*article courtesy of houzz
Great design often starts with a spark. It could be a color, a material or even a feeling of what you want your life to be like at home. And that initial inspiration is different for everyone. But if you’re looking for ideas to start a home renovation or new-build project in 2022 or beyond, this roundup of trends will provide plenty of ignition.
We browsed thousands of popular home design photos, spoke with dozens of home design and remodeling professionals on Houzz, studied the latest Houzz data and research and looked at countless past articles to arrive at a collection of home design trends we think will be big in the months ahead.
Kitchens
1. Multiple Window Banks
Many homeowners on Houzz dream of light and bright kitchens. One way to get that is with plenty of windows that let the natural light stream in. Long banks of multiple windows, sometimes on two or even three walls, create a space full of light, fresh air — if the windows are operable — and views. Thanks to the rise of hardworking pantry walls, storage-optimized island bases and lower cabinets that allow homeowners to skip upper cabinets, we anticipate homeowners will go with expansive runs of windows in 2022.
For this Redmond, Washington, kitchen, the designers at Sienna & Sage Interior Design wrapped three sides of the room with windows that frame leafy views. Natural materials such as knotty wood flooring, soapstone countertops and wood details in the ceiling beam and vent hood complement the tree-filled property.
Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn is a big fan of using multiple banks of windows. For this New York kitchen, she added five expansive black-framed casement windows across the back on the range wall and three more casement windows on the side sink wall.
“We are seeing a long-term trend in kitchen design toward connectedness to nature,” Robertson says, citing research done by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. “With stress levels at all-time highs and people spending more time indoors, they are craving a connection to the outdoors and nature. And larger windows in the kitchen help achieve this goal.”
2. Casual Collected Look
While the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study confirmed that all-white kitchens remain dominant, layered looks are gaining in popularity. A dressed-up, collected style caught on last year, but for 2022 a more casual, less-polished approach looks to be taking hold.
The look features softer, lighter paint colors, raw wood tones and a mix of cabinet fronts and styles. This light, layered design keeps the eye moving, provides visual texture and nuance and delivers a style that appears put together over time in a relaxed way.
This Austin, Texas, kitchen by Ariel Bleich Design is a good example. It features white and blue cabinets, a taupe-colored backsplash, raw wood tones and glass cabinet fronts and pendant lights. It was the most-saved kitchen photo uploaded to Houzz in 2021.
This Minneapolis kitchen by designer Laura Tays of Tays & Co Design Studios also shows a casual collected look. The laid-back, rustic-cabin-inspired style comes through in the natural materials, such as the wood ceiling, island base and floor; soapstone island countertop; stone bar wall; and zellige tiles.
3. Islands
The kitchen island has been rising in popularity for years but has practically become ubiquitous lately. If the kitchen is the hub of the home, then consider the island the hub of the hub of the home.
Many homeowners are working with design and remodeling professionals to rejigger layouts to fit an island, large or small. Plus, kitchen islands seem to be taking on more duties these days. In addition to providing extra counter space and storage, many now include the dishwasher, trash pullout, prep sink and seating.
This San Francisco kitchen by KBG Design features seating for six, a prep sink and plenty of countertop space.
