Whether you’re refreshing your current home or wondering what to look for in your next purchase, one of the biggest advantages of homeownership is the freedom to express (and change) your style—especially during the holidays. If you want to incorporate popular 2022 interior design trends into your seasonal decor this year, we’ve rounded up 10 to get you started.
Top Ten 2022 Interior Design Trends
- Sustainability
- Closed floor plans
- Dual-purpose rooms
- Thoughtful outdoor spaces
- Curved furniture
- Organic shapes
- Texture and more texture
- Bold patterns
- Earthy, neutral tones
- Nature-inspired elements
1. Sustainability
The sustainability in interior design trend is heating up (and it’s not the only thing getting warmer). From choosing vintage/reclaimed furniture over new, to sourcing decor from small artists and local craftsmen, reducing the carbon footprint of your interior design is always in style.
How to make your home sustainable for the holidays
One of the easiest ways to make your holiday decor more sustainable is to use real plants when it comes to accents like wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. You could also consider wrapping paper made from recycled materials for your gifts. And of course, be mindful of how much energy your seasonal lighting setup is using.
2. Closed Floor Plans
Open floor plans have dominated over the past few years. But, the dedicated spaces offered by closed floor plans became appealing to many homeowners during the pandemic. In 2022, we’re open to closed floor plans.
Closed for the holiday
Adjusting your entire floor plan is probably not a realistic goal for the season, but closed floor plans offer some great nooks and crannies to cozy up with additional holiday accents like miniature trees, dried flower arrangements, and more (your Elf on the Shelf will probably appreciate the additional hiding spots, too). And if you have a resident Scrooge in your home, a closed floor plan makes it easier to leave certain rooms untouched with holiday spirit.
3. Dual-Purpose Rooms
As for what to do with the differentiated spaces closed floor plans offer, dual-purpose spaces are gaining popularity. Maybe it’s an office that doubles as a yoga studio, or a homework room that moonlights as a theater. More time at home demands more functional spaces, but that doesn’t have to mean more physical space.
The more (functions), the merrier
Dual-purpose rooms come in handy when you need space to store gifts, knock out your wrapping marathon, or even host guests for the holidays. And if you need one of the dual purposes to be hiding from said guests, we won’t judge.
4. Thoughtful Outdoor Spaces
Our patios and backyards often get less love than our interiors, but that’s changing in 2022. Homeowners are putting more thought into how outdoor spaces can become an extension of the home rather than an afterthought. That means stylish outdoor furniture, intentional landscaping, and extras like gardens, water features, or play structures for the little ones.
The weather outside is frightful, but your decor doesn’t have to be
Outdoor holiday decor is where many people like to go all out, but the good news is that even if you’re not one of those people, there are a lot of simple ways to brighten your outdoor space for the season. String lights, wreaths on your doors, or even holiday-themed doormats can make a big difference without much effort.
5. Curved Furniture
One of the biggest 2022 interior design trends? Curved furniture. Rounded sofas, arched cabinetry, and even curved wall corners can be used to create softer lines in your home. Speaking of softer lines, let’s talk organic shapes.
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree, literally
So, you probably don’t have an entirely separate furniture set for the holiday season. Fair enough. Seasonal decor can still be a great way to soften the lines in your existing furniture. From cozy blankets draped on chairs to fluffy fake snow frosting your shelves, don’t be afraid to have fun with it.
6. Organic Shapes
We’re leaving industrial aesthetics behind in 2022. Coffee tables, lamps, and wall hangings are great ways to implement organic, asymmetric shapes into your interior design without having to make big purchases (we get it, a couch is a commitment).
More organic than Grandma’s stuffing recipe
Don’t be afraid to go for those funky-looking trees and pumpkins at the local farm. Organic, unique shapes are an easy way to not only save on items other shoppers may want less, but also to create a cozy holiday atmosphere that’s entirely your own.
7. Texture
From rugs to throw blankets to accent pillows, texture is another easy way to refresh your interior design without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a shag rug, a sleek leather accent chair, or a crushed velvet throw, an eclectic mix of textures can add dimension and personality to your home.
Creating that holiday feeling
Seasonal throw blankets and pillows are a simple swap when it comes to adding on-theme texture to your home. Your fall pumpkins can also add dimension to your decor, especially when you mix and match different types and sizes.
8. Bold Patterns
Ah, patterns—texture’s two-dimensional cousin. Designers predict that window treatments especially will be getting patterned updates this year. Florals, stripes, chinoiserie—with so many to choose from, the hardest part of introducing patterns into your decor will be choosing just a few.
Break the pattern
Plaid, houndstooth, and stripes are all holiday pattern staples, but don’t be afraid to introduce less conventional prints into your seasonal style. It’s a holiday pattern if you say it is.
9. Earthy, Neutral Tones
To bring balance to all those textures and patterns, rich, earthy color palettes are this year’s go-to color scheme. Pastels have been a millennial favorite when it comes to decorative accents, but these are fading out in favor of warmer, calmer neutrals. It’s all leading up to our next big trend: Nature-inspired elements.
Pro tip: Want a pop of color to complement those neutrals? The Pantone Color of the Year 2022 is Very Peri.
Peace on earth tones
If a rustic, understated holiday vibe is your thing, you’re in luck. From real Christmas trees to neutral lights, it’s hard to beat the classic coziness of this trend.
10. Nature-inspired Elements
After spending more time than ever indoors, it makes sense that bringing the outdoors in is, well, in. You’ve probably noticed the house plant craze taking over your Instagram feed, but you don’t have to have a green thumb to enjoy the benefits of biophilic design. From plant-patterned wallpaper to larger windows for more natural light, the possibilities are only limited to your imagination—and budget.
Dreaming of a green Christmas
From pumpkins to poinsettias, there’s no shortage of on-theme plant life to incorporate in your holiday decor. If you have pets, just make sure you’re not putting out anything that could be toxic if they decide to take a nibble (and let’s be honest, when have they ever not taken a nibble?).
Any tips for trying these 2022 interior design trends in my home?
Holiday decor is one of the best ways to test out interior design trends because you don’t have to commit to the look long-term if you don’t like it. No matter what you’re celebrating or who you’re celebrating with, these 2022 holiday decor ideas are worth a try. Who knows, you might just love them so much that they stay up all year.
Closed floor plans, organic shapes, and a love of all things nature are making their way into our homes in 2022. How will you use these trends to make the season bright?
