Interior Designers Forecast New Design Trends

Some of the nation's top interior designers share what they expect to be trending in the new year. Check out these ideas and see how you can incorporate them into your own home's design.

By: Lauren Fansler

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Fresh Home Design Trends

We polled some of the nation's top designers and have compiled the design trends they expect are on the horizon. Read more to see exactly what will be trending in the home design realm for the upcoming year.

See More Ideas: Trend Forecast: 2022 Colors and Palettes of the Year

Lasting Style

"We are seeing the effects of our 'buy it and throw it away' consumerism on our planet and I think people will realize that developing a personal, lasting style, is not only beautiful and unique, but good for the environment, as well," says Kate Patterson of Perlmutter Freiwald.

See More Ideas: 20 Design Trends That Never Go Out of Style

Colors + Prints

Mimi Meacham of Marian Louise Designs is looking forward to seeing more color in the coming year. "After more of a subdued few years, in terms of fabrics, I see people embracing fun colors and unique prints in their everyday furniture. Utilizing colorful printed fabrics, custom upholstered sofas, chairs and window treatments will be fun, fierce and another way to bring personality into the space. Walls, doors and millwork will get a colorful facelift with greens, blues, mauves and yellows to uplift and frame the prints."

See More Ideas: 40 Living Room Color Palettes You've Never Tried

From: Mimi Meacham

Minimalism

"With the busy lives that we all live, paring down the amount of stuff to deal with in the home will feel enticing. We probably only need less than half of what we have, and prioritizing the important, functional and high-designed pieces is the best way to feel more free and in control at the same time," says Meacham.

See More Ideas: Minimalist Design Style 101

From: Natalie Myers

Bringing the Outdoors In

"More people are enhancing their outdoor living spaces, which means more stylish outdoor-rated furniture! I see more intentionally designed outdoor living spaces that don't sacrifice on style and expand the families living and entertaining space in the home," explains Meacham.

From: Mimi Meacham

Homework Rooms

"Children continue to drive design spaces and homework is not going away. As the world turns, people may continue to opt-out of full classroom settings and opt-in for more private spaces and creating 'mini corporate offices' for their smallest bosses. These rooms are equipped with interactive smart boards, prerequisite hi-speed wifi and plenty of plug-in outlets. Homework rooms can also be repurposed later for college student startup headquarters or an adult home office," says Georgia Zikas from Georgia Zikas Design.

Lower-Level Living

Zikas says she is expecting high-end, lower-level design. "Not to be confused with what is formerly known as a 'basement' — these [spaces] are not your parents' basements. These are now multi-purpose, lower-level living spaces equipped with full kitchens, home theater tiered seating, games (one we did had a skee ball machine!), a home gym and a Golf Simulator. These spaces allow for more family fun and safer entertaining with small groups."

See More Ideas: 82 Beautiful Finished Basement Ideas and Designs

From: Lindley Arthur Interiors

Meditation Rooms

"I believe that people will continue to seek out quiet, thoughtful spaces within their homes and when space allows for it, they will dedicate the purpose. Add in a massage table or a yoga mat too," explains Zikas.

From: Furman and Keil Architects

Less is More

Amy Leferink from Interior Impressions expects to see more multifunctional spaces. "People are starting to understand that they can live with less, especially after the past year. We believe people will start to downsize, or stay in their current homes and become creative with how their spaces can be multifunctional. For example: having your living room be part office. Or office/workout rooms."

From: Amy Leferink

New Concept of Home

Millennials and Gen Z are heavily focused on sustainability, says Leferink. "As a key part of the buyer's market, Millennials and Gen Z will value homes that make sustainable sense. From their furniture, to the decor, to the home themselves. They will buy smaller — based on not only their values, but the reality of the sellers market — and keep minimalism at a core of their style. Think container homes, or tiny homes, or living on the road in a van. Home may not be a place with four walls," says Leferink.

From: Kim Lewis Designs

Vintage Furniture

Leferink explains that she believes there will be an increase in desire for vintage furniture. "With the current supply chain issues, we believe people will be more apt to repurpose older furniture and/or decor pieces to not only be more focused on sustainability, but also be more friendly to their budgets."

See More Ideas: The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying Antique + Vintage Furniture

Moody Color Palette

Malka Helft from Think Chic Interiors expects a move away from bright white and light color palettes. "Dark, moody walls using paint and wallpaper: while these dark walls bring back some lost drama, they still have powder gray undertones that mesh well with this past years cane and natural wood trend."

See More Ideas: Dark + Dramatic Colors for Any Room

From: Think Chic Interiors

'70s Decor and Colors

"We will be seeing more of the terra cotta, sage and mustard as well as midcentury furniture trademarks: peg legs on cabinets and tables, teak wood tones and highly textured fabrics," explains Helft.

See More Ideas: Disco Balls Aren't Just for Parties! 7 Ways to Decorate With This '70s Throwback

From: Think Chic Interiors

Plant Power

"If we learned anything from being stuck in our homes for over a year, it is that plants make us happy. This year, we will be seeing large trees in living rooms and kitchens; another strong trend that goes right alongside this is oversized planters in natural colors made out of natural materials such as jute, ceramic and even concrete," says Helft.

More Marble

Helft expects more homeowners to select marble over other stones. "We will be seeing more and more of this beautiful stone and its lookalike around homes, from thicker counter tops, wall mounted vanities, to accent walls around the home, as well as outdoors."

See More Ideas: Marble Vs. Quartz: Which is Better?

From: Think Chic Interiors

Green Design

Amanda Thompson with Aline Studio says that a need for eco-conscious designs will "free up our minds and surroundings by reducing the clutter in our lives. Streamlining our existence and moving through the world with smaller carbon footprints. Taking charge and doing our part to mitigate climate change."

Well Design

Thompson expects "a focus on the health and well-being of the inhabitants of a space. We now realize and understand how our built environments influence our health, productivity, and overall mental state."

Biophilic Design

"After over a year of being shut inside, I think there has been and will continue to be a focus on regaining our connection to the natural world through the use of biophilic design principles. An emphasis on creating calming environments with natural lighting and ventilation, incorporating plants and creating a visual connection with nature," explains Thompson.

Diversity & Inclusion

"More support of minority-owned businesses through responsible sourcing of furniture, fixtures, and accessories that promote and celebrate diversity, inclusion and equity," says Thompson.