Interior Design Trends to Know in 2022-And What's on Its Way Out

For millennia, interior design trends have been used as aesthetic aids in our attempts to find some sort of inner peace: take the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, where spatial positioning corresponds with energy flow, or wabi sabi, the Japanese practice of embracing an imperfections, or ancient Rome's fondness for using earth-tone colors and geometric patterns in order to mimic the harmony of nature. "There is more and more research that shows the direct influence that our homes have, not only on our moods, but our overall health and well-being," interior designer Timothy Corrigan of Timothy Corrigan Inc. tells Vogue. So is it any wonder that in 2022-our third consecutive year in a global pandemic-the top interior design trends are again focused on making us feel emotionally at ease?

"We have been forced to slow down and spend time in our homes-this drives a strong desire to really create a space that reflects both visually and affectionately what it is we are feeling. As of lately we are paying close attention to how design has the ability to create an energy," says Erick Garcia of the Los Angeles-based design firm Maison Trouvaille. "This all excites me very much-allowing the senses to drive a space."

And what, exactly, are our senses drawn to in 2022? 14 top interior designers have some ideas. For starters, several predict the rise of the enveloping, earthy color of brown, displayed in fabrics like leather or even in terracotta walls (how Ancient Rome of us). Others see a spike in nature-inspired surfaces and accents-think marbles and mushroom shapes-while others say their clients can't get enough soft, curvy furniture. Essentially, anything that feels warm, welcoming and cozy is in: "Clients are asking for warmth, comfort and airiness-this seems to be a common thread amongst current and past projects," says Garcia.  Athena Calderone, founder of Eyeswoon, agrees: "Who wouldn't want to design a room that feels like a warm hug?" 

Then, there's the pandemic reality that our homes have become the main settings of our lives: where we work, sleep, and socialize. Every corner, and every object we're surrounded by, must serve some sort of purpose. Perhaps it's a functional one-Kelly Wearstler touts the rise of useful domestic technology-or an emotional one, like Mark D. Sikes's prediction that we will see more travel-inspired interiors. "We really want to examine what we love, what we want to live with every day and for years to come," concludes Robin Standefer of Roman and Williams.

Meanwhile, some popular design choices of the past several years are falling to the wayside. Boucle's moment, it seems, is over, as is the all-white minimalism that may look crisp, yet provides little visual comfort. "The trend that I believe is going the way of the past is all white everything," says Justina Blakeney, founder of Jungalow. Adds Kathryn M. Ireland, "The minimal look is at last warming up."

Below, the top interior design trends to know in 2022-as well as what's on its way out.

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