As we wrap up 2022, we take a look back at how this year introduced new adaptations to the way we live, work, and interact with our built environment, especially after emerging from years of unprecedented changes. One way to describe this year's design identity is that there isn't one. Going through this transitional period, inspiration came from foreign travels, immersive virtual worlds, being one with the planet and the serenity that came with it, platforms that promote expressionism and individuality, and a trend-setting generation known for its bold perspectives.
Several 2020 and 2021 interior design trends remained dominant in 2022, such as biophilic elements, curves and free-flowing forms, and muted hues. Given that we all spent most of our time indoors the past couple of years and we began prioritizing emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing, our habits dictated how we wanted the spaces around us to look like: functional, appealing, calm, and playful with a connection to the outdoors.
Looking at the world's dynamic throughout 2022, whether it be economic, environmental, or social, we saw subtle flashbacks of pre-pandemic days combined with newly-introduced behaviors. Many trend reporters predicted that post-pandemic days would mimic the Roaring 20's, where people had just come out of war, burdens, and restrictions into a world of liberation, exaggeration, and charm. That, along with socio-political events and the introduction of the metaverse, defined the trends seen across interior, graphic, fashion, and web design: inclusivity, fluidity, understated-yet-vibrant features, and nods to Mother Earth, to name a few.
This year, we saw a variety of interior design trends; some new, some familiar, and some recycled from previous movements. Organic and sculptural forms inspired by natural silhouettes were heavily seen across furniture pieces, lighting fixtures, and partitions. In the world of retail and hospitality design, architects and designers found different ways to tell the story behind brands and transform them into visual and physical narratives. Nostalgic design movements were reintroduced to fit a more contemporary context. The concept of "open space" was also reimagined; instead of having continuous unobstructed interiors, elevated platforms, low-rise partitions, and contrasts in flooring materials were used to create a "virtual" separation between two rooms while maintaining visual inclusivity. And in terms of aesthetics, color palettes, material selections, and accessories were heavily inspired by the geographical features of the desert.
Read on to discover 10 design trends that shaped the interior spaces of 2022.
Storytelling through Design
Blast from the Past
Organic and Sculptural Forms
Reimagined Open Spaces
Glass Blocks
Neon
Tiling Everywhere
Inspired by the Desert
"A Little Bit of Everything" Décor
Highlighted Skeletons
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Year in Review presented by Randers Tegl.
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