Home design trends that are expected to loom large in 2022 are an evolution of what started during the pandemic when life was disrupted and more homeowners started reevaluating their surroundings. Cases in point: the rise of the home office and backyard pools.
Some hot trends started years earlier, including energy efficiency, conservation of natural resources (especially in fire- and hurricane-ravaged areas), and affordable housing.
Here is my list of hot trends in home purchasing.
1. High-Speed Internet and Broadband: A home office or workspace remains essential for many home buyers, but if a house doesn’t have a good digital infrastructure, work-from-home buyers may not be interested.
2. Quality, Quality, Quality: Location may still be king, but buyers want quality in building materials, systems, and appliances since they know how hard it is to secure materials due to supply chain disruptions and find a contractor who’s available and can get the work done right. They also want personalized items that suggest quality, such as a kitchen island that resembles a piece of furniture
3. An Encore for Home Theaters: After losing appeal because they took up too much space, home theaters are popular again as homeowners seek more at-home entertainment. Most are constructed on the first floor or lower level.
4. Welcoming to Yoga Studios: A newcomer to the trends list is a yoga studio as homeowners look for ways to unwind and stay fit at home.
5. Sophisticated Lounges: Another hit is an intimate living space— called a lounge or parlor—that includes club chairs and a bar, but no TV.
6. Purple is the New Gray (or Black): Once considered the color of royalty, purple has become one of the “reigning” requests in the increasingly colorful world of home design.
We may also see a nod to happier times and a carefree lifestyle in the form of brighter teals, Kelly greens, peaches, and oranges.
7. More Outdoor Changes: Having a yard or balcony gained ground during the pandemic and remains a big draw for buyers. As homeowners spent more time outdoors, their wish list for that space evolved. Buyers want a flat yard that’s more usable than a hilly one. More people want a pool, so much so that many installers are booked into next year. A fire pit is also still high on wish lists, but an elaborate outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and beer tap has waned in popularity—many found they rarely use these bells and whistles.
8. Mid-Century Modern + Contemporary Chic: Design styles vary, but there’s agreement that a house with Mid-Century Modern architectural details and home furnishings stay a favorite, followed closely by contemporary, so long as the latter is warm and inviting rather than cold and spare, says Fava.
9. First-Floor Bedroom: Yes or No? Some experts say a house without a first-level bedroom is challenged. But I have a lot of clients who have this as a requirement. It is more important to boomers or owners who have lived in a two-story home with all the bedrooms upstairs. My younger buyers don't hesitate to buy a two-story home and want all the bedrooms to be together on the upper level.
10. Open Plan Living? Yes, But … While there’s no single plan that appeals universally, most of buyers still want an open concept plan. Homes with choppy rooms can take longer to sell. Buyers often look at which walls are necessary to see if they can make changes to bring the home more connectivity.
11. Maximalism: The minimalism of the last few years is fading, while maximalism is soaring. What that means is rooms are being filled with comfortable furnishings, rugs, art, and collections with character. The fresh look doesn’t mean crowded, overstuffed spaces.
12. Materials, colors and metals: Another trend is mixing materials, like stones, metals (lots of bronze and less polished chrome and brushed nickel of recent years), fabrics with a nubby feel, different woods, and trendy matte black hues. Another his is to use curved elements instead of straight lines, such as arched openings, barrel-vaulted ceilings, curvy furniture and walkways.
13. Spotlight on Ceilings: Periodically, the fifth wall of a room gains prominence. Now is one of those moments. The ceiling is being designed to stand out and be more attractive. Dated ceilings, such as those with the popcorn look, textured Styrofoam, or bumpy stucco are being targeted by homeowners for remodeling. (Don't forget to test for asbestos before remodeling.)
In upper-level rooms, lighting fixtures as the focal point of a ceiling or stairwell creates a modern art display that adds height, volume, and a light play when lit. What is out are small, mass-produced, lantern fixtures in an industrial or farmhouse style.
14. Wallpaper: It is trendy and pretty and in. Wallpaper give texture or color and can create the atmosphere for any room. Usually wallpaper is used as an accent wall - not on all the walls in the room.
15. Multifamily Breakout Spaces: The pandemic taught developers and managers of multifamily buildings the importance of flexible shared spaces for socializing and work, termed breakout rooms by some. Another change in multifamily buildings is bigger residential units to facilitate working from home.
I love seeing the trends as I walk through homes with clients.
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