The New Year always rushes in with an overflowing list of resolutions to tackle. Some we accomplish and some we don’t. One resolution that’s always high on the list—and usually kept—is to make home renovations.
As Forbes reports, renovating and remodeling your home can not only make you feel happier about the space you live in, but can also increase your home’s value. And the year 2022 had some stand-out home remodeling trends worth looking back at.
It’s true, trends come and go. Some trends crash and burn while some trends have sticking power with the really good ones reappearing or being reinvented years later. Here’s a look at Forbes’ biggest home remodeling trends of 2022, with many holding strong into the new year:
1. Colorful Kitchen Cabinets
White cabinets had their time in the sun, but colored kitchen cabinets were all the rage in 2022. This includes using black design accents such as black and darker-colored cabinets. Some of the colors on trend in 2022 were earthy greens, matte gray, baby or ocean blue and red. The colored cabinet trend will go on in 2023 like earth-inspired tones, happy yellows, warm greens and neutrals.
2. Dark Paint
A new coat of paint is a fast way to give your home an instant facelift, such as painting a wall. And in 2022, darker, moodier colors were popular, like dark greens and navy hues. “Dark paint is sticking around. People are leaning into the idea of darker hues in unexpected places,” says Breegan Jane, interior designer, HGTV host and Legrand brand ambassador. “I think people will continue to embrace the darker tones instead of being afraid of them.”
3. Bright Wallpaper
The 1960s and 1970s showed groovy love for wallpaper, showcasing bold and modern designs. Wallpaper made a big statement in 2022. Bold colors and patterned prints were used to bring alive living rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Wallpaper trends are expected to be big in 2023 with ombre, lavenders, floral, metallics, tropical, monochrome, natural prints and more.
4. Bringing Nature Into Your Home
Becoming one with nature doesn’t just happen in the outdoors. More homes in 2022 sought to bring nature into their home spaces. Additions of warm earthy tones, plants and natural visuals were popular. Heading into 2023, expect to continue to see this trend explode with colors inspired by nature, such as softer greens and blues and natural accents like rattan, bamboo, and stone. “Natural fibers and rattans are being featured in a more modern profile, and plastics are being wrapped in ways that mimic basket weaving. Sofas are covered in natural pilled fibers,” says Jane.
5. Outdoor Living Spaces
The year 2022 saw homeowners expanding outdoor living spaces into backyard escapes, including incorporating fire pits and fire tables, rugs, couches and pillows and outdoor entertaining accessories like TVs and projectors. The trend is expected to continue into 2023.
“Utilizing outdoor areas as expanded spaces for living continues to be a top priority,” says Adam Dunn, vice president of design, Four Hands. “Oversized cushioning, flexible seating, curves and rounded edges, and tactile design innovations deliver indoor comfort to home exteriors in unprecedented ways.”
6. Kitchen Islands
With the kitchen as the heart of any home, family and friends congregate around this space to eat, entertain and socialize. Kitchen islands served as a multipurpose hub in 2022 being used as a workspace too. Due to their multipurpose use, kitchen islands are becoming longer, with some even measuring more than seven feet long, a trend that is expected to go into 2023 for dining and entertainment purposes.
This has also led to the statement island where an island can have different color cabinets, a bold countertop color and details like pendant lights. The year 2022 also saw the popularity of double islands where two smaller islands are used instead of one big one and used for different purposes, such as a minibar or workspace.
7. The Home Office
The home office was a major trend during the pandemic, due to the need to work at home at the time, but lost a little steam once many people returned back to work in person. However, for some homeowners who got used to the concept, having a home office is still appealing. Going into 2023, home offices will get more luxurious and inventive and have statement wallpaper, color infusion, furniture with twisty lines and curvy edges and more personalized spaces.
8. Glass Walls
For those not yet ready to let go of open floor plans, a glass wall is an option. The trend picked up steam in 2022 and is expected to continue into 2023. Interior or exterior glass walls give a home the appearance of being more spacious and open, yet multifunctional. Glass walls can provide family members some separation, but still look open.
9. Bathroom Oasis
The year 2022 was a big year for bathroom renovations. The emphasis was on creating a tranquil environment in the bathroom to unwind and destress. Whether it was adding a large bathtub or stand-up shower, the bathroom was a major focal point for renovations. This also included experimenting with bathroom lighting, candles and painting calming colors in the bathroom. The new year can expect bathtubs and showers to get deeper and more luxurious. Homeowners will put greater emphasis on bringing natural elements into the bathroom, such as plants, more sunshine and natural wood.
As in previous years, the beginning of 2022 saw more homes making their interiors more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Homeowners incorporated everything from solar-powered lights to refurbishing old furniture to be more eco-friendly in the home. Smart home features like eco-flushing toilets and energy-efficient devices were big as well. Well into the new year, homeowners will continue to be more conscious of how they decorate their homes using sustainable recyclable materials, DIY decor and seeking out locally sourced materials.
Bottom Line
Home design is important for happiness and well-being. With 2022 coming to a close, it’s important for homeowners to continue to incorporate renovation trends that meet their style and needs. While trends come and go, some ideas can help spur your creativity and inspire your next home improvement project in the new year.
“I think owning our individuality is a trend that social media has allowed us all to feel confident about. People will continue honing and establishing their unique design styles,” says Jane.
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Photo Credit: Ds design studio / Shutterstock.com