2022 home design trends play on classics that don’t age

In 2022, interior design is beginning to look blue —  as the year leads off with saturated colors of deep navy, emerald greens and warm wood tones, and retiring the once-popular “coastal casual” stark whites and neutrals of every shade.

Design experts  are calling for a return to good bones and restoring historical elements, embracing original architecture and creating solutions to updating a space without mass-produced, commercial items.

“History is sexy,” said Brendan Flanigan of Brendan Flanigan Interiors, a luxury interior designer serving clients in Saratoga Springs, Manhattan and other urban areas. “Perhaps the prevalence of being indoors has us itching for romantic, historical architecture.”

 It’s time to put emphasis on remodeling what’s currently inside to meet a more modern, current flair – and letting your personal style and passions lead the way, Flanigan said.

“My perennial new year of trends always renews with focus on clients’ style and to bring that to life in their homes, businesses or recreational spaces. I think the pandemic drove people to want to design their home to be in step with their pastimes.”

Flanigan’s take on color trends for 2022 fall in line with that of Lee Owens, principal of the Niskayuna-based Lee Owen Designs. Both Flanigan and Owens are excited by moody colors, like deep, rich shades of blue or navy, various greens and anything that can be picked up in a beautifully stained piece of cherry, oak or walnut wood.

Pantone’s 2022 color of the year is Very Peri, which the company describes  as a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a violet-red undertone. And while design resource Wayfair Professional likes an avocado green, the antique and modern furniture website 1stDibs predicts a broader scope of greens from light to dark, stating anything ranging from sage to emerald is having its moment this year.

For those who fear committing to color or simply prefer a more muted palette, there’s also a new wave of renewed neutrals. Designers are mixing blue with black, and using textures to help define light-colored walls, accent furniture and pillows. White or light cabinetry can be traded for more mild blues and greens, or get an easy upgrade with gold fixtures, unique countertop accessories and decor.

“When dark colors are layered, it creates a luxe, moody atmosphere that transports you or your guests to a truly stylish environment,”  Flanigan said. “Instead of starting with gray, begin with a butterscotch leather (for a sofa) and then add a second color that you love.” 

Painted and coffered ceilings also help this trend along, he said.  Owens suggested painting doors, mouldings or trim in accent colors.

If your home doesn’t have a great deal of historic features on its own, the opportunity lies in creating warmth and a sexy, cozy style through antiques and pre-loved furniture.

With ongoing supply chain issues and inventory shortages still affecting many redesign projects, Owens helps her clients explore purchasing vintage pieces rather than wait for mass-produced furniture with no clear estimated time of arrival.

Some of Owens’ recent projects feature antique light fixtures from table lamps to focal point chandeliers, and the decision to offset these detailed, vintage elements with soft, round-edged furniture, dark and textured walls complemented by large-scale antique artwork and oil paintings.

In a living room space designed by Flanigan, old millwork stands by a new leather sofa with nearby modern art, borrowed from a different era. Flanigan plays with florals in addition to a saturated color palette to bring personality to each room, while also making sure styles flow throughout an entire floor or space.

“Today’s design is driven by people’s passions,” Flanigan said. “From enhanced wine storage options to creating a space for a car collecting enthusiast, it’s about what makes people tick. Authenticity always wins you over.”

Yet with any wave of new, there’s also an understood hesitancy to go completely out with the old. When it’s time to upgrade a more expensive household piece like a couch or a dining table, it should be able to withstand changing trends, so long as you love it.

“Invest in key pieces you love,” Flanigan said. “It will carry the room and work in a series of color schemes that can easily be changed without breaking the bank.”

But if you’re eager to embrace a new trend to its fullest, especially when it comes to the bold styles on the horizon, an all-in attitude is the biggest requirement to nail the look.


“I think people are often afraid to commit to a design trend, and when they do it only halfway or half-heartedly, the results are unsatisfactory,” Owens said. “My advice is, if you’re ready to embrace a trend, go big and go-all in. Hopefully you’ll smile every time you walk by the space.”

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