While the pandemic has decelerated the previous fast pace of interior decor trends, there are always styles that increase in popularity and we tend to switch up our home decor based on the current collective mood, so I think there is always room for a trends exploration at the start of each new year! While the commencing of COVID in 2020 saw us wanting to embrace calm, green spaces and bring the outside in, 2022 will see the re-introduction of more fun, colourful decor choices. Of course, (as I say in every trends post) interior trends are just a bit of fun and you should only decorate your house how you want to, but here are the things that I think we will be seeing a lot more of for the forthcoming year ahead (why hire an interior designer when all the key trends can be found in this blog post!)

Ric Rac Waves

Circles, arches, and (more recently) scallops have all been very popular within interior design, but 2022 is the year of the ric rac wave. This zig-zag trim is cute and retro, and you’ll find the pattern adorning everything from tablecloths to bedding by December. The newly launched Ric Rac tile collection by Samantha Todhunter for Bert & May comprises two designs in pink & red and blue & off-white; both offer multiple layout options and would look brilliant on the back wall of a shower enclosure.

1. Samantha Todhunter for Bert & May Ric Rac Collection / 2. Wave Vase set of 2 - Liberty / 3. Ric Rac Ribbon - Hobbycraft / 4. Diagonal Rick Rack 2022 Diary - Papier / 5. Climbing Curios by artist Fee Greening Wallpaper - Common Room / 6. Christie Pendant - Original BTC / 7. Melamine Cake Stand - TROUVA / 8. Wavy Blue Cushion - &klevering / 9. Ferm Living Hook - Amara

Vintage

Climate concern, shipping delays, plus the huge interior trend Cottagecore (a nostalgic embrace of cosy English countryside living) has all led to vintage furniture and homeware becoming popular again. Instead of being upcycled and modernised with paint and wallpaper (a favoured trend 6 years ago), the direction is to incorporate the piece into your home as it was made to be. If you want to get the best bargain, scour Facebook Marketplace or eBay (the best tip is to set alerts for pieces you are really after so you get a notification when it is uploaded), or try your local antique shops and community furniture warehouses. If you want to buy vintage but don’t have time for the hunt, there are some brilliant independent online businesses doing all the hard work for you. Check out Albie & Pearl for vintage home accessories, The Vintage Art Gallery for paintings, plus The Conspicuous Collector and Folie Chambre for lighting and furniture. Lisa Dawson’s book Resourceful Living is brilliant and packed full of ideas to refresh your home with vintage finds and online thrifting.

Sustainable

Nobody wants to buy furniture that gets delivered in loads of unrecyclable polystyrene or bubble wrap anymore. But, as well as a request for a carbon-neutral delivery in compostable packaging, there has been a huge surge in demand for furniture that is sustainable (think FSC-certified wood, fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, plus makers who are paid a fair wage). The successful writer Kate Watson-Smyth has just launched the Vita sofa with Love Your Home - designed to cause the least environmental impact and last a lifetime. While modern fabrics brand Kirkby Design - part of the Romo Group - recently released Wave: 100% PET recycled polyester yarns produced from waste plastic bottles.

Yellow and Rusty Red

I recently wrote about my recent love for all things rusty red, but I also think yellow will be a big colour trend this year. I expect to see it paired with green and popping up as a popular kitchen cabinet or headboard colour (just don’t combine it with grey - it can make it look a little naff). Eco paint brand Graphenstone’s colour consultant Betsy Smith has paired the Graphenstone shade Dijohn with purple and tan for their SS22 key colour palette. Betsy has also used the more vivid yellow tones of Bengal on doors and woodwork as a statement shade against a neutral wall colour.

Chequerboard

Searches for ‘chequerboard patterns’ are up 160% within Pinterest UK, with ‘chequerboard tiled floor’ being searched five times more than the previous year. The great thing about chequerboard floors is that they can be affordable and quite easy to create. If you want to tile, then simple and plain square tiles can be purchased inexpensively. However, there are also some great DIY chequerboard floors out there that have been created using paint, stencils, and tape!

Onyx

While marble will never go out of style, it’s onyx that will be a favourite material in 2022 - especially in bathrooms. Casalgrande Padana and Mandarin Stone have both launched porcelain onyx effect tiles, while small vintage onyx home accessories will also be popular.

Artisan Pieces

One of the good things about social media is that it feels like there is more opportunity to discover smaller-scale artisans and makers. There definitely appears to be a surge in people seeking out well-made pieces created in the UK that support small businesses and creatives. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with Polly Fern lampshades, which are at the top of my lust list for 2022!

1. Fusion Recycled Glass Vases by Lea Randebrock, available via Heals / 2. Yellow Tulip Mania Lampshade - Polly Fern / 3. Ceramics by Clay By Faye.

Multifunctional spaces

Even with a vaccine rollout, working from home is now prevalent and recognised as having great benefits for a work/life balance, so many of us now have to configure a permanent workstation in our homes. But, it is not just workplaces we are looking to accommodate - according to Pinterest UK there has been a recent 190% increase in searches for ‘home massage room inspiration’! The key to creating a multifunctional space is to scale down the furniture that needs to be in a room. Choose a compact desk (find my top list of small desk options here) and opt for slimline furnishings and small sofas. Last year, I created a basement office and guest bedroom by swapping out the larger furniture in the room for smaller options such as this mini faux sheepskin sofa bed from MADE, plus a slender side table (just 26cm wide) from Heals.

What do you think of these trend predictions? Would you add anything else? Is there a particular trend you want to try this year? Let me know in the comments section below!