LET'S TALK TRENDS
Interior design
By Anne Côté
ANNECOTEDESIGN.COM
When it comes to identifying the trends for this year, my research shows that there are all kinds. Everyone makes their selections based on their preferences, what has impressed them, or what they simply perceived among the numerous designs available to us each year. However, I believe that by expanding our research and comparing multiple sources, we can identify two or three dominant trends, as well as one that stands out as a major influence.
Before delving into the specifics of the three dominant trends I’ve identified for 2022, let’s look at how a trend evolves and what we can learn from it. What purpose do the trends serve? Whether it’s for your home or your business, trends are crucial. Trends are unmistakably driven by our culture, and they demonstrate in simple categories how creatively people have expressed themselves or adapted to what has influenced them.
Trends for your home will assist you in making smart decisions about what is best for you in your environment. For your business, the information that trends bring together is essential to keep you ahead and in touch with your customers. A trend embodies an era and reflects the society of its time.
By comparing the different trends, you can see that they all have very different propositions. Hence the multiple trends! See how each trend has a meaning, a way of shaping your space into an inspiring and functional aesthetic, whether it’s for your home or your business. Are you looking for which of the current trends is right for you? Perhaps several of them appeal to you. Of course, you must understand that trends are almost always mixed.
A trend begins rather well defined and evolves over time according to the influences of the moment. A new trend is often a mixture of two trends, as we saw a few years ago, with the Japandi style which combines the modern flair of Scandinavian design and the timeless elegance of the Japanese aesthetic. Trends can guide you in your choices, but overall, your taste is your style when it comes to your home. You know what you need in your environment and if you don’t, a designer can assist you in defining it.
If it is your business, another series of prerequisites come into play. Here, it is no longer a question of your personal taste but rather creating a strong and functional design that will capture the interest of your customers and ensuring that your company stands out while representing its brand image. It is best to consult the experts who will know how to meet these criteria.
Take minimalism for example. This trend is particularly strong these days due to our surrounding world teeming with information, which can get overwhelming. For some, this is the best way to relax at home in a simple, uncluttered space that uses only what is essential. But not everyone needs simplicity and a monochrome palette. It really depends on your personality.
Some people need maximalism in their life. They need and appreciate a lot of things. It’s a style that originated in the Victorian era and is reflected today in people collecting items of interest, traveling a lot, and populating their homes with meaningful art and accessories. The idea is to exhibit a cultural explosion of their experiences and tastes around them.
In business however, minimalism offers a valid escape in this constant bombardment of advertisements that we face. It’s one way for these companies to stand out in the crowd. Look around, and you’ll notice that minimalism today isn’t always pure and hard beige. It can accommodate a wide range of styles and in my opinion, adheres to one of designer Dieter Rams’ ten principles: “Good design is as little design as possible”.
So, what about the 2022 trends? This year, to broaden my perspective, I added another type of non-discipline source to my research. So, I incorporated the results of “in-house” trends from the Pinterest-inspired platform which is a global portrait of the company. By comparing the trends perceived at the Salone del Mobile in Milan 2021, which is THE global meeting place for interior design, several articles on interior trends and those of Pinterest, only one trend intersects, and it is the biophilic design trend.
Biophilic design emphasizes the creation of environments whose shapes, down to the choice of materials and finishes, are inspired by nature. It is even more about incorporating plants into living environments in a meaningful way which makes it possible to establish a visual link with nature. Know that according to studies, biophilia reduces stress, improves creativity and our well-being. At home and in public spaces, people enjoy experiencing the natural component in their lives.
If biophilic design is a big trend these days, design that has the value of eco-sustainability and the reuse of materials takes precedence. It should be noted that, prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the most important trend noted at the Salon del Mobile in 2019 was anything to do with a sustainable environment. However, the trend for sustainability in interior design is still at the forefront this year as the idea that the health of the planet is important translates into responsible design and sustainability is the driving force.
So, expect to see a lot of “green” spaces in 2022. Literally, because several paint companies (Benjamin Moore- Sherwin William – Behr) have chosen green as the color of the year, but also figuratively in accordance with sustainability. This green theme emphasizes well-being, calming spaces, appreciation of the environment and renewable resources.
To conclude, another very important aspect emerging in interior design since the beginning of the health crisis, is the hybrid treatment of the spaces of our home and the compartmentalisation of our open spaces. Interiors have taken center stage since 2020 and our home has become a multifunctional space that must balance family, work, and leisure. As we continue to spend more time in our living spaces, multifunctional or hybrid spaces have therefore become the need of the hour. The open concept spaces are becoming compartmentalised.
And you, how do you integrate the changes in your environment?
By Anne Côté
ANNCOTEDESIGN.COM
