This year’s interior design points to open distributions in minimalist or industrial environments, with natural or recycled materials and an ecofriendly brushstroke. Decoration, like fashion, also has its trends. Although each interior designer has their own style, many coincide in using similar architectural solutions, concepts, materials, colors and pieces throughout the year. Is it a coincidence? Not at all, that’s why we follow the guidelines of the sector and the recommendations of some experts to discover the hits of the year that we will continue to see in 2022.
1- OPEN DISTRIBUTION
The open concept or diaphanous distribution is one of them. “Let’s not forget that gaining meters in our homes is a luxury that we all dream of,” says interior designer Natalia Zubizarreta. “Today’s flats, smaller and smaller, are revalued with this solution. It invests in multifunctional rooms.” A concept that, in addition to the living room, is applied to other rooms in the house. “Merging the bedroom and the bathroom is a safe bet to gain a feeling of spaciousness. But the toilet and shower areas should be isolated to avoid odors and humidity,” he clarifies.
The open kitchens, which share the dining and cooking area, almost always on an island, win points. We are talking about social kitchens, which become the epicenter of the house, the place where more time is spent, but with multifunctional corners to be able to work or study, store, meet with family and friends and, of course, cook. Enclosures are another trend that remains. “They help us create environments with a minimum loss of space and a very high aesthetic contribution. As they are made to measure, each design can be personalized,” explains Víctor Zorita, from the Backsteen studio.
2- MINIMALIST DECORATION
Neutral tones, wooden furniture and raffia that determine the Nordic style are still in vogue. They are organized environments and designed to live. Elegance lies in simplicity, so this year we are betting on an interior design where less is more, with furniture with simple lines, light tones and the absence of decorative pieces. Looking for a very bright, practical and very tidy house. Of course, the open concept spaces in the dining room, food and lounge are our best allies. We know how to decorate a minimalist, modern and sophisticated living room.
3- RECYCLED AND NATURAL MATERIALS
“Combinable materials will be very popular in 2022,” according to Géraldine Florin, artistic director of Maisons du Monde. For the decoration specialist: “The secret is to combine raw and worked materials, matt and glossy, natural and coloured, to fill interiors with life”. It is important to keep in mind that “recycled materials are becoming more present every day. Craftsmanship is gaining more and more prominence, and hemp and silk are becoming the perfect complements for linen in home textiles.” These are the eco trends to decorate your home: upcycling , recycling and customizing.
In this sense, the ecofriendly spirit and sustainability continue to guide decoration in 2022. Natural fibers continue to trend, because they provide a fresh and luminous air to environments, especially in ceiling lamps with shades made of rattan or natural materials, also in the macramé tapestries or in chairs with braided rope seats. Objects that come from upcycling, such as curtains made with bottles, from Ikea, have a place of honor.
4- INDUSTRIAL STYLE
Factory -inspired slabs add points. The industrial style in decoration has a masculine air and focuses on exposing the architectural forms of the space, both walls and structural elements, such as beams or pipes. It is also characterized by the use of raw , metallic, wood and leather materials, with open concept layouts and furniture in dark finishes. In an industrial environment, large windows dominate and the color palette is black and its immense range of grays, with flashes of light provided by the metallic pieces.
5- PLANTS, LOTS OF PLANTS
The best way to bring nature into your home is to fill it with plants, some species are very easy to care for, but you can also opt for artificial plants. Create your own oasis with the 30 most resistant houseplants for your home. This touch of green improves physical and mental well-being and many spices are capable of absorbing the most harmful volatile compounds from the air. This list will be very useful for you to discover the 10 plants that purify the air in your home.
6- THE BEST COLORS TO DECORATE
Chocolate, brown, camel or caramel tones will be the favorites this year, especially pastels. It is a return to the 70s, but also to the sophistication of art deco environments. We cannot forget the bright color of the year: the pantone Very Peri, a cheerful tone that is ideal for creating warm atmospheres.
