full of character, and plaster is a wonderful way to bring in that interest.

Plaster is having a big resurgence in interior design, largely because people are coming to embrace imperfection and appreciate materials that have been around for hundreds of years. Unlike the clean look of smooth, skim-coated drywall, plaster walls are full of irregularities, texture, and therefore character, due to the way it’s hand-applied by artisans, who use a trowel to apply thin layer of plaster in varying directions.

This material has been favored from the 1700s all the way up through the 1940s when drywall became popularized, but with so many now wanting to bring an organic nature back into their home, they’re turning to plaster as a way to achieve that.

There are plenty of ways to bring this look into your home without ripping out your drywall.

If you are building, you can introduce this look by using it as a finish for your walls, fireplace, hood in the kitchen, etc. Portola Paints and Finishes is our go-to for this type of project. (Side note: finding a craftsman who specializes in this art may be difficult, depending on where you live, as it is a true skill – hopefully this resurgence will allow for this art form to continue!)

Not building or wanting to paint an entire room? You can bring the feel of plaster into your space through plaster or plaster-like accents, lighting, and decor, which was noticeably trending at market this year!

Get the Look: Plaster

Plaster or Plaster-Like Lighting

Plaster or Plaster-Like Furniture and Décor

Natural or Reclaimed Materials and Elements

We love seeing natural materials and elements used in designs.

First, they bring the outdoors into your space. Nothing is more beautiful than items found in nature — from bamboo to rattan to marble to seagrass to jute — it’s truly spectacular to see the variance in veining, colors, and characteristics of materials that come from the earth. There’s also the environmental factor in that these natural materials are sustainable and do less damage to our environment.

Reclaimed beams work wonderfully on ceilings and as mantles, or within a kitchen hood, even as a door header. The same can be said about salvaged doors – adding in a specialty door like this to an area within a home just calls for something more unique.

Worlds Away Items Inspired by Natural Materials

Second, we are seeing clients and consumers inspired by historical references and wanting to go “back to their roots,” so to speak, by incorporating organic materials in their purest forms, or natural elements that have been used for hundreds of years, into their home designs.

Our clients are opting for beautifully stained walnut or a rift sawn white oak over painted cabinetry, as well as reclaimed pieces, to give the home that sense of history and character. Those types of pieces tell a story and add so much architectural interest and beauty to a space.

Marble is one of our favorite natural materials to use, and there are so many ways it can be incorporated into a design, from large and luxurious to small yet stunning. Whether as part of your build as countertops or a backsplash, or a side table or dining table or a lamp, tray, or sculpture for your shelf or coffee table arrangement, are all excellent ways to add a timeless look to your space.

If you’re not looking to venture into too bold a project, you can incorporate some of the elements into your space in simple ways, like by adding accents or smaller pieces that feature natural or reclaimed materials.

Shop Scout & Nimble Nature-Inspired Pieces

Bouclé

Bouclé is something we’ve highlighted before and continues to be strong into 2022. This material is essentially upholstery with texture that’s touchably soft (and easily disguises blemishes from life’s little spills) and durability that’s made to last, making it not only cozy but kid-friendly, too.

Bouclé pieces tend to do best in high-traffic rooms and transition beautifully from spring through winter, thanks to the light, airy colors and warm, comfy fabric. And, of course, options are still endless for ways to bring this look into your home — from subtle, short ringlets to sherpa-like loops, all in a wide variety of colors, materials, and blends.

Boucle Pieces from Scout and Nimble

Nuevo has recently added a large selection of bouclé pieces with a little something to suit everyone’s taste:

Curves

Most people might think of the 80s when they think of curves in interior design, and it’s fair to say that these pieces are a nod to that, but with a much more fresh and current feel. They add just a bit of softness to a space, especially one full of hard lines (like paneling, for example).

The 2022 trend, however, is not just about the pieces you add to your space — curves are coming back into architecture, too, appearing as arched doorways, windows, and kitchen ranges and hoods.

Curvy Designs from Regina Andrew

Whether the focal point of a space or a tasteful accent, curves infuse a modern sense of movement and drama into every space and make an artistic statement without saying a word.

If you’re not building but would like to bring this look into your home, opting for “curved” furniture, lighting, and décor is a great way to do that.

"Curved" Pieces from Scout & Nimble

Not ready to go all-in with curves?

Try adding pieces that are less of a throwback:

Interior Design Trends of 2022 - Design Styles on the Rise

Grandmillennialism

Sometimes referred to as "granny chic", this style is all about surrounding yourself with things you love from grandma’s house in a polished, modern way.

Grandmillennialism is inspired by the 20 and 30-year-olds who are wanting to be a little more like their grandparents by featuring classic, timeless pieces that they hold onto forever. Therefore, it makes sense that there’s some overlap with Traditionalism, given this style was popular when the millennials’ grandparents were styling their homes.

You might compare this movement to Generation X latching onto the Mid-Century Modern styles of their grandparents — millennials are finding comfort in the more traditional, classic look of their grandparents' homes and incorporating this look into their own homes with style and grace (and color!).

Key components of this style include brown wood furniture, ruffles and pleats, chintzes and toiles and plaids, fancy chandeliers, Chinoiserie and/or fine China, vintage brass, botanicals, large and/or elaborate prints… The list goes on — so many wonderful ways to bring this look into your home!

Get the Look: Grandmillennial-Inspired Pieces

The 90s

Hunter greens, plaids and paisleys, knife-pleated lampshades, blonde wood… all tell-tale signs of 90s interior design, and all on the rise to come back bigger and better than before in 2022. Imagine the Home Alone house, but modernized to 2022.

Arts & Crafts Revival

Speaking of overlap, it may feel like there’s some overlap in this style with Grandmillennialism and/or Traditionalism, but in reality, they are very different. Both can have that small-scale pattern and dark wood tones, but the Arts and Crafts style is going to have a simpler "grandmother furniture" feel that’s a bit more primitive in nature as well as more emphasis on form over function.

Arts & Crafts vs. Grandmillennial or Traditional

Arts and Crafts essentially centers around William Morris’ beliefs that “form follows function,” and that you should “have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” The Arts & Crafts movement came about as a reform to the perception that mass production was causing the quality of products to decline, which is why this style puts so much emphasis on the character and craftsmanship of artisan-made pieces.

Grandmillennialism is more aligned with Traditionalism (rooted in the 18th- and 19th-century European styles) and invites classic and comforting, familiar elements reminiscent of the past into the space. This style is really all about incorporating everything you love into your design.

Given the state of things these past two years, a desire for more unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces is on the rise.

Arts & Crafts Revival-Inspired Pieces from Scout & Nimble

Vintage

With social media being so prevalant in our lives, especially now, things are trending so much faster and have a shorter life span, so we tend to see much of the same thing over and over again. This, along with the rise of Arts and Crafts and Grandmillennial, has certainly given a rise to the demand for vintage.

Consumers today have a desire to stand out and be unique and seek a less-traveled path to embrace individuality through interior design. People want their house to feel special and unique, and the Vintage style is the perfect solution for achieving that perfect “found” feel for your home.

Feizy Rugs Made from Natural Materials

We’re excited to incorporate some vintage pieces into our mix for 2022!

Vintage-Inspired Décor from Scout & Nimble

With so much on the horizon for 2022, we’re extremely excited to see more and more designs incorporating these trends, and with so many of the trends we’ve covered above being so simple to bring into your space, we put them all together in a shoppable collection so you can easily add these layers of luxe to your home.

Want to stay up to date on 2022 interior design trends? Check out our take on 2022 Kitchen Trends.