THE START OF a new year is an opportunity to think about new beginnings, new resolutions, new goals and… new trends.
If you’re hoping to buy this year, there’s a high chance you’ll have thought about what your new space might look like, from what colour palette you’d choose to what furniture you’d like. But what are the interiors trends that are going to emerge as the year goes on?
To help you keep your finger on the pulse, we spoke to interior designer and architect Aoife Tobin from Style So Simple. She told us her predictions for this year (hint: minimalism is out) – as well as the trends to avoid. Read on to see what she had to say…
Earthy green tones
Picking out which colour scheme to follow throughout your new home can be tricky as, chances are, you’ll want it to last and look good for several years. Neutrals are often a good option for this, and there’s a new one to love for 2022, says Aoife. “Green is the new neutral,” she says. “It’s so versatile. The reason it’s actually coming in is because everyone is wants to get the organic exterior vibe in their home, which is definitely a result of the lockdowns. So green is a colour that people have kind of been transitioning to because it is represented so much on the exterior.”
According to Aoife, earthy greens, muted greens and natural greens are the way to go. “They’re very, very big for 2022.”
Combining vintage finds with more modern pieces
Transitional interiors – a mix between traditional and contemporary styles – is something Aoife predicts to be “quite big” this year. “We’re seeing a lot of people are talking about vintage interiors, and with a transitional space you can add in vintage items and more contemporary items, and they look really, really nice.” For example, this could mean having a large vintage-style rug in an otherwise modern room.
Incorporating smart home devices where possible
Alexa, make my dinner. We might not be there just yet in terms of technology, but in 2022 our homes are going to get even smarter, says Aoife. From using smart home devices to control our lighting to turning the heating on via your phone, technology in the home is expected to become more and more accessible. “One of the things that I’d really recommend new homeowners look at is the smart home element,” says Aoife.
“It can seem confusing to some people, but there are so many ways to integrate it into your home. For new homeowners, let’s say if you’re getting window finishes, have them on a smart connection so that they can open from your phone or open themselves at certain times of the day. It just just makes life so much easier. And if you make things easier in your home, it makes it more comfortable.”
Other options include smart plugs and smart bulbs, which are great for creating ambience during the winter months, says Aoife. “There’s so much to the smart home element. You can have your house connected to an iPad or you can just integrate these little things.
Another way to ensure your home is smartly designed is to consider sustainability when shopping, says Aoife. “I wouldn’t say it’s a trend because it’s something that everyone is moving towards, but sustainability is going to be really big in 2022. Look at the companies you’re buying for and what they’re doing about their carbon footprint, look at the things you already have and if you can up-cycle them, shop around for vintage pieces instead of buying new. Do it as much as you can.”
Instagram-inspired minimalist decor
While it might look great on social media, extreme minimalist interiors aren’t sticking around this year, says Aoife. “I don’t mean the beautiful airy interiors, but super minimal interiors where everything is white and there’s just one black table are gone. It’s not liveable.” Instead, Aoife recommends opting for light interiors with various textures and finishes throughout, such as using several different types of cushion in a neutral-coloured living room.
Curved furniture
Another trend that was quite popular on social media in 2021 was curved furniture, like curved sofas, tables and bed frames. While Aoife imagines the trend will continue to be popular this year, when shopping for decor for a new home she recommends looking for items that are “both trending and timeless.”
The last thing new homeowners want to do is get something that’s going to date.
“It should be fun, but it’s not like fashion where we can just go and buy stuff quite inexpensively and put it into our home. With a curved sofa, yes it’s beautiful, but is it very functional in terms or form and spatial awareness? Not really.”
If you want to incorporate the trend in a more timeless way, Aoife recommends adding curved structural pieces to your home, or taking it one step further and creating an arched doorway to an open plan area. “That’s an architectural feature that looks really bespoke, and it won’t date in the right setting.”
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
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