7- WALLS WITH PERSONALITY
Apartment in kyiv with a vintage bedroom and canvas wall
A good wall mural changes the look of a bedroom, hallway or living room. Wallpaper creates unique environments, which are also achieved with vinyl, photomurals or textured walls, with finishes as interesting as granite, because it is resistant to bumps and scratches. This environment with oriental airs is the work of the Ukrainian designer Aleksandrina Lukach.
8- GLAMOROUS BATHROOM
Sophistication is installed in the most intimate room of your home. The bathrooms exude sophistication due to the materials chosen for their coverings, which are always pleasant to the touch. The green tone is an upgrade in this environment proposed by Houzz. The raw, porous and imperfect finishes are used in auxiliary furniture, such as benches, shelves or stools.
9- HOW TO LIGHT OPEN SPACES
In a diaphanous distribution it is not necessary to suppress only walls. The interior designer Natalia Zubizarreta explains that “you will have to modify the lighting of the ceilings and the electrical outlets. And it is possible that heating tubes and pipes pass through the partition to be removed.” As in this reform, by Lorena del Pozo.
10- WHAT IS AN OPEN CONCEPT SPACE?
“It consists of merging areas that a priori are conceived as independent. In this way, a single larger and more comfortable common space is created,” explains interior designer Natalia Zubizarreta. The areas that most join? “Kitchen, living room and dining room. We no longer want to prepare food punished, but we bet on a kitchen to share with family and friends,” Natalia clarifies. The interior design is signed by Bianca Bosman.
11- DO THEY INSULATE THE ENCLOSURES?
“A standard enclosure does not provide high thermal or acoustic insulation, although if the heating and cooling systems are properly installed, there should be no loss of heat or cold. But it is a good solution when it comes to avoiding odours,” he explains. Victor Zorita from Backsteen. So it is in this kitchen decorated by María Santos. In return, the glass enclosures allow light to flow and prolong the spaces. It is a small reform, without complications, but “it is important to take the exact measurements so as not to make mistakes”.
12- TEAR DOWN WALLS OR NOT
“Technically it is possible to join spaces as long as there are no load-bearing walls,” Natalia Zubizarreta continues. “I recommend consulting with a technician about the possible demolition of the partitions. an architect do a study in case it is necessary to reinforce the structure at some point”. This reform is from Idearch Studio.
13- NATURAL MATERIALS
Whether natural -oak flooring is a must have-, laminated or ceramic, “what succeeds is that it is as similar to wood, with knots, veins… and that each piece is different from the previous one to offer irregularity and, therefore, authenticity, because nature is not always the same”, they clarify from the Quick-Step firm.
14- TYPES OF STRUCTURES
“The fixed ones replace the walls. The frames have a fixed inverted U shape and a passage space in the center. In the sliding one or several leaves slide on a system of rails. The half-height ones are placed on a wall of work. The accordion ones have three or more leaves that fold. And the folding ones can function as doors,” says Zorita, like this double-leaf enclosure made by Backsteen.
15- GEOMETRIC PATTERNS
The hydraulic pavements show geometries in their tiles with unique geometric drawings. Vinyl rugs simulate this effect, as can be seen in this project by architect Sara Arroyo, who used it to delimit the kitchen island.
16- GRANITE AND MARBLE
Marbled finishes are the perfect coverings for walls and floors. Nuria Izquierdo, from the firm Levantina, tells us that “marble has reached maximum levels of imitation. Simple and respectful marbles with the environment, architecture and calm stand out”. In the image, a project from the Backsteen studio.
17- SLOW DECO TO RELAX
“It is based, mainly, on the philosophy of the slow movement applied to design”, explains Nahia Macon, from Emmme Studio, specialized in this type of decoration. “To do this, we study and understand the people who are going to live in the space. We investigate their routines, their needs, their tastes and hobbies… The client is part of the entire process. The result is welcoming, functional environments with a with which you feel identified”, adds Nahia Macon.
18- METALLIC FINISHES
“We’re bringing metal back into the house. It’s not just brass or copper, gold is also in fashion because it’s a friendly color that contrasts very well with dark colors,” explains Raúl Martins. In the image, a tray from El Globo Muebles and a candle holder from Ikea.
