8 spring/summer interior trends set to be huge in 2022

It feels like there has never been such a collective yearning for balmy spring and summer months, and the nascent interior trends for spring/summer 2022 are a reflection of that hope for literal and metaphorical sunnier days.

As we look forward to spending as much time revelling in the outdoors as we do inside our own homes, we will be making efforts to create a more seamless transition between the two, investing in light and breezy open-plan spaces, employing biophilic design principles, and spending time improving our gardens. 

Our pets – the MVP companions of lockdown – will benefit in 2022 from 'barkitecture', the new interior design trend of creating luxury spaces for our pets that fit seamlessly with the design choices we make for ourselves.

But the most prominent design trend for this year revolves around self-care, and siphoning off areas of our homes dedicated to mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

Here are our top interiors trends for spring/summer 2022, and how you can bring them to life...

1. Open-plan living

Open plan living is symptomatic of a change in modern lifestyles, more time at home has meant that a critical eye has been cast on layout and flow, and we are now making changes to maximise our floor plan.

Lizzie Beasley, Head of Design at Magnet says: “Open-plan spaces allow us to move freely around the home with more fluidity and yet we can still incorporate clear zones for various activities like working, eating, exercising and relaxing. An increasing number of us want our homes to feel open, airy and easier to manage a family in.”

“Due to the lack of walls, socialising in your home will become much easier. This is especially great for families as it allows them to spend more quality time together without making changes to their routine. It also makes a great space for hosting as you can keep up conversations with guests whilst multitasking.”

2. Self-spaces

New research by Not On The High Street has revealed that 'self-spaces' - a space dedicated to self-care – will be the main driver in home renovation for spring/summer 2022. Just over a third (34 per dent) of Brits have reported creating a space in their home dedicated to wellness or hobbies, and almost half (48 per cent) would look for homes with a self-space when buying. 

Holly Harper, Head of Inspiration at Not On The High Street says: “Our research has shown that Brits are prioritising their health and wellbeing over everything else this year and it’s clear that our homes will continue to play an important role in our lives, as we look to spend time on the things that we love the most.”

The self-care revolution is changing our bathrooms, too, with the rise of the ‘spathroom,’ or spa-inspired bathroom. 

"With more time being spent at home than ever before, the spa-inspired bathroom trend is growing rapidly," says Richard Ticehurst, Brand Expert at Crosswater. “The key to creating an indulgent spa-inspired bathroom is minimalist design, low lighting, luxurious baths, and high-performance showers. As the home spa trend focuses heavily on mood, neutral colours, clean lines, and natural materials are also essential.”

3. Creating a dream garden

“This year, as our love for our gardens continues to bloom, we’ll see people decorating their gardens in the same way they add personality to their homes,” says Stephen Pitcher, Trading Director of Garden at Homebase. 

According to the annual Renovation Nation Report from money.co.uk , a third (32 per cent) of Brits would like to install a summer house of work studio in their gardens, whilst almost a fifth (18 per cent,) would like a greenhouse or vegetable patch. 

“Historically, gardens have been utility spaces, or for aesthetic value such as decorative botanical gardens. Now, however, people want to give their garden a cosy feel, making it an extension of their homes, ” says Jonny Brierley, CEO at Moda Furnishings. 

“With the introduction of softer outdoor-use upholstery, lighting, accessories and even fire pits, people are applying the same interest in the design of their homes to the design of their gardens. This comes with the increase in popularity of outdoor cinema experiences and the availability of outdoor heading systems.” 

4. Biophilic design

Biophilic design principles connect a space to nature by maximising natural light and ventilation, introducing plants and nature-inspired colours and materials. 

“Linking your indoor and outdoor space is a clever and simple way to make your home feel bigger, whilst inviting the calming energy and natural materials from the outdoors, inside," says Clotilde Passalacqua, Interior Design Leader at IKEA UK and Ireland. “When it comes to upgrading your inside spaces look to incorporate rustic, organic and sustainable pieces of furniture that can evoke a sense of tranquillity with their nods to nature.”

The easiest way to introduce biophilic design into your home is with indoor plants. 

“Now is the perfect time to lean on your old friends, the house plants,” says Camilla Clarke, Creative Director at interior design studio Albion Nord. “Shake things up by re-locating them so rooms in your home gain a new lease of life. Plants increase levels of oxygen and nice smelling flowers can help boost your mood and productivity levels.’ 

5. Considered organisation

Considered organisation is less about stripping your home of everyday essentials, and more about displaying your things in an intentional way. As Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture, puts it: “Uncluttered and well-organised, almost Zen-living, spaces that are “less is more”, with calming clean lines.”

And with a 700% increase in Google searches around decluttering at the end of last year, it looks like 2022 will be the year for the ultimate spring clean.

“People are rethinking the way they store and organize their stuff. In the last year, installing kitchen shelves was up 34%, while mounting floating shelves rose by 67%, showing us that empty walls can actually serve a helpful purpose,” reports TaskRabbit. 

“We predict that people will continue to take advantage of their space in new ways as our personal and professional lives mesh even further. Coffee tables will serve as workstations, ottomans, storage units and more. Beds will follow suit. And the best part? No clutter… as donations are also up 15%.”

6. Dark academia

A nascent interior trend that was made for country homes. With roots in social media (dark academia content has been viewed by 1.7 billion people on TikTok,) it takes its aesthetic cues from old academic institutions – a romanticised version of English boarding schools for instance – with an emphasis on lots of books, deep nature-inspired colours, William Morris-esque wallpaper, vintage and antique treasures, and a touch of English eccentricity.

“At the heart of this characterful style is a focus on literature, taking inspiration from the beautiful libraries of academic institutes,” says the experts at Crafted Beds. “Displaying books, especially aged and bound ones, will add a somewhat cluttered yet cultured and well-read persona to your living room or bedroom. You can place these haphazardly on shelves and windowsills or stack them on coffee tables for the desired effect.”

7. Shades of green

Green is the standout colour trend for spring/summer 2022, with a fresh, harmonious and revitalising impact on our homes. 

“From olive to sage, eucalyptus to mint, tones of naturally-inspired green will be a huge trend this year,” said Becca Stern is co-founder and creative director of Mustard Made. 

“While we’ve spent so much more time in our homes over the last few years inspiring the trend towards calm and comfort, we’re also yearning for the wholesome simplicity of being in nature, especially green environments. We’ll see this translate into natural greens being used as the foundation of many interior colour palettes - green will essentially become the neutral that anchors the design and styling of a space.

8. Cocooning curves

There is a significant move towards rounded shapes in interiors, symptomatic of a lifestyle geared towards comfort and cocooning. 

“Curves have an immediate empathy with nature and are a welcoming feature to any interior. They help us feel connected to our surroundings, making us feel warm and safe,” says Claire O’Brien, Head of Design at Splashback. “These curvaceous forms can be seen in cabinets, headboards, sinks and a range of accessories as well as kitchen islands, whether it be lozenge shapes, scalloped edges or purist circular motifs.